Category Archives: diet

Happy Mothers Day to All Mothers

10 Sunday May 2020

Posted by in Diabetic, diet, Gym, Photography, Twins, University of Alabama, Weight Loss

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I hope you got a chance to visit your mother today or at least made or received a phone call. I got to visit mine for a few minutes. We practiced social distancing while visiting her on our porch.  My mom is in her mid 80’s so she won’t be here with us too much longer so I want to spend as much time with her as possible, front porch or not.

My family spent the afternoon last Saturday taking pictures at the University of Alabama, where my two daughters graduated.  I’m so proud of both of them.  The one on the left will go into advertising while the other will be going into childhood education.

Off-topic…The person I’m seeing in the mirror in the mornings as I’m getting into the shower is beginning to disgust me once again. You and I both know what that means.  My gym will be opening soon and then there is that treadmill downstairs.  In the meantime. I’ll be watching what I eat and walking on the treadmill.  I’ll need all the encouragement I can get.  The goal…10 pounds in 10 weeks.

3/29/2020 Update

29 Sunday Mar 2020

Posted by in Cycling, Diabetic, diet, Gym, Weight Loss

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How is everyone doing during the quarantine? I’m doing fine I guess.  I did something stupid the other day and I really hope that it doesn’t come back to bite me.  I’m expecting a house painter to come early next week to start painting my house.  In order to do the front, I had to get rid of my hedge bushes.

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They’ve been there for years and have grown quite big and tall. I took a chain saw to them which made for quick work and after the front was exposed I noticed a large hole that went underneath my front stoop.  I had to purchase some bags of dirt to fill it in before the painters showed up.  The stupid part is when I went to Lowes to purchase the dirt.  The place was packed.  It looked like they were going to have some sort of give-away.  I should have turned around then but I didn’t. When I went to check out the line was over twenty people long.  With my health the way it is, I should’ve turned around but instead, I stood in line with all those other people.  I won’t be doing that again.

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The house looks bare now but at least they’re cut down now.  The only thing I have to do now is pull up the stumps.  I’ll do that later on.  The grounds too wet to get in there with my truck and I don’t want to ruin my yard with ruts or worse get my truck stuck.

As of this morning, I’ve lost 9.2 pounds.  I’ve got to get back on my treadmill so I can lose the other five pounds so I can get on my bicycle.  Plus, with the virus going around and us being quarantined, I’m making more and more trips to the refrigerator which is not good.  I’ve still got this nagging cough which when I get out of breath makes it hard for me to breathe and I have a coughing fit.  I’ll either start back this evening or wait until Monday to start.

I have a doctor’s appointment come Wednesday.  I’m sort of excited about going.  I’ve been keeping up with my sugar and it’s down from 9.9 to 7.2.  I’ve already seen the medical test report.  So I’m pretty excited about that.  My triglycerides are high and I need to do something to get it lower.

I’m near to 400 followers now.  When I started this blog I never thought it would be this high.  I’m about to go through and delete a few because some I have found are nothing but spam and sex promo sites.  I have no idea how I got those followers.  Anyway, thanks for following me.

Stay home and stay safe everyone!!

Quarantined

16 Monday Mar 2020

Posted by in Cancer, diet, Gym, Weight Loss

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My wife has come down with the flu so I’ve been quarantined for seven days.  That means seven days without going to the gym.  I’m glad I went ahead and bought that treadmill.  One of my daughters is here while she’s on spring break, she’s also quarantined.  In fact, her college has made the determination that school is canceled until further notice or at least until this virus is contained.  We have no idea how they’re going to do graduation.

My wife was diagnosed today and was given several shots.  I, as well as my daughter, was given a prescription for Tamiflu which I’ve already taken one.  Right now I feel fine.  My wife is not feeling well.  She has a sore throat, low-grade fever, and a dry cough.  If her condition worsens she has the paperwork to go get tested for the virus.  The doctor does not think it’s anything more than the flu.  I know that if I get the flu, because of my health conditions, I’ll probably be admitted into the hospital.  That I do not want.  I’d rather stay at home and let it run its course.  I know I”ll get more rest that way.

