Rear view mirror

Howdy from the land of a spent new year and hopes in high gear!!

The year is gone, the next one coming.Man time flies when you are having fun.

I have taken some time to look behind me this year . While I did not get as far down the fat loss highway as I would have liked, I did get closer to my destination.While looking in the rear view mirror I found:

I walked 465.5 miles on the track at lunch
I started the year with 20 lbs. in my pack , today I will be carrying 34lbs.
I walked around 55 hours on the treadmill at the house
I did BWE 103 times
I started the year being able to do 3 sets of 7 pushups and can now do 3 sets of 25
I started the year worried I could never break 250 lbs , my lowest weigh in has been 214
I dropped 35+ pounds of fat

You will notice each of the items above started with "I". Now I should tell ya right now I did not do this all on my own. I did have help, in the form of encouragement, support,love,ridicule and insults. All of these things helped to keep me driving on. Because of all of these things I endeavor to persevere.

I want to thanks some of the folks that have helped me down the road.I will most likely forget someone ( I am old) so don't get your panties in a knot.

Thanks to: Janet for looking out the window and biting her lip and for giving me someone to love,Muata for the connection and encouragement,Tessa for the compliments,Mac for the man to man,Lelia for one of my first thoughts of "maybe I can" ,Andy for the kind words on the track,Lori for the inspiration in the hall,to all that have read my little blog,to the feller who told me I was a liar--I ain't, to the man that told me I was a dumbass---I could be but don't think so , and finally to all those people that have said "WOW good job" it made me feel like moving more.

So there you have a look in the rear view mirror for 2009. I guess after while we will put this year to bed.Grandpa would say it is just about time to piss on the fire and call in the dogs.

I have decided to make one (1) New Years Resolution------that being----2010 I WILL LOOK FORWARD.

Be safe , eat less , move more , laugh a lot , do the right thing.

Pearl of Wisdom form the mind of WEL
Don't put the key to happiness in someone else's pocket, best to keep it in your own.

The trouble with weight loss

Howdy from the land of camp fires and hunting desires!

I read an article written by Barbara Berkeley on REFUSETOGAIN.TYPEPAD.COM and it really hit home with me. She was talking about tennis and weight loss. She said she has the habit , playing tennis, to make a really good shot and then just stand there and watch her opponent return the ball.She calls it "admiring the ball". Instead of getting ready for the return she just admires her shot and then falls prey to the return volley.

She said her weight loss has been that way also. She will lose a pant size and then glow in that accomplishment until she gains a few pounds back.

Now I can relate to that problem. It is easy to say, man I have done good, I am down 5 pounds and now I can relax a little.The problem with that mind set is I feel like as long as I am cutting calories and then "admiring the ball" I have not had enough personal growth to truly have changed my eating habits.

I know it took a long time to get to 305 pounds .It took years, decades really , of bad eating habits. And ,yes , my habits are a whole lot better than they were.But I can not help but wonder if the habit of admiring the ball will forever be laying right under the surface ready to return the volley.

For now , I will have to be content with planning, positive thinking, patience,and perseverance.

The journey continues, the road is long and narrow,it is full of pot holes, there are many detours but the destination is well worth the drive..

Oh yea, today only four of us were on the track at lunch----drizzling rain, 40 degrees----at was a blast, but my old man fingers did get cold.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
You are getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair as you used to get from a roller coaster.

To All Again

Howdy from the land of empty plates and bulging bellies!

Just a short note to say, I trust everyone had an exceptional Christmas. I know I did.
Along with family and friends I had enemies too.Yep, enemies---in the form of SUGAR! Damn stuff tried to get a strangle hold on yours truly. But today , I HAVE OVER COME, today I have shifted gears!

It will be a good week this week, getting back to my routine. I'll let you know how it goes.

Pearl of Wisdom form the mind of WEL.
Don't say you ain't gonna---say you don't wantta----that is easier to take back.

To ALL

Howdy from the land of Howdy Doody and Yogi Bear !!

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Safe New Year! Have fun,give thanks, eat well and move a little (or a lot).

Pearl of Wisdom from the Mind of WEL
Man ain't meant to be alone, better to have someone you can love.

An average guy does the math

Howdy from the land of straight talkers and frustrated voters!!

I just don't know how the American people can hire as many card carrying social parasites as we do and send them to Washington to run OUR business.There ain't three of the whole damn bunch that has sense enough to pour piss out of a boot!

WOW, I feel better now.

I was thinking about my fat loss trip and how far I have come and how far I want to go. Back eighteen months ago , I really did not think I could get below 250 pounds, but I did.With each pound lost there was a pound of knowledge and a pound of confidence gained.While some of the effort to lose fat has not been easy , some has been simple to do.

Now that last sentence might sound a little contradicting but I have already told ya, I am kinda strange some times.

If I set about rating the effort to lose fat vs. the satisfaction of staying where I was and getting to where I want to be , it would look like this:

On a scale of 1-10----10 being hardest

How hard was it staying at 305 pounds? 10
How hard was it to start my journey? 8
That is +2 for beginning my trip.

How hard is it to be satisfied at where I am now? 8
How hard is it to continue with my trip? 4
That is +4 for moving on down the road AND it is getting easier!

When I say it was hard to stay at 305 pounds, I mean it was hard physically and emotionally. It was a drain looking and feeling like a slob.I knew it was at the time but had just damn near given up on any meaningful change.I know more than ever now, how hard it was. And, I'll bet a dime to a doughnut hole that if you are in the same situation YOU know how hard it is on you too.

Do the math-be honest with yourself-if I can do this anyone can.I have the same amount of control today as I did on 12-17-07----only now I choose to use some of the control I have.

Do yourself a favor and do the math.

If on the other hand you do the math and you decide that it is easier to stay the way you are and not take control over your life, I would suggest you send a Christmas card to your doctor. You will get to be close friends with him in time.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Getting the truth situated in your mind sometimes is like nailing jelly to a tree.

Food ---a BIG THING ?

Howdy from the land of Christmas lights and the smell of wood smoke!

In an article posted on MLBF the other day Coach Maxwell is answering the most often asked question he gets----"What do you eat?"

Well, he has that what ya eat thing down to a science or should I say solid life style? Anyway, he made a statement towards the end of the article that goes---"I enjoy my food but it is no big thing."

Man now that is a mouthful!!I have planned 24 hour long drives by where we would eat breakfast or supper. Every family get together is planned around the FOOD, always has been.What is the big deal, you ask? I have been managing fairly well for 18 months, why wonder about it now?

I wonder about it now,concerned is more accurate, because FOOD is still a big deal. I still plan every damn meal. The last year I have planned most meals very well. But I still plan, it is still a BIG THING.I am concerned that I will never get to the point that "I enjoy my food but it is not a big thing".I worry that the FOOD is no different to me that the booze is to the alcoholic-----even if they never have another drink the alcohol is still a BIG THING.

BUT, if I ever get to the point that FOOD is not a BIG THING, then BAM!!!just like that I got the world by the ass on a down hill drag!!

I guess, I will just have to keep working on the issues I got and keep reading the road signs along the fat loss highway.Maybe one day the BIG THING will not be so BIG.

If you think of a way to get over that hurdle let me know.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
What don't kill ya, will make you stronger.

Control

Howdy from the land of freeze burnt plants and falling black jack leaves!

If the last week is an indication, we may be in for a real winter. Where the hell does Al Gore get his information?

During my fat loss journey, so far, I have read several good books. Some on nutrition some on exercise and some just for good reading and food for thought.One of these is a book named ISHMAEL.It is a book about a Teacher,a Student,a Man and a Gorilla. You should read it to find out which is which.

In the book Ishmael teaches his student an opinion of why man chose to stray from the order of the Gods and eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.Thus man gave up eternal life in the garden.The lesson was presented that man wanted to control his life, thus having his fate in his own hands.Now this is a story I have heard growing up but the "WHY" was never explained this way.

In reality we do have control of most aspects of our lives. We do make choices that lead us down this path or that path.No matter what you believe in I think we have more control than we accept in our lives.

I have come to realize the more control we accept that we have the more we can accomplish. I had control of everything I stuffed in my pie hole , my whole life. I was just too busy making excuses and living like the government (buy now,pay latter) to pay attention to where my choices were taking me.

I will now , whole heartily recommend, You pay attention to where your headed. It is easy to say "OH WELL".Take control, accept responsibility, you can do it---I am.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Life is kinda like a bronc ride,if he goes right-go with him, if he goes left-go with him----just hang on and don't let go!

Holy Crap Batman it's SNOW!

Howdy from the land of blowing snow and empty walking tracks!

