Well, so far the weight continues to drop. This morning, Wednesday, I was 217. Yesterday was supposed to be a protein day and I did pretty well until night when I had a ice cream drumstick. Made me hungry for more but I brushed my teeth and went to bed. Crazy how a little bit of sweet stuff makes you crave more food.
Today at work, the layout for lunch was mexican food. I wasn't even tempted. I am looking forward to some burritos this weekend but my "cravings" have really diminished. I've also been able to just get a taste of things by taking a bite or a small serving and being okay with that. I'd say that's the biggest reason why the weight still is coming off.
Today was 1/2 cup of egg beaters with a slice of toast, some hot chocolate for snack, a nice salad with tuna and dressing for lunch, bbq salmon and broccoli for dinner with a glass of wine. That's a very healthy menu and I'll have an orange a little later. BTW, my blood pressure this morning was 124/77. It's going down daily as well. I'm still taking my BP medication but if it gets much lower, I may start cutting back on that and monitor it closely to see how it goes. I still have 15 lbs to lose and with the healthy food I'm eating, I don't think I'll need the pills that much longer.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Lindora Weight Loss - Week One
Well, we are going on a cruise in 8 weeks and I have 20 pounds to lose. It's not just for the cruise that I'm losing weight but it's been 20 - 25 pounds that I've wanted to get off for quite a while now and this is a good incentive to do so. I've also wanted to do it to get my blood pressure down and this diet is supposed to make that happen as well. It helps that I have a wife who is also losing weight for the cruise so we are both dieting. Yes, that dreadful diet word.
In the past, Lindora is the only diet that worked for her so she signed up for it again and I'm riding along, eating the same things. The thing about Lindora is that you keep your carbs between 50-100 grams each day. Being a carboholic, that's difficult for me.
We officially started it this past Monday with three days of protein. Wasn't that tasty but got through it. I should add that my weight at the beginning of last week was 229, at the beginning of this week was 227 and currently is 222. My goal weight will be between 200 and 205. Wednesday I went for a run and burned as many calories as I actually ate that day. Yesterday was a difficult day for me. That was the 5th day on the diet and I was really craving carbs. At work, we have a lot of snacks for the clients and I was so tempted to grab some of those mini-muffins and mini-carrot cakes and mini-lemon cakes and ..., but I didn't. I stayed strong and stuck with my food. Eating regular foods after those first three days but still it's keeping the calories down under 1000 a day, which is kind of low for me but we'll see. Last night my body was pretty tired but I'm guessing that it's because it doesn't have all of those extra carbs to burn and it's going through an adjustment period. I am eating much healthier. Salads, vegetables, chicken, fish, fruit, etc. so if nothing else, my body should respond to that.
Today, Sunday, was spent doing a lot of manual labor. Painted the house, going up and down ladders, lugging paint, sprayer, and more. Ate well, egg-beaters and toast for breakfast, salad with tuna for lunch, salad, green beans and salmon for dinner. Weight this morning was 221.
Looking at next week, I have a half marathon to run on Sunday so Friday and Saturday will be some big carb days and then back to lower carb.
In the past, Lindora is the only diet that worked for her so she signed up for it again and I'm riding along, eating the same things. The thing about Lindora is that you keep your carbs between 50-100 grams each day. Being a carboholic, that's difficult for me.
We officially started it this past Monday with three days of protein. Wasn't that tasty but got through it. I should add that my weight at the beginning of last week was 229, at the beginning of this week was 227 and currently is 222. My goal weight will be between 200 and 205. Wednesday I went for a run and burned as many calories as I actually ate that day. Yesterday was a difficult day for me. That was the 5th day on the diet and I was really craving carbs. At work, we have a lot of snacks for the clients and I was so tempted to grab some of those mini-muffins and mini-carrot cakes and mini-lemon cakes and ..., but I didn't. I stayed strong and stuck with my food. Eating regular foods after those first three days but still it's keeping the calories down under 1000 a day, which is kind of low for me but we'll see. Last night my body was pretty tired but I'm guessing that it's because it doesn't have all of those extra carbs to burn and it's going through an adjustment period. I am eating much healthier. Salads, vegetables, chicken, fish, fruit, etc. so if nothing else, my body should respond to that.
Today, Sunday, was spent doing a lot of manual labor. Painted the house, going up and down ladders, lugging paint, sprayer, and more. Ate well, egg-beaters and toast for breakfast, salad with tuna for lunch, salad, green beans and salmon for dinner. Weight this morning was 221.
