A Day Down Is Not Necessarily A Day Off / Valentine's Day Post-Scripts

Post Number: 132

Review of Yesterday's Progress
     Daily PPV Used/Left: 20/49 of 69 (Goal: 28/41)
     Pedometer Reading: 3808 (paused)
     Meetings Attended: Missed Overeaters Anonymous
     Exercise Completed: None
     M-W's Word of the Day: Cupid

I have a characteristic that I refer to as: My Overdeveloped Sense of Responsibility (ODSR). This is probably one of the things that is pushing me to use the gyms as much as I can while I still have access. After all, fitness doesn't store well. My ODSR kept me busy even though I have a virus of some kind. I have a headache that starts behind my eyes, travels around the top of the skull, down the back of my head, into the neck and down my spine. I believe my knee and ankle joints are jealous of the competition for my attention through inflicted pain. There are several other symptoms, but the illness isn't the point. Since I didn't exercise yesterday, I jumped into my number one time constrained responsibility, job searching, as prodded by my ODSR.

My ODSR did allow me to take a few breaks, during which I built the PS and PPS for tomorrow concerning a documentary on obesity in America. This entry is being posted on Valentine's Day, after all. I have this need to express in my PS today something of my enduring affection for MBWM.

Because of my less-than-endearing results in my job search, I dug a little further, a little longer, and a little broader selection of websites than usual. I didn't find anything promising, but there will be days like that. I will winnow through what I found and apply to the most promising. I just wish the automated searches would stop sending my contact information to the Food Service Industry. I do not believe I have the wherewithal to be a fine dining server. My hats off to those in their mid 40's that can. I followed up on governmental web sites in case there were any listings not posted to the more common web sites. I didn't find anything. I will focus today on catching up with my network. At least I hope I will.

There are two major impediments to my getting much done in my networking today that I learned from yesterday. One, this bug is more mentally debilitating than I had originally given it credit for. I had a tough time dealing with many of the complexities of the day. Two, my kids enjoy taking advantage of their weakened father. Not that I blame them. I would have done the same at their age.

And at my age, I need to get on with the day to make the most of the time I am semi-functional.

Yours in the joyful recovery that awaits me,

Eliot


P.S.: First, the humorous Valentine's thought: Mormons Can't Send Flowers

P.P.S.: Love one another and you will be happy.  It's as simple and as difficult as that. - Michael Leunig

P.P.P.S.: The personal romantic Valentine's thought: I wanted to provide something in honor of my altruistic, alluring, beneficent, benevolent, charitable, charming, delightful, delectable, endearing, enduring, faithful, fearless, gregarious, gallant, beautiful, beloved wife. My latest love note, written a couple weeks ago and left under her pillow, makes for a quick Valentine's postscript expression. For you (again), dearest to my heart -

For My Beloved,

I may be using the words, "Hello," or "Good-bye," or "Your breakfast is ready." But when I say these or other simple words, I hope you realize that behind these words flows the most faithful love I possess. All of my treasured memories, cherished thoughts, and simple dreams are bound up in the small words I express in our conversation. I hope you will hear the words, "I Love You," behind these small words of expressions.

All my love, my dearest M,

Me (AKA: Yours)

And since I have faith in my writing skills and have even greater faith in my Sweetheart, an extemporaneous love note for my eternal beloved -

For My Forever Sweetie,

We play, we laugh, we work away! We hug, we smile, we share our day!

We kiss, we hold, each other's heart! We clean, we cook, we do our part!

And there I find, I see most fine! Your heart of gold, blessed, divine!

There is nothing more precious to me that I hold in my hands than the heart that makes my own beat faster. There is no greater reward for the most cherished work of seeing my efforts bring about your joyful expressions. There is no goal more vital to my life than lifting your spirit high enough to soar.

Happy Valentine's Day, My Love!

