CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER

Chicago public schools just announced shortly before 6PM on Thursday night that the original school shutdown which was 'only' for two weeks, will no be extended (at least) until a full FIVE WEEKS have elapsed.

Also late today the United States State Department warned all Americans not to travel abroad and if they were out of country to get back. It is not difficult to imagine that the entire airline industry will officially grind to a halt before too long... although it is hard to imagine what is happening with them right now.....

My 'last' night in the field I stayed at a Marriot hotel in Columbus, Ohio.
I was one of EIGHT guests in the hotel that had 254 rooms.
I was on the NINTH floor.  There were more 'floors' in the hotel than there were guests.
On the day that I checked out, I was told that there were no scheduled arrivals.
It is hard to imagine that that hotel will be open too much longer.
That hotels and thousands of others around the country and world.
Yep, things are getting curiouser and curiouser.

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Purchased GAS at the Costco in Merrillville, Indiana on Wednesday night.
$1.449/gallon
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I visited a Walmart in Northern Indiana on Wednesday... I went to purchase Keurig Coffee, Instant Oatmeal and some canned soup.  That part of my trip was successful.... Still I checked out some other sections of the store...

Need Cereal? Sorry, gone

Need Eggs? Sorry, gone

Need Bacon and/or Sausages? Sorry, gone

Need Bread? Sorry, gone

Need weapons for home defense? Yep, Walmart's got you covered!

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On Friday, with my new-found free-time, I did something that I have not done in ages... I took a walk... My daughter and I walked downtown Chicago (ghost town) and we accumulated some serious steps for the day.

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out and about during my 10+ mile walk with my daughter in Chicago

NEW SCALE

I have had the same scale for about 5 years... It has been driving me nuts lately.... I can step on and off the scale 5 times in one minute and get five different results.

Sunday, I bought a new scale at Costco, so I hope that this particular aggravation will end... I weighed myself on my new scale on Monday morning and the new scale consistently showed that I weighed 275.2lbs.

Picked this up at Costco on Sunday... I had expected it to be $19.99 when I pulled it off the shelf. There was an automatic $5.00 rebate applied and I paid $16.53 which included tax.  Unbelievable inexpensive. Why did I wait so long to replace my scale which was driving me nuts?

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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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LOST MY THIRD TURKEY

On December 24, 2014 I woke up and visited my doctor for a 'wellness' exam. I weighed 309 lbs.

On January 21, I reported my weight loss was the equivalentof the weight of one turkey.

On February 15, I reported my weight loss was the equivalentof the weight loss of two turkeys.

Today, March 15, I am reporting that my weight loss is the equivalentof three turkeys.

As of yesterday, March 14, I have now lost 69.5 lbs in 80 days.
I must admit that I am gobsmacked that I have lost nearly one pound per day for 80 days.

69.5 lbs = THREE TURKEYS

Naturally, I needed to return to the supermarket to take a new picture.  Photographs don't always have sequels.  This one does.  It is Turkey III.

These three turkeys that I appear to be struggling to hold weighed about 65 lbs. (close enough to approximate the 69.5 lbs that I have lost so far) It is not just that I appear to be struggling, I was struggling!  (Believe me, trying to hold 65 lbs of frozen turkey is not so easy - which of course, is the point.  I was carting around an extra 69.5 lbs, 24 hours per day prior to December 24, 2014, and that's not so easy either!)  I am wearing for the very first time, a pair of 42" waist slacks.

This picture is for my Mom.  She has 'complained' that she can not see me in my 'turkey' photos.

Hi Mom!

FEBRUARY 14, 2015   Back this date, I weighed myself

and discovered that I had lost 46 lbs since December 24.

I had wanted to hold two turkeys that weighed 46 lbs, and 

the two turkeys that I did find only weighed 42 lbs.

For the purposes of the photo - that was close enough!

(I was wearing my 44" waist blue jeans at the time.)

JANUARY 21, 2015  Way back on that date, I had lost 24 lbs and posed with a 23 lb turkey to visualize my accomplishment.  On that date, I was happy to wear my size 48 waist blue jeans.  They have long since been donated to Goodwill. 

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My 'fitness consultation' appointment at the YMCA took place on Friday. It was less than I expected.  I came dressed to learn about the various types of equipment that the Y offered. This meeting was more to explain various options with personal trainers. Although this sounded somewhat interesting, I am not sure that I need it.