Looking at next week, I have a half marathon to run on Sunday so Friday and Saturday will be some big carb days and then back to lower carb.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Proud Poppa Day
Tonight was the awards banquet for El Modena Girls Basketball program. Cassandra got her scholar athlete badge for her jacket as well as an award for defensive player of the year. In fact, she had the 5th most blocks in the county.
Here are some picks from tonight:
Here are some picks from tonight:
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
AT&T Finally Got It
The continuing saga...Monday I called AT&T order service and asked about the order. I was told that they needed my T-Mobile account number to complete the order and that it'd be another 5 - 7 days. I then went instructive and told them what I'd already been through, what information I'd already given and when I said I could walk into a Verizon store and in 20 minutes get my phone number ported over they said, "no I don't think so." I then, politely, told them that my daughter had done just that a few weeks ago. They changed their "need" and asked if I'd called the activation number to activate the number. I told them I had, and for kicks, did it again. The recording said I had called prior to the activation date and to find out when that was to press the number 2. I did and was told that the order was scheduled to be complete on the 17th, of February. The date I was calling was the 28th of February. Somehow in their system, the 28th comes before the 17th.
I called order service back, spoke to a different individual, who looked at the order and within an hour had everything completed, and he even called me back (a first) to confirm. Thank you.
I called order service back, spoke to a different individual, who looked at the order and within an hour had everything completed, and he even called me back (a first) to confirm. Thank you.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
AT&T still sucking
Ok, got in touch with order management this morning to find out that the order can't be touched because of the error. It'll take 24-48 hours for the group that has it to fix the error and then another 7 days for them to be able to port over the number so now we're looking at March 1st. If it doesn't happen, I'm cancelling the entire service.
AT&T Lack of Service
So, I was told that the order would be complete in 2 - 3 hours. I got home about 4:00 and the service still wasn't active. I called the service center and after explaining what I had been through and what I had been told, I was transferred to tier 2 support and went through a similar description. After a bit of time, I was told that it would take until 10:00 to complete the order and that everything should be fine at that point. Shortly after 10 I tried and the service still wasn't activated.
Friday morning I call back. I'm told that everything looks good and should be working. They asked how I had everything connected and I informed them that it was all set up per their instructions. I still wasn't getting incoming calls. They did a few things on their end, tried calling and didn't get anything. I told them that was the problem. They said they had to reset the router from their end. I told them to go ahead. They disconnected our phone call and didn't call back, or check to see if things were fixed. I went to work.
When I got home from work, I called the tech support again. I was immediately transferred to tier 2 support and was told that it could take at least 5 days for the order to complete and that there was an error with my order since the date or porting didn't match up with the date they tried to port. Um, okay but the date they told me was the 14th and now I'm to understand that they rewrote the order again on the 17th and was trying to force the number change. Wasn't anything he could do and that I'd he'd try to connect me to the voice order people. So, after sitting on hold for 15 minutes, he came back on the line and said, "just missed them. They closed at 7." Now, my guess is that when I do get in touch with voice order, I'm going to be told that they have to redo my order and that it'll take another 10 days...bet me.
Realistically, I'm only paying $10 a month to T-Mobile for the home phone but the connection is inconsistent, which is why we wanted to change but I'm getting real close to telling AT&T to cancel the order. We'll see what they have to say tomorrow.
Friday morning I call back. I'm told that everything looks good and should be working. They asked how I had everything connected and I informed them that it was all set up per their instructions. I still wasn't getting incoming calls. They did a few things on their end, tried calling and didn't get anything. I told them that was the problem. They said they had to reset the router from their end. I told them to go ahead. They disconnected our phone call and didn't call back, or check to see if things were fixed. I went to work.
When I got home from work, I called the tech support again. I was immediately transferred to tier 2 support and was told that it could take at least 5 days for the order to complete and that there was an error with my order since the date or porting didn't match up with the date they tried to port. Um, okay but the date they told me was the 14th and now I'm to understand that they rewrote the order again on the 17th and was trying to force the number change. Wasn't anything he could do and that I'd he'd try to connect me to the voice order people. So, after sitting on hold for 15 minutes, he came back on the line and said, "just missed them. They closed at 7." Now, my guess is that when I do get in touch with voice order, I'm going to be told that they have to redo my order and that it'll take another 10 days...bet me.
