That is correct. It has been one year since I quit smoking.
I know people say “If I can do it then anyone can,” but I do not believe that is the case. I do not think I could have done it just because someone else has. Sure, I know people that overcame the addiction and they were a major source of inspiration but if all I had was inspiration, I would never have made it this far.
I don’t think I did it all alone. I think each and everyone who was rooting for me helped. All of you that read this silly little blog and leave me words of encouragement helped me to stay focused all year long. At the end of the day it is me alone looking at my 10 little piggies and patting myself on the back for making it another day smoke free but it is all of you that are in my thoughts all day long and that kept me going.
So it took me a year to quit smoking and now I am on track to lose some major poundage. I may have finally figured out that I have to focus on one change at a time. Trying to do it all at once does not work for someone like me.
I just want to thank you for reading my words and for supporting me either through comments or just silently rooting for me. Your support has not and will not go unnoticed.
Am I out of the water? I truly think so. I cannot imagine myself smoking ever again. I have never thought that before now but the fact is undeniable.
I am a non-smoker.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
You Tube Tuesday #35
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
A Sore Spot
This morning I woke up sore. Very. Sore.
Racquetball last night was pretty intense and I think I went a little overboard. My right shoulder is killing me today. I have taken some Tylenol hoping it will help.
I always like that soreness you feel the day after some good exercise. It is confirmation that you made your body work and that is a good thing but this seems more like pain as opposed to soreness.
This morning I woke up in pain. That describes it better.
I am really looking forward / not looking forward to weigh in tomorrow. There is a part of me that says, “George you did really good this week. You are still a chunky ninja but you are on your way to slim ninja soon.” The other part of me says, “hey lard ass, you still had a couple of dinners that you didn’t count the points for so you know you effed it up. I hope you kept those sweat pants since that is all you can fit in, Chubinja!”
Yikes, I hate it when that part of me speaks up.
I will leave it to the scale to decide.
Until tomorrow my friends. I promise (as always) to let you know how much I lose or gain.
Lose. I meant just LOSE!
Racquetball last night was pretty intense and I think I went a little overboard. My right shoulder is killing me today. I have taken some Tylenol hoping it will help.
I always like that soreness you feel the day after some good exercise. It is confirmation that you made your body work and that is a good thing but this seems more like pain as opposed to soreness.
This morning I woke up in pain. That describes it better.
I am really looking forward / not looking forward to weigh in tomorrow. There is a part of me that says, “George you did really good this week. You are still a chunky ninja but you are on your way to slim ninja soon.” The other part of me says, “hey lard ass, you still had a couple of dinners that you didn’t count the points for so you know you effed it up. I hope you kept those sweat pants since that is all you can fit in, Chubinja!”
Yikes, I hate it when that part of me speaks up.
I will leave it to the scale to decide.
Until tomorrow my friends. I promise (as always) to let you know how much I lose or gain.
Lose. I meant just LOSE!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
The Missing Meter
As my kids enjoyed a cake last night to celebrate Brother and Sister Day, I was with my buddies playing a round of Disc Golf.
It has been my Wednesday evening / Saturday morning ritual for the past several weeks.
If you are not familiar with Disc Golf it is pretty much like traditional Golf except that you use Discs (read: Frisbees) and instead of holes you throw into baskets. Like this one.
It has been my Wednesday evening / Saturday morning ritual for the past several weeks.
If you are not familiar with Disc Golf it is pretty much like traditional Golf except that you use Discs (read: Frisbees) and instead of holes you throw into baskets. Like this one.
Well, after the 1 ½ hour game and a low around hole 7, we finished up and headed to dinner. We all decided that Chick-Fil-A would work (although I pronounce it Chick Fill Uh since fillet is spelled FILLET!). I threw my discs in the back of the car and headed off to the “land of misspelling” for chickeny goodness.
Once there I pulled out my disc golf bag to grab my BG meter and it was nowhere to be found. I looked in the front seat and in my “very masculine tote bag” to no avail. I figured I must have dropped it on the course because I know I had it with me it when we got there. My buddies hopped in the car and we heading back to the park.
I should tell you that I have several meters and so losing it was not a big deal. What was a big deal was the brand new vial of strips that I grabbed before we left my house. That would be 24 strips lying somewhere in the park. That is like gold to me. I could not leave them.
On the drive back I remembered that after checking my BG before playing, I put my new Ultra Mini on the roof of my car before I packed it in my bag or thought that I packed it. Well, much to my surprise I saw my little One Touch lying in the very center of the lane untouched.
