Oh wanted to mention, my first 'new thing' for February was jicama. I've had it before but quite a long time ago. It's a great snacking veggie.

John,

Does it feel like there's enough space between the rear upright and the front one to unrack your bar and do a back squat? My biggest reason for getting a power rack/cage is the safety bar in case I have to bail on a squat or bench press set. Some of them I've looked at have dimensions of just over 2ft (usually 26-28") between the uprights. Thats seems too close, but then again I only take a step or two back with the bar.

Good morning everybody. Rough night last night - got maybe 4 hours of sleep. Grrrrrrr. I'll just have to see how the day progresses.

John that's a pretty cool setup. I want to get a power rack, but I haven't found one on Craigslist that's reasonable. I've thought about just getting a Rogue but don't NEED one right now. I have 160lb in bumper plates that I use when squatting so I can just bail if I need to. Practice bailing with lighter weight if you go this route. It's intuitive but just like in poker, know your outs.

I'm going to get some more stall mats for mine. I'll try to get pictures of it sometime this week!

I'm making my February goal sleep. I want to get on a better schedule and sleep 8 full hours every night.

Did short interval today. :90 on :60 off. Goal was to keep it at least 400m every time...didn't meet that goal. I fell off around the 4th round. It was a brutal workout. Short intervals are so brutal. I feel great though. Hopefully it'll help me sleep tonight since I've got to be up early. Was going to hit 5x5 after but I have a small pain in my left leg. I didn't want to burn out my CNS so I might hit it tomorrow. Found a race on May 10th in Amarillo, TX (90 miles away) which has a half marathon. I think I'm going to run it to set a baseline for the one in October!

Heron, thank you for the suggestions, especially the jicama idea. Sounds yumtastic. Diakon! Another yummy veggie. As for my calorie count, if you're looking at my food diary, don't really pay much attention to the calories. I'm really just estimating what I'm eating (my portions are probably usually larger). I'm starting the smoothie thing. I just have to try to make it something regular. As I have said, this eating actual food is so much different than what I've done in the past (depending on processed foods and artificial sweeteners). I'm still learning so much and value all of the information.

My weight loss goal initally was to lose about 50lbs. i still have over 25 to go (160 is my goal) and then I will evaluate. I know the losses will slow down over time. I'm expecting it this week, as a 'recovery' from the big loss last week.

Tom, I'm with you on the acronyms. I work in IT so am flooded with acronyms on a daily basis, so I can't remember what any mean.

Good morning everyone! To answer the question from above, my whiskey talk went very well. Five fantastic courses accompanied by five amazing whiskeys (or whiskys) (or even whiskies, but that is bad form). We had about 55 people in attendance, and were sold out. My co-presenter was Lew Bryson, and he has great books on the topic if anyone is interested. Also breweries...

I got my hemp oil yesterday, and tried it last night. I took a very small dose since I was a bit nervous. For the first time in months, maybe years, I had dreams. That means I at least hit REM, which is very unusual for me. I still woke up at 2 and 4:30, but fell back to sleep pretty promptly. Tonight I'll try the suggested dosage. Keep you posted.

The nutritionists at the Dishing up Nutrition podcast (their office is Nutritional Weight and Wellness in MN or WI) suggest magnesium glycinate for sleep (and anxiety, for that matter). They are pretty sane - lower carb, animal protein, good fats - and support most of their claims with research. I might give that a try, too. Just wanted to try the oil first by itself.

Jen, sounds like you body are giving you good cues as to how much to eat. Great thing about eating whole foods is that you need less because they are full of nutrients!
However, I have a hard time with listening to body cues and its from years of bad eating habits. For example sometimes I have a hard time discerning hunger to stomach pains. I sometimes don't have that "full feeling" in fact sometimes after I eat a good meal, I'm hungry an hour later and I didn't even have that "I just ate" feeling. That's why I need to track my food, everything is weighed and measured. Its a pain I wish someday I won't have to weigh food anymore.
I think you are making great progress!! Keep eating whole foods, walk as much as you can and you'll totally get there! I mean look at you, you are halfway to your goal!! whoo!