Realistically, I'm only paying $10 a month to T-Mobile for the home phone but the connection is inconsistent, which is why we wanted to change but I'm getting real close to telling AT&T to cancel the order. We'll see what they have to say tomorrow.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
AT&T Service
Okay, I knew it was too good to be true. Yes, T-Mobile held up there end all the way through and I'm very happy with their service. AT&T however....
Porting a phone number from one provider to another shouldn't be that difficult. I set the order up with AT&T for the 4th. When I didn't hear anything from them, I called and asked what the status was. They said that the order had been cancelled due to some missing information. I asked them when was I going to be notified of that. They said they send the notification by mail (which I still haven't received). I gave the rep the missing information they needed and the order was recreated to take affect the 14th. On the 14th, I noticed that the order was still in a pending state, so I called on Tuesday and was on hold for 45 minutes before I had to get off the phone and get someplace.
This morning I called and was able to speak with a rep. I asked why the order hadn't been processed and she said she didn't know, that she couldn't talk with the back room people to find out but that she could move the install date to the 25th. I asked what would happen if come the 25th they still were having issues with the installation and the rep assured me that she would stay on top of things and it wouldn't be a problem. I asked again, if they're having issues with it now, what would change come the 25th. She said that if there were issues on the 25th then she'd call the back room and get it worked out. I asked if she could call the back room on the 25th, why couldn't she call the back room today? She called the back room and within 20 minutes the order was processed.
Porting a phone number from one provider to another shouldn't be that difficult. I set the order up with AT&T for the 4th. When I didn't hear anything from them, I called and asked what the status was. They said that the order had been cancelled due to some missing information. I asked them when was I going to be notified of that. They said they send the notification by mail (which I still haven't received). I gave the rep the missing information they needed and the order was recreated to take affect the 14th. On the 14th, I noticed that the order was still in a pending state, so I called on Tuesday and was on hold for 45 minutes before I had to get off the phone and get someplace.
This morning I called and was able to speak with a rep. I asked why the order hadn't been processed and she said she didn't know, that she couldn't talk with the back room people to find out but that she could move the install date to the 25th. I asked what would happen if come the 25th they still were having issues with the installation and the rep assured me that she would stay on top of things and it wouldn't be a problem. I asked again, if they're having issues with it now, what would change come the 25th. She said that if there were issues on the 25th then she'd call the back room and get it worked out. I asked if she could call the back room on the 25th, why couldn't she call the back room today? She called the back room and within 20 minutes the order was processed.
Monday, February 7, 2011
T-Mobile Service
Have to share my recent experience with T-Mobile.
We have a family plan with T-Mobile, and have had it for 8 years already. We have 4 cell phones and T-Mobile Home on it. T-Mobile home has been iffy on the connection but since we use our cell phones so much it hasn't been that big of a deal.
We've been letting our contracts expire since we had full intention of moving to Verizon, until recently. I called T-Mobile to let them know we were moving and they came back with an incredible offer to upgrade our phones and reduce the monthly data plans. We ended up with three new BlackBerry Bolds with unlimited data and after the AAA discount, we're only paying $15 more per month than we were paying before, without data.
Then, things got interesting. One of our cell phones was getting moved to Verizon and was being taken off our plan. Once that was done, we were replacing it with another line. No big deal. While activating the new phone, I was told that since we activated it so quickly we wouldn't be charged the $200 early termination fee for the one that was moved. Since that line was not under contract, I asked why there would be an early termination. I was told that when we upgraded our other lines, it affected all of the lines on the plan and that all were upgraded to a new 2 year plan. Well, we're in the process of moving our T-Mobile Home over to our AT&T U-Verse so I questioned whether we'd be charged an early termination fee on that line once it was moved. I was told that I'd need to speak with customer care to discuss that.
Anticipating the worst, I made that call this morning and was pleasantly surprised. After explaining the situation to the representative, I was told that that line shouldn't have been included with the extension and that it is free and clear to move, with no termination fee.
I'm eagerly waiting for my next statement from them to see what has been billed for and what hasn't been, but over the phone at least, things have set up very nicely and I must say that I am very satisfied with the customer server from T-Mobile.
We have a family plan with T-Mobile, and have had it for 8 years already. We have 4 cell phones and T-Mobile Home on it. T-Mobile home has been iffy on the connection but since we use our cell phones so much it hasn't been that big of a deal.