P.P.P.P.S.: As a dilettante in classical music and an admirer of Beethoven, I have not only studied Beethoven's life, but also had the opportunity to conduct the first movement of his Third Symphony. I still have the score. This opportunity arose from a interim semester class at Saint Olaf College. From my background education and experience, I do have a recommendation. If you choose to watch the movie Immortal Beloved, make sure you treat this movie of historical fiction as more fiction than history. Like many other movies (Amadeus and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid come immediately to mind), there is enough missing information from history that artistic license is given more leeway than it really should. For the best discussion on the possible identities of Beethoven's Immortal Beloved, I would recommend the book Beethoven by Maynard Solomon. If you do read the book before watching the movie, you will enjoy the movie for its exceptional accuracy to the scenes and costumes of the time, its incredible use of Beethoven's music as both subtle counterpoint to the foreground action and as plot points in the movies itself, its dramatic plot twists that keep you enthralled until the end, and well-conceived work of cinematic art.

With that inclination for warning fulfilled, I now feel inclined to transition to the real reason behind this specific postscript: the inclusion of one of music history's most famous love letters. It is famous for having no name or address attached to it. It was found among Beethoven's belongings after his death. Was it never delivered? Was it delivered and returned? Who was the letter for? Enjoy this written work of the musical mastermind Beethoven.

July 6th, in the morning
My angel, my all, my very self. - Only a few words today, and, what is more, written in pencil (and with your pencil)-I shan't be certain of my rooms here until tomorrow; what an unnecessary waste of time is all this--Why this profound sorrow, when necessity speaks--can our love endure without sacrifices, without our demanding everything from one another, can you alter the fact that you are not wholly mine, that I am not wholly yours?--Dear God, look at Nature in all her beauty and set your heart at rest about what must be--Love demands all, and rightly so, and thus it is for me with you, for you with me-- but you forget so easily that I must live for me and for you; if we were completely united, you would feel this painful necessity just as little as I do--My journey was dreadful and I did not arrive here until yesterday at four o'clock in the morning. As there were few horses the mail coach chose another route, but what a dreadful road it was; at the last state but one I was warned not to travel by night; attempts were made to frighten me about a forest, but all this only spurred me on to proceed--and it was wrong of me to do so.. The coach broke down, of course, owing to the dreadful road which had not been made up and was nothing but a country track. If we hadn't had those two postilions I should have been left stranded on the way--On the other ordinary road Esterhazy with eight horses met with the same fate as I did with four--Yet I felt to a certain extent that pleasure I always feel when I have overcome some difficulty successfully--Well, let me turn quickly from outer to inner experiences. No doubt we shall meet soon; and today also time fails me to tell you of the thoughts which during these last few days I have been revolving about my life--If our hearts were always closely united, I would certainly entertain no such thoughts. My hear overflows with a longing to tell you so many things--Oh--there are moments when I find that speech is quite inadequate--Be cheerful-- and be for ever my faithful, my only sweetheart, my all, as I am yours. The gods must send us everything else, whatever must and shall be our fate--
Your faithful Ludwig

Monday evening, July 6th
You are suffering, you, my most precious one--I have noticed the very moment that letters have to be handed in very early, on Monday--or on Thursday--the only days when the mail coach goes from here to K[arlsbad].--You are suffering--Oh, where I am, you are with me--I will see to it that you and I, that I can live with you. What a life!!!! as it is now!!!! without you--pursued by the kindness of people here and there, a kindness that I think-that I wish to deserve just as little as I deserve it--man's homage to man--that pains me--and when I consider myself in the setting of the universe, what I am and what is the man--whom one calls the greatest of me--and yet--on the other hand therein lies the divine element in man==I weep when I think that probably you will not receive the first news of me until Saturday--However much you love me--good night--Since I am taking the baths I must get off to sleep--Dear God--so near! so far! Is not our love truly founded in heaven--and, what is more, as strongly cemented as the firmament of Heaven?--

Good morning, on July 7th
Even when I am in bed my thoughts rush to you, my eternally beloved, now and then joyfully, then again sadly, waiting to know whether Fate will hear our prayer--To face life I must live altogether with you or never see you. Yes, I am resolved to be a wanderer abroad until I can fly to your arms and say that I have found my true home with you and enfolded in your arms can let my soul be wafted to the realm on blessed spirits--alas, unfortunately it must be so--You will become composed, the more so as you know that I am faithful to you; no other woman can ever possess my heart--never--never--Oh God, why must one be separated from her who is so dear. Yet my life in V[ienna] at present is a miserable life--Your love has made me both the happiest and the unhappiest of mortals--At my age I now need stability and regularity in my life--can this coexist with our relationship?--Angel, I have just heard that the post goes every day--and therefore I must close, so that you may receive the letter immediately--Be calm; for only by calmly considering our lives can we achieve our purpose to live together--Be calm--love me--Today--yesterday--what tearful longing for you--for you--you--my life--my all--all good wishes to you--Oh, do continue to love me--never misjudge your lover's most faithful heart.

ever yours
ever mine
ever ours

L.