I flipped a U and my buddy (in a total action movie move) opened the door, reached down, and grabbed it out of the street. Sweet.
“Reunited and it feels so good,” by Peaches and Herb was playing somewhere in the distance.
And that is the story of the Prodigal Meter. Once he was lost and now is found.
Would you have gone back for the strips?
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
2 Very Important Things To Tell You
First off. Today is August 22nd. (at least when I posted this it is)
And August 22nd is Brother and Sister day!
My kids and I would like to encourage all of you to get together or call your sibling(s) or even friends that are like siblings today.
I thought I heard them planning on making a movie or something today. We shall see.
Second.
Would you like to go to a conference focused on Adults with Type 1? What if you could help decide what content is included at this brand new conference? What if you could come up with a name for the conference and win cool prizes trying?
Well then you should head over to Allison's blog to read more about it and fill out a little survey. I am already excited about attending!
And August 22nd is Brother and Sister day!
My kids and I would like to encourage all of you to get together or call your sibling(s) or even friends that are like siblings today.
I thought I heard them planning on making a movie or something today. We shall see.
Second.
Would you like to go to a conference focused on Adults with Type 1? What if you could help decide what content is included at this brand new conference? What if you could come up with a name for the conference and win cool prizes trying?
Well then you should head over to Allison's blog to read more about it and fill out a little survey. I am already excited about attending!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
No Weight Update - Hey that rhymes!
I was working at the Western Foodservice Food Expo this weekend so I was not able to make my Weight Watchers meeting. My scale at home says I am still losing but we will wait for the official count next Saturday.
The Western Foodservice Expo is always filled with awesome food. Every aisle you walk down is filled with people holding trays filled with bite size goodness. And I swear the frilly toothpicks look almost proud to have “run through” a piece of sausage or fried cheese. Pastries and Desserts are pretty much around every corner and then there is all of the frozen smoothie drinks and even some booze! It is always a major tummy ache in the making and I never EVER stop myself from indulging.
Until this year
I ate nothing on the floor. I had one Diet Pepsi and that was it. All day and no snacks. I did go to the food court for lunch and had a Chicken Cesar Salad with Low Fat Dressing which I did not finish but that was it.
People usually think you are crazy for PAYING for food instead of filling up on free samples at the show.
How do they not see that they pay a lot more then I did?
Sometimes money is the safest way to pay.
The Western Foodservice Expo is always filled with awesome food. Every aisle you walk down is filled with people holding trays filled with bite size goodness. And I swear the frilly toothpicks look almost proud to have “run through” a piece of sausage or fried cheese. Pastries and Desserts are pretty much around every corner and then there is all of the frozen smoothie drinks and even some booze! It is always a major tummy ache in the making and I never EVER stop myself from indulging.
Until this year
I ate nothing on the floor. I had one Diet Pepsi and that was it. All day and no snacks. I did go to the food court for lunch and had a Chicken Cesar Salad with Low Fat Dressing which I did not finish but that was it.
People usually think you are crazy for PAYING for food instead of filling up on free samples at the show.
How do they not see that they pay a lot more then I did?
Sometimes money is the safest way to pay.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
Score!!!
On my way home from work last night I stopped off at the local sporting goods store to pick up a new Racquetball racket. Mine has been pretty beaten up so I figured I should pick one up before the game last night.
When I walked in to the Racket Sports section I was greeted by a wall of rackets. Most of them seemed to be priced above $100 which is so far out of my price range I actually said out loud, “Um, yeah right!”
I looked lower on the wall and next to the Dora the Explorer rackets were some $40 and cheaper rackets. I saw one that was 21.99 and grabbed it. It felt pretty good although the weird lightning bolts all over the sides were a little to flashy for a stealth ninja like myself but whatever.
As I was walking out I saw one row of rackets that were marked at “Clearance.” There were only 3 rackets in that section and the first one was awful. I grabbed the one behind it and it was very nice. Light and not all flashy but the sale price was 59.95 which was a little more then I wanted to spend. I gave up and went up to the counter to pay for my 21.99 racket.
I gave the cashier my card and he said, “That’ll be 43 dollars and 3 cents.” And then promptly swiped my card.
I looked at him in confusion and said, “The rack it was on said 21.99?”
He pointed to the handle on the racket which clearly showed 39.95 as the price. DOH!
I knew it was my fault for not checking the tag. I decided just to take it and started to walk out. And then it hit me, for 20 bucks more I could have a really nice racket that is on clearance! I walked back in and grabbed that 59.95 model that I liked so much. I made sure I looked at the tag and saw that it was regularly priced at $149! Score!