We've been letting our contracts expire since we had full intention of moving to Verizon, until recently. I called T-Mobile to let them know we were moving and they came back with an incredible offer to upgrade our phones and reduce the monthly data plans. We ended up with three new BlackBerry Bolds with unlimited data and after the AAA discount, we're only paying $15 more per month than we were paying before, without data.
Then, things got interesting. One of our cell phones was getting moved to Verizon and was being taken off our plan. Once that was done, we were replacing it with another line. No big deal. While activating the new phone, I was told that since we activated it so quickly we wouldn't be charged the $200 early termination fee for the one that was moved. Since that line was not under contract, I asked why there would be an early termination. I was told that when we upgraded our other lines, it affected all of the lines on the plan and that all were upgraded to a new 2 year plan. Well, we're in the process of moving our T-Mobile Home over to our AT&T U-Verse so I questioned whether we'd be charged an early termination fee on that line once it was moved. I was told that I'd need to speak with customer care to discuss that.
Anticipating the worst, I made that call this morning and was pleasantly surprised. After explaining the situation to the representative, I was told that that line shouldn't have been included with the extension and that it is free and clear to move, with no termination fee.
I'm eagerly waiting for my next statement from them to see what has been billed for and what hasn't been, but over the phone at least, things have set up very nicely and I must say that I am very satisfied with the customer server from T-Mobile.
Training - continued
Ah, yesterday....Was supposed to run 4 miles, ended up doing 1. Experienced tired legs. Don't think it was necessarily from running but just being tired. The weekend played out so: Saturday morning, up at 7, sweeping the back yard from the winds. Took Cassie to volleyball practice at 9. Went to help out at the garage sale fundraiser until 11. Picked Cassie up and took her home. Took Ryan to Big 5 to get some new baseball gear. Stopped at a few other sports stores before going home. Home for a few minutes and then took Ryan to baseball practice. Stayed there until 4. Was home for a few and then had to go to Cassie's basketball game. Got home about 9. Stayed up and cleaned because we were having friends over the Super Bowl.
Sunday morning, alarm went off at 4:45, got out of bed at 5. Was hoping to get going for 4 but ran into some delays. Figured I could do 3 miles but after 1, my body said no more. Got Cassie up at 6:10 since she had a volleyball tournament to be at by 7:30. Dropped her off, back home, church, home, mowed the lawn and cleaned up some more in the back, back to catch the last couple of Cassie's games, back home, finish getting ready to host the SB party. Had a great party, in bed by 10:30. Slept until 6:00.
Tomorrow I run 3 miles. Couldn't do it today.
Sunday morning, alarm went off at 4:45, got out of bed at 5. Was hoping to get going for 4 but ran into some delays. Figured I could do 3 miles but after 1, my body said no more. Got Cassie up at 6:10 since she had a volleyball tournament to be at by 7:30. Dropped her off, back home, church, home, mowed the lawn and cleaned up some more in the back, back to catch the last couple of Cassie's games, back home, finish getting ready to host the SB party. Had a great party, in bed by 10:30. Slept until 6:00.
Tomorrow I run 3 miles. Couldn't do it today.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Training - Day 4
I have officially signed up for the San Diego Rock-n-Roll 1/2 in June and the Disney 1/2 in September. The official training begins because I now have paid $300 to run 2 races. According to my new training schedule, I'm to run 4 miles this weekend.
I'll still sign up for either the LA or Vegas Rock-n-Roll. What's cool is that by doing 2 of the Rock-n-Roll races in one year, I get an extra medal, which, as you know, is why I run -
I'll still sign up for either the LA or Vegas Rock-n-Roll. What's cool is that by doing 2 of the Rock-n-Roll races in one year, I get an extra medal, which, as you know, is why I run -
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Training Day 3
Ran 2.5 miles again this morning. It was/is cold. 41 when I started, 39 when I finished. I layered up pretty good so was warm enough. I'd like to run with the dogs but they're so out-of-control with excitement when they get on leash that it's difficult to keep on track. I have to walk them a bit first and then when they've calmed down we can go. Even with that though, there are strays out there that cause all sorts of other problems, so I run alone. Even though I haven't been running for a while, I'm still able to keep my miles to just under 10 min/mile and feel pretty good doing it too. This weekend I'll add another mile and see how I hold up. My heel and knees are doing fine so far so that's a good thing.