Doesn't Share Well with Others

Post Number: 131

Review of Yesterday's Progress
     Daily PPV Used/Left: 25/44 of 69 (Goal: 28/41)
     Pedometer Reading: 3808
     Meetings Attended: Missed Weight Watchers
     Exercise Completed:
     At the Y -
          Swam Laps (8 laps, 400 yards)
          Octane Recumbent Elliptical Machine
               20 minutes, 2.64 miles, level 8 (used arms and legs)
     At Anytime Fitness -
          Recumbent Bike, 10 min, 1.74 mi, resistance 8
          Tread Mill, 10 min, 0.40 mi @ incline 0.0 / speed 2.5
          Vertical Chest Press, 35 lbs, 5 sets, 10 presses each set (+15 lbs, -1 set)
          Overhead Chest Press, 20 lbs, 3 sets, 10 presses each set
          Expresso Virtual Bike, 4 min, 1.00 mi, variable resistance
     M-W's Word of the Day: Serendipity

Tough to make use of the computer with my job searching, the kids' home schooling, and MBWM's wedding preparations for Horse. Sharing the computers has become all the more annoying since bringing all the three of them downstairs. I can't hide out in my room. I rather missed having some mindless entertainment queued up so I could take short breaks. I would pick something I have seen before so it would be easy to break away. Last week, it was Season 1 of Deep Space 9. Now, with the potential for little eyes peering over my shoulder, I'm not completing as much job searching, blog writing, exercise researching, and other computerized activities. But that will have to change, especially for the job searching. Since the largest collective use of the computer access is used for home schooling, which takes four hours minimum, I need to revise our current schedule. They are usually done with their assignments within an hour or two. We regularly have to pull the kids off of the computers to be able to move on to other activities. Yesterday, I went to Anytime Fitness near the end of four hours of home schooling. The kids went right now through my absence. It's tough to interrupt them when (1) they are working on their education and (2) they are cooperating wonderfully. If it wasn't so important, I would insist they complete a series of chores before starting their home schooling.

And I need to start back into my extensive daily job searching that I've missed this week so far. And since we only have laptops, it looks like the one I typically use is about to live up to its portable nature by moving back and forth between its two prime locations. It was nice having everything set up in our home school room, but priorities demand attention.

Another priority that needed attention yesterday was turning in the security fob to Anytime Fitness because the free trial was over. I learned quite a bit about me and exercise machines.

And still something else that demands attention is this bug that has been beating on my body all this week. My body has been victorious until now, but I think the bug's stamina has surpassed my stamina.

Yours in a possible forced day down,

Eliot

P.S.: Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win. - Jonathan Kozel

P.P.S.: I don't think lifestyle changes fit into this category.

When Did 8 am Become the New Midnight?

Post Number: 130

Review of Yesterday's Progress
     Daily PPV Used/Left: 22/47 of 69 (Goal: 28/41)
     Pedometer Reading: 5668 (paused)
     Meetings Attended: Overeaters Anonymous
     Exercise Completed:
     At the Y -
          Swam Laps (7 laps, 350 yards)
          Octane Recumbent Elliptical Machine
               16 minutes, 2.27 miles, level 7 (used arms and legs)
          Tread Mill, 7 min, 0.44 mi, incline 0.0, speed 2.3
     At Basque Museum -
          Directed the Family Chorus around the museum that included
          three buildings and two floors in each building
     M-W's Word of the Day: Deracinate

Really rough day yesterday. Exhaustion from lack of sleep, muscular strain from working out, joint ache from long-term exercise, and other issues made for a tough start. And then to add in the field trip to the Basque Museum, I really know how to bring torture upon myself. I managed to pull through but I am including that event in my exercises. After all of the stairs and walking in and among three building, all while herding a group of kids eight and under through the tour, I definately put in the work. My well-being suffered for it. I couldn't wait to get in bed and bring this day to an end.

