WRIGLEY FIELD

Me and my girl took a nine mile walk on Sunday... It is getting harder and harder to remember what day it  is when everyday is pretty much the same... Wake up, do not work, amuse oneself doing something, go to sleep, Wake up next day, repeat

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28 DAYS

Sunday was the 28th consecutive day that I have drastically curtailed my caloric intake.
ONE MONTH
I wonder where I will be one month from now if I can repeat this success...
I hope to find out in 28 days.

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7 SECRETS TO TURN YOUR BODY INTO A FAT BURNING MACHINE

1. Reduce your calories on Monday and cut out all sweets

2. Reduce your calories on Tuesday and cut out all sweets

3. Reduce your calories on Wednesday and cut out all sweets

4. Reduce your calories on Thursday and cut out all sweets

5. Reduce your calories on Friday and cut out all sweets

6. Reduce your calories on Saturday and cut out all sweets

7. Reduce your calories on Sunday and cut out all sweets

BONUS SECRET: SPRINKLE IN SOME EXERCISE 

(Exercise doesn't make up for over-eating, but it is healthy)

My daughter works at Wrigley Field. She is one of the people who scans tickets allowing entry into the ballpark. She often gets driven to Wrigley Field before work - but she enjoys walking home afterwards. The walk is a bit more than two miles. I often walk to Wrigley and watch the game on the giant outdoor screen at Gallagher's Place. It is a quite enjoyable place to catch some baseball and rays. On Saturday, I thought I would s-t-r-e-t-c-h that 2.6 mile walk to about five miles.  Instead,  I stretched it to twelve miles.  After the game, my daughter wanted to go to Costco eatery for dinner, so we walked there too.  My wife picked us up after that, which was good, because I could barely walk after walking 14+ miles between lunch and dinner. It was the most I had walked in more than half a year. My fitbit recorded more than 30,000 steps, also the most in more than half a year. Three weeks ago in the depths of my weight-gaining stupidity it was painful to walk half a block to the local bank. I thought that I had gone too far backwards and that I would never regain my ability to put on a pair of shoes and log some serious miles.  Thankfully, as far backwards as I had gone... my reversal seems to be taking place and once again, I have become a walking, talking, fat-burning machine. Oh yeah!

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TWELVE MILE HIKE FROM HOME TO WRIGLEY FIELD
(apparently without using GPS!)

Wrigley Field to Costco for dinner

If you order the Costco Chicken Caesar Salad AND USE THE DRESSING CONTAINER THAT THEY GIVE YOU WITH THE MEAL... YOU CAN ADD ABOUT 400 CALORIES TO THAT MEAL!

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Direct route from the corner where we live to Wrigley Field is only 2.6 miles.  I made it a twelve mile walk on Saturday.

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I am still 260+ pounds. By definition, that is morbidly obese. I honestly think that with my ridiculously short haircut and now a healthy looking tan earned while logging some serious outdoor time - I look much better than the 260+ pounds says I should. I am looking forward to getting into the 250's and well below that too... One (fitbit) step at a time... What I know is this... three weeks ago, I couldn't stand looking at myself in the mirror... I can stand it now.

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SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES

Day 13: mindful eating, calorie count 850
First time since February, I walked 10 miles.
First time since February, I logged 25000 steps.
First time since I can't remember when...
...when I had the nerve to post a selfie
Things are happening....
...Right now... 
SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES

It's been quite a while since I had the guts to take a selfie... this is what a nearly 61 year old man at 271lbs looks like after walking 10 miles on a hot summer day in August after a six month hiatus. The ten mile urban hike was no small achievement. Two weeks ago, right about when I was finally freaking out my ballooning weight, I found it painful to walk half a block. I was seriously nervous that maybe that my urban hiking days were in my rear-view mirror. All it took was losing about ten pounds to regain the confidence to walk again. It probably didn't help that two weeks ago I did not own anything comfortable enough to get out and walk. Things are happening.  Seems like old times.

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I didn't break any speed records on this ten mile hike... It took nearly 3 hours

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I WEIGHED MYSELF SUNDAY MORNING.   271.0 LBS
DOWN NEARLY 13 LBS IN 13 DAYS.
I do know one thing, how to kick-start a weight loss regiment into high gear once I decide to begin.

