Light and Darkness

The Status of the Battle

Melissa's Snowmen Pops...there's cake in there..

Alright time for a review.  As I've stated before, I'm trying to lose weight during Christmas time.  I realize that this is quite possibly the WORST time to start a fitness plan, however, I couldn't bring myself to wait until January 1st again!  I've been pretty diligent in some things, and need to work in some other areas. Most importantly I've learned and I've been able to apply what I've learned to making me stronger!

I think I need to clarify one thing first.  I believe that this is an especially difficult undertaking for me.  You see my wife, enjoys cooking, and she's good at it...I mean REALLY good.  Perhaps cook wouldn't be the right word.  I'm thinking a more appropriate word would be a "culinary artiste."  So far she's made dipped chocolates, snowman looking cake pops (these are both a feat of flavor and engineering), caramels,  and meringues.  That does not even take into account the regular food that she makes.  The thought of turning down anything that she makes should be considered an act of treason.

So when this INCREDIBLE food is in the house, what do you do?  Well I've learned to be picky.  I've learned sometimes it's best just to taste the food, enjoy the food, rather than gorge on it.  Because I eat these special foods in small quantities, I want to make sure that everything that goes in my mouth is quality.  What I've found is that although the quality of the food I eat has gone WAY up, because the quantities of food I'm eating have dropped, I'm actually saving money by eating a higher quality food.  And my wallet thanks me.

I've always dreaded working out.  It's always been a hassel.  Maybe it comes from a jack-wad of a High School swimming coach, who felt it was better to mock a guy trying his hardest rather then encourage him to do better.  My coach, John, made work outs painful, and not in the I'm building muscle sort of way, rather the you are a waste of space kind of way.  Ever since then, there has been deep seeded hatred in my mind associated with going out, and lifting weights.  I know that if I'm going to be successful, I'll need to put on my big boy pants and get over it.

So I've tried to change things up with the way I work out.  One thing I'm trying are more intense but shorter work outs, basically a 20 minute interval work out.  That one practice has eliminated the major excuse that seems to find in the morning, that is I look at my clock and notice that it's 6:30 and way to late to go work out.  Nope that's plenty of time to get out of bed, throw on my biking clothes and hop on my bike.

The second thing I've tried is to try different activities for a work out.  Last night for example, I went with my brother in law and played Dodgeball.  I forgot what a workout dodgeball was.  If you've read my posts you've also found that I'm trying Rugby.  I'm fascinated with that sport.  If you get a chance, watch the video I posted on how the sport works.

I've increased my sleep time.  I'm making an effort to get 7 hours of sleep per night.  I can't believe what a difference that's made.  I have more energy in my workouts, I'm thinking more clearly throughout the day.  Some may call me lazy, but I'm calling it smart.

Finally, I'm drinking a lot more.  Yup that's right I might as well say it, Yes My Name is Steve, and I'm a drinker."  Of course I'm drinking water...a LOT of water.  I'm drinking about 3 liters a day.  It sounds like a ton, and it is, but it's been so good for me.  I've found that I feel better.  If you doubt me try reading this 11 benefits for drinking water...  DRINK WATER

The Rules or Rugby...explained with a video game

Note From a Doctor

A friend of mine is a doctor and heard about what I'm trying to do...he wrote me a note and I thought it was worth passing on...

I personally have lost 50 lbs since medical school, which was a most unhealthy time for me (ironic). These are few things I've learned along the way personally, and that I learned in medical school (while I was gaining weight) and working with patients as I started my own journey.
Looks like you are cutting out all carbonation, which is good. The research is mixed, but I personally think that even diet soda stimulates the appetite. If the water isn't doing it for you, you can always try the gatoraid/poweraid powder add-in stuff to flavor the water, just a few calories (check the label) and makes it not so boring.
One thing I tell all my patients is to think of your daily calories like a bank account. You start the day with 2500, and you can spend it any way you like. But when the money/calories are gone you are done. Stop by Krispy Kreme on your way to work, and 2 doughnuts later and you have 500 calories less in your account (or worse-- McDonalds-- check out their breakfast nutrition facts-- you'll easily use up over a 1000 calories with a hotcakes meal). Go to the gym and put in some good cardio, and you'll add 500-1000 calories (or more) back into your bank.
If you cut out 500 calories a day, you will loose a pound a week without increasing your activity level. Of course, increase your activity and you'll loose more. You shouldn't loose more than a few pounds a week. I remind all of my patients to have some patience, since the weight didn't accumulate overnight and it won't come off overnight. It's normal to loose, then plateau; you may need to change up your routine if that happens.
In order to keep track of your calories, you'll need to look at labels and maybe spend time on the internet. Most restaurants (chains) will list their nutritional information, but often it's buried. You may like the websitehttp://www.fitday.com/, which lets you track your calories and your activity for a more accurate calculation of where you are at. There are a million helps out there-- if you have an android phone, you might try CardioTrainer. I use the Nike+ application for my iPod touch because it keeps me honest with my runs and tracks my progress.
You'll be amazed at food that sounds so healthy, but is really full of carbs and calories. (Marketing)
Changing your mindset: Portion sizes are often a big problem. There is a great book that I would highly recommend called "Mindless Eating" (http://www.mindlesseating.org/). It will change the way you look at food and make you think about the unconscious things that we do that will add hundreds of calories more into our daily diet.
That's the short and condensed version, much more if you want it. Looking forward to following your successful journey.