I have been bringing my swimming laps to an end this week because I have been having cramps in the arch of my foot on what then becomes the last lap. This is a new experience for me and makes me wonder what adjustments I need to be making to put this behind me.

I have put two chapters behind me by reaching Chapter 5 of Start Strong. Finish Strong. This means completing Chapter 3 and Chapter 4. Reading/Listening while on the Octane seated elliptical has made reading a little easier to accomplish. There is quite a bit of information that I will be meditating on and putting to work. And I've finally located the nod towards bigger problems that I've been looking for.

Of course, certain habits may be especially hard to form or break. As a result, there may be more of a tendency to relapse with certain behavioral changes than with others. If you're trying to quit smoking, drinking, or overeating, for example, you may find that unless you stay on a formal program, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a clinic-run group dietary or antismkoing regimen, you'll slip back into the bad habit.

I am not sure how this will help for the long-term, but I am glad that there is small moment among the many pages that addressed the possibility of a bigger issue. Much of the book has me wondering who they are writing to, because while they address that there are obese, much of their writing seems to be directed more towards people that had some sort of working familiarity with exercise. I had a quote for this in mind but couldn't find it.

But I do need to find something. First, a better sleep schedule that doesn't keep exhaustion a common thread in my posts. As described in my title, 8 am frequently feels like midnight. Second, a better exercise program that leaves me interested (nearly excited) in going and working out instead of dreading the pain that will continue another common thread in these posts. Third, the long-term connection that will make this weight loss a long term success. Fourth, time to read my job search books to be better able to land a job.

But right now, I am going to find my way to the Y.

Yours in the joys of yesterday bolstering my through today,

Eliot

P.S.: I'm not a control freak. I'm a control enthusiast.

Pushing Too Hard

Post Number: 129

Review of Yesterday's Progress
     Daily PPV Used/Left: 21/48 of 69 (Goal: 28/41)
     Pedometer Reading: 3062 (paused)
     Meetings Attended: None Scheduled
     Exercise Completed:
     At the Y -
          Swam Laps (8 laps, 400 yards)
          Octane Recumbent Elliptical Machine
               17 minutes, 2.38 miles, level 8 (used arms and legs)
     At Anytime Fitness -
          Elliptical, 2 min, 0.20 mi, resistance 7
          Tread Mill, 8 min & 0.25 mi @ incline 0.0 / speed 2.0
          Vertical Chest Press, 20 lbs, 5 sets, 10 presses each set
          Overhead Chest Press, 20 lbs, 3 sets, 10 presses each set
          Preacher Curl, 20 lbs, 5 sets, 10 presses each set
          Expresso Virtual Bike, 6 min, 1.50 mi, variable resistance
     M-W's Word of the Day: Filch

Exhausting day yesterday and I'm still feeling it today. I managed to complete quite a few tasks and responsibilities. I was ready for bed at about 2 pm. I was feeling that, too. I feel this need to push myself while I still have access to a gym. I hope the future bodes well for either exercising at home or obtaining employment to be able to afford a gym. All too soon, I will know what is available for me. And worse still is the certain knowledge that I cannot store fitness during the dearth of gym access.

The excess of gym access led me to push a little too hard yesterday. My stomach was quite queasy. I didn't eat much for quite some time. And when I did, what did I start with? My daily supplements. My stomach reverted back to the queasy.

Yours in the knowledge that the future I build will come and I will reach it,

Eliot

P.S.:

Rest and Respite

Post Number: 128

Review of Yesterday's Progress
     Daily PPV Used/Left: 5/64 of 69 (Goal: 28/41) {Completed fasting}
     Pedometer Reading: 3806
     Meetings Attended: None Scheduled
     Exercise Completed: None Scheduled

     M-W's Word of the Day: Anodyne

The night leading into yesterday was a major Swiss cheese night (full of holes). There were issues (Quail waking up among them) and ailments (muscle cramps for starters) that made for a difficult night. I was grateful to start my day of (physical) rest. My chest muscles were hurting the worst they have hurt since using the Overhead Press Machine two days previously. My legs muscles (inner thigh and shin) were cramping up. And my ankle and knee joints were screaming even before I put any weight on them. It was going to be a good day to focus on those things spiritual.

The spiritual kick off started with our bishop opening up the service with the following joke:

I want all of you to put your hand over your heart, rock back and forth, and look at a light. Now I've touched your heart, my words have moved you, and you've seen the light. My job here is done. We can go home.