I did make one appointment with personal trainer to do exactly what I wanted.  That is, to explain each piece of equipment and to make sure that I have the rudimentary knowledge to know how to use them. That meeting will be in approximately 10 days.  

On Saturday I visited my CHICAGO YMCA for the first time in order to actually use the equipment.  The elliptical machine was absolutely the finest machine that I have ever encountered. It had an easy to read and understand video screen so that I could select the type of workout that I wanted: FAT BURN.

It had an embedded television screen with nearly 20 different channels.  I didn't watch any TV as I was way to busy listening to my latest addition to my Rolling Stones collection: ROLLING STONES: FROM THE VAULT: L.A. FORUM (LIVE IN 1975)

I set the machine for a 45 minute workout, and I even stayed on the additional 5 minutes for the 'cool down.'    After working out, I made use of the sauna, took a shower and returned home feeling absolutely fantastic.   I was still 'mentally bathing' in the new knowledge that my weight loss in 80 days has been nearly 70 lbs!  Never in my wildest imagination could I have foreseen that my progress would have been so quick.  Even so, I still have 45 pounds more to lose to get to my target weight of 195 lbs.  I am more than halfway to my goal. 

The YMCA ELLIPTICAL machine displays very complete information once your workout is complete.

SATURDAY MENU

breakfast cup oatmeal w/prune, two poached eggs, two strips turkey 'bacon' 355calories

lunch      Spring Mix Salad w/Roma Tomato, one cup sirloin burger soup         185 calories

dinner    Turkey Burger, Spinach salad w/Roma Tomato, potato pancake

              Dole Carrot Ginger Soup                                                                 390 calories

total calories consumed 930 CALORIES

CALORIES BURNED

11AM YMCA ELLIPTICAL MACHINE 50 minutes      700 CALORIES

TOTAL NET CALORIES  230 CALORIES

dinner: Costco Turkey burger, Spinach w/Roma Tomato, Carrot Ginger Soup, potato pancake   390 calories

and one more thing...

Yesterday I did something that I never would have done prior to December 24th.  My daughter, Sara, had a Bat Mitzvah party to attend in downtown Chicago just 1.1 miles from our home.   Normally, we would have taken her by subway, or perhaps by car.  Yesterday, Sara and I walked together to the hotel where the party was, and then I walked back home.  For pickup at 11PM, I walked back to the hotel, and Sara and I walked back together.  That I walked 4 miles yesterday is hardly a big deal. From everything I have read, successful weight loss comes not just from the 30 or 45 minutes spent working out - but emanates from those that 'keep moving.'  People that 'keep moving' are those that purposely park far away from the front door of whatever store they have visited.  People that 'keep moving' are those that take the steps instead of the escalator.  People that 'keep moving' are the kind of people that have successful weight loss.  I am striving to be a person that 'keeps moving.'

Sometimes it is really difficult to obey traffic signs, but when in doubt....KEEP MOVING!

MULLIGATAWNY SOUP

In one of the most memorable episodes of SEINFELD, the cast has some conflict with the "Soup Nazi" who dispenses soup from his Manhattan Soup store but is very strict about how one orders and how one behaves while ordering his delicious soup.   One of the tastiest soups served up on this fictional TV show was the 'mulligatawny soup.'    Aside from this November 2, 1995 TV episode, I have never heard of mulligatawny soup before or since.   Yesterday, while shopping at Costco I saw some of this soup in the refrigerated section - and I simply had to buy some.   I added it to my dinner last night and it was delicious.   I had always half-thought that mulligatawny was a made up word!   (I guess you know now that I don't get out to Indian restaurants too often.)

Jerry Seinfeld and George Costanza are seen here

ordering soup from the feared 'Soup Nazi.' (I don't 

think that there was a Costco in Manhattan back

in those days, or even now)

The soup that I purchased at Costco was Maya Kaimal Mulligatawny Soup.  "A zesty Indian style soup of tomatoes, rice, mushrooms and coconut cream."   The soup is further described on the packaging:

This famous soup has a rich and complicated past, like India itself.  Originally known as milagu tunni or "pepper water," during the reign of the British Raj this spicy broth was transformed into the thicker European-style soup we call Mulligatawny.  My vegetarian recipe resonates with cumin, cinnamon and fennel.  It's also loaded with wholesome vegetables and finished with coconut cream and a bright squeeze of lime.  It will warm your taste buds as well as your soul.  Maya Kaimal - Award winning cookbook author.