Day 1 The Battle Begins or Why hasn't anyone told me about Rugby Before

Today had it's ups and downs... fortunately more ups than downs.  I woke up later than I wanted to which meant I wasn't able to work out in the morning.  Easy fix...work on the alarm and getting to bed early...a feat which I seem to be failing at again tonight....argghh CURSE YOU VIN DIESEL MOVIES!
Had a nice breakfast of FRESH EGGS, that's right Fresh as in right from my chickens (but I'll leave that for another post)...
Work wasn't bad.  My office provides fresh fruit every day.  So when I got a little hungry banana it was!  I got busy during lunch and actually forgot to eat!  Not a good plan.  I wasn't really hungry then, but a few  hours later I was dying.   So I asked the facebook world what I should do.  Some of the suggestions I got were:
Gum
Celery
Apple
Carrots
Water
Raw Spinach
Fiber
Even some eating dirt...by playing Rugby
I'm going to try the suggestions that were given and see how they go.  Just because of accessibility,  I took  a co-worker's suggestion today and tried a small amount of a mix of Cashews, Dry Roasted Peanuts, and Crasins.  I must admit, it worked.  Hit the spot and I was good to go.

I think that water is an issue too.  I need to make sure that I drink enough.  As much as it pains me to do it...I'm taking my friend Ryan's suggestion to avoid drinks with flavor.  Yup that's right I'm sticking with water.  No more Fresca, No more Diet Dr. Pepper, and no more Diet Rockstars.
To finish off the night I went to the park and played some Rugby.  What an incredible game.  Where has that been all my life!?!  Honestly as much as I love football, and I DO love football...I can see myself falling in love with Rugby.  Now I just need to practice passing the ball... I'll make sure I post more about that later!
More than anything I've been blown away by the number of friends and people that have made suggestions and offered their support for me in this.  Thanks everyone!

Something's GOT to change

This won't win ANYMORE!

Ok so for the past few years, I've been in a war. This war has been waged every single day. I've had my victories. I've had my defeats, but mostly it's been a stalemate. I'm tired of fighting this battle. It'll take work, it'll take discipline, but I will prevail.
In 1999 I was 6 foot 190 lbs. A few years later I was up to 250 pounds. I stopped the gain...but as far as I'm concerned...I'm done.
I've read all sorts of articles about wonder pills, injections, revolutionary fitness equipment, insane diets, hypnosis, even acupuncture. I've read it all and I'm rejecting it, all of it. My strategy is going to have 3 aspects. 1)I'm going to watch and document every single thing I eat 2)I'm going work out with a purpose. 3)I'm going to share every bit of the battle with you. If you want...join me. If you don't need to lose weight but have your own fitness goal...

Every day I'm going to post what I ate. Feel free to criticize, comment or suggest my menu choices.

Every day I'm going to journal my workouts. I'm going to get into better shape for biking next year than I've ever been before. Before biking season starts I'm going to weigh 210 lbs. Down 36 lbs from my current weight. Again feel free to criticize, comment or suggest. I'll share what's working, and what isn't.

I make this promise. This may, or may not work. I may succeed, I may fail, either way I'm going to share this and hopefully, we'll learn something.

Joy To The World

Here's a video I made a few years ago.  It's a compilation of several Christmas videos.

Megamind Review "Where did you park the invisible car...? "

Two Thumbs Up!