All in all, it was a wonderful sabbath worship and I was filled with the gratitude that accompanies the blessings of gathering to worship. The cares of yesterday and tomorrow are exactly that; worries of another day. Today, my family takes center stage more than any other as we sit in council to adjust, plan, and discuss those things that will be most important to the growth and success of our family.

And so I took to my bed for the rest I seek. I look to my faith for the respite I need.

Yours in the journey of today,

Eliot

P.S.: Jaguar asked if she could make breakfast yesterday morning. I provided my permission. The menu showed Creamy Wheat. She asked me, "How much wheat fajita goes into the recipe?"

I've Hit My Stride! (Evaluation: Week 24)

Last Weigh In: Saturday, 8 February 2014

Weight Information -

• Weight: 368.4 lbs
• Weight Change:
• This Week: -7.0 lbs
• To Date: -84.8 lbs
• Weight Gauge: I've Hit My Stride
• Body Mass Index: 57.7 (down from 58.8)
• Daily PPV:
• Assigned: 69 (Down 2 {finally})
• Personal: 28 (unchanged)
• PPV This Week: 
• Used: 152 out of 497
• Not Used: 345 (69.4%)

Goals (Description / Evaluation) -

• Chronological Goal: No longer obese in 2014 / Well on my way. Latest projections for leaving behind morbidly obese using:
• The last 15 weeks of data: Between July 3, 2014 and July 6, 2014
• All 24 weeks of data: Between August 20, 2014 and September 7, 2014
• Employment Goals
• Make at least 5 networking contacts each week. / Didn't make many meaningful connections today for positions to apply for but did make new networking connections to will hopefully lead to positions, directly or indirectly. This is, unless the teaching or chemist position pan out.
• Apply for at least 5 positions each week / Applying for positions is time consuming but I am hitting this one and then some. Particularly excited by positions applied for this week and some of the feedback I've received.
• Weight Watchers Awards this Week:
• 5 lbs - For passing another 5 pound mark
• 5 lbs - For passing yet another 5 pound mark
• Number Goals: Direction is exciting. Quantity is pure ecstasy. Or to borrow from M-W's thesaurus: elatedness, elation, euphoria, exhilaration, paradise, rapture, rhapsody
• Weight: Passed one weight loss hurdle: Leave behind 71 PPV (WW assigned value). Next hurdles are a little farther away.
• 20% Weight Loss at 362.4 lbs / 6.0 lbs away
• 100 Pounds Lost at 353.2 lbs / 15.2 lbs away
• Transition off of Kimkins at 350.0 lbs / 18.4 lbs away
• BMI: Reach a value below 40.0 (morbidly obese) / 17.7 away
• PPV Not Used this Week: 301 PPV / 345 PPV - Beat goal by 44
• Waist Goal: Lose another available hole in the belt until I need to switch to a new belt. / Belt is comfortable and effective at 5 available holes. 6 is ineffective. 4 is workable. 3 is uncomfortable. This is actually a reversal in direction. Given my weight loss, I attribute this to changes in the shape of my tummy.
• Feel Good Goal: Consistent practice of my meditation and relaxation techniques / Meditation was more hit than miss this week, mostly because of new lows in exhaustion last week forced me to pay more attention to what I was doing. Continuing review and research of meditation. Didn't start relaxation techniques this week. Will try again this week.
• Physical Goals: 
• Put on the seat belt in my car using both straps, not one strap. / Not quite ready to call this one met but it is quite close. Not too hard to do without my coat. Difficult but doable with my coat.
• Walk upright up the stairs of my house every time using the railing only for precaution. / I still need to mountaineer my way up the stairs.
• Tie my shoes unassisted anywhere. / I cannot tie my shoes without physical aids but it is getting easier. I didn't need any personalized assistance this week.
• Take a bath in my bathtub. / My bathtub is big enough, but I cannot get into or out of it when it's dry without painful exertion. This would negate any lasting value to the bath. Don't want to try to get out when wet yet.
• The Y: Swim laps four days next week. Use the recumbent elliptical machine ahead of swimming. I am going to set my alarm for 5 am for next week. / Arrived at the Y, pushed against the elliptical, swam my laps, came home, all before 7:30 am for five days in a row. Very difficult work out that I feel in my knee and ankle joints and in my arm and leg muscles. I will try this for one more week before deciding what changes to make. Managed to get through four days this week at the Y. It left my joints hurting. Normally my joints recover within 24 hours so returning to the Y isn't a bother. This week makes me wonder if I am doing more damage than harm. Used Anytime Fitness on Friday. Exercising there exacerbated the painful joints. I am going to focus on cardio at the Y and muscle building at Anytime Fitness while the free trial is active.