Yes sir, ain't every day it snows in Point Comfort ,Texas but it is today.Wet blowing snow and 36 degrees.

It was just me and Andy on the track at lunch, but hey, we got er done. I ain't scared and I'm a welder and I'm tuff!

Hell there was a time when I would long for weather like this so I could go to the cafe at lunch and eat a lot something warm.What a change of pace.

Pearl of Wisdom from the Mind of WEL
Everyone to their own tastes, said the Lady when she kissed the Pig

Drive

Howdy from the land of planning and scheming , and looking back and day dreaming!

My mind works in funny ways, I am kinda strange.This morning I was listening to the radio on the way to work and Alan Jackson' DRIVE song came on. I like that song and will sing right along with it(sounds like a cat caught in a dryer).

The song made me go right back in time 45-50 years to sitting on the knee of my Grandpa and steering his old Avery tractor in a watermelon patch.Man you would have thought I was grown up, I am sure Grandpa was really steering but I felt I was in control.Anyhow, that memory got me to thinking on some of the many memories I have filed away me my mind.What a full library of memories I have!

While thinking about my memories I was struck by a thought, so I asked Janet for some paper so I could write it down because if I don't I will forget my thoughts and get really pissed at myself.

Anyway, my thought was , there is only two phases in my life---2 ---two.
ANTICIPATION
MEMORIES

I don't know which is more important to me.On one hand Anticipation is what drives me on but sometimes things do not pan out like I envisioned.And Memories are the bank account receipts of my life, but I tend to adjust them to remember it like I want.

What does this have to do with fat loss?Hell I don't know , but without Anticipating where I want to get, I don't think I could find the resolve to get there.And without the Memory of where I was , I don't think I would be able to stay where I will be.

If you have strange thoughts and you can tie them into losing some fat---I say go for it.I say the only thing worse than being weird and losing fat is being weird and staying fat!

Pearl of Wisdom form the mind of WEL
Live a good honorable life, when you get old you can look back and smile while you relive it.

The Internet Link

Howdy from the land of talcum powder and stinky socks!!

I have seen alot of changes in my 56 years, yea I know, not as much as my mother has seen and a lead pipe cinch not as much as Grandpa and Grandma saw. But I have seen some big changes.From how mobile we are , to how we throw things away, to our attitudes towards every value humans have.One of the biggest changes I have seen is the Internet.

I have always thought the Internet was the damnation of mankind.For a long time I hated everything about it. Mostly that came from being scared of it and what it could do to people.From I guy that can still type with just two fingers and an occasional thumb , I can tell ya there is a lot of good and bad that comes from the world wide web.One of the best things about it I think is it has linked us all together.

Yep, from the hick Cowboy in Texas to the college student in a war torn country reporting to the world what is happening to the man paddling the dug out in the Amazon River to the College Professor in California and back to the cowboy in Texas.Just that damn fast , the news, the information,the idea and the support flies. WHAT A DEAL!! We now have the whole world's information stores at our finger tips ( and my thumb too).We are linked together. We can find the difference between FACT,FICTION and PERCEPTION.We are all links in the chain.We are now , more than ever, linked together.

The best thing I have discovered about the Internet is the link I have with people who are willing to pull me in the right direction.I have noticed that some folks want to push you into everything. A few will pull you along with support and encouragement.My Dad was a PUSHER my MOM a Puller. Now there is a lot of Pushers on the WEB, way more than Pullers. But if ya read enough and research enough it soon become evident which is which.Most of the Pushers have something to sell--- a book, a vitamin or a plan.

The Puller is the leader---he says come with me , together we can learn this,this is why I say this.
The Pusher is the autocrat(bet ya didn't think I knew words like that)---he says, be reasonable, do it my way(sounds like some politicians and TV evangelists don't it).

I have had Pushers try and make me lose weight. I know they meant well, but I resisted.It took a Puller (several in fact)to convince me I could do this trip.One of the strong Pullers is Muata---what a leader!! "come with me he said,together we will learn how ,you have to find your path, this is how I did mine but there are many ways".

It is a good damn thing Al Gore invented the Internet or I would have missed out on some really important Pullers-----I wonder if I owe a thank you note to Al?

Stay with me, stay linked together, we are a strong chain, we can succeed.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
It is far easier to pull a chain than it is to push one.

Detour

Howdy from the land of turkey bones and empty stuffing bowls!!

Damn we had a fine Thanksgiving dinner!We went to Momma's house and had a good time. I hope everyone out there had a grand time also, because you deserve to have one too.

Well, me and my main gal ,Janet, went to Wyoming on a little vacation. We saw a few elk, too few, and some sights like Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument.

I had decided I was getting really tired of practicing and being calorie deficient and would take a week off.Somehow, in making this decision I turned on a detour that almost got out of hand.It is so easy for me to eat , mindlessly.I would do "ok" at meal time, but between the meals, just graze.

Well anyway, I jumped a few pounds over this period and I hope I got it out of my system.I am back to my routine and I will have to agree with John Z.----I think I like my routine because I don't have to think too much.

One thing I noticed today ,while on my Full Pak Trak at lunch, is that my walking and BWE are more permanent improvements than my eating habits/cravings. I have not worn my 32 pound vest in 10 days and it was not difficult today to get right back in the groove. Tomorrow I will add 2 more pounds for a total of 34.The "move more" part of my journey is easier for me than the eat less part.

That really makes me wonder what the war will be like after I have won the battle of the fat loss-----will I be able to maintain where I have fought to get to?I guess I will just have to pluck that chicken when I get to it.

Also, one more motivational piece of news is , I am gonna be a Grandpa!Yep, Tessa is gonna have a young'un.Things will get to jumping around here when that happens---yippee!!

Pearls of Wisdom form the mind of WEL
Don't say you ain't gonna, say you don't wanta----that is a damn sight easier to take back.

I must be part cow

Howdy from the land of stepped on toes and pulled on hearts!

I think a lot of animals, most of them are really neat things to watch.I have been around cows most of my life and come to realize they are really dumb creatures.If ya watch a cow all they seem to do is sleep and graze----with a little poop in between.

Well I can get into that grove too.It is easy for me to lose sight of my road map and switch into the GRAZING MODE.We had company this week and I got right into the grazing routine and a little poop too.Eat a little of this and some of that then A LITTLE MORE OF THIS!

I have said before I like my routine and I do.I have been giving some thought as to WHY I like my routine?? Muata always said we need to find the answers to WHY we eat like we do and WHY we have the habits we have.

I can tell ya I can't afford one of those psycho doctors to talk me into those answers, so I guess I have to sort them out on my own.

Some of my thoughts on WHY---
1.I think I like my routine because it is easier than having to deal with the problem I have with food.
2.I think I can slip into the grazing mode so easily because of 40 years of habits and the fact that I got some issues with food.


Now I don't know whether my issues with food come from being left out in the rain as a kid or maybe being feed too much Spam and Cream-o-wheat as a child, but it more than likely comes from the fact that I tend to be lazy around food. Not lazy-lazy but into too much of a rush ---let's eat a bunch real quick and get the hell out of here and do something else fun---lazy.

But , one thing I know for sure, thinking about this WHY I GRAZE THING is getting me worried-----worried I will not be able to maintain the life style I need when I get to the end of my journey-----OR------will I ever get to the end??

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Hug somebody, it might be the last chance you ever get.

Life is a roll of the dice

Howdy from the land of sad news and happy trails!

Well today I got some sad news.Makes you put things into perspective when you get news that ain't good.It seems we all run thru life in such a hurry and miss so much of the stuff we really ought to remember.

Cousin Betty, has the Big C.The outcome is bleak.

She has always been a fine example of a truly fine person.Always positive, always smiling, always complimenting others, always considerate. She enjoys her flowers, her children, her grandchildren, her husband, fishing---hell I don't know anything she doesn't enjoy because she surrounds herself with the things she loves and spends no time wasted in things she doesn't.

But like the line in the song says,"ain't nobody getting out of this world alive".I think the best we can hope for is to roll the dice. We should look forward to the roll not the number we get. The end of the trip is not as important as the trip itself. Once we have let a day slip by it is gone and we don't get it back.

As my fat loss trip progresses and moves down the road, I am moved to try and make more of each day. Sometimes, I think I need to get this done because if something happened to me it will be complete and SOMETIMES I think it needs to be done because I CAN do it and then I can look back and say----damn that was fun and it is done.

If you think you got troubles, quit your whining and pick up the dice and ROLL EM!If ya don't like that number , pick them up and ROLL EM again!

Each of us can TRY, that is all we can ask of ourselves.