I can't say for sure if my soul was warmed - but I certainly did enjoy the soup.  Something that I have noticed, is that I am much more willing to try new foods these days.  And it seems that everything I try tastes good - I am sure that it is good to be truly hungry when eating a meal.

MULLIGATWANY SOUP from Costco, enough to make 6 cups is only $8.99

MONDAY MENU

breakfast  Oatmeal w/prune, two poached eggs, 2 strips turkey 'bacon'     355 CALORIES
lunch        Jimmy John's Bootlegger Club Unwich w/Provolone & Dijon    280 CALORIES
dinner       3.5 Salmon filet, spinach, cup mulligatawny soup                      340 CALORIES

TOTAL CALORIES   975 CALORIES

CALORIES BURNED

On Monday morning I decided to increase the 'resistance' on the elliptical machine which made the workout much harder.  In fact, I spent only 20 minutes on the machine on Monday.   I have recently re-discovered that excess exercise might run counter to my weight-loss ambitions.

630M    ELLIPTICAL MACHINE    22 MINUTES          315 CALORIES

NET CALORIES     660 CALORIES

IF CURRENT TRENDS CONTINUE...AAY!

The big news today, especially for my loyal readers (Wife, Mother, and one or both of my Brothers) is that in the past seven days I have lost an additional 5.5 lbs.  This means that since way, way back on December 24th, 2014 (a mere twenty four days ago) I have lost a total of 24.3 lbs.  (I HAVE LOST ONE POUND PER DAY FOR THE PAST 24 DAYS!)

This is the number of calories that I consumed in the past seven days:

Saturday     721
Sunday       948
Monday      971
Tuesday      935
Wednesday 981
Thursday    821
Friday         776

TOTAL CALORIES CONSUMED FOR THE WEEK, PAST SEVEN DAYS = 6,153

This is probably the smallest amount of calories that I have consumed since my first weeks of life (you know, back in 1957 sometime after I took my first breath)   I firmly believe that my body was the recipient of more real, nutritious and healthy food than it has consumed in nearly a decade.  I consumed actual protein rich foods, good carbohydrates, reduced chemical additives, plenty of water AND I HAVE NEVER FELT BETTER OR MORE ENERGETIC.

TOTAL WORKOUTS FOR THE WEEK, PAST SEVEN DAYS = 305 MINUTES (5 HOURS)

My workouts mixed walking, elliptical and tread climbing.  My workouts took place in the morning and/or evenings.

I have not exercised so much since 7 years ago when I did successfully lose 80 lbs.  (That is, before I moronically gained every pound back, and tacked on nine more for good luck.)

It is really not a mystery why my successful weight loss this week was virtually guaranteed.

I know that this cannot continue indefinitely, but it sure is fun now.

Yesterday, my wife and I went shopping at Costco.  We 'discovered' Mahi Mahi in the freezer section. This is another delicious addition to my menu.  A 5oz. piece of Mahi Mahi is only 160 Calories.  I combined that with mixed vegetables for my totally satisfying 235 calorie dinner.

I do suppose that at some point I will have a chocolate again.  At this point I don't foresee the desire overwhelming me.  When one remembers that the calories in one chocolate bar can only be negated by 30 minutes of cardio - the chocolate bar quickly loses its appeal.

You cannot imagine how great I feel today.  I have lost exactly one pound per day since December 24, 2014 at 10:00AM in the morning when I switched some synapses in my brain and decided during my routine 'wellness' exam that I was going to lose weight.  (TODAY BEGINS DAY 25)  I went from a person with ZERO SELF-CONTROL to a person with COMPLETE SELF-CONTROL in the length of time that it takes to blink an eye.  (A 'minor' personal issue is that the wisdom of this decision had eluded me for only 7 years!)

