BAT MITZVAH

In Jewish tradition, once a boy/girl is 13 years old they are Bar/Bat Mitzvah. They are considered an adult within the Jewish Community and are responsible for following  Jewish Laws and customs.  Today, Saturday, my daughter will be Bat Mitzvah.

I think, that I will get my priorities straight and forego my 10 mile walk today.  Yesterday's walk didn't quite agree with me and I was limping a bit on and off all day with a tight muscle... A rest is apparently in order.   I will be busy today from 9AM straight through to perhaps Midnight.  There simply is not time for a ten mile walk - and this was not a day to get up a 5:00AM to get that done.  

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Your Food Diary For:

Friday, December 4, 2015

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Quakers - Rice Cake Salted, 14 Cake (9g)	490	98	0	14	210	0
John McCann Steel Cut - Oat Meal, 1/2 cup	300	54	0	8	0	0
Toast and Butter - Toast and Butter, 1 slice	100	0	11	0	0	0
	890	152	11	22	210	0
L U N C H
Sushi - Salmon Avocado Roll, 1 roll	304	42	9	13	0	0
	304	42	9	13	0	0
D I N N E R
Seedlander Crispbreads, 7 piece	700	84	28	28	910	14
Campbell's Manhattan Clam Chowder, 2 cup	240	36	6	10	1,600	6
	940	120	34	38	2,510	20
S N A C K S
YOGURT PRETZELS, (approx 24 pcs)	570	84	0	6	540	57
Chocolate Chip Cookies, 3 Medium Cookie	330	19	18	7	45	10
	900	103	18	13	585	67
Totals	3,034	417	72	86	3,305	87
Your Daily Goal	4,035	504	134	202	2,300	151
Remaining	1,001	86	62	116	-1,005	63
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 2,105 extra calories from exercise today

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Friday, December 4, 2015

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
Walking, 5.0 mph	124	2,106
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-1
Daily Total / Goal	125 / 30	2,105 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	644 / 210	11,924 / 4,130

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total calories consumed 3034 calories

total calories burned (10 mile walk) 2106 calories

total net calories 928 calories

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fitbit day 93

27258 steps

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minimum ten mile per day walking streak reached 26 days.   And at 26 days, this streak will end... I have a full day ahead of me today.  My daughter will be Bat Mitzvah during Shabbat morning services.  In the afternoon I will be in attendance at her party for 40+ friends.  And following the party for her friends, the adults with gather for a more serene dinner.  And just as the adult party starts to taper off - my Chabad friends have been invited for some L'chaims!   This should be an interesting day.  I do not have the opportunity (or desire) to do my 10 mile walk today... but it might still be interesting to see how many steps I accumulate.  I expect the day to be somewhat active.

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214.5 lbs

I weigh 214.5 lbs.

I lost 0.3 lb this week

I have lost 94.5 lbs in 346 days. Today begins Day 347.

I will always be at the beginning of a journey that never ends.

I weigh 214.5 lbs (346 days ago I weighed 309 lbs)

I have lost 30.6% of my weight since Dec 24.

I have a BMI, body mass index of 28.69

I had a 42.0 BMI on Dec 24 just 346 days ago (Class III obesity)

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AND THOU SHALL DWELL IN THE LAND OF GOSHEN

The Goshen in the title of today's blog post refers to a specific place near biblical Egypt.  I have no intention of dwelling in Goshen - but I did lodge there last evening. Goshen, Indiana.  After a two hour trip out of Chicago, I arrived in Goshen in the late afternoon and managed to squeeze in an 11 mile walk.

I did not have much sunlight for this walk and in the future I am going to have to find well lit streets if I am to be out after dark.  As much as I am enjoying outdoor walking - it may be time to start taking advantage of my YMCA membership during the sunlight shortened wintry nights that I will be facing for the next few months.

The woman at the front desk of my hotel let me know that if I walked 3 miles down the road that I would find a nice trail.  It got dark soon after I arrived, but I did enjoy finding this river trail even if I only experienced it for a short time.

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This afternoon hike was 'only' 11 miles.  Too much of this walk took place under a moonless dark night.  The few parts of the walk that took place in a suburban subdivision were extremely enjoyable. The parts where I was walking along the road were not quite as relaxing.