Hang in there Betty , I am thinking of you while we roll the dice.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL

If you don't like this horse find one that your saddle will fit.

Our most important job

Howdy from the land of new crop pecans and approaching holidays!

We have a lot of jobs during our lives. Both paid and un-paid jobs keep us busy throughout our lives. If we are lucky some of these jobs are rewarding , both monetarily and emotionally. Some of us like some of our jobs and others of us are not satisfied with our jobs. And some folks just down right hate their jobs.

We choose our jobs for various reasons and some are quite a surprise when reality hits us right between the eyes and the new wears off.

It never ceases to amaze me how grown up adults can get theirselves into such a damn mess with some of their jobs. Now I ain't just talking about the job that pays the light bill or buys the cheeseburgers. I got other jobs as well. Like trying to be a husband and father, being a neighbor , helping the guy broke down on the road, being part of a club, maybe just being a friend.These are all jobs we have in life as a participant of our world. Like it or not some of us do some of these jobs better than others.But all of us do something better than someone else!

One job a lot of us over look is the job of improving ourself. Not just being a better friend, more attentive husband,or a better committee member.But improving our self as a person as a living , breathing , healthy member of this planet.

I have always said , I can not save the world, I have my hands full trying to save myself. Well, if this is true , then it is a damn good thing I started down this road in July '08.

In my mind , my most important job is taking care of me.Getting healthy, making better choices and getting stronger.If I can not accomplish this job, how can I hope to accomplish any of the other jobs I have. AND REST ASSURED, HAVING PLENTY OF JOBS IS A WONDERFUL THING, the man with nothing to do is a poor soul indeed.

Man told me when I was young----"if you don't like yourself, why should anyone else like you?". Makes sense now----if I don't like myself enough to get fit and get healthy then why should someone else care about me.

I told my kids , over and over again when they were young JUST DO YOUR PART. I am sure they got sick of hearing that. But what is sad, is I wasn't doing MY PART.

Yep, I got an important job, a tough row to hoe, but I'm working on it and you can too. See ya down the road.

Pearl of Wisdom form the mind of WEL
Sometimes doing a good job around here is liking wetting yer pants with dark slacks on---gives you a warm feeling but no one really notices.

Dumb ass

Howdy from the land of hole digging dogs and night hopping toad frogs!

Well , now I had a feller call me a dumb ass.Now I ain't got thin skin and don't really mind when folks use me to get up on their soap box, but, sometimes I just want to tell people to kiss my ass----and I did.

Saw I guy the other day in the office , we talked and he asked how much weight I'd lost. The usual topics came up---how much do you eat, what do you eat, did you have surgery,how much do you go to the gym?

Then he said , "well I think you are a dumb ass,you lost all that weight and then you wear that weighted vest to walk in. That is going to wreck your knees".

So I told him I had lost 90+ pounds and was carrying 32 pounds. So I don't think my knees are going to get worse by walking with 60 net pounds less than I walked a year ago. And he said that is just dumb and your a dumb ass if you think that is the way it works.

Now I'll admit I am a long way from being a real smart guy and damn sure not a doctor, but I don't think I am a total dumb ass either-------but then it happened---yep the words got right about an inch below my chin and I tried (not real hard) to swallow----but they came on out----- So I said it did not really matter what he thought , it only mattered what I thought and he could kiss my ass.

Now I should not have said that and it should not really matter what he thought of my method of losing fat.I should have made my point in a better manner. My point being----the method I am using is mine, not yours. If you want to find a smarter way to lose fat, go for it. If you have a better method than me great, we are not in a contest.My method is constantly changing because I am constantly changing.

If you want to join me on the fat loss highway , get a method, set a goal, think positive, have some patience and endeavor to persevere.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
You may win the rat race, but you'll still be just a rat.

Get it, solid work

Howdy from the land of cloudless blue skies and Janet's chocolate pies!!

Now I am hard of hearing, yep, I can tell ya some folks are hard to understand.So everyday when I walk at lunch , everyone either waves are says howdy and some folks wonder why I walk by myself. I kinda like it by myself because I am either huffing and puffing OR trying to hear what folks talk about.

They usually talk about crap I don't want to listen to,so it is better for me to listen to the wind and not wonder if I said "yea you are right" when someone said something like "hell I would like to kick yer butt".

It is better to just walk and enjoy the quiet.However there are a couple of the runners that always say the same thing to me and loud enough so I can understand---Andy always says ---hi there Bill, we got a good day today
Michael always says---let's get it and I always reply---Solid Work
Angie always says ---HEEEY

I like these folks because rain or shine, hot or cold,they let me know I can walk my walk and it is good for me. They are more encouragement than they will ever realize.I like seeing them on the track and they seem to like seeing me. Others I see look like they are not having a good time, but these folks really seem to enjoy their selves.

Me,I enjoy my walks. Even with the aches and pains it is good. AND, I can solve a lot of the worlds problems in 45 minutes on the Full Pak Trak---LOL

Let's get it.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Eagles may soar , but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

I keep adding weight

Howdy from the land of cat squirrels and ruby throated hummingbirds!

Yep I added two pounds today.

If you recall back in January I started walking around the track at lunch with my old back pack carrying 20 pounds of sand. Well, that went well, and I got the big head and jumped to 30 pounds in February. That was a mistake, too much too soon.

I soon got some back and hip issues and had to back way off.It took me a couple of months to get straightened out.

In April I bought a weighted vest at Academy and put 20 pounds in it. It will go up to 40 pounds. It has a lot more balance than the old back pack.

I have been adding 2 pounds each month as I get use to it and today I added 2 more pounds. I am now carrying 32 pounds. The first day I increase the weight , I really can't tell the difference but by Friday of that week I can tell my legs are getting a different workout.

It is strange to me that I carry around 33% of the weight I have lost for an hour and FEEL it. I don't think there is any way I could carry a full 90 pounds but eighteen months ago I did. Maybe when I get to the stop sign , on my fat loss highway, I'll find me a pack and get Mac to load me up with the full amount I have lost and see if I can carry it.

Pearl of Wisdom form the mind of WEL
If it looks like cow manure and smells like cow manure, safe bet is don't taste it---it is more than likely cow manure.

My routine is better

Howdy from the land of wet sand and falling leaves!

Well I weighed in this morning at 218.0.Monday ,two weeks ago I was at 217.8. So I guess I did not do too bad last week.I did not write down my intake last week nor did I weigh myself all week (although I really wanted to). All in all, it was a good experiment but I like getting back into my routine.

For this month, I am gonna try to cut calories real hard and increase my calorie burn (if my knees let me) as much as I can. I got a ways to go to get to my goal for the year 2009 and I am damn sure gonna try yo make it.

One way I plan on burning some extra calories is to do some inverted rows on a rope hanging from a tree limb. Kinda like a pull up but at an angle, because there ain't no way in hell I can do a PULL UP ! (yet)I'll add this to my BWE routine and see how I do.

if ya need encouragement----get up , you can do it!
if ya need sympathy---- get up, ya ain't getting any
if ya think ya can't lose some fat---- get up off yer ass, because if I can get up off mine you can too!!

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Ain't no right or wrong in this world, just smart and stupid.

What a mess

Howdy from the land of house upgrades and mess up to clean ups!!

Well it has been a busy week. We have been upgrading around the house, you know with the new millennium and all.We decided to put in a water softener and that lead to cleaning out the pump house and that lead to a big mess in the yard which lead to more work and more mess. But it is done and we now have soft water.

Since this week has been so busy and my routine has been so crazy (you know I like my routine)so I decided I would try a little experiment.I have not written down what I have been eating this week and I have not weighed this week.I am trying to maintain where I was at the end of last week. I will weigh again Monday morning and see where I am at.

Now this is just a short term experiment because I am not near ready for maintenance , I have a long ways to go before that points comes.However , I thought it would be good to see how I do.

I'll keep you posted as to the outcome.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
You can just put off your wife so long, then ya need soft water.

You lie !

Howdy from the land of Honest Injuns and Good Cowboy pieces of advice!

Yep, yesterday I fella called me a liar.Well now, I guess if I am honest , I have told a lie or two in my day.But I wasn't lying to him. And besides, if I was lying , how the hell would he know?

Anyway, this is the stage, fella came into the office and I had not seen him in several months.Now , you might need to understand that we have 1500 employees here and 3000 or so contractors and I may see someone everyday and then again I may see someone once a year.So, this man sees me and says "wow, you sure lost a lot of weight". Well sir, we talked for a while and he goes about his business.