I hope everyone stays well out there.

3/14/2020 Weekly Update

14 Saturday Mar 2020

Posted by in diet, Gym, Weight Loss

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“Slow process is better than no process”.  This week’s totals are in.  I’ve lost a total of 5.8 pounds since I’ve started at the gym.  It’s been nearly four weeks since I’ve started and it’s still too soon for me to tell if I’ve lost weight or not.  My clothes still fit the same.  All this exercising and dieting has got to be doing something.  it’s just going to take time I guess.

I’m having to drive the misses around this week and part of next week.  My son wrecked his car last week and now it’s in the shop being repaired.  We’re hoping that it’s repaired this Wednesday.  I’ve had to make slight adjustments to my daily schedule to make sure I’m there in time for me to pick her up in the evenings.

This COVID-19 is something else, isn’t it?  My daughter’s school is closing just after spring break, my wife’s school where she teaches will be out for over two weeks, churches not having services but streaming them over the internet instead, people hoarding toilet paper (which I don’t understand), just people in a panic all over.  Personally, I’m not going to fall for the media-hyped panic that the rest of my state is going through.  I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing to keep me from being sick and I hope everyone else does the same.  Everyone needs to turn their TV’s off and calm down.

3/6/2020 Weekly Update

06 Friday Mar 2020

Posted by in Cycling, diet, Gym, Retirement, Weight Loss

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It’s definitely been one roller coaster of a ride this week.  I gained a pound, lost two pounds then I gained a pound.  All in all, I lost 1.4 pounds this week.  I’ve got 15.4 pounds to go before I can get my big butt on my bicycle.

I went every day this week to the gym.  I spend on average 30 minutes each on the treadmill and the cycle.  I walk away with my clothes soaked in sweat and my legs heavy as lead.  Twice this week I’ve worked with the trainer learning how to operate the machines correctly.  Next week I’ll be adding at least some of the machines to my daily routine.

I had to change my routine somewhat to accommodate my wife.  This was due to my son having a car accident late Thursday afternoon.  It messed his car up somewhat and it had to be towed to a garage.  So, being the generous parents we are, we’ve given my wife’s car to him to drive during the next three weeks while his car is getting repaired.  This requires me to get up in the morning and take my wife to work in the mornings and making sure I’m there in the afternoon to pick her up.  This also requires me to pick her up during the day to take her to her doctor’s appointments which I had to do today.  The things we do for our kids.

Back to my weight loss.  I’m a little disappointed that I haven’t lost more weight than I have.  I’ve read that when you start exercising like I have, you tear or damage the muscles which become inflamed.  When this happens the body retains fluid around the inflammation which aids in the healing process.  This also adds weight to your body.  This is all new to me so I can’t tell you if it’s true or not.  I did read this on the internet so it’s got to be true, right? lol.

2/28/2020 Weekly Update

28 Friday Feb 2020

Posted by in diet, Gym, Weight Loss

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As promised here is the latest on my new weight loss adventure.  I’ve been to the gym every day this week since Sunday with the exception of yesterday.  I had so many errands to do that I just didn’t have time to get to the gym. One of my errands was to go look at another treadmill.  The one I own will not work while I’m on it.  I had to make sure I find one that would carry my weight.  The one I found is rated up to 360 pounds. I checked it out and decided to get it but as luck would have it, it will not fit through the door to get into my workout room.  I’ve got to figure out how to disassemble it to get it in there.  Right now it’s in my garage and my wife isn’t too happy about it because she has to park outside in the cold.  I will be spending tomorrow removing my old treadmill and trying to get the other moved.

Last night after I ate supper, I tried out my new-to-me treadmill. It has speakers that I can plug my mp3 player into and of course, it has a multitude of workout options.  I spent thirty minutes on the treadmill and worked up quite a sweat.  Over 400 calories burned.  That may not be a lot for some but to me, that’s a lot.  The best thing is that when I woke up this morning I had lost 1.8 lbs.  I know that maybe water weight but that’s the first loss since I’ve been working out. I’m excited about it.