• Alternative to the Y: I need to research further for options outside of the Nampa Rec Center and Axiom. / I liked Anytime Fitness. I liked Freedom Fitness a little more. Both places have the problem of few machines for me to use for cardio. Researched Idaho Athletic Club. I'm not sure that it is any better an option because of the distance factor. Hopefully, I will be employed soon. With employment, fees and distance become less of an issue.
• Exercise without the Gym: Locate workouts options that don't involve a gym. / Starting this week. I already have work out cards from Weight Watchers. Online resources so far have been few and far between because of the disparity between level of fitness that I posses and the article requires. Articles like this one. My focus has been to locate exercises that fall into the following pattern from a WebMD article.
• The 5 Elements of Fitness - An effective fitness program has five components:
• A warm up.
• A cardiovascular (aerobic) workout.
• Resistance (strength-building) exercises.
• Flexibility moves.
• A cool down
• The closest online resource so far are:
• 6 Easy Ways to Exercise Without a Gym
• 13 Ways to Exercise & Work Out Without a Gym Membership
• 30-Minute Workout, No Gym Required
• 10 Ways You CAN Exercise At Home without Any Equipment
• Weight Watchers:
• Use the paper tracker to record calculated points every day this week. / I have tracked for 16 weeks. The only day I missed was Christmas. Go me!
• Keep available PPV at 28 for my daily points instead of 69 as assigned by WW. / Easy! I have even been eating a little less than this. The assigned points have finally started decreasing. Eventually, the assigned points and my personal points will meet up somewhere. That will be an exciting day. As will the restoration of the 49 weekly points.
• Range of PPV in past has varied daily between 6 and 18 points from goal in one week. Keep range to 4 points except while fasting. / This week wasn't very good. But I'm not going spend all that much mental energy on this one.
• Avoid using 49 weekly points. Daily points leave 41 available every day. That's 287 left over points available per week. / Nailed it!
• Attend two meetings this week. Scheduled for Wednesday and Saturday. / Missed Wednesday. Wednesday is frequently a problem. No more scheduling visits or activities anywhere near Wednesday's meeting. And while I didn't schedule anything over this meeting, life did.
• Overeaters Anonymous: 
• Attend two meetings this week. Scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday. / Missed Thursday night because of a family crisis. Can't schedule those events. I'll keep scheduling the OA meetings as planned and refuse to schedule things ahead of them. Well... Except a home school group field trip to the Basque Museum.
• Perform moral inventory for Step 4. / Didn't work on this one at all. I will work on it this week. I have even put it into my calendar.
• Never Ceases to Amuse Me Blog: Journal 300 out of 365 days. / Journaled 39 of 39 days so far this year.
• Reading Materials - Self-assigned reading assignments
• What Color is Your Parachute? - Starting to read this week / Didn't read at all this week. Putting reading time into calendar.
• This is How to Get Your Next Job - Starting to read this week / Didn't read at all this week. Putting reading time into calendar.
• Start Strong. Finish Strong. - Read Chapter 4 / Finished Chapter 3
• AA Big Book - Read Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 of the AA Big Book. / Read a little of Chapter 5 two weeks ago. Didn't read at all this week. Putting reading time into calendar.
• Some books I want to read soon but don't have time but want to read right now:
• WW Find Your Fingerprint
• The Doctor is In
• Good Calories. Bad Calories.
• Hot Button Review
• Mental-Function - Had surges this week with the resume work on Friday, but most days exhaustion from lack of sleep created weakened mental functioning.
• Spiritual - Good week for the most part this week. Felt very supported. Makes me want to return to exercise and avoid poor food choices.
• Numbers-Game - No idea what my numbers are now except blood pressure, so focusing on this one.
• Sticky Notes
• Be active for 5 minutes out of every sedentary hour
• Push for another WooHoo Weigh In!
• Put down the fork and sip water between bites
• Eat more veggies
• No high carb nibbling. Kimkins separation in T-minus 25 pounds.
• Get to Bed! 5 AM Comes Early!!