After a while he comes back to my office and sits down. then the quiz starts----how did ya do it?EAT LESS MOVE MORE ----no really what have you been eating, all salads I bet! NO NOT REALLY,I CUT OUT MOST PROCESSED FOODS BUT EAT ABOUT ANYTHING I WANT---no way , what are you really doing, gastric surgery I bet!NO ----you have to be doing something!WELL, I COUNT CALORIES IN AND OUT---there is more to it than that! NOT REALLY , IF ALL YOU EAT IS A SNICKERS CANDY BAR FOR BREAKFAST,LUNCH,AND SUPPER YOU WILL LOSE WEIGHT, THEY TOTAL 900 CALORIES.

Then he began to piss me off---he says , as serious as a heart attack----"YOU ARE A LIAR".

Well, I thought about trying to explain further to him, but then I thought---hells bells---I ain't got time for this.It seems that some people just don't want to believe in anything except the same old crap they heard on TV.

Anyways, I guess I'm a lier, because he said so and his mind is a whole lot smaller than his ass/belly.

Eat less, Move more, Live life, Be happy, Work hard, Play harder,Go see some sights,Help someone, Give somebody a kind word----------but don't call me a liar---especially when I ain't.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
You just can't trust a dog to watch yer food.

Create a calorie burnin machine

Howdy from the land of Red Agave and Cow Tongue Prickley Pear!

We had a great weekend around the Laas' house. Cooked some Oryx stew and had some friends and family over Saturday evening. It was cool enough for a camp fire and we had a right fine visit.Several people brought their dogs and they had a fine ole time also.

Over the weekend I needed to mow my yard. Now I have a riding mower that I share with Mac, but last week I bought a walk behind. I said to myself--"myself, why in the hell do you want to ride on a mower and then walk around a track?".So, I got a walk behind and I can cut the grass AND burn calories.

Both days over the weekend I needed to shoot one of my rifles, that I had put a new scope on.So when I get down to my shooting table and sent the first round down range I say to myself---"myself, instead of looking thru the spotting scope to see where you hit, why not walk down there and look?" Well, the upshot of that is, I get to burn some calories, get to let my rifle barrel cool, get to relax between shots AND get to enjoy the day more.

If I just look around at my day to day activities , I can find more and more ways to burn calories.Like parking at the store, you ever notice people driving around and around to get right next to the door.And then they drive over to the gym!!

So, gradually, as I travel down this road I find more ways to increase my calorie burning.And it all adds up. How do I know you ask? Well my Caltrac tells me how much active calories I burn. Take an hour of mowing the grass on Saturday was around 275 calories and that sweet heart ain't nothing to sneeze at!

Let me know how many ways you can think of to increase my calorie burn.

Pearl of Wisdom form the mind of WEL
When you fall down, ya might as well look around for what you can do while yer down there.

The Doughnut Test

Howdy from the land of chewed up shoes and high humidity!

Man, where the hell is the fall weather? Feels like summer the past few days, high humidity and 90 degrees. And yes, Hoppy, the Lab ate another shoe of mine. He acts just like a child sometimes---gets mad and chews on my shoe when I let him get inside the house and don't take him to the barn.

Well, one of my office partners ,I got, brought doughnuts today. Not one box , but three boxes. All kinds, glazed ones, covered one, filled ones-----every damn one with lots of sugar. SO---the test is on, some days I can resist doughnuts very easily, some days not so easy. I guess today is ---not so easy. But I am gonna do my part to keep looking at them and telling myself that the damn doughnuts will be better on her butt than own mine.LOL

It is strange how my craving for things or maybe I should say, my desire for things like doughnuts change with my moods. I never noticed things like this before I had been on this fat loss journey for several months.

It's is about time to go Full Pak Tracing across the road. After I get that done the doughnuts will be a very small issue the rest of the day------TEST SCORE----A+.

Test yerself now and then it is good for you.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Don't interfere with something that ain't bothering you none.

Another mouth to feed in California

Howdy from the land of 300 Win. Mags and Mathews Bows!

Muata and his lovely wife had a baby boy last week.From the picture on his site Muata Jr. looks like a fine young feller.Now the road Muata has been on, teaching ,practicing,eating right,writing, mentoring and filming himself, is gonna get even more complicated. I bet he enjoys it a lot.

What a roll model Jr. will have when he is big enough to understand.

This fat loss trip that I have been on uses a good deal of time up , just thinking about what I am eating , what I am gonna eat, how much this weighs, how many calories does it have ----it does take a good deal of planning. Now I am not complaining only stating facts.I used to never give a tinkers damn what food weighed or how many calories it had----I also used to weigh 305 pounds----so you can see the correlation.

Now to stay on track and moving down the road I want to be on, I have to use some of my time on planning. I notice that the busier I get the more effort it takes to plan.It is much easier for me when I am in my Monday thru Friday routine. I am a creature of habit.

The weekends are much harder for me than the weekdays. I expect they are for everyone. Seems I can find less time to plan and more time to make up some bull shit excuses , on the weekend. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to work harder at planning on the weekend.

For those out there that seem to run out of time with their fat loss planning, hang in there ,the results are worth the efforts.Stay with me and we can work the kinks out of the busy times together.

Pearl of Wisdom form the mind of WEL
Most of the crap that people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.

Find some support

Howdy from the land of army worms and sneaky snakes!

I have been thinking about my support group and it's role in my fat loss journey.Now I know I am very lucky in having my main squeeze Janet and my kids and family pulling for me in my trip down the road.They are and will continue to be very important to my success in this trip.

I have heard about other folks that were sabotaged by friends and family when they were trying to lose fat.I know some of these type folks around and to tell the truth I have just quit talking with them, they wear me out and frankly I don't have time to argue with their dumb asses.I got a road map and I am gonna follow it.

There is also a support group out there that anyone can join and it is free.It is the blog community. There are thousands of folks with the same issues I have out there.The beauty part of this community is, once you educate yourself enough to set your own road map, you can find hundreds of like minded people that will show you support without you even having to ask for it. AND you will come to realize you are an important part of THEIR success too.WHAT A DEAL!!!!

I can not begin to explain the benefits I have experienced from the support of people that I have never meet, people like Muata,Is,Tony ,John,Dr.Kal, Dr.J, Lynn, Linda,Jeanne and the list goes on.The point is I should not ever think I am alone in this trip or that there is no one that really understands what I am going thru or where I am at------because there are folks that do and they will tell ya----been there, done that and you can make it!!

Go out and get ya some support, it's there. Me, I am gonna keep walking down my fat loss road, around the curves and over the hills. And some day me and my friends are gonna jump up and holler ----HOT DAMN WERE HERE!!

Come travel down the road with me , we'll have some fun along the way.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
It don't take a very big feller to carry a grudge.

I ain't dear Abby-but

Howdy from the land of washed out gravel roads and rain frogs singing a song!!

Yep , we had more rain this weekend. Sunday morning it rained like a cow pissing on a flat rock. The rain frogs are all happy and singing--more rain--more rain!Let er fall I ain't scared.

It is always thrilling to me when I check my little blog and see someone left me a comment. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.I never thought anyone much would read my writing.Over the weekend I had a comment that asked me a couple of questions.I thought about just answering the comment with a comment. Then after giving it some thought and asking for some advice from my technical advisor (Janet) I feel it might be better to write a post about it.

I am not going to duplicate the whole comment, you can go read the entire thing, but I want to address several points in the text.

First,Quiltblue says it is miraculous that I have lost so much weight with pure determination.It is and it isn't----yes I have lost a goodly amount of fat, I have a long ways to go yet. But I did not accomplish this thru pure determination. I do not think I have any more determination or will power than the next person. I think I am willing to walk down my fat loss road because to stay in the place I was in OR the place I am in now is worse than the effort to move down the road.Along with my will power or determination I had to have EDUCATION , PLANNING , and the SUPPORT of others. I read and re-read books and blogs that made sense to me, that fit my life style and that I felt "fitted" me.I planned , I wrote down goals ( achievable ), I had a short term goal(this month) and a longer term goal (maybe 6 months). All of my goals have been continuously developing and expanding.I had support of my wife and my kids and literally hundreds of weight loss bloggers that I have never meet but are in the same struggle I am in. Some of these folks I can relate to a great deal , some not so much, but all are important to my journey.

Quiltblue also made note of my "comedic side" and asks if it helps me in my ability to lose weight.No , not in my ability.Some folks say I'm funny , some folks say I'm weird, me I guess I try to see the humor in life. I think we all take ourselves way to seriously. I mean crap we are around for what 75 years and then we die. And the world keeps turning.I find humor as often as I can partly to deal with my demons, my way.Partly, I find that as a species Humans are just screwed up and funny to watch. No other animal eats themselves into morbid obesity just because "it feels good or I deserve it".