I met with a trainer two times this week.  I meet with him for thirty minutes then I hit the cycle for thirty and then the treadmill for thirty.  On the days that I don’t meet with the trainer, I just do an hour’s worth of either the cycle or the treadmill or a combination of both. Today after my hour and a half workout, I got on my treadmill and did thirty minutes after supper.  I know this may be a bit much but I’ve got a lot to lose.

There’s a young lady that is standing behind the desk as you come into the gym.  She’s the one that I spoke with when I signed up.  She looks to be about 24 years of age.  She showed me a picture of herself before she started working out and I couldn’t believe the transformation.  She asked me how old I thought she was, I told her about 24 to 25 years old.  She said that she was 42 years old.  You could have knocked me down with a feather.  Today I asked her just how long it took her to lose that much weight.  She said it only took her six months to lose it.  She said that I could be fit and trim in six months if I stuck with it.  We’ll see in six months.

Decisions?

22 Saturday Feb 2020

Posted by in diet, Gym, Weight Loss

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I did not go to the gym today.  I could have and if the truth is known I guess I should have. Since I’ve joined the gym on the 14th of February, I have been four days out of the last eight. I’ve been told not to overdo it.  But what is overdoing it?  I only work with the trainer for thirty minutes and then I hop on either the cycle or the treadmill for another thirty. Friday, I had gotten there thirty minutes early so I hopped on the cycle before my thirty-minute session with the trainer, then another thirty minutes on the treadmill afterward. Tomorrow I plan on doing thirty minutes on both the treadmill and the cycle and maybe some weights in between.

What is your opinion? How long should a workout last?  As much money as I’m paying out I want to get my money’s worth.  Also, and I know this is a loaded question, what sort of diet, if any, should I be on to maximize not only my weight loss but to help with getting my body in shape.

No Pain, No Gain

21 Friday Feb 2020

Posted by in Cycling, diet, Gym, Weight Loss

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imageAt least that’s what I’ve always heard.  My first appointment with the trainer was on Wednesday of this week.  Like I said in my last post, he is one of my Eagle Scouts.  My main concern was that he would use this as a way to get me back for all the hiking that I made him do.  I’m not sure if he tried to get me back or not but I’m telling you one thing; I’m sore.  He worked my chest, my legs, and arms. He said he was going to take it easy on my first day then give me a good workout on the second day, that’s today.

Two things that I’ve noticed so far.  I want to go to the gym even on the days that I’m not scheduled to work with the trainer. I definitely want to get my money worth. The second thing I’ve noticed, and I’m not too impressed with, is the fact that I’ve gained two pounds since I’ve started.  We can’t have this.  I want to lose weight not gain it.  I’m supposed to talk with someone at the gym today about a Mico diet.  I’ve never heard of it plus I don’t do well with diet plans.

There is another thing I’ve noticed since I’ve been going to the gym.  There’s a lot more people there that are in shape than those that are not.  There are a few there that their shape is round like me but for the most part most are fit and trim.  It’s like those fitness commercials.  You never see a fat guy on a Peloton.  You always see a fit man or woman giving it their all on those machines.  I know it’s marketing but I think it would give us fat guys more incentive if we could see one of our own on those machines working out.  And why is it that they usually have a gorgeous blond, who is all fit and trim, curves in the right places and always smiling behind the sign-in desk?  They’re usually married, got two kids and 42 but yet look 21. 

UPDATE:  I got to the gym about thirty minutes early.  My trainer was busy with another client so I hopped on a spin cycle and for thirty minutes my legs had a decent workout. When it was time for my turn with the trainer we mainly worked on my upper body. It was already sore from Wednesday but I made it through. After my workout with the trainer, I spent thirty minutes on the treadmill.  When I left there, everyone knew I had a decent workout because there wasn’t a dry stitch on my body.  Maybe I can see a difference on my scales tomorrow.  At least I hope so.

Life Has its Ups and Downs.