WRIGLEY FIELD

Perhaps you have heard about all the emotional tributes written in colorful chalk on the bricks that are on the outside of Wrigley Field. Apparently this is a new tradition. On Sunday morning, I walked over to Wrigley Field as I wanted a photo of myself in front of the World Champions Marquee sign in front of the building. The most popular spot to take a photo in front of the chalk messages was the photo that I am posting below. WE DID NOT SUCK 2016. Perhaps not the most inspiring message ever written, but for Cubs fans, it seemed to resonate with a lot of people. There must have been at least 3000 people milling about the stadium on Sunday morning, doing precisely what I was doing, taking photographs.

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The walk to Wrigley Field from my home is just under 4 miles. My urban hikes tend to be closer to ten miles when the time permits and the weather is cooperative. Sunday morning, was such a day. The extra hour of sleep allowed for an early start after lounging around a bit in the morning. By the time my Wrigley Field urban hike was completed, I had logged 13 miles. Always an excellent way to start a day.

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Your Food Diary For:

Sunday, November 6, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Special K - Vanilla Almond	660	150	9	12	1,020	54
Califia Farms - Coconut – Almond Milk	225	5	20	5	850	0
	885	155	29	17	1,870	54
L U N C H
Volpi - Mozzarella and Prosciutto Roltini	360	3	24	36	2,370	0
Okami - California Roll Sushi	560	108	8	8	1,680	20
Kirkland - Organic Roasted Seaweed Snack	200	10	15	10	400	0
	1,120	121	47	54	4,450	20
D I N N E R
Kirkland Meatloaf With Mashed Potatoes	600	44	34	30	1,400	10
	600	44	34	30	1,400	10
S N A C K S
M&M's - Crispy - 1 package	180	28	7	2	55	22
Costco - Chocolate Cake	500	70	33	7	522	44
	680	98	40	9	577	66
Totals	3,285	418	150	110	8,297	150
Your Daily Goal	4,446	556	148	223	2,300	166
Remaining	1,161	138	-2	113	-5,997	16
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 2,516 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 199.5 lbs in 5 weeks .
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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
13 MILE URBAN HIKE	175	2,480
Daily Total / Goal	175 / 30	2,480 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	1011 / 210	16,285 / 4,130

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from chicago.cbslocal.com

Cubs Fans Begin New Tradition Writing Emotional Tribute Messages On Wrigley Wall

October 31, 2016 4:53 PM By Vince Gerasole

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CHICAGO (CBS) —  A new tradition is underway at Wrigley Field. Normally, in front of the ballpark at the Clark and Addison intersection, you’ll see fans screaming, “Go Cubs!” But on the other side of the ballpark, a quieter and unexpectedly emotional tribute to the Cubs is taking form. Letter by letter and brick by brick, with colored chalk, fans are leaving their mark. “I am putting ‘finish strong’ because that’s what needs to happen,” resident Eric Pitts says.“I am dedicating it to all my grandparents,” Edgewater resident Sam Barnes says. “I am trying not to chock up, honestly, because I remember growing up watching the games with them. “It’s impressive. It just happened naturally,” Pitts says of the new tradition. Now overnight, the Sheffield [and Waveland] side of Wrigley has turned into one emotional place. “Baseball and family. That’s what it’s all about,” Pitts said. And more often than not, it’s what they’re writing about.“We got a ‘Bobbo’ here with hearts and arrows,” fan and West Dundee resident Julie Spindler says. The Korean War kept her dad from playing with the Cubs. “I just know he’s here,” she says. Beside a brick wall, she feels his embrace. The love and the energy coming from the building; it’s not just the wall it’s the building. And somehow, in spite of all the celebrations, a quiet side of Wrigley, Monday, is speaking volumes.“If these walls could talk and now they kind of sort of are,” one fan says.The wall is growing at such a spontaneous pace that the Cubs tell us they haven’t had a chance to take it all in yet. But you can if you take a stroll down Sheffield [or Waveland].
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JUBILATION

It took 108 years.
It took 7 games.
It took 10 innings.
It took 4 hours 28 minutes (including  17 minute rain delay)
The Chicago Cubs are the World Champions!
The moment, that the last out was recorded at first base, there were cheers throughout the city.
Fireworks could be heard coming from many different directions.
I can only imagine the bedlam going on in Wrigleyville by Wrigley Field.
Final Score Cubs 8 - Indians 7
What a game!

time for a new logo!

time for a new license plate!

As it was raining throughout the day, it was time to take refuge indoors and spend some time on the elliptical machine. I did something different than usual. I often set the 'resistance' to the top setting and pedal along at a comfortable pace. Yesterday I set the 'resistance' to 'only' half of what I usually set it, but pedaled much faster and much harder and had an equivalent calorie burn in only 60 minutes.