I took it up front and the cashier was totally cool with me. He rang it up and said, “That’s funny. This is priced at less than the one you are returning! I have to credit you some change back.”
SCORE!!!
Oh, what a sweet moment. I got a racket at about $100 off the original price. So very sweet and it worked very well for me at last night’s game.
Let’s hope it helped with tomorrows weigh-in.
When I walked in to the Racket Sports section I was greeted by a wall of rackets. Most of them seemed to be priced above $100 which is so far out of my price range I actually said out loud, “Um, yeah right!”
I looked lower on the wall and next to the Dora the Explorer rackets were some $40 and cheaper rackets. I saw one that was 21.99 and grabbed it. It felt pretty good although the weird lightning bolts all over the sides were a little to flashy for a stealth ninja like myself but whatever.
As I was walking out I saw one row of rackets that were marked at “Clearance.” There were only 3 rackets in that section and the first one was awful. I grabbed the one behind it and it was very nice. Light and not all flashy but the sale price was 59.95 which was a little more then I wanted to spend. I gave up and went up to the counter to pay for my 21.99 racket.
I gave the cashier my card and he said, “That’ll be 43 dollars and 3 cents.” And then promptly swiped my card.
I looked at him in confusion and said, “The rack it was on said 21.99?”
He pointed to the handle on the racket which clearly showed 39.95 as the price. DOH!
I knew it was my fault for not checking the tag. I decided just to take it and started to walk out. And then it hit me, for 20 bucks more I could have a really nice racket that is on clearance! I walked back in and grabbed that 59.95 model that I liked so much. I made sure I looked at the tag and saw that it was regularly priced at $149! Score!
I took it up front and the cashier was totally cool with me. He rang it up and said, “That’s funny. This is priced at less than the one you are returning! I have to credit you some change back.”
SCORE!!!
Oh, what a sweet moment. I got a racket at about $100 off the original price. So very sweet and it worked very well for me at last night’s game.
Let’s hope it helped with tomorrows weigh-in.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Plugging Along
After my horrible Saturday weigh-in I have been sticking to my points like white on rice cakes. This week has been filled with Lean Cuisine’s, Smart One’s, and Healthy Choice prepackaged meals and to my surprise I have found several that I like.
Who knew that I could find a Salisbury Steak and Mac n’ Cheese Lean Cuisine that tastes pretty darn good! Both my wife and I are trying to find our favorites. I am looking forward to today’s lunch which will consist of a Steak and Mushroom Panini, Sugar Free Orange Jell-O, a Garden Salad with Low Fat Ranch Dressing and string cheese. Very yummy and filling. I love that I can eat a lot and not eat stuff that makes me fatter or that does not have a lot of carbs.
My wife was a little worried about how rigid I have been this week with my points but I am the kind of person that needs that kind of intensity to truly change a behavior or habit. It is not easy for me to turn it on and off whenever. I either do it completely or not at all. I think she does not want me to beat myself up which I do not think I am but I can see how it would appear that way.
I had to turn down a few free dinners and lunch offers this week just because I want to make sure I know exactly how many points I am eating. When I get a little further along and understand how all this stuff works I will attempt eating food that is not in my little “points” book. Trying to portion food when you go to a restaurant or to someone’s house seems tricky to me. I would feel funny bringing a food scale with me everywhere I go.
I am sure in time I will get that all down. For now, I am going to stick with what I am doing.
Who knew that I could find a Salisbury Steak and Mac n’ Cheese Lean Cuisine that tastes pretty darn good! Both my wife and I are trying to find our favorites. I am looking forward to today’s lunch which will consist of a Steak and Mushroom Panini, Sugar Free Orange Jell-O, a Garden Salad with Low Fat Ranch Dressing and string cheese. Very yummy and filling. I love that I can eat a lot and not eat stuff that makes me fatter or that does not have a lot of carbs.
My wife was a little worried about how rigid I have been this week with my points but I am the kind of person that needs that kind of intensity to truly change a behavior or habit. It is not easy for me to turn it on and off whenever. I either do it completely or not at all. I think she does not want me to beat myself up which I do not think I am but I can see how it would appear that way.
I had to turn down a few free dinners and lunch offers this week just because I want to make sure I know exactly how many points I am eating. When I get a little further along and understand how all this stuff works I will attempt eating food that is not in my little “points” book. Trying to portion food when you go to a restaurant or to someone’s house seems tricky to me. I would feel funny bringing a food scale with me everywhere I go.