I have lost 24 pounds in 24 days.   If current trends continue, I will be down 100 lbs by the first week of April.   Don't worry - I know with complete certitude that this is ridiculous.   It brings to mind, Disco Stu, a character from 'The Simpsons.'   There is a flashback scene where Disco Stu points to a graph and says that DISCO RECORD sales were up 400% in 1976.   "IF CURRENT TRENDS CONTINUE... AAY."    We all know that 'current trends' of disco record sales did NOT (thankfully) continue.   I, too, know that my personal 'current trends' will not continue at this pace.  I also know that direction of this trend will continue for quite some time.

"Did you know that disco record sales were up 400% for the year ending 1976?  If current trends continue... AAY!"    (DISCO STU from The Simpsons)

December 24, 2014  I weighed 309 lbs.
January 17, 2015     I weigh 284.7 lbs.

More good news: 
During my initial 'wellness' exam December 24, 2014   BLOOD PRESSURE WAS 158/82
YESTERDAY January 16, 2015 before gum surgery    BLOOD PRESSURE WAS 139/85
This is another good trend.
My blood pressure is still elevated.   This is not shocking.  I weigh 284.7 lbs.  I AM obese.
I only see thin, when I look in the mirror.   That is MY mind playing tricks on me.
I have a long way to go before I can be unclassified as obese.

Mahi Mahi (5oz) & Mixed Vegetables (1 cup) = 235 CALORIES

Right now, it is time to celebrate.   I will put on my sneakers and take a 60 minutes walk at 4 mph on my treadmill.   Burning off another 600 calories is a excellent idea.  (I'm glad I thought it!)

INTERIM GOALS & LONG TERM GOALS

The long term goal is simple.  Look healthy and be healthy.   My goal is to lose a lot of weight that I don't need to be carting around.   So far, I have 'only' lost 15 lbs.  My father had an excellent way of explaining just how much that really is.  He suggested going to the grocery store and picking up a piece of meat that weighed 15 lbs.   Carry that around all day, or all week - and then you can answer the question whether 15 lbs is a big deal or not.  I am convinced that my initial success has been dramatic and meaningful.   I think my knee does not hurt any more when I wake up in the morning - Is that real? Is it my imagination?  My goal is to lose something in the neighborhood of 100 lbs from my position at the starting line on December 24, 2014.  In order to lose 100 lbs, I will have to lose one pound at a time.  One interim goal would be the ability to shop at COSTCO.   This store, and most retail stores don't stock trousers or blue jeans for those with a 50 inch waist.   Costco 'only' caters to those 'svelte' individuals with a 44" waistline.  Even that goal might be nearly forty pounds away.   I will have to get to 44" before I get to 40" or 38."  I recently stumbled upon a decade old article on WebMD that explored the seemingly preposterous idea that health secrets could be divined from the members of the Rolling Stones. This article claimed that Mick Jagger has a 28" waist.   That is not my goal.

Another good day on the road: BREAKFAST 200 CALORIES, LUNCH (I had no time between appointments so I only ate the two apples I brought with me) 160 CALORIES, DINNER Turkey Chili at Panera Bread 280 CALORIES.   TOTAL CALORIC INTAKE 640 CALORIES.   I am looking forward to stepping onto my scale on Saturday morning.

I have a long way to go before I can blue jeans at Costco

EXERCISING EPIPHANY

My first road trip of the year will begin today.  I am driving to Cincinnati.   I did something different in booking my hotel.   I usually opt for the lowest price lodging I can find.   This time I cancelled my reservation with the national chain that I usually use and booked at a LaQuinta Hotel since they have an exercise room.    My almost daily exercise regiment, thus far, has only been walking at 4 mph for 20 minutes.  This week I plan to increase that to 30 minutes.     I have recently had an epiphany.  A long, long time ago (December 24, 2014) I thought that exercise was not critically important to weight loss.   I never doubted that it was healthy for a myriad of reasons.   An exercise that consumes 100 calories is not really going to make a significant dent when one is consuming 3000-5000 calories per day.   When one is consuming 1000 calories per day, a 100 calorie per day exercise program becomes huge.    Last evening, I enjoyed the last home-cooked meal that I will have until next weekend.   This 7oz Salmon Filet with Organic Mixed Vegetables was delicious.   This morning I weighed myself and I checked in at 294.5 lbs.   I have lost nearly 15 lbs in 12 days.

7 oz. Salmon Filet with Mixed Vegetables - 415 calories