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Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Quaker - Grits - Instant - Original, 6 packet	600	132	0	12	1,860	0
Nature Valley - Cherry Dark Chocolate	200	30	5	10	150	15
	800	162	5	22	2,010	15
L U N C H
Subway - Footlong Turkey Breast on Wheat	560	92	17	36	1,890	11
Whole Foods - Banana Chips	225	26	15	2	0	15
Fresh Thyme - Dark Cocoa Melting Wafers	500	55	30	7	102	48
	1,285	173	62	45	1,992	74
D I N N E R
Banana (2)	270	70	1	3	3	38
Manhattan Clam Chowder, 2 cup	240	36	6	10	1,600	6
Read - 3 Bean Salad	300	65	0	5	1,500	40
	810	171	7	18	3,103	84
Totals	2,895	506	74	85	7,105	173
Your Daily Goal	3,011	376	100	151	2,300	113
Remaining	116	-130	26	66	-4,805	-60
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 1,081 extra calories from exercise today

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Your Exercise Diary for:

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
STAR TRAC ELLIPTICAL	60	1,081
Daily Total / Goal	60 / 30	1,081 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	376 / 210	6,228 / 4,130

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My 59th birthday is still a little more than one week away... yesterday my daughter made this cake at school during one of her special elective classes. This was presented to me on the night of the 7th game of the World Series. I loved the baseball theme. What a nice surprise.

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CHICAGO CUBS WORLD SERIES FEVER TRAIL

Each of my hikes 'need' a theme, mostly because it amuses me. (I am easily amused.) Yesterday's theme was an urban hike that created its own trail of Chicago Cubs World Series Fever related points of interest. There were three highlights of this imaginary trail that I hiked in yesterday's cold and windy day, which turned into a cold, windy and rainy day. I was 'rescued' by my wife after I had hiked ten miles. My clothing was wet, although my new waterproof hiking shoes kept my feet dry and my spirit remained undampened. First stop along this 'trail' was Daley Plaza.

Daley Plaza's fountain is bright blue for the Cubs. The fountain outside the Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., was dyed blue at the start of the National League Division Series.  The fountain is scheduled to remain blue as long as the Cubs are playing. With their win in Game 2 of the World Series, the season is now guaranteed to extend at least three more games.

The next stop on this Chicago Cubs World Series Fever Trail was the Willis Tower. You might recognize the previous name of this skyscraper - Sears Tower.  As the Cubs are playing in the World Series, it made sense to visit the giant globe at the base of the Willis Tower. The 2016 Major League Baseball World Champions will either reside in Chicago or Cleveland - we will know in about one week. Flying nearby are blue "W" (win) flags and Chicago Cubs flags. Willis Tower has the fever.

The Willis Tower Globe was installed in January 2010 in front of the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower. The 25 foot diameter globe was made by the Poblocki Sign Company entirely out of 316 stainless steel, which was rolled, coped and fully welded at each intersection.

Although in Game 1 of the World Series, the Chicago Cubs' bats were silenced, they do have a powerful lineup capable of scoring lots of runs. This brings us to the third and final stop along my imaginary Chicago Cubs World Series Fever Trail - Batcolumn

It would be difficult to find a bat bigger than 'Batcolumn'

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Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Quaker - Grits - Instant - Original, 3 packet	300	66	0	6	930	0
	300	66	0	6	930	0
L U N C H
Grilled Whitefish	300	0	13	43	113	0
Buttered Cabbage	150	6	14	2	120	4
Brussel Sprouts - Roasted	150	11	10	5	435	3
Garlic Tofu	200	10	10	15	565	4
Clif Bar - Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch	260	42	7	10	200	20
	1,060	69	54	75	1,433	31
D I N N E R
Chipotle - Burrito: Shredded Beef, Black Beans, Cheese	1,000	104	37	68	2,367	1
Nestle - Dark Chocolate Bar	300	31	18	4	0	0
Milano - Cookies, 3 cookies	180	21	10	2	80	11
	1,480	156	65	74	2,447	12
S N A C K S
Dark Chocolate Bar With Mint	440	40	36	6	0	22
	440	40	36	6	0	22
Totals	3,280	331	155	161	4,810	65
Your Daily Goal	4,221	527	140	212	2,300	158
Remaining	941	196	-15	51	-2,510	93
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 2,291 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 202.9 lbs in 5 weeks.
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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
10 MILE URBAN HIKE	118	2,291
Daily Total / Goal	118 / 30	2,291 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	517 / 210	9,429 / 4,130