Because this next month is very likely my last month of attending Weight Watchers, I am going to push hard to get my 100 pounds lost washer. It's the last token Weight Watchers offers. I will have 6 more meetings left. The projections say that I will pass 100 pounds as late as March 20th (Yay!) or as early as February 26th (Super Yay!). Since my last meeting as things stand now is March 22nd, this will be close. Taking a quick look at the weight loss per week, I have to lose more than 2.5 pounds per week for the next 6 weeks. That might be too much in most cases, but given recent history, it is certainly achievable. Here are the numbers that show how many pounds per week I have to lose to achieve the 100 pounds lost washer based on which meeting I receive it at:

Weight Watchers Meeting	Weight Loss per Week for 100 lbs Lost
2/15/2014	15.2
2/22/2014	7.6
3/1/2014	5.1
3/8/2014	3.8
3/15/2014	3.0
3/22/2014	2.5

My biggest concern here is not the dieting for the short-term weight loss, it's the exercise for long-term maintenance. I intellectually want to continue the exercise. It is important to long-term weight loss. But physically, I am intensely drained. And without a gym for the workout, I'm not sure that I can push myself as hard as I do at the gym. We shall see. One week at a time to face these concerns. Sometimes, one day at a time. Sometimes, one hour at a time.

I've Hit My Stride! Now comes the effort behind keepin' on.


Looking Forward:

• Stay on program with Weight Watchers, especially keeping the daily points consumed to a daily maximum of 28 and a daily range of 24-28 PPV.
• Avoid the temptation of high carb nibbles into my week.
• Stay on track with swimming laps but move it to 5:30 am.
• Attend Anytime Fitness for muscle building work outs Monday through Thursday (last day of free trial)
• Attend all meetings. Don't schedule things before them except a home school group field trip to the Basque Museum.
• Hold onto the joyful feelings of this day to get me through the the times of lesser success in weight loss, the trudging through job searching, and other complications life will be throwing my way.

IVCUFI:

IV - I have found the way of making weight loss by food selection work for me.
CU - I have seized the road by facing down physical discouragements to continue exercising and, more importantly, explore other work out options.
FI - I am enjoying the journey by reveling in the continued consternation of my Weight Watchers leader.

Post Number: 127

Review of Yesterday's Progress

     Daily PPV Used/Left: 10/59 of 69 (Goal: 28/41) {Started fasting}

     Pedometer Reading: 7239

     Meetings Attended: Weight Watchers

     Exercise Completed: None Scheduled

     M-W's Word of the Day: Regnant

     Page Views to Date: 1683 (Increased by 72 Page Views This Week)

Upon seeing my weight loss of 7.0 pounds, Robin, the Saturday morning Weight Watchers leader, said she would like to be happy for me but she is concerned about the rate of the weight loss. I should have said, "So be happy for me." She has explained her concerns in the past. I understand them. But right now, I need to lower my weight. In the future, I will fine tune the habits for the long-term. I haven't been telling her how it is I've been losing the weight so quickly, but I still consider the rapid weight loss important for the first 100 pounds. After that, I will be leaving Kimkins behind. At that point, I expect weight loss to slow down a little. Of course, I won't have Weight Watchers fairly soon or the Y even sooner, so I will need to design what I am going to implement during the transition.

And at this stage of the day, I am going to transition myself right off the computer and into my day of rest. I desperately need to do the spiritual work of the day and the physical rest.

Yours in the series of WooHoo! moments that thrill the soul,

Eliot

P.S.:

NOTES

Weight Watchers, 8 February 2014

Last Month's Theme: Start Celebrating

What choices from last week made you want to celebrate?

• Started using kettle bells
• Started using stationary bike
• Able to remove boot from foot surgery
• Made it to today's meeting through the snow
• Traveled for four days, worked out six. Craving exercise after sitting in a conference all day
• Stayed the same weight
• Exercised everyday of the week

What challenges this week?