Quiltblue asks if I have any advise.

On 2-5-09 I started blogging and I said then that I would not give others advise, I don't think I am qualified.I will only tell you #1 each one of us has to find their own path #2 what path I chose and how it worked.

I started by luck----I came across WWW.mrlowbodyfat.com which lead me to Dr.Ellis' book Ultimate Diet Secrets Light. I read and re-read these. I also found www.ihavebones.com , www.theantijared.blog and dozens of others. All of these are success stories, all worth reading and important to me.I wrote down and still write down everything I eat and how many calories it has in it.I found the Caltrac devise that computes my calorie burn. So now I know both my intake and my output.

I started walking, then after several months started doing Body Weight Exercises. And I rushed it and hurt my back and hips.I then planned a better plan and started gradually getting stronger.

I weigh twice each day, I measured myself, I looked at myself naked from every angle and I was disgusted. I continue this self evaluation today.

I wrote down my goals. I had short term goals (this month) and longer term goals. But I did not have a goal of say to lose 100 pounds, because honestly I did not have that kind of confidence to start with. My small successes have fueled more goals and more successes.

I started blogging about my Journey , and thanks are due to Janet and Muata (from mrlowbodyfat) for getting me started. I has helped a bunch. I have learned a huge amount about myself and my relationship with food.

I have learned I am addicted to sugar, I deal with it.

I have learned I have control of my body, always did. I was not morbidly obese because of my genes, not because of grandma's cooking, not because I was lazy. It was because I took in more than put out. The Energy Equation is the Golden Rule.

Most important thing to me is----do I want to stay here as I am or move farther down the fat loss road?---I moving.Why? because I can , I have control, it is up to me not my wife not my doctor not anyone but me.

Well, this post is kinda long but I think it was worth saying. I hope this helps not only Quiltblue but anyone else reading it.If you are in my situation, please start your journey, it is worth the effort.You are worth the effort, I know , I am and if I am you are-----start today not tomorrow----tomorrow is the fat mans friend.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
The biggest trouble maker you'll ever have to deal with, watches you in the mirror every morning.

Tips from the Doc

Howdy from the land of flu symptoms and chicken noodle soup!

No,I don't have the flu myself but folks all around are dropping like the cock roaches in a Raid commercial.

If ya haven't figured it out yet, I read several blogs that encourage me to stay the course on my fat loss journey. The main one is Mrlowbodyfat.com. Every time Muata posts a clip several folks will comment about his posts. I read them all. I agree with some and disagree with others, but gain a little something from every single one.

One person that comments often is Dr.Kal.You might have guessed he is a doctor and a weight loss success to boot.He has a sight that is worth checking out----drkalsweightlosstips.com-----great sight, lots of good information.

In his most recent comment , Dr. Kal said he tells patients about his FOUR "P"s of weight loss success:
Planning
Positive thinking
Patience
Perseverance

Now I am here to tell ya that a year and a half ago I would not have thought each of his "P"s were that important. Today they hit the nail on the head.

I have to "P"lan---where I am at, where I want to go and how to get there.

I have to think "P"ositively and avoid the nay sayers----case in point , if you think I can't complete my trip, to hell with you,get the hell away from me, I ain't got time for that crap!

I have to be "P"atience---I did not get in this shape over night and I will not get to the end of my journey for a while yet.

"P"erseverance--continue steadfastly or determinedly---enough said.

I am with you Dr. Kal!!

Get yourself four "P"s, I have and so far so good.

Oh yea, Thursday morning, 10-1-09 I weighed 215.2---------89.8 pounds of pure ass butter dripping paper towel soaking lard is -------gone.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Life is like a pie crust sometimes, try as you might to hold it together, sometimes the damn thing is just too flaky.

Some habits are good

Howdy from the land of a fading summer and an approaching fall!

Man,it has been a long hot dry summer. But I can feel it slipping away and fall coming closer. We have had rain and it is no longer 100 degrees.

Me and Mac went on a trip to Wyoming for a week and had a real blast. While we were gone I was not able to use the Internet and do any blogging----I missed it.I have been in the habit of reading Mrlowbodyfat each morning and Theantijared at lunch , along with several other blogs. I have been in the habit of posting on this little blog as well.

Some habits are good, some not so much. These blogs have become habits that I think are really good and important to me.They give me inspiration, great ideas, some "oh shit that's me" insights and a good dose of accountability.

Because of the habits I have acquired from the blogs, more habits have developed. I am in the habit of taking my lunch to work instead of eating out,I am in the habit of thinking about how much I am eating and how many calories it has.While I walked a great deal in the mountains in Wyoming I missed doing my Full Pak Trak at lunch---but hey---yesterday I fell right back into my habit, Full Pak Trak @lunch w/28lbs, 30 minutes on the treadmill at night and BWE and stretches to follow.

I am glad to be back and still in the habit of walking the right direction down the Fat Loss Highway. Come join me , like Martha says------that's a good thing.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
It is frustrating when you know all the answers but no one asks you any questions.

Ripples at a crossroad

Howdy from the land whitewing doves and red tailed hawks!

Choices----we all make them, we make some good ones, some bad ones and some that don't really seem to matter. But unless we stick our hands in our pockets and make sounds like a carrot we make them. Some of us even learn lessons from the choices we make.

When I've come to a cross road in life and I am charged with making a choice on which way to go, I seldom think about how the choice will effect others. I mostly just think about what the effects will be on me.The choices I have made are ,to me , like standing on the bank of the lake and throwing a rock in the direction I want to go. The rock flies one way , but the ripples it makes goes out in all directions. Those ripples effect others without me even knowing.

Like wise, the choices that others make have ripples that effect me.Take my lovely bride,Janet,she has made ripples that have moved, shaped and guided me along more than any person I can think of.Good,bad or indifferent her ripples have effected me in more ways that I can count and she will ever realize.She has helped me (not a complete cure) make better choices and be a better person.

I think we should all take time out to reflect on the ripples that touch us from others and what we learn from them. We will, as grandpa said , learn a lesson a day if we only keep our mouth shut and our eyes open.

As I travel down my fat loss highway, I try to slow down long enough to think about the knowledge I have gained , not only on this road but along my whole life's travel. I have learned a whole gaggle of lessons along the way. I have no problem telling you I have screwed the pooch on several choices and have dodged the bullet on several occasions. But all in all, I think a bunch of ripples from a bunch of folks have helped me do OK.

Make a good choice today, just one,I promise it won't hurt. Send out some ripples, you don't even have to try, they are on their way.

Eat less, move more, build muscle,lose fat.Have a positive effect on others.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Having an ADVENTURE usually means, ya used poor judgement but ya survived.

A new low even for me

Howdy from the land of Jody Nix playing western swing and Bill & Janet cutting a rug!

Went to Sengellmann Hall Saturday night and did a little calorie burning in the form of dancing with my lovely bride. Had a real nice time, although I don't think my knees or Janet's are up to a hell of a lot of dancing. But for a while we pretended we were 25 and torn up the floor.

Friday when I stepped on the scale I weighed 217.2 which is a new low for me. Thursday or Friday is usually my lowest weight for the week.This puts me around 87.8 pounds of fat I have shed on my journey.

This week is gonna be a slow it down kinda week. Me and Mac are traveling to Wyoming Friday night after work for a week. So this week I plan on walking Monday and Tuesday--Full Pak Trac, treadmill at night and BWE. On Wednesday I plan on walking at lunch with no pak only. Thursday and Friday I am gonna rest and get ready for the drive.

Stay tuned to more youthful exploits from yours truly.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Growing old is mandatory,growing up is optional.

September showers

Howdy from the land of thundershowers and green grass!

I have not got to talk about rain much this year but what a difference a few days make.It has been raining around our area, not much at the house, but others have had really nice rains.We can all count our blessings, count them one by one.

Grandpa always said , it rains on the deserving and the un-deserving alike.

Yesterday, a fella asked if the rain was cutting into my walking at lunch. I told him no way, I ain't scared (of rain, lighting might be different).Today I am gonna try to walk an extra mile at lunch. I have been doing that once or twice a week. I can really feel the difference at night when I add an extra mile at lunch.

Just got some emails from the lunch time track crowd and it looks like the turnout will be light today----getting a real good shower now.

Well, I am going to walk, it feels good and to be honest---I am a little scared if I make too many excuses NOT to walk, it will be too easy for me to go backwards. I just can't stand the thought of turning around on my fat loss highway.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Meanness don't jes happen over night.