Weight 229.2
Weight 229.2
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Day 2 of training
Okay, my heel feels fine after yesterday's 2.5 miles. That's a great sign and means I can pick up a regular training schedule for my next 1/2 marathon, which will be the San Diego Rock-n-Roll half in June. That'll give me plenty of time to train. I'll do the Disney one in September and then either the new Los Angeles Rock-n-Roll at the end of October or the Vegas Rock-n-Roll at the beginning of December. If I do the Vegas one, we can tie that one to our holiday visit to Nanci's dad so that may make more sense. The SD, LA and Vegas will all be new courses for me so that's exciting. The Disney run is just a fun run. I'm still bummed for missing the one in '08, causing me to miss out on the special medal they gave to those who did all of the first five.
For next year, I may look into finding another trifecta series of races where if you run three connected races you get a special medal.
BTW, weighed in at 227.6 this morning.
For next year, I may look into finding another trifecta series of races where if you run three connected races you get a special medal.
BTW, weighed in at 227.6 this morning.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
He keeps on running....
Well, after a bit of a lay off, I've begun running again. Went out to do 2 miles this morning and ended up doing 2-1/2 because my iPod wasn't calibrated. Actually felt pretty good. Now I'll see how my heel holds up today and tomorrow. It's been pretty painful and that's mostly why I took the time off. I'll be missing the SurfCity Half this weekend but will shoot for the OC Half in May, even though I wasn't really impressed with the courst. Maybe I'll look for a different one around May/June to do, one I haven't done yet. That's it, I'll do that.
BTW, 229.2 this morning. A few days ago I was at 227.4 so this may be temporary weight. By adding the excersise, it should help knock it down again. I'll add some eliptical machine work on my off days when I'm not pounding the pavement.
BTW, 229.2 this morning. A few days ago I was at 227.4 so this may be temporary weight. By adding the excersise, it should help knock it down again. I'll add some eliptical machine work on my off days when I'm not pounding the pavement.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Tommy
Tomorrow we say goodbye to a pet. Webster's dictionary defines a pet as a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility. For pleasure, yes but it's much more than that. Our pets become more than just animals that live with us. They become a part of us. They become one more reason why we enjoy coming home. Yes, they're needy and in-the-way, but they're that way because they totally, 100%, unconditionally love us.
Tommy has been with us since we've been in our house, almost 13 years. He's a big dog, going 135 lbs. He's a happy dog. He's been through a lot. When he was six months old, he popped his knee cap out of place, chasing a tennis ball. He didn't stop chasing. When he was 9 months old, he tore off a toe nail, chasing a tennis ball. He didn't stop chasing. When he was a year old he had to have bone scraped out of his shoulder joint. We had to toss a tennis ball to where he was since he couldn't chase for while. When we had our pool put in, he was the next one in just after we were and he got out long after we did. Over the past few years, he got more use out of the pool than we did. Ruined a couple of pool parts with his hair, but what of it, it was Tommy.
Tommy has been a friend to everyone, as most labs are. His tennis balls went to anyone who would throw them and if no one would, he'd lay on his back a drop them into his mouth on his own. Then he'd drop them in the pool so he'd have an opportunity to go in and get them, and get a swim in as well.
But now Tommy is old, and hurting. Most days he lays in his crate and barks out his pain. He has trouble standing and his back legs collapse under him. Tommy doesn't have much fun any longer, and as much as it pains us to do it, we must. We have the opportunity to give him a gift, to return some of the pleasure that he's given us, by allowing the vet to take his pain away. It's not easy because his mind still seems to be pretty sharp, but the body just won't cooperate any longer. The vet says that a dog his size and age is like a 110 yr old human, and there aren't many of them around.
Dogs, no matter how bad they feel, how hurt they are, just won't show you. They'll still show you the love that they've always shown you and that's what makes it hard. We see the love, and the tail wag, and tell ourselves that they're still okay, that they can keep going. Tommy probably could keep going, but for what? To lay in his crate all day and bark out his pain? What kind of life is that for a dog who is so used to running and chasing tennis balls, who swam all afternoon? What kind of life is that for a dog? He just can't live like that, and for that we're able to help him. It won't be easy, but we know when we get pets that their life span is much shorter than ours and for that reason we aren't allowed to keep them forever. But for the time we have them, there is that unconditional love, and it's because of the love that is returned to them that we help them move on.
Tommy will be there at the rainbow bridge, waiting for us to show up, tennis ball in mouth, shaking water off his fur. He'll be waiting, and we will greet him, like we will all of our other animals, and give him our unconditional love and gratitude.
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