I am sure in time I will get that all down. For now, I am going to stick with what I am doing.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
You Tube Tuesday #32
Once again, music is the theme of this clip. This is an old one but you may not have seen it before. Check it out. It is very entertaining.
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Weekly Weight Watchers Update
I gained. I gained 2.6 lbs. Pretty much all the weight I lost in week one.
Guess how I feel? #%@#!!
I know what happened. I know what to do. I want to quit but that is not an option.
I am going to go all crazy and turn on the ninja skills this week.
My uncle* Richard will be so proud.
*Richard Simmons is not actually related to me in any way thank goodness ;)
Guess how I feel? #%@#!!
I know what happened. I know what to do. I want to quit but that is not an option.
I am going to go all crazy and turn on the ninja skills this week.
My uncle* Richard will be so proud.
*Richard Simmons is not actually related to me in any way thank goodness ;)
Friday, August 03, 2007
Friday Follow-ups
Monday – Still going strong with the whole Weight Watchers thang. It is funny how much better “satisfied” feels as opposed to “full.” Novel concept but I have horrible eating habits that I am changing so this is new to me. I will let you all know tomorrow if I gained or lost and how much.
Tuesday – I think I have given up in finding a Ninja Cat. I thought I saw one the other day but no sooner did I spot it that it scratched my leg and disappeared! Damn Ninjacat! ;)
Wednesday – We played racquetball again last night for another 90 minutes. It was great. My friends now call me “V Neck” because I am a “Sweater.” Cute…not.
Thursday – I knew I was losing my hair. I guess I did not realize how quickly it had been abandoning me. I was sitting here at my desk and touched my head and thought, “I gotta see this.” I just thought I would share with you all so we could laugh about it. Or at least you could! :)
And in Today’s news, I am sure you have all heard about “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People® with Diabetes.” But if not, you can get your hands on a free copy of this booklet by filling about a short form here. I read about this from Bernard who heard about it from Amy.
So I can tell 2 friends, and they can tell 2 friends, and so on and so on.
Have a great weekend and check back tomorrow for the weight loss amount. It better be a loss dammit!
Tuesday – I think I have given up in finding a Ninja Cat. I thought I saw one the other day but no sooner did I spot it that it scratched my leg and disappeared! Damn Ninjacat! ;)
Wednesday – We played racquetball again last night for another 90 minutes. It was great. My friends now call me “V Neck” because I am a “Sweater.” Cute…not.
Thursday – I knew I was losing my hair. I guess I did not realize how quickly it had been abandoning me. I was sitting here at my desk and touched my head and thought, “I gotta see this.” I just thought I would share with you all so we could laugh about it. Or at least you could! :)
And in Today’s news, I am sure you have all heard about “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People® with Diabetes.” But if not, you can get your hands on a free copy of this booklet by filling about a short form here. I read about this from Bernard who heard about it from Amy.
So I can tell 2 friends, and they can tell 2 friends, and so on and so on.
Have a great weekend and check back tomorrow for the weight loss amount. It better be a loss dammit!
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Over One Hurdle
Last night me and a couple of my buddies met up to play Racquetball. I have taken to playing at least once a week but sometimes twice. If there was a court closer to my house I know I would play more but unfortunately there is not. But last night we played for 90 minutes. Now I know that is not an entirely long time but for my large derriere it is quite the accomplishment.
Monday I played Disc Golf with my son and a friend. Although not as aerobic as Racquetball I still end up with a sweat filled shirt and out of breath at times. The park we play at is full of hills and the course goes up and down and up and… well you get the picture. It is about 2 hours usually and always a good time. I love it.
I find that I am always thinking about Racquetball or Disc Golf. I could play either one every night if life allowed. The great thing is that my wife always gives me the green light to go. She knows that when you find any exercise that you enjoy, you should stick with it. That is a major hurdle for some people. Finding exercise they enjoy.
I know it is not the conventional type of exercise but I will actually do this. Willingly.
That is a nice hurdle to overcome.
Monday I played Disc Golf with my son and a friend. Although not as aerobic as Racquetball I still end up with a sweat filled shirt and out of breath at times. The park we play at is full of hills and the course goes up and down and up and… well you get the picture. It is about 2 hours usually and always a good time. I love it.
I find that I am always thinking about Racquetball or Disc Golf. I could play either one every night if life allowed. The great thing is that my wife always gives me the green light to go. She knows that when you find any exercise that you enjoy, you should stick with it. That is a major hurdle for some people. Finding exercise they enjoy.
I know it is not the conventional type of exercise but I will actually do this. Willingly.
That is a nice hurdle to overcome.
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