Simple Truths

Howdy from the land of gopher mounds and burned up pastures!

Truths by their very nature tend to be simple things.Most of the truths are not complicated.Despite the government claims , despite your bosses explanations and despite what the television says----most of the truths we encounter in life are pretty simple stuff. It is only when we try to get around the truths or cheat our own common sense that we get our issues so damn complicated a preacher , two nuns and a snake oil salesman can't straighten them out.

Fat loss is a lot that way too. It is simple really----go back a read the Energy Equation--calorie is the king, it is quite simply Weight Loss' Golden Rule---and that young grasshopper is a simple truth.

I don't know why I tend to get all twisted up like a Bohemian Hatchet Knot ( that is a knot tied by a Bohemian that is so complicated it takes a hatchet to un-tie it).

Anyways, there have been several times when it seems like I am not moving any further down my fat loss highway, kinda stuck. I begin to thinking and scheming and trying to decide what I need to change. Maybe I need to eat more ju-ju beans or maybe I need to get a kettlebell and go to lifting it. But, if I just relax and continue on my routine it seems to all fall in place.

It is simple really, if I consistently move more than I consume, the truth is I lose some fat.The simple truth is consistent practice is the best.I remember I guy telling me Practice does not make perfect---Practice makes permanent.The truth is he was right.

Tell yourself the simple truth.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
As a child I learned, no matter how hard you try, you just can't baptize a cat.

And the "I"s have it

Howdy from the land of western swing and camp fire songs!

When I was in high school I was part of the FFA.One thing I learned from this experience was a good bit of parliamentary procedures. I always remember the phrase "And the "aye"s have it and the motion carries". It is just stuck in my library of memories.However, being from Texas and rural Texas at that we pronounced "aye" ---"I"-----the "I"s have it and the motion carries.

Either way you say it the meaning is the same ---positive vote, yes,we can,we should,we will.

As I ease down my fat loss highway I have discovered several "aye" votes I have made:
I can eat better.
I can eat less.
I can move more and gain strength.
I can feel better about myself.
I will continue to learn.
I can gain muscle and I will lose fat.
I agree that "calorie" is the King.
I have discovered a load of crap is shown on TV about weight loss.
I realize some of the best fat loss advice is freely given, by folks that have been there and done that.
I have learned to seek out success stories of others and don't waste time with the ones that vote "nay".
I can add more motion to my movement as long as it is gradual and consistent.
I can practice my motion and burn calories anywhere,I don't need a gym.
I can get to where I want to be on this journey-------and will.

If you think you would like to lose some fat, call for a vote.Let me know and I'll vote "I"-----you should too, "I" did.See less of you down the road!

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement.

Long Hot Summer

Howdy from the land of lowE windows and sky high electric bills!

I have been changing out windows in the front of my house this month. I got two more replaced and have 5 more to go and we will be rid of the 1933 era --rattle when the wind blows--windows.

While I was going up and down the 20' extension ladder for the 893rd. time, it dawned on me that three years ago when I did this same thing to the back of the house and was 85 pounds heavier it was real hard. Yep back then it damn near killed me.Seemed like it took a month. Now it was not a snap this time and my knees still gave me fits but I got er done.I was able to move around a hell of a lot easier and with much more confidence while up the ladder or standing in the tractor bucket.

And on top of all that , IT WAS DAMN GOOD EXERCISE!

It never ceases to amaze me what I can do that I was missing before I started on my fat loss journey.

I wonder what neat things I will be able to do in the future.

I end the month weighing 219.2 and that puts me having lost right at 86 pounds of fat.I can also do 60 pushups and when I started I could only do 4.I can't do a pull up yet but I will leave that for the future.

If you think you need to lose some fat----you probably do,If you think you can't lose fat---you are wrong. If I can do it anyone can.Read, get educated, find a method and lose the first pound----then we can lose another together.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL (this one is borrowed from an email Janet sent me)

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what is for lunch.
Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.
Benjamin Franklin

What motivates you?

Howdy from the land of long road trips and Oryx meat in the ice chest!

Yep we had a long road trip and Mac smacked and sacked a real fine Oryx bull in New Mexico. We got a big box full of protein to boot.

While walking my Full Pak Trac on Monday I passed a co-worker(I don't get to pass too many) and he asked "Bill , how do you stay motivated to come out here everyday?"

Well, I gave him the ---hell I like it, I love to sweat,yada yada answer. The rest of my walk I thought about the question more and more.Then when I got back to the office I read Muata's post at www.mrlowbodyfat.com and wham! did it answer that question better than I ever could.

I don't know what it is but Muata has the most timely articles and posts I have ever seen.

This one was by Coach Charles Staley called "Why I don't want to clean 315 pounds"

In his article ,that you ought to go read, Coach Staley says--you are exactly where you want to be right now" meaning you are satisfied if not you would do something about it.He asks a couple a tough love questions--
#1 do you have a goal?what is it?
#2 have you arranged your entire life in a way that will support your accomplishment of that goal?

Another one of the lessons I learned in this article is to develop an attitude that I am not satisfied where I am right now---thus it becomes easy to keep working toward my goal.

I am not satisfied where I am now ----and that is a much better answer to my co-workers question than the one I gave.

Eat Less Move More-----make a goal, write it down---call the problem,ask for the solution,devise the method,achieve the answer!

Pearl of Wisdom form the mind of WEL
When you wallow with pigs,expect to get dirty.

Tools of the Trade are GOOD

Howdy from the land of nail guns and claw hammers!!

From a fella that has used tools most of his adult life I can tell you the proper tool is damn important to the success of any project.

I learned a tremendous amount from my Grandpa about tools and when/how to use the correct one. I also learned a lot from a man named Art about the best tools for pipe and iron work.Sadly, both these men are no longer on this earth and I miss them both.

The lessons taught and learned are still here and are still being used. What does this have to do with fat loss? A bunch from my point of view.

Today, a co-worker asked about my Caltrac. I explained where I got it and how it works. I also tried to explain how important it was to me and my journey ( I tend to get a little preachy).

I feel like the fat loss journey I have been on has been made easier by using the TOOLS OF THE TRADE.One is the Caltrac , another the food scale and still another is the food journal. Each has an important place in my journey.

The Caltrac has given me a method to see just how many calories I burn on any given day.It also gives me the base line on how many calories I need to consume to maintain, gain or lose weight.There is no guessing on these figures with the Caltrac.

The Food Scale has made me aware of just how many calories different foods have in them and how much I can eat without realizing it.For an example, I can eat a whole link of sausage by myself (we make our own and it is good)----calories--around 1800.But by using this TOOL OF THE TRADE I now know I should take a 4" piece for lunch and I can be satisfied and keep my lunch around 600 calories.

The Journal helps me plan, track and review where I have been and where I am going on my fat loss journey.Without the journal my trip would not be near as rewarding. I can go back and look at times and places and see where I kicked ass and where I reverted to the dark side. I make notes to myself along the way and learn about myself in my reviews.

Could I have come this far along the fat loss highway without the TOOLS? Certainly, but it is easier and more efficient with them. You can build a house or a barn with nothing but a hand saw and a hammer but it is easier with an electric skill saw and a nail gun.

If you are contemplating a fat loss journey, set yourself up to succeed and get some TOOLS of The TRADE.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Don't judge folks by their relatives.

Another stupid commercial

Howdy from the land of squawking crows and dog days of summer!!

This trip I have been on sure makes me aware of so many different things that I never gave any thoughts to before.

Take the stupid commercials about weight loss.Yep , like the ones that says for 20 minutes a day 3 days a week you can get ripped,just like Chuck Norris and Christi Brinkley---CCCC.

The most recent commercial I thought was a ---Crock of Cold Cat Crap-- is the new Nutrisystem commercial. You know the one where the chick just lost 60 pounds!!!She says her goal was 40 pounds and it just happened, then it was 50 , then 60----bam---AND IT JUST HAPPENED!!

What a load of whooy!!

I have done Nutrisystem years ago, lost 44 pounds, it works. But it does not JUST HAPPEN. If you follow the plan it puts you in a calorie deficient mode and it works. So does putting yourself in the calorie deficient mode on your own---that works too. And , by doing it yourself you learn a lot----but I repeat ---it does not just happen.

With all the hype and advertising out there it is no wonder I get confused about things.Like the man said, if you think it is too good to be true , it probably is.

My fat loss is happening but IT DID NOT JUST HAPPEN.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Never corner something that you know is meaner than you.

Willpower??ME??

Howdy from the land of night blooming lilly pads and 40 yard archery targets!