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Your Food Diary For:

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Jones - Sliced Ham, 2 Slices	50	1	2	8	410	0
John McCann Steel Cut - Oat Meal, 1 cup	600	108	0	16	0	0
FARM FRESH EGG-LAND'S. BEST - GRADE A EGG LARGE, 2 egg	120	0	8	12	130	0
Clif Bar - Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch (2013), 1 bar (68g)	250	41	7	10	200	21
FRESH THYME - DEHYDRATED PAPAYA (lLOW SUGAR), 52.5 g (approx 1/10 cup)	175	44	0	0	44	32
WHOLE FOODS 8890 - STRAWBERRY VANILLA HEMP GRANOLA, 54.45 g (3/4 cup)	248	40	8	5	59	15
WHOLE FOODS 7089 - 42% CACAO SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS, 41.25 g (approx 2 TBSP)	193	28	11	3	0	22
	1,636	261	35	54	843	89
L U N C H
WHOLE FOODS - NATURAL WASABI GREEN PEAS, 0.38333294205272195 cup (30 grams)	138	22	3	5	276	2
WHOLE FOODS 7700 - ORGANIC DATE PIECES w/OAT FLOWER, 62.0 g (2 TBSP)	186	46	0	2	15	34
WHOLE FOODS 5938 - UNSWEETENED BANANA CHIPS, 39.0 g (1/4 cup)	221	21	13	3	6	1
WHOLE FOODS 7236 - SUPERFOOD CEREAL HEMP & GREENS, 45.9 g (approx 1/2 cup)	174	27	8	4	33	12
	719	116	25	13	331	49
D I N N E R
Forrelli - Rice Cakes Multigrain Thin, 36 SLICE	720	144	0	0	720	0
	720	144	0	0	720	0
S N A C K S
Dang - Toasted Coconut Chips - Caramel Sea Salt, 3 oz (28 g)	480	48	30	3	570	30
	480	48	30	3	570	30
Totals	3,555	569	90	70	2,464	169
Your Daily Goal	4,988	623	166	250	2,300	187
Remaining	1,433	54	76	180	-164	18
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
....................... our Exercise Diary for: Tuesday, November 3, 2015 Cardiovascular Minutes Calories Burned Walking, 4.5 mph, very, very brisk pace 144 2,159 MFP iOS calorie adjustment N/A 899 Add Exercise Quick Tools     Daily Total / Goal 145 / 30 3,058 / 590   Weekly Total / Goal 309 / 210 5,671 / 4,130 ....................... TOTAL CALORIES CONSUMED 3555 CALORIES TOTAL CALORIES BURNED 2159 CALORIES NET CALORIES 1396 ....................... fitbit day 62 31051 steps .......................

BIRTHDAY FARBRENGEN

A Farbrengen (/fɑrbrɛnɡɛn/, from the Yiddish פארברענגען, meaning "joyous gathering"; German verbringen "to spend [time/solidarity/festivity together]") is a Hasidic gathering. This term is only used by Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidim, as other Hasidim have a Tish or a botteh. It may consist of explanations of general Torah subjects, with an emphasis on Hasidic philosophy, relating of Hasidic stories, and lively Hasidic melodies, with refreshments being served. It is regarded as a time of great holiness. Farbrengens are public events open to non-Hasidim as well.

At my local Chabad House there are four people celebrating their birthdays this week.  One of those people is me.  Last night at the Chabad House there was a Birthday Farbrengen for the community to celebrate.  There are not too many gatherings of people more enjoyable than a Chasidic Farbrengen.  My birthday on the Jewish calendar will take place starting at sundown on October 31, Cheshvan 18.  My secular birthday, the one listed on my drivers license, will not be for about two more weeks, November 12.

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It is said that one cannot forget how to ride a bicycle.  Prior to the Half Dome hike, I was using the elliptical machine almost exclusively for months and months. Since returning from the summit of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park at the beginning of this month - I have been walking as my preferred method of exercise.  Today, I did not have an opportunity to walk during the day, so I returned to the elliptical machine for the first time in over a month.  I wasn't sure if I would remember how to pace myself properly. It was silly to worry about that.  As soon as I hopped on board, I set the resistance to the highest level as always and squeezed in a great workout in just 62 minutes.  I guess the elliptical machine is like a bicycle - you don't forget how to use it.

Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
John McCann Steel Cut - Oat Meal, 1 cup	600	108	0	16	0	0
Roundy's - Center Cut Bacon, 2.01 Slices	47	0	3	5	147	0
Forelli - Rice Cake, Multigrain, Thin, 18 slice	360	72	0	0	360	0
	1,007	180	3	21	507	0
L U N C H
WHOLE FOODS 8497 - CHERRY VANILLA GRANOLA, 71.5 g (3/4 cup)	312	52	9	6	78	19
WHOLE FOODS 8738 - DRIED MANGO SLICES, 40 g (approx 6 pieces)	110	28	0	2	1	20
WHOLE FOODS 9392 - YOGURT RAISINS, 60 g (approx 34 pieces)	255	42	11	2	23	38
WHOLE FOODS 9246 - 100% RAW CACAO GOJI, 50.4 g (approx 2 chunks)	180	27	11	4	9	18
WHOLE FOODS 7882 - GIN GINS ORIGINAL CHEWY GINGER, 72 g (2pcs)	240	60	0	0	0	60
	1,097	209	30	14	110	155
D I N N E R
Generic - Italian Sausage Link, 2 link	540	4	44	34	2,020	0
Generic - Grilled Brussel Sprouts, 1 cup	65	13	3	6	23	0
	605	17	47	40	2,043	0
S N A C K S
Maker's Mark - Bourbon Whiskey, 5 oz	345	0	0	0	0	0
	345	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	3,054	406	80	74	2,661	155
Your Daily Goal	3,464	433	115	174	2,300	130
Remaining	410	27	35	100	-360	-24
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 1,534 extra calories from exercise today

Your Exercise Diary for:

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
elliptical	62	1,540
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-6
Daily Total / Goal	63 / 30	1,534 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	320 / 210	6,424 / 4,130

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total calories consumed 3054 calories
total calories burned 1540 calories
total net calories 1514 calories

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fitbit day 56

20054 steps
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M.C. ESCHER

Some staircases are harder to climb than others.

It is clear that that there might be unique challenges if one lived in M.C. Escher's world of RELATIVITY.  from Wikipedia:

Relativity is a lithographprint by the Dutch artist M. C. Escher, first printed in December 1953.  It depicts a world in which the normal laws ofgravity do not apply. The architectural structure seems to be the centre of an idyllic community, with most of its inhabitants casually going about their ordinary business, such as dining. There are windows and doorways leading to park-like outdoor settings. All of the figures are dressed in identical attire and have featureless bulb-shaped heads. Identical characters such as these can be found in many other Escher works

The stairwell in the building in which I live thankfully is much more straightforward,  the distance from the ground floor to the top floor, which is home to the fitness room is 25 floors.   Yesterday, Monday, 25 May...25 floors were traversed by me.  This is a personal achievement which makes me extremely happy.

There have been a few occasions when I had previously tried to simply go from the ground floor up to the 12th floor where I live. Religiously observant Jews do not use electricity on Shabbat (Sabbath) and although I am not a traditional religiously observant Jew who follows this custom, yet there were a few times when I wondered what it would be like if I was.  How would I manage to get home without the elevator?  It was likely more than one year ago when I climbed the twelve flights a two or three times. It was not easy, I had to stop multiple times along the way to catch my breath and by the time I entered my apartment I was completely weak-kneed, out-of-breath and practically ready to collapse.  That experiment was not completely successful.

I have been a Shabbat dinner guest at the home of friends of mine that are religiously observant Jews who do follow the laws of Judaism much as they are prescribed in the Torah (First Five Books of Moses, Old Testament) and when I walked with them back to their apartments after a Friday evening service, it was embarrassing how challenging walking up just 4 flights of stairs to their homes could be for me.

Since these experiences were my frame of reference for STAIR CLIMBING before this weekend began - it is easy to see why I was concerned, actually somewhat petrified that I was going to have a very tough time hiking HALF DOME in October.