Cynthia, how did you take the hemp oil? you just chug it? That is so neat that you found something that works for you. Where did you buy yours? I might have Arturo get some since he has trouble falling asleep.
The whiskey talk sounds like so much fun. What is a good whiskey that you recommend? Something that is not common. price range $100 give or take? Arturo's dad likes drinking whiskey. I'm more of a scotch girl. Maybe I just haven't had the right whiskey lol Do you dink scotch?

John, I think its just neat how you track things. Glad you are sleeping better. Maybe you should try the hemp oil as well LOL.
Yep I like Dr Patrick, I like how she conveys information, very digestible.

Kevin, what brand model did you get? Be be to give us a review of it.

Yesterday was a bad day for Kira my senior dog, its also the first time that she is showing obvious signs of aging.
They haven't been properly walked due to the non stop 3 day rain so I decided to take the longer route that we've done countless times. In fact we did that last week a couple of times. By mile 4, I notice she was lagging and hobbling a little, she kept tilting her head and I can tell that she is straining but she still kept on walking. I still have a little over 0.5mile to reach home and I called Arturo to come pick us up and He could tell that Kira was walking funny as well. I gave her "doggy tylenol" and a good massage and she perked up. She's turning 15 this year so everyday is a bonus! She is the shiny example that exercise, good diet and supplements can improve the quality of life. The fact that she is still going hiking with us is amazing. Arturo chuckles sometimes when he sees me prepping their food, powders and capsules galore!!

Here's a before and after from when we first got her.

jenniferyounginillinois wrote: »

Oh wanted to mention, my first 'new thing' for February was jicama. I've had it before but quite a long time ago. It's a great snacking veggie.

Jenn, try putting chili/lime/salt on it. Not sure if it is available in IL, but we get it in the produce section of our market. It is a Mexican/Latin thing, so maybe the ethnic section at the market? My wife learned this from the ladies she works with. Also good on cucumbers and on various melons. We are big fans of jicama at our house. Agreed that it makes a great snack. Also, good job on the podcasts!

Cynthia, glad to hear the whiskey/whisky/whiskie talk went well. I've never been able to appreciate whiskey. A couple friend and I toured the Maker's Mark distillery last year which was fun. The tasting at the end wasn't my thing though. I just don't 'understand' whiskey I guess (maybe too much heavy drinking in my youth).
Great news on the hemp oil. Keep us posted. Funny that you mentioned having dreams for the first time in a long time. I honestly can't remember the last time I had (or at least remembered) a dream. Hmmmm

John, I missed your statement about losing weight fast can help in keeping it off. That's interesting. I always heard the opposite, that losing it too fast could cause a slowdown and even weight gain. Since I'm following NO plan (hehehe), I'm just learning as I go (and worrying, as I tend to do). Thanks and I'll just keep doing what I'm doing.

Jonny, thank you for the recommendation. I'll check around (we have Mexican food sections in most of our grocery stores and also have a seperate Mexican store that I have yet to check out. Guessing if I can't find it locally I can find it online. Thank you for the kind words on the podcasts.

I posted this on the Facebook WLC challenge page. Thought I would share it here as well.

'Sometimes the smallest thing puts the biggest smile on your face. Like today. I can wear my "brown riding boots again! My calves are officially no longer fat.'

Have a wonderful day!

Morning all. Been back to eating breakfast. I love eggs with mushrooms onions and peppers.

Here's my new rowing machine!



It's actually part of my plan to get more cheap and healthy protein in our diet. Wish me luck lol.

Jen: If you can't find the chili/lime spice, let me know and we will send you some.

All: they said walnuts were good for me. Apparently, 4-5 handfuls are not. 1,000 calories +. Sigh... My wife says I have no restraint and they are no,longer allowed in the house. I can turn down pizza and ice cream, but I am a real nut job!

Jen That is great about fitting into your riding boots I hope you have a great day today!

My family got great news, we have been approved in Indiana to adopt through the Special Needs Adoption Program (SNAP). One more reason to get and stay healthy!

Have a great Thursday everyone!