Today one of the ladies in my office said I was the subject of conversation at lunch.A friend of hers was asking her if I had had gastric surgery.My co-worker said no, and explained that I had been eating right and exercising a great deal.She also said I had a lot of willpower and was listening to several people in the weight loss community on the world wide web.

After she told me the story, I said she was wrong about one point.That was her statement about me having a lot of willpower.I don't think I have more willpower than anyone else. Certainly, I don't have any more that I used to have. what I have now that I did not have two years ago is KNOWLEDGE.

Willpower does not burn calories, KNOWLEDGE does.
Willpower does not give you the facts nor de-bunk the truths in nutrition and fat loss, KNOWLEDGE does.
Willpower does not make a WISH come true, Knowledge will turn a WISH into an ACHIEVABLE QUEST.

Knowledge has led me down the path of no longer being conveniently ignorant.Before I started down this road, I could always fall back on ignorant myths ,like eating this or that makes you retain water, or eating this makes your fat melt. Or , I am fat because Grandma had the genes and passed them on. Or (I really love this one) I have always been big boned----HA!

Willpower I think is what one uses when trying to get over feeling deprived of something. Knowledge is what I use to explain to myself that I can eat a piece of cake that equals 300 calories (instead of 1000 calories) as long as I plan and compensate------what I call that is an EDUCATION and I got it by gaining some KNOWLEDGE.

So I think my coworker was off a little on the willpower thing, but hey it is nice to know someone is talking about me and not calling me an asshole.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
You have the rest of your life to solve your problems,how long you live depends on how well you solve them.

Lessons learned

Howdy from the land of green tractors,grey welding machines and yellow bull dozers!!

Today Muata (my virtual mentor)over at www.mrlowbodyfat.com has a post that compares chocolate milk to protein shakes and their benefits for post workout nutrition. Now I am not yet "into" the micro-nutrition issues as heavy as Muata, but I have been learning things along my fat loss highway.And better nutrition is one lesson I have learned.

Here are a few other things I have learned----
To lose some fat, I have to eat some fat.
If I move more, I feel better.
If I think I can , I probably can.
When I think about my choices I do better at making them.
I can cook for Janet and still eat what I want.
I do not have to feel cheated or deprived to lose some fat.
I like being able to bend over to tie my shoes.
I am addicted to sugar.
Wishing does not make it happen.
Fruit that you don't peel is better than ones you do.
It is a real pleasure to succeed.
The calorie is KING.


I am sure there will be many more lessons learned as I go down the road.I know I will meet up with some challenges along the way. Most likely , I will trip and fall once or twice---hey I ain't perfect.

Right now I am off to get some chocolate milk and give it a try for a week.Who knows , Muata may give me a pop quiz.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Ya learn a lesson a day , if you keep your eyes and ears open and yer mouth shut.

Possum move at night

Howdy from the land of possums and midnight wake ups!

Yep we got possums. We also got raccoons and armadillos in the yard.Seems everything wants to come to the yard at night because it is so dry. Hoppy the Lab does not like them varmints in his yard.He is getting more aggressive but has not learned to crunch them and go back to sleep yet, so I got to get up and dispose of the varmints.

Got in some work this weekend getting ready to put in some new windows in the house.I was able to get around 4-5 hours of work before I would give up because of the heat.My Caltrac showed I would use 6-700 calories during this time period and that would keep my total for the day around 3000 calories which is a good thing.

The difference between sitting at my desk all day and just doing some light work around the yard/house is amazing.Just by moving around and pulling some weeds or doing a little carpenter work can burn an additional 150 active calories an hour and that can really add up.It is no wonder 30 years ago that I ate so much. Back then I was working off the back of a welding truck for 8-12 hours a day. I bet back then I would burn 1500-2000 of active calories some days. Of course I probably still ate too much back then.

Anyway, I keep practicing and moving all I can . Hopefully the windows will be here Thursday and we get them in this weekend. And maybe no more possums will show this week and we can all get a full nights sleep.

Pearl of wisdom from the mind of WEL
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.

The government could learn from me

Howdy from the land of brassy skies and star light nites!

Yep, the damn federal government could learn from me and all the rest of the folks that are on their fat loss journeys.I have been on a calorie budget for over a year while our government keeps being a glutton.

I have often marveled at people that don't seem to relate working 40 hours a week to what they are spending. There must be a lot of folks with a lot of money to throw away. Then there are the regular folks who, when times get tight , just sharpen up the pencil and work on their budget. And it works!

So does being on a calorie budget.If I want to eat more today I have to burn more.If I eat like there is no tomorrow or no consequences then I will go bankrupt, in the form of fat gain,health deterioration and happiness.

I am here to tell you, there is a tomorrow and there are consequences to our actions.The budget I am on now is not real hard to follow. Sometimes I may spend a little more than I ought to one meal, but the weekly budget falls pretty close to my target.

If you think you can not live on a budget, you are wrong. You just don't want to bad enough.

Stay with me on the budget highway we'll reach nonobeseville together.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Best way to double yer money is to fold it over and put back in your pocket.

Why ask Why?

Howdy from the land of border collies and calico cats!

This trip I have been on is as much a mental exercise as a physical one.I am now convinced that the body won't do what the mind is not prepared for.

As a kid I hated being asked "Why". My dad was famous for grilling you over and over by asking "why"----why did you do that , I don't know,yes you do, why. Damn but I hated being asked "why".But (there is always a but), it did make me think.I guess I didn't really like thinking too much either. WHY? because it makes you open your mind and explore all the different ideas that just acting does not show you.

In my Fat Loss Journey, I have had to ask myself WHY a lot.I have had to be much more conscious about my eating habits and WHY they got to be bad habits or good habits.I have asked myself WHY I should make better choices.

By asking myself WHY I have had to continue the hated task of thinking and making decisions.To succeed I have had to think , reason and make good decisions.Now before ya get to thinking I am the next Albert Einstein, I have made some poor choices and will make plenty more on down the road.I think now I am making good decisions around 80% of the time, and that is good---WHY? Because I used to make good ones by accident.

Well, the month of August is a push month---I am gonna try and push myself more this month than last month.More walking, more weight in my vest (added 2 pounds today-26 total), more body weight exercises and MORE FAT BURNED!!

WHY?

Because I want to be down the road a ways instead of right here.

Get on the wagon I think I can pull for a while.

Pearl Of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Do something damn it, it may be wrong, but take a step anyway.

The last twenty?

Howdy from the land of painted buntings and garden spiders!

Well now , I have been thinking of the time when I would use this title on a post. I just couldn't hardly wait for this time to come around.

About 18 months ago I had my physical with my doctor. I talked to him about my weight and asked just what his opinion was.He told me:
#1 I needed to lose weight----DUH!
#2 I was not the kinda person who would want to go the gastric surgery route---Ya Think!
#3 The gastric surgery route still depended on a person "changing" their life style--I Agree!
#4 In his opinion, I should try something along the line of Weight Watchers to make that "change"---Crap!
#5 He suggested I try to lose 25-30 pounds to start and then I would be encouraged to continue--No Problem!

I told him that it was not a trick to lose 25-30 pounds.I have been there and done that 4-5 times.What I wanted to know is how (or maybe IF)I could lose the last twenty pounds.He asked which twenty that would be. I told him I did not know but I guess I would see it when I got there---IF I COULD GET THERE. On the way home and for several months--hell even to this day I am asking myself----which is THE LAST TWENTY??

On 7-25-09 I weighed 223.0 and like I said the other day I have bounced around this month quite a bit.On 7-31-09 I am at 221.4 pounds of energy and enthusiasm.But , despite the bouncing around I feel I am now solidly under 225.

Now this puts me 83.6 pounds of fat I have lost since this trip began. My goal is to get to 205 pounds before the end of the year. This will put me having lost 100 pounds of lard. I think this is a worthy goal and one that I can achieve.

So again I ask is this THE LAST TWENTY?

At this point I really don't know if this is the last twenty, but I do know it is the last twenty I need to lose in order to get down to 205. And when that happens ( notice I did not say IF) it will be great. I will not be thru with the trip for I fear the hard part will just be starting----but that will be my cross to bear.

Right now I remain focused on a mark.Right now I see a trip to California to shake a mentor's hand.Right now I see a light hearted Cowboy from Texas saying good job into the mirror.

Stay with me until the next intersection on the Fat Loss highway, what a ride we will have!

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
The best sermons are lived not preached.

Vacation is over

Howdy from the land of sharp knives and hard working folks!

