ADVERTISING WORKS

I have been to Applebee's many times over the past 7 weeks.
Each time I look at the same menu and every once in a while I select something new.
Last night I saw a commercial on TV for Applebee's touting their new Bowls.
I sought out the extra menu when I went to Applebee's for lunch today.
SOLD.
The bowl I had was delicious and suitably low in calories.
Advertising works!

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I'M BACK

Welcome to my blog.
I am a bit of a moron.
On December 24, 2014 I weighed 309 lbs.
I weighed myself a couple of days ago on Monday, and I weighed 283.6 lbs.
Oh, lucky me, I am down 25 lbs.
This is true.
It is also true that I was tipping the scale at 213 lbs a couple of years ago.
When my weight approached and surpassed 230 I was disgusted but did not make any changes.
When my weight approached and surpassed 240, I was more disgusted but did not make any changes.
When my weight approached and surpassed 250, I was even more disgusted.
and my disgust continued past 260, 270 and 280.
The more weight I gained, the more disgusted I got with myself.
I have been waiting for the day when I finally say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
THAT DAY WAS MONDAY JULY 30, TWO DAYS AGO.
I AM GOING TO REVERSE COURSE (AGAIN)
I understand my personality... It almost has to be a game to keep me on track.
I started entering my meals into myfitnesspal, again.
And I am no longer going to be snacking with wild reckless abandon.
I have some colleagues flying into Chicago to work with me October 2.
I would like to NOT be a fat pig when I pick them up.
I will have a national tradeshow to attend November 2.
I would like to NOT be a fat pig when I see everyone in my industry.
I will likely visit my Mom, in December.
I would like to NOT be a fat pig when I visit my Mom.
I may pass a mirror from time to time.
I would like to NOT see a fat pig in the reflection.
So, there it is... my new 'baseline' weight is 283.6 lbs as of Monday morning July 30.
I know it seems ridiculous... but after two days of NOT eating like a moron... I already feel better.

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ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST

Another one bites the dust. Is it just me, or does is seem like every day another lefty liberal icon is leaving the national stage under a cloud of some degree of sexual harassment?  I must admit, I am not exactly heartbroken over the plight of any of these guys. They are not the victims.

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Would you like to know what a sanctimonious schmuck looks like? This should do it. It is a photograph of sanctimonious schmuck Matt Lauer interviewing Bill O'Reilly after O'Reilly was fired by Fox News for some various cases of sexual harassment which were settled with big cash payouts to a handful of women. I am not defending O'Reilly. But what gave Lauer the right to grill Bill?

from variety.com

In September, Lauer asked the former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly if he’d ever sent lewd text messages to colleagues. “Think about those … women and what they did,” Lauer said. “They came forward and filed complaints against the biggest star at the network they worked at. Think about how intimidating that must have been. Doesn’t that tell you how strongly they felt about you?”

Would you like to see a photograph of a woman who has no idea how much danger she's in. This should do it. It is a photograph of Katie Holmes flanked by formerly respected, politically influential, Harvey Weinstein and the former King of Morning TV, Matt Lauer.

Would you like to see a photograph of two people sharing trade secrets? This should do it. "What, you mean you don't have a secret button under your desk to lock your door and keep your object of your affection trapped?"

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Would you like to see a photograph that is just disturbing? This should do it. I don't care what Matt Lauer does in the own time (OK, just kidding, This was from Halloween 2013) I just felt like sharing it today.

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Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Quaker - Instant Oatmeal- Maple	640	128	8	16	1,040	48
Simple Super 8 Cinnamon Roll	310	48	15	4	550	25
	950	176	23	20	1,590	73
L U N C H
Real Jerky Applewood Bacon	500	38	25	25	2,294	38
	500	38	25	25	2,294	38
D I N N E R
Subway - Turkey Breast Foot Long	560	92	7	36	0	14
Campbell's Chunky Hearty Beef Barley	560	96	6	32	3,160	24
	1,120	188	13	68	3,160	38
S N A C K S
Klondike - Sandwich	360	62	9	6	300	32
Dove - Dark Chocolate Bar, 1 bar	220	24	13	2	0	19
	580	86	22	8	300	51
Totals	3,150	488	83	121	7,344	200
Your Daily Goal	3,396	424	113	170	2,300	127
Remaining	246	-64	30	49	-5,044	-73
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 1,466 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 225.4 lbs in 5 weeks.

