SIXTY!

Yep, today, is the 60th anniversary of my birth.
Birthdays used to bother me. No longer.
Three years ago when I was a young pup of 57, our country was headed by a narcissistic leftist.
Now, as a grizzled 60 year old, our country is headed by a narcissistic conservative.
I prefer the current President without reservation.
Three years ago, I was nearly completely bald.
Now, as a grizzled 60 year old...  One really cannot become balder... So no issues there.
Three years ago when I was a young pup of 57. I weighed nearly 310 lbs.
Now, as a grizzled 60 year old, I weigh 'only' 235 lbs.
I prefer the old me now, to the younger me then.

On Saturday afternoon I met my family downtown, I just did not take the shortest route to get there.

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Your Food Diary For:

Saturday, November 11, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Grits	400	88	6	8	1,240	4
Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese	80	0	7	5	130	0
Trader Joes - Happy Trekking Trail Mix	200	15	14	5	25	10
Special Recipe Bread - Nutty Oat	221	41	5	9	347	6
	901	144	32	27	1,742	20
L U N C H
Chick-Fil-a - Chicken Tortilla Soup	240	27	5	21	905	3
Chick-Fil-a - Chicken Sandwich	440	41	18	28	1,390	5
	680	68	23	49	2,295	8
D I N N E R
Sushi Spicy Salmon	330	36	5	14	250	5
	330	36	5	14	250	5
S N A C K S
Trader Joes -Happy Trekking Trail Mix	480	36	33	12	60	24
	480	36	33	12	60	24
Totals	2,391	284	93	102	4,347	57
Your Daily Goal	3,102	388	103	156	2,300	116
Remaining	711	104	10	54	-2,047	59
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 1,172 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 216.8 lbs in 5 weeks     

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SARA!

Today marks the completion of 14 years that I have been a Dad. There are 365 days in one year. Except years like this one, leap years. This means that this 14 year period has included leap years in 2016, 2012, 2008, 2004.  I have always been a bit 'rain man' (the savant characteristic)  so I decided to calculate how many days that I have been a dad.  As my daughter is studying algebra these days I will divulge my formula.

Let D=total days of being a Dad.
Let X=Number of years being a Dad
Let Y=number of leap years within this 14 year period

D=365X+Y
D=365(14) + 4
D=5114

I have been a Dad for 5114 days.  I can say with great certainty that the best day of my life was that day, 5114 days ago, that I became a Dad.  Most of these days have been terrific, some less so. I have never envied anyone without kids. Being a parent is the best feeling in the world. It's felt a bit better since last year when I lost 80 lbs - but it always felt good.  The bottom line is that there has not been one day within the past 5114 days that I have not been proud of my daughter. That last statement is what is known as a harmless white lie...nevertheless....Happy Birthday, Sara!

There is some irony in this picture taken of my daughter taken during the first few weeks of her arrival. I thought it would be clever to take a photo of her in a salad bowl. The irony is that back then, it never occurred to me to actually eat a salad. Fourteen years ago, I had not yet ballooned up my 300+ pound blimpish existence - but I was on my way.

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Your Food Diary For:

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Quaker - Cinnamon & Spice Instant Oatmeal, 4 packet	640	128	8	16	840	44
Scrambled Eggs - 2 Large Eggs - Scrambled, 2 eggs	140	1	11	12	140	0
Safeway - Breakfast Sausage Links, 6 links	360	4	28	20	840	2
Orange juice - Raw, 1 cup	112	26	0	2	2	21
	1,252	159	47	50	1,822	67
L U N C H
Sushi - Safeway - California Roll, 8 pieces	300	8	9	2	100	2
Kind - Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Protein Bar, 1 bar	200	17	13	7	50	9
Special Spicy Tuna Roll (8 pcs)	390	58	90	15	70	3
	890	83	112	24	220	14
D I N N E R
Deli Express - Deli Style Stacker - Cured Dark Turkey & Cheese Substitute on Wheat, 2 Sandwich	500	56	16	38	2,540	12
Campbell's Select Healthy Request - Home Style Mexican Style Chicken Tortilla Soup, 2 cup	240	34	4	14	820	4
	740	90	20	52	3,360	16
S N A C K S
Kelloggs - Raisin Bran Single Serve Bowl, 3 bowl	330	81	2	9	375	30
	330	81	2	9	375	30
Totals	3,212	413	181	135	5,777	127
Your Daily Goal	4,449	556	148	223	2,300	166
Remaining	1,237	143	-32	88	-3,477	39
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 2,519 extra calories from exercise today

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
MATRIX FITNESS 7xi	65	773
MATRIX FITNESS 7xi	65	716
MATRIX FITNESS 7xi	65	738
MATRIX FITNESS 7xi	65	672
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-380
Daily Total / Goal	261 / 30	2,519 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	387 / 210	4,982 / 4,130

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total calories consumed 3212 calories

total calories burned (elliptical) 2899 calories

total net 313 calories

. . . . . . . . . . .   

fitbit day 179

28910 steps  
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white lie

noun

1. a harmless or trivial lie, especially one told to avoid hurting someone's feelings.