• Sinus infection for two weeks
• Can't taste food very well
• Suggestion: add more spices for flavor, especially garlic and cayenne
• Increased activity
• Really hungry
• The cold, lack of sunshine influence mood
• Eat fruits and veggies, they're zero points
• Drink more water

How do you keep going after a gain?

• Try and try again
• P!nk's song "Try"
• Get back to program
• Teamwork

The Power of Routines

What are some of your routines? How do your routines influence your choices?

• Clean the house
• Shower
• Coffee every morning
• Coming to meeting
• Wear activity meter
• Daily crossword
• Sleep
• Breakfast

Routines in Weight Watchers  - easy, doable activities that are performed without thinking about them. List on page 8 of the Weekly - List of Routines

What routine is right for you?

• Pick a routine new to you that feels most doable to you right now on page 9 of the Weekly
• Record selection
• Which Weight Watchers Routine feels most doable to you right now? Know what you are having for lunch
• What do you think this Routine can do for you, physically and/or mentally? Helps with not only what I eat but when. If I don't know what I am going to eat, I frequently eat much later than I should. This encourages over-eating.
• What challenges do you foresee to making this Routine truly yours? Doing the actual planning
• How can you overcome those challenges? Plan today at lunch for tomorrow
• What can you do now to start making this Routine a part of your life? Write down tomorrow's lunch right now: Pork with onions, green beans
• In your groups discuss the questions 
• Prepare your own meals
• Pick the one you know you will do

"Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do." - Shaquille O'Neal

Next Week: When food is not the answer.

My Ultimate Chemist Position: Found!

Post Number: 126

Review of Yesterday's Progress

     Daily PPV Used/Left: 17/54 of 71 (Goal: 28/43)

     Pedometer Reading: - (Didn't wear pedometer)

     Meetings Attended: None Scheduled

     Exercise Completed: At Anytime Fitness -

          Overhead Press

               5 sets of 10 presses at 20 pounds

          Elliptical (Standing)

               5 minutes & 0.34 mi @ resistance 1

          Recumbent Bicycle
               12 minutes & 1.57 miles @ resistance 7
          Expresso Virtual Bike
               4 1/2 minutes & 1.27 miles @ variable resistance
               Gear shifting button and virtual slopes change the resistance
     M-W's Word of the Day: Parvenu

I have located and applied for the perfect chemist position. Here is the location for the Analytical Chemist position from Google Maps. And it is right here in Boise. I planned on sleeping in but my brain had other plans. I was starting to work on the resume and cover letter when I would normally be heading to the Y. When I went to bed the night before, I had an game plan. Changing fortunes created a need for refinements in plans. And those changing fortunes including removing several responsibilities from my original plan. This gave me all the more time to spend on my job application. I am sorry that a young woman getting sick and a snow day for Asian Red Fox freed up those responsibilities. But I am grateful for the additional time to be able to refine my application all the further.

As part of making those refinements to my application, I took a break before the final review that preceeds submission by attending Anytime Fitness. Exercise was difficult because I was feeling beat up. I heard several times that I should work in muscle building exercises. I tried one of the muscle building machines. It was interesting and painful. Eating was difficult because I have been so hungry all this week. When I was home from Anytime Fitness and went to eat a late lunch, I just grabbed something that I new was low points and headed upstairs. Being focused on the resume and cover letter was an incredible experience. And taking the physical break from the mental work was refreshing. I hope exercise becomes physically refreshing some time soon.

There was great excitement in applying for the chemist position. There was an additional moment of excitement when BSU called to see if I was still interested in a teaching position. I informed the caller that I was. Who knows, I may have a couple of offers on the table. That would be a hard choice. And there's no reason to spend the mental energy on it until it happens.

But the mental energy of this morning is on my weigh in. I am looking forward to starting the new week today. This week has been difficult. I have been very hungry all week. I have been staying up until my 10 - 11 pm but still rising at 5 am. My knee and ankle joints aren't recovering from the exercise within 24 hours. I will be having a nice long sit-down meditation concerning how to remedy these situations. I would lie down to meditate but that would result in sleep.

But for now, excitement awaits at my Weight Watchers weigh in. This is a good thing. Several inches of snow should be awaiting me as well.

Yours in the excitement of the moment that can extend into days,

Eliot

P.S.: This week will be a series of pictures that I found while cleaning out my smart phone.

Some artistic creations from my kids -

Iguana

Jaguar