As I wrote yesterday, I still expect this hike to be very challenging.  Now I have confidence that I will be able to rise to the challenge. (In fact, I need to be able to rise 4800 feet for this challenge!) This blogger, who clearly is a bit daft, could not wait to attempt the 25 floor walk-up on Monday after successfully walking up and down 13 floors on Sunday.  My workout for Monday took place at 1:00AM  - particularly early on Monday morning.

I entered the elevator and in order to get to the 25th floor - I rode down to the ground floor.  I exited the elevator and WALKED UP 25 FLOORS.  I was a bit winded when I arrived.  I rested for about two minutes and proceeded to the ELLIPTICAL MACHINE for my 32 minute workout.  After finishing on the elliptical machine, I WALKED DOWN 25 flights of stairs back to the ground floor.  Then I took the elevator back up to 12.

TIME WALKING UP 25 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS,  GROUND FLOOR TO 25:       4 MIN,   6 SEC

TIME WALKING DOWN 23 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS, 25 TO GROUND FLOOR: 3 MIN, 21 SEC

It will be interesting for me to see how much I can imrove on these times as I progress.  Perhaps at some point I will attemept to walk up, walk down and REPEAT.  We'll see... There is no sense in overdoing it.  For the time being, I will be satisfied with one round trip periodically.

MONDAY MENU
breakfast  Steel Cut Oat Meal w/prune, two poached eggs, two slices turkey bacon  505 calories
lunch        spinach salad w/mushroom, tomato, hearts of palm, beets   28 almonds    589 calories
dinner      spinach salad w/mushroom, tomato, hearts of palm, beets, slice bacon
                 chicken broth, 4 ounces Black Angus, honey nut & banana granola          829 calories

total calories consumed  1923 calories

CALORIES BURNED

ASCENDING 25 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS 4 MINUTES              60 calories
ELLIPTICAL MACHINE 32 MINUTES                                  496 calories
DESCENDING 25 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS 3 MINUTES            20 calories

total calories burned  576 CALORIES

MONDAY NET CALORIES   1347 calories

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My list of favorite artists is likely a list of just one entry.  Ever since I was a Junior in high school, M.C. Escher's artistic interpretations have captured my imagination.

The art world can be a funny place....
Here is a New York Times story from 2006

A Pollock Is Sold, Possibly for a Record Price by Carol Vogel

Published: November 2, 2006

The Hollywood entertainment magnate David Geffen has sold a classic drip painting by Jackson Pollock for about $140 million, art experts with knowledge of the transaction said yesterday.

 This so-called painting, "No. 5, 1948" measures approximately 4 feet by 8 feet.  in 2006 it sold for $140,000,000?  Really? 

RABBI HILLEL DIET

Two days ago, I reported that I had lost 24 lbs in 24 days.  Certainly what it is that I am doing has produced the desired results.  I am not following any popular diet plan.  Up until now my plan had no name.  That is no longer the case.  My plan has a name.

It is the  'Rabbi Hillel Diet.'

One of my favorite stories that I learned within the past two years from my Rabbi at my Chabad House in Chicago involves a story about the great sage, Rabbi Hillel.   This 2000+ year old story goes something like this: A man interested in converting to Judaism said that he would accept the teachings of Judaism if a Rabbi could teach him the entire Torah (Five Books of Moses) while the prospect stood on one foot.   He first asked this of a Rabbi who was insulted by the 'ridiculous' request.   The prospect was undeterred.  The prospect approached Rabbi Hillel.  Rabbi Hillel rose to the challenge, and he said:

"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary - go and study it!"

It is from this famous quote that I have fashioned the name of my plan.  You could now ask me what is the name of my weight loss plan.   You could task me with divulging this information while you stood on one foot.

"What is unhealthy for you, do not eat. That is the whole plan; the rest is commentary - go and have lunch!"

Rabbi Hillel was asked to teach a prospective convert to Judaism the entire Torah while the prospect stood on one foot.  Rabbi Hillel accepted the challenge. "What iS hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary - go and study it!" (artwork by Sara, my talented daughter)

That's it.   It is truly simple.   Not necessarily easy, but truly simple.  If someone should ask me what plan I am following to lose weight - I will simply say: It is the 'Rabbi Hillel Diet.'

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