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Held Hostage by the Secret Service!
A funny story about water intake and national security….I work in space shuttle operations. We had a launch scheduled yesterday, but it was scrubbed due to a mechanical problem. Management scheduled a meeting Friday afternoon to discuss the game plan for the weekend. The meeting was held in the Launch Control Center, and…
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Be Careful When Hiring a Trainer....
I competed in a powerlifting meet last weekend, and I met another lifter there who is a personal trainer. We talked quite a bit while waiting our turn to lift, and we really hit it off. He was nice, friendly, and a nationally-ranked lifter who is obviously fit and knows the sport. I'd been searching for a PT for a while…
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Powerlifting Meet Today !!!
Today was the WNPF (World Natural Powerlifting Federation) Florida State and National meet. On a whim, I decided to enter since the meet was being held just a few miles from my house. I hadn't really trained that much for it, so I just entered the deadlift contest, since I do those as part of my normal routine anyway. (For…
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What Pets Write in Their Diaries
What Pets Write in their diaries....... Excerpts from a Dog's Diary...... 8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing! 9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing! 9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing! 10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing! 12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing! 1:00 pm - Played in the yard!…
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"So, you work out, huh?"
Tonight, I stopped by my local Lowe's to get a shop vac. Yeah, I live on the edge. Anyway, while standing in the aisle looking over the display trying to pick one out, a gentleman walked up and we started discussing the relative merits of the different models. Turns out he's a contractor, so I valued his advice. I'm…
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Too Fat for Fifteen
Anyone else see this premier tonight on Style channel? Wow. It's about a private academy in NC for obese kids. It combines academics and weight loss. Really sad to see kids so young with such incredible health challenges. But they all seemed like nice kids, and many of them are really determined to change their lives. Kind…
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Non-Scale Victory: React in a Crisis
Long story short: I'm volunteering at my local VFW post last Friday night. We're serving steaks, and I'm helping at the grill on our outside patio. It's raining, and nearly dark, when there is a bad car crash right on front of our building. Since I'm first aid and CPR trained, I haul *kitten* out there to check for…
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Santa Sighting in Central Florida!
On Christmas Eve, around 6pm, you may see something streaking across central Florida sky! Is it Santa Claus?? Actually, it's the International Space Station! It should be visible in the sky for 3-4 minutes, starting in the southwest, heading toward the northeast. Depending on your location, it could be high as 81 degrees…
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The Anti-Diet Holiday Mantra!
A little fun for your holidays! Don't take things too seriously! Relax and enjoy the season (a little). Holiday Eating Tips 1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door where they're serving rum…
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Small but nice NSV
Today I had a small but enjoyable non-scale victory. I've been having some knee pain during running, so today I had an appointment with an orthopaedist. He was measuring my thigh to fit me for a knee brace and he remarked, "I might have to get you a child size; you're one of my more petite patients." Oh, OK, well.....wait,…
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Re-Connect With Your Food
This week, I've had a really satisfying relationship with food. Let me explain. First, understand that I've never been a very good cook, which explains why I ate so much processed food and put on weight. This year, I've tried to change that. So I decided to take a stab at home made turkey noodle soup, using my Thanksgiving…
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Deadlift Success
I just had to crow to somebody about today's workout....... I threw 250 in a deadlift, easy peasy. :glasses: I just did one rep, but I think I could have done another. I didn't want to overdo it! :laugh: Next stop....300! :drinker: Thanks for listening!
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The Weight-Loss Gods Are Smiling
Against my better judgement, I decided to make a pecan pie this Thanksgiving. I know it's bad for me, but I'd never made one before and I love them. I'd read how easy they were to make, so I thought I'd give it a try. I followed the recipe to the letter and anxiously awaited my sweet treat. After dinner, I cut into my…
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Today's Physical
I had my annual physical today. Just in case you were wondering if all the hard work is worth it, below are some of my results. Nov 09 Oct 10 Weight 174 125 Cholesterol197 162 HDL 77 62 LDL 107 91 Triglyceride 63 44 My overall cholesterol went down, my cholesterols are much improved, my liver functions and blood pressure…
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C'mon people, work with me!