09 Sunday Feb 2020

Posted by in diet, Disability, Family, Retirement, Weight Loss

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A shelf I built for the kitchen but ended up in the garage

Life has been so stressful lately and I guess I eat more when I’m stressed.  I thought when I retired my life would be less stressful but lately, it hasn’t been the case. I’ve tried to stay on my diet but that hasn’t worked out so well.  The good news is that I’m back on it and I’ve already lost six pounds.  I’ve set mini goals and I’m about four pounds before I reach my first ten-pound mini-goal.  My twin daughters will be graduating from college in May.  They want to go on a cruise in June so this has given me an incentive to lose about twenty pounds before the trip.  I really hope I can do it.

As I’ve stated last time I wrote, I had applied for Social Security disability.  I had my hearing and I got a favorable decision.  I’m still waiting on my backpay as well as my first check.  This whole process has me concerned somewhat.  I’m not surer If I can explain it or not but it makes me feel inferior or worthless.  I’ve worked all my life and over thirty-two years at my last job, not they’re telling me that I can’t work.  I feel like I can do something but I’ve got to be honest with myself, I do have trouble breathing when I do anything.  No one will hire me at my age with all the issues that I have.  So I guess I’ll just have to get over it.

The last two days have been dry and I’m glad it has because the few days before that it rained at least four inches in less than two days.  The next four days we’re supposed to get at between six and seven more inches.  There will be a lot of flooding and trees down.  Let’s hope that the severe weather that is projected for Wednesday is not too bad.

Tomorrow will be a hard day for me.  One of my friends worked for Kimberly Police department and was shot and killed the other day while on duty.  He will be buried tomorrow.  If you’re a praying person please pray for Nick O’Rear’s family.

Life Goes On!

17 Friday Jan 2020

Posted by in Cancer, Diabetic, diet, Leukemia, Weight Loss

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_1TH9138Happy belated holidays! Wow!  It’s been a rollercoaster ride for me and my family.  There is no way I can put all that’s been going on in one post.  If I did, it would be a very long post and most would not read to the end.  So, that being said I’ll probably post several topics in the next few days.  I’ll go ahead and briefly tell you what’s been going on though.

Diet  Nonexistent.  I really tired but these holidays were just too much for my weak will power.  I am back on it but and I have lost a few pounds.  I got on my treadmill the other day and I think the thing has a weak motor.  I know I weigh quite a bit but I don’t think the thing should stop suddenly like that. Maybe I’ll rejoin the gym at the local Baptist church up the street.

Dad’s Kidney Stones Dad called me up before Christmas wanting to know if I could take him to the hospital to have a kidney stone removed.  It seems that my mom, which is in her 80’s, had to take her to a clinic in the early morning hours that morning.  The doctor there said that he had a stone which was too big to pass on his own.  1.2mm x .08mm.  The clinic did not have the resources there to break up the stone.  I took him to the hospital and the doctor there said that they normally do not call in the urologist for anything that small.  My dad and I looked at each other. I looked it up and 1.2mm is nearly half an inch.  I called the doctor out on it and he reassured me that my dad could pass the stone.   The day after Christmas, which was about a week later, my sister made an appointment with a urologist and had the stone removed.  I won’t go into how they did it but from the sound of it, I wouldn’t want to have it done.  I spoke to him yesterday and all is well.

Oncologist Report  I haven’t been or heard from my oncologist since last August.  A lot of things have been going on with different meds that had me concerned about my numbers.  You see, I’m on drugs for some ulcers in my lower stomach.  One of the drugs that I’ve been on is Zantac.  This drug has been known to lower the effectiveness of my cancer drug as well as cause cancer too.  In order for the ulcer med to have minimal effect on my cancer drug, there had to be a six-hour delay before I could take my cancer drug after taking the ulcer drug.  Now, the new drug they have me on after taking me off the Zantac, they want me to take it four times a day but still keep the six-hour delay.  Can’t be done.  So far I have only figured out that I can take it in the morning and once at night before going to bed.  This is crazy. Oh, by the way, all my numbers are good.  

Ok, that’s it for tonight.  There are several more interesting items that I want to talk about so stay tuned.