   
   

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.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

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

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!

Today is April 2.   On April 2, 1935, my Mom was born.  She is 80 years old today.  Happy Birthday, Mom.  I should not be so shocked that my own Mom is 80 years old...since I am 57 years old.   What is shocking to me is that at my age, I am not so far away from being 80 years old myself.  That IS shocking.  The good news for me is that I have changed my lifestyle so that I have a good chance of achieving this age (and beyond) in good health.  The path that I had been on previously was not leading to a good outcome.

HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY, MOM!
 I am so pleased to be here to help you celebrate!

The direction that my life took changed somehow while I was visiting the doctor for a 'wellness' exam on December 24, 2014.  When I awoke that morning, I had no plans and no real desire to make the decisions that would change my life.  During my consultation with the doctor, I summoned the desire to change my lifestyle.  During the summer of 2014, my Mom was suggesting that I should try to lose weight.   The only real reason that I had made that appointment was that I promised my Mom that I would 'at the very least' see a doctor for a checkup prior to the end of the year.  That promise was made during previous summer.  Obviously I was not in a big hurry to fulfill that promise to my Mom - but I am glad I did as the visit to the doctor has propelled me to a new freedom - the freedom to be fit and healthy.  It feels great.  Thanks, Mom!  And Happy Birthday!

Yesterday I had the rare opportunity to spend the entire day with my Mom in Lynbrook, Long Island in the home that I grew up in.  It was a thoroughly delightful day.  As soon as i arrived home, we had lunch.   if there was any doubt, and there was none, my Mom is a regular reader of my blog. My Mom prepared two perfect meals for me yesterday. Isn't that what Moms do?

 LUNCH: spinach salad w/tomato and Panera Bread Tortilla soup (purchased from a supermarket) 305 calories

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DINNER: spinach salad w/cucumber & tomato, 4 Trader Joe's turkey meatballs,
one cup broccoli, one potato pancake, CABBAGE SOUP 416 calories

WEDNESDAY MENU
breakfast   two hard-boiled eggs, one apple, three slices turkey 'bacon'                   326 calories
lunch         spinach salad w/tomato, Panera Bread chicken tortilla soup.                  305 calories
dinner        spinach salad w/tomato & cucumber, turkey meatballs, cup broccoli     416 calories
               

total calories consumed  1047 calories

calories burned
late Tuesday night   elliptical 42min  478 calories

TUESDAY NET CALORIES   569 CALORIES

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARA

Today, March 2nd, is the 13th birthday of my daughter.  Seven years ago, the first time that I dropped my weight from 300 lbs down to 220 lbs - I was a thin, fit dad.  As I have written before,  I gained all that weight back and added nine more pounds for good luck.  My daughter had no memory of me not being a big blob.  I am very happy that that is changing now.  Over the weekend, my wife, hosted a birthday party in our home for six of Sara's closest friends. The girls sat around a table and spent a couple of hours making jewelry crafts, doing whatever girls do behind closed doors in Sara's room, they had pizza and two birthday cakes and cookies. I spent part of the afternoon exercising, and of course I had none of the pizza, cake or cookies. For me, it was a very successful party - I believe the girls all had a great time as well.

Strawberry cake made by Mom.

Chocolate cake made by one of 

Sara's friends

SUNDAY MENU

calories consumed

breakfast     oatmeal w/prune, 1/2 salmon burger, two poached eggs                   350 calories
lunch           Costco turkey burger, 1 cup asparagus spears, chicken broth           290 calories
dinner         3.5 oz Salmon, cup Broccoli, pumpkin soup, spinach pancake         380 calories

total calories consumed  1020 CALORIES

calories burned
9AM elliptical machine 62 minutes        800 calories

net calories consumed    220 CALORIES

dinner:  3.5 oz Salmon filet, cup of broccoli, spinach pancake

cup of pumpkin soup    380 CALORIES