This afternoon we went to go see Megamind.  I wasn't overly excited to go see this movie.  I have come to believe that the studios feel that if they take any movie, no matter how bad...computer generate it, and distribute it in 3D...it automatically will be a hit.  So what I've found is that movie makers have taken crap ideas, computer generated them and most recently, added poor quality 3D.  In the end all you have is computer generated, kinda 3D crap.  This is what I was expecting when I saw Megamind, I must say I was pleasantly surprised.
The quality of the Animation was good.  I don't think it was anything revolutionary...but it was well done.  For me most importantly it didn't distract from the story.
Will Ferrel, Tina Fey, and Jonah Hill do a great job as the voices of the main characters.  You can hear the classic Will Ferrel voice through the character.  
I think the part I liked the most was the subtle use of Superhero cliches through out the movie.  The hidden sanctuary/secret lair.  In fact it was fun to see how many I could find.  Again there were worked into the plot, quite well.
I didn't have to worry about my kids watching the movie.  There was no humor that made me cringe at the thought of my kids repeating it.  This was a big relief to me as I'm sure that I'll end up with this DVD, and I'm sure my kids will watch it over and over and over.  
Overall it was a fun movie.  It made for a great afternoon flick!
4 stars out of 5

Wild Idea?

So I'm always looking for projects to do with Carsen... He has this incredible desire to build stuff...We've built rockets that broke the sound barrier, a chicken coop, and wood boats.  I've worked with some wood in the garage, mainly work on the lathe, but I think I've found a project for us to work on.  Over the winter....I think we'll build...a Trebuchet.  I'm thinking one that can hurl pool balls...we'll see...

Bailey The Nutcracking Dog

This Thanksgiving, we discovered that my dog Bailey, loves to eat nuts... What's more impressive is that she's discovered how to locate, shell and THEN enjoy the nuts...

What I believe

I believe that if you leave it up to a truly free and open market, the best outcomes will eventually rise to the top.
I believe that the private sector can ALWAYS do it better than public sector.
I believe in the Constitution of the United States of America
I believe in justice. I don’t care how rich, how poor, what your childhood was like, or where you grew up. I don’t care if you feel that too many or too few of your “special group” are being oppressed or punished for a crime. If you break the law justice should be blind, Murder is Murder, Speeding is Speeding, Rape is Rape.
I believe in the right to worship God how, when and where I want.
I believe in the Freedom OF Religion not Freedom FROM Religion.
I believe it is my right and the right of every American to believe how they want politically, spiritually, and personally.
I believe in the pursuit of happiness, but not necessarily the guarantee of it.
I believe all Americans have the right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, but your rights end, when they begin to infringe on mine.
I believe the government works for me, and not the other way around.
I believe that you should vote for the person, not for the party. I do not believe that my representatives should separate themselves by party, nor should my President be the “head” of his party. I believe that Political parties cause more of a hindrance as politicians tend to serve their party more than their country or constituents.
I believe I have received my money I make is an exchange for my time, effort, energy, thought and my ability, all of which are sacred to me. I pay taxes with this money and it is the government’s responsibility to treat and spend this money as something sacred.
I believe it is the responsibility of the individual to take care of themselves, but society should step in and help those who have no ability to help themselves (mentally disabled, children etc).
I believe that we were given this Earth as a gift and we should take care of it. We also should be wise stewards of its resources.
I believe that as a nation our priorities should be in the following order, SELF, FAMILY, NEIGHBORHOOD, COMMUNITY, STATE, COUNTRY, WORLD.
I believe America’s values, ideals, and dreams are all good, in fact America is good. 

Ciclismo - Cycling crash

For some reason...this video got me excited for next years cycling season...

A New Beginning

I've tried this several times before.  This isn't my first blog...There was Error and Anger Management.com, a conservative political blog, ready to take on political party hacks from both sides of the aisle.  There is Our Haitian Heroes  a website for my non profit there to help the people of Haiti.  Then there was Brainbomb.com...yeah that died quickly...
Other than Our Haitian Heroes, I had all but given up blogging.  I mean I really didn't have the time to research, interview and write about the pertinent political issues of the day.  I really only have enough time to educate myself and those around me.  I'm really not the "pop culture" blogger I tried to be with Brainbomb... But my Dad and I were talking the other day.  He reminded me of a time when I enjoyed writing...and reminded me that if I actually try...I'm good at it.  So...I thought I'd keep a blog about...well me...what I'm doing and what I'm thinking.  This blog isn't meant to change the world...it's not meant to reveal some great political or pop culture secret...no this blog is for me.