I just saw a commercial that posed the question, “What can you do with rice? Well, pour a can of Chunky Stew over it and you’ve got dinner in 4 minutes for 4 bucks!” Seriously??? Well, there ya go. THIS is why we’re fat, malnourished and out of shape. Funny thing is, the old me would have been all about that meal. I’m…
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Random Halloween Observations
Every year at this time, I get my share of laughs, frights, and things that just make me shake my head. Here's a few of my random observations, in no particular order. What's up with the kids asking for 2 pieces of candy? No, sweetie, you just take one. There should be an age beyond which it's just not cool to go…
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Garlic Parmesan Flaxseed Crackers
I'm not a big cracker eater, especially since they're usually nutritional time bombs, but I came across this recipe and decided to give it a try. They're pretty good, and all natural, with very low carbs. And they are super easy to make. Here's a few things I learned from my first batch: Roll these really thin, or they…
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Helping Others
This one's not really MY success story, but a small victory for someone else. One of my coworkers has been complimenting me on my weight loss and lamenting the fact that she "can't" lose weight. While discussing her diet with her, I learned that she uses a lot of processed, high-sodium foods when she cooks for her family.…
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Who's That Girl?
I had an, um, interesting, moment today. My work site is a secured area, and you have to show your picture badge to get through the front gate. Most of the gate guards know me and usually just glance at my badge and wave me through. Today, there was a new guy on the gate. He started to wave me through, then stopped and…
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PB2
I've seen many folks here raving about PB2. They almost all mention that they had to order it online. Well, for those of you near a military base who have access, I just found it today at my local AF base commissary (Patrick AFB, FL). I wasn't looking for it, and was surprised to see it there, so I snatched up a jar for…
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Want a healthy (healthier) chocolate snack?
I know I'm posting like a crazy person tonight, but I just have stuff to say! Anyway, I found a new snack today I thought I'd share with you all. We all know how those chocolate cravings can be....grrrr. Today in the grocery store I found an interesting snack: Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds. They're basically almonds coated…
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ITalk about de-motivation.......
I reached my goal weight yesterday, Yay for me. Tonight I went to my VFW Post to celebrate. A guy there, who has seen me evey Friday night for the last 6 months and has been complimenting me on my weight loss, tonight told that I'm gross. I've lost too much weight and I'm gross. So he said. Thanks a lot, a-hole. I worked…
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G-o-o-o-o-o-a-l !!!!
I did it! I hit my goal weight this morning! That makes 40 pounds lost in 8 months. I'm so chuffed I can't stand myself. I never thought I'd make it, but I did. I just stuck to the guidelines on this site, worked out hard in the gym, and used some self-control, and it works. It really does. Unfortunately, I'm no good at…
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Nutella...........Mayday!
Somehow I managed to pass the entire 48 years of my life so far without ever sampling Nutella hazelnut and cocoa spread. I'd heard of it, and how good it was supposed to be, but I never got around to trying it. While I like peanut butter, I don't eat it much since it carries such a heavy calorie and fat load. Once in a…
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Reality Check
I posted the following on another thread recently, but I'd like to hear what you think. I've found that many people are not having the success they'd like, and often try to justify bad choices. Sometimes, I think we need a bit of a smack-down to put things in perspective. I know I'm probably going to get a lot of flack for…
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I'm So Chuffed - Or Am I ??
I started working out in January at 170 pounds, got serious about it in March, and also changed my diet at that time. I eventually hit a plateau after 15 pounds lost, and a trainer at my gym told me about this site. So here I am. In May, this trainer did a body fat test on me using the skin fold caliper method. I know it's…
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Need an Ego Boost?
I've bought about 4 pairs of jeans the last few months as my weight has dropped. I have found one style that is ridiculously inaccurate when it comes to the size on the tag. All my other pants are 10s, or once in a great while, depending on the brand, I can wear an 8. Every time I get the Levi 515 jeans, they're a size…
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My Journey
I've been lurking here for months, but never really posted before. I'm hoping this post will inspire some of you to stick with it. One year ago today, I smoked my last cigarette. After 30 years of smoking, I managed to give myself emphysema. Good job, idiot! I was also 40 pounds (at least) overweight. I found a good…