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BURN NOTICE

It's embarrassing to admit how little time it took me to plow through 111 episodes of Burn Notice on netflix. Embarrassing enough, that I will not admit it. I will admit only that it took more than a week, and far less than one month. Great show about a spy, Michael Westin, who has been 'burned.' That is cut off from his previous support network and life as a spy.  So if you are looking for some great TV on a cold wintry day, I might suggest that you give Burn Notice a try. Be prepared for some sleep deprivation, as it is very difficult not to watch the 'next' episode. (110 times)

Your Food Diary For:

Saturday, November 25, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Grits	400	88	6	8	1,240	4
Kirkland - Bacon	200	0	15	15	875	0
Nutty Oat	250	46	5	11	393	7
	850	134	26	34	2,508	11
L U N C H
Taco Bell - Hard Shell Taco	680	48	40	32	1,240	4
	680	48	40	32	1,240	4
D I N N E R
Pot roast	300	6	9	44	0	0
Eurest - Classic Bread Stuffing	200	25	9	5	876	3
Yams	300	72	0	2	90	40
	800	103	18	51	966	43
S N A C K S
Ice Cream Bar	480	33	39	6	150	3
	480	33	39	6	150	3
Totals	2,810	318	123	123	4,864	61
Your Daily Goal	3,227	403	107	162	2,300	121
Remaining	417	85	-16	39	-2,564	60
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 1,297 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 223.7 lbs in 5 weeks.

THAT'S A SHAME

Esteemed journalist extraordinaire, Charlie Rose joins the list of upstanding, dignified, misunderstood powerful men who have recently admitted making some missteps. (Actually misstep was the term used by John Lasseter of Disney Pixar for his newly revealed indiscretions) Lefty Liberal Icon, Charlie Rose has been fired from PBS, CBS and Bloomberg. With the same customary enthusiasm uttered by Jerry Seinfeld on his popular TV show, I say the same thing: That's a shame.

Your Food Diary For:

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Grits	400	88	6	8	1,240	4
	400	88	6	8	1,240	4
L U N C H
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, 2	700	55	31	17	286	31
	700	55	31	17	286	31
D I N N E R
Rice A Roni - Mexican Style Rice	250	41	8	6	720	3
Homemade - Ground Beef Tacos	700	36	40	27	1,229	3
	950	77	48	33	1,949	6
S N A C K S
Klondike - Klondike Bar, 2 bar	500	58	28	6	140	46
	500	58	28	6	140	46
Totals	2,550	278	113	64	3,615	87
Your Daily Goal	3,748	468	125	188	2,300	140
Remaining	1,198	190	12	124	-1,315	53
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 1,818 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 213.8 lbs in 5 weeks.

NETFLIX BINGE WATCHING

Anyone can binge watch TV on netflix. Binge watchers often curl up on the couch and get dug in for a few hours of episodic TV. I do things a bit differently. Naturally. I started watching a very creepy and equally engaging show this past weekend: The Followers. This show is about a charismatic serial killer who heads a vicious cult of like-minded misfits. Kevin Bacon is the actor charged with ending this reign of terror. On Saturday night I woke up around 2:00AM and started watching netflix. I watched for a few hours before daybreak. And during every minutes of this binge watching I was walking in place getting in steps and more steps. During the day, I did take an actual urban hike of seven miles with my daughter. During the afternoon and up until midnight, my binge-watching continued. When the clock struck 12:00 midnight my fitbit showed that I had exceeded 70,000 steps for the day. I am well aware that stepping in place does not generate the same benefit as actual walking, but I am sure that its benefit is better than just being slouched in a couch for the equivalent amount of time. 

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Your Food Diary For:

Sunday, November 5, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Cheerios - Pumpkin Spice	700	140	13	13	763	51
Campbell's  Chunky Soup Hearty Beef Barley	280	48	3	16	1,580	12
	980	188	16	29	2,343	63
L U N C H
Wasabi Rice Crackers	420	88	5	7	298	0
Sushi Salmon Roll	300	44	8	13	709	6
	720	132	13	20	1,007	6
D I N N E R
Read - 3 Bean Salad	300	65	0	5	1,500	40
Campbell's - Chunky Soup - Hearty Beef Barley	280	48	3	16	1,580	12
	580	113	3	21	3,080	52
S N A C K S
Yogurt Almonds	300	30	19	5	27	26
	300	30	19	5	27	26
Totals	2,580	463	51	75	6,457	147
Your Daily Goal	2,980	372	99	150	2,300	111
Remaining	400	-91	48	75	-4,157	-36
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 1,050 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 219.9 lbs in 5 weeks.

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SPEAK SOFTLY AND CARRY A BIG STICK

"Speak softly and carry a big stick." This quotation has been attributed to President Theodore Roosevelt.  Although I did carry my big (walking) stick during my 10 mile hike at Indiana Dunes yesterday, today I want to speak loudly.

Our President, Donald Trump has been saying lots about the ungrateful, unpatriotic, unthinking NFL Football Players who have been disrespecting our flag and our country. Does anyone really know what this protest is about? There is no one, including me, who denies that these players have the 'right' to 'take a knee' or sit or even fail to appear on the field during the National Anthem. Good, so we all agree to this. The thing is, the NFL is a private organization and they have lots of rules that impinge on the players 'rights.'  For example, let's say that a player scores a touchdown and wants to do a little jig, waltz or cha cha in the End Zone... Now, I don't know too much about football, but I do know that this is not allowed.  Apparently his right to free speech is curtailed. Say for example, a player wanted to wear pink socks to honor someone in his family that was fighting breast cancer... Again, I repeat, I don't know too much about football, but I do know that this is not allowed. Apparently his right to free speech is curtailed. So this is what I want to see to the football players, the owners, the sportswriters and every other dope who thinks this 'taking a knee' is a good idea. Shut up. Respect our flag, Respect our country, and respect yourselves. Because if you do not,  the 11% decline  in television viewership will only accelerate, while more and more Americans will simply find another diversion. Dennis Prager, astute radio host, and author, has been suggesting lately that badminton is an exciting game. Now, if I can only find my shuttlecock...

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My day yesterday started at 4:00AM when my alarm went off. I needed to be in Warsaw, Indiana for a 9:00AM appointment about 2.5 hours from Chicago. Unfortunately, Indiana is in the Eastern Time Zone, so I needed to be well on my way by 5:00AM to insure that I would be on time.  On my return trip home, I stopped at Indiana Dunes and took an actual hike of 10 miles. I do enjoy my urban hikes. But I much prefer a hike at the Dunes which is evenly divided between walking through a forested area and walking right on the beach where Lake Michigan meets the beach. Plus, I like breaking out my recently acquired walking stick, which comes in real handy when one is trying to climb a mountain of sand. 

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Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Quaker Oats instant grits - Instant Grits, 4	400	88	6	8	1,240	0
	400	88	6	8	1,240	0
L U N C H
Jimmy John's - Bootlegger, 1 sandwich	684	67	24	42	1,660	0
Fresh Thyme Coconut Water w/pulp	140	32	0	0	0	0
	824	99	24	42	1,660	0
D I N N E R
Trader Joe's - Mahi Mahi Burgers, 1 patty	110	1	5	15	320	0
Read - 3 Bean Salad	300	65	0	5	1,500	40
Campbell's Manhattan Clam Chowder	240	36	6	10	1,600	6
	650	102	11	30	3,420	46
S N A C K S
Fruitfull - Coconut Ice Cream, 3 cup	135	14	8	2	35	13
	135	14	8	2	35	13
Totals	2,009	303	49	82	6,355	59
Your Daily Goal	3,330	416	111	167	2,300	125
Remaining	1,321	113	62	85	-4,055	66
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 1,400 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 224.4 lbs in 5 weeks