Well , I had backed off my practice routine in July some because of some back pain.I am still walking the Full Pak Trac at work, now carrying 24 pounds in my vest. I am also walking 3-4 nights a week on the treadmill.Well the vacation is over, back to work time.

With the end of the month approaching us as fast as shit going thru a goose, I plan on stepping up my calorie burn a notch in August.I am going back to doing some body weight exercises in addition to my walking. I will add push ups,squats,stickups,bicycle crunches,inverted rows,planks and hip extensions.I hope to do these 3-4 times a week.July has been kinda an idle month , I have bounced around weight wise.It looks like I will be down a couple of pounds for the month.but , hey a loss ,is a loss.

Anyway, the month of August can't be any hotter and dryer than July so I might as well reach and get it.Like ole Art used to tell us ---if ya can't get it, ya can't stay.

I will see what my final weight for July is on Friday and let you know where I'm at.

Pearl of Wisdom form the mind of WEL
Live simply and appreciate what you got.

A Streetcar named Desire

Howdy from the land of dusty fields and gold fish ponds!!

We have had a gold fish pond for about a year. Just an old tin cattle trough with 4 gold fish and 3 koi.Well this summer we decided we would get a bigger one and move the fish.We did and it gets more sun and it grew more algae. The water turned green and we have struggled for 2 months to try to get it clear.We kept researching and asking questions and educating ourselves until---wham---clear water.

Now we can see the bottom on the pond and watch the fish swim around. It is really nice.I have always enjoyed water.We even have some baby fish.

What does this have to do with fat loss? The desire---we had the desire to have a nice pond.It did not just happen, it did not come right out of the box or thru the drive in window.From the desire came research and education. From that came the way we worked toward the clear water. Then came the goal, a pretty nice pond that is fun to see.

Call the problem,ask for the solution,devise the method, achieve the answer.

Fat loss it the same, I guess most everything we do can follow the same steps.

My fat loss streetcar is named DESIRE.The method I have devised is my cross to bear. But I will tell anyone out there, the journey is well worth the effort. The results , while apparent for others to see,are for me.Without me feeling the way I do about this trip, I can not be the person others need me to be.

While this trip has had it's ups and downs, if I go back and look at every Thursday in my day book or every 3rd.Monday in my day book I see a steady fat loss. Sometimes it is not as much as I wanted but some loss was there.

Get on the streetcar with me , you know you should and I know you can. Hell I got on so any body can.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Life is simpler if ya plow around the stump.

Atta boy

Howdy from the land of straw hats and Diet Mountain Dew!!

Man it is hot around here!!It's hotter than a nanny goat in a pepper patch.

I am still enjoying my walking even if it is hot, because I do know how to sweat. I kinda look like a sprinkler---a big one.

I have had several folks ,lately,tell me how impressed they are with my fat loss. This really makes ya feel good. Praise and recognition are great. All of us need this from time to time.I am no exception.Today however a good friend of mine took the time out at a luncheon meeting to tell me that he had been meaning to let me know how impressed he is with my fat loss.And he said he knew it had taken a hell of an effort because he had lost a good amount years ago,but not to my extent.The compliment really made me feel great.I like , as we all do , the ATTA BOY.

I think we should all tell more folks around us ATTA BOY more. We should all be more encouraging of others.I know I should tell people this more.I have thought about it and then not said anything (for whatever reason) and the chance passes away.

I plan on working on encouraging others in their efforts.

Also , at our meeting, another friend that had given me an ATTA BOY last week told me he had started reading Muata's site and also my little blog. He said he had ordered a Caltrak but was struggling with portion size/control.I encouraged him to read more on these sites and keep working at it . I know he can do it, he can succeed, he is worth it.

Gary---ATTA BOY!!

I did not get a chance to walk today at lunch , so tonight I will encourage myself do burn some extra calories in some other form-----ATTA BOY!

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
It is a whole lot easier to pull a chain than it is to push one.

Excuses

Howdy from the land of water lilies and leopard frogs!

For a couple of weeks now I have been mulling over something a fella told me.He said the reason he smokes (when I was telling what a stupid habit that was)was because it keeps him sober. He said he has been sober for three years.I guess he has(had)a drinking problem. Anyway he said smoking keeps him sober----horseshit, is what I say.

I think HE keeps himself sober.The smoking is just an excuse, just a crutch.It is kinda like eating yourself into morbid obesity in order to keep from smoking. Or eating to keep from being depressed. Or eating in order to cope with the perils of everyday life----horseshit is what I say.

These are all excuses---and I have had my fair share of excuses.When it comes right down to it all that matters is -- am I gonna let my excuses run(ruin)my life? Or am I gonna grow up and throw the excuses out the window and admit I am worth taking control of my life and make sensible choices.

Everyone makes excuses, I am no exception.I will continue to make excuses but I think I must be honest with myself about how many,what kinds and how they effect my health.

I don't really know how many calories a excuse has in it but if ya put enough of the dang things together they can kill ya.

Keep watching to see if I can make fewer excuses along the road.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a Rain Dance.

Surrender and Apathy

Howdy from the land of blue gill perch and mulberry trees!

Will Phillips--aka--The Incredible Shrinking Man said on his blog site ( a good site by the way) that OBESITY = Surrender and Apathy. I could not agree more.

I can remember being depressed and down in the mouth about being fat and lazy. I could just sit and have a regular pity party.Then I could decide to go on and eat another doughnut---why the hell not, I'm already fat, nothing is gonna change.I don't care if I wear 46" pants, I'm OK with it. Inside I am OK---horse shit! I was not OK---I had a damn good case of apathy and I had long since surrendered and was trying my best to rationalize both.

Why?

Because to change would be to place all the responsibility and all the accountability on---let's see---ME.Crap---surrender and apathy are the easy choices here boys and girls. The hard part is 20 years down the road, I am still morbidly obese and still can't do squat and I am still here having my little pity party.WHOA is me!!

The road to Fat Loss Valley is not easy, worthwhile?yes, easy no. It can be done,it does not take a rocket engineer, nor a person with the will power of Superman. It does not take a doctor,lawyer,preacher or guidance counselor.All it takes is making up your mind that you no longer want to SURRENDER and you no longer are APATHETIC toward yourself.

I never did like people telling me I can't do something, but I told myself that all the time. I told myself there were reasons beyond my control for my weight.It is easy to solve someone else's problems, harder to solve your own.

I am here to tell ya, don't surrender--start caring about yerself.I did and I am gonna keep it up.

Eat Less Move More

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
You alone can not save the planet, but you can save yourself.

It's a Wonderful Life

Howdy from the land of family,friends and Birthday parties!

Yep it is a wonderful life. Great fun took place in the communities of Ezzell and Hope this weekend. Ya see my mother had a birthday party Saturday and I got to have the honor of cookin up some BBQ Friday night. What a grand time we had, I wonder what the poor folks did?

Most all of the family was there and some of my mother's close friends , along with her cousin Betty and Joe and Jack. All in all, we had a fine time and a good visit.

Man could sure have a good time if all he needed to do was travel around the country and celebrate with family and friends.

Well, any way. I have had time to give some thought to my journey and where I am headed from here.I am going to look down the road until I find a sign that says "Bill Weighs 195".

My goal for the month of July is to get as close to 220 pounds without doing any Body Weight Exercises, just walking and shooting my bow.I plan on jumping back on the BWE in August.

So my short range goal is to get to 220 by the end of July.Mid range goal is to get to 205 by year end.Long range goal is to get to 195 before I die.All goals combined =
move more,eat less,be happy,see some sites,talk smart---hehehe what a deal!

Stay with me down the fat loss road, hell who knows maybe I can go on tour or join the fitness carnival some day and travel the world telling my story to everyone.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.

If a Girl Can Do It

Howdy from the land of summer heat showers and doddle bugs!

Like I said earlier, this week has been a time of reflection on my fat loss journey.In looking back down the road a ways I remembered a thought. It seems now it was a seed in my mind ,kinda like when you get a grass seed in your sock. It is there,you feel it every once in a while, but not all the time. It comes and it goes but you really don't dwell on it for some time.Then it works around and gets in JUST the right spot and BAM there it is and it won't go away.

Well, anyway a couple of years ago I began to really gnaw on the fact that I was morbidly obese---not fat--not big boned--not chunky-------morbidly obese.I have always (it seems) been fat,large,heavy, you name it but something a couple or three years ago got me stuck on thinking more and more about my condition.

It was one of my nieces that planted the seed.

I know several people that had gone down the road of having gastric surgery. And being the weenie that I am, said hell no, not me.

I have a niece that has been heavy most of her life. And while she is a beautiful girl she seemed to gain lots of weight after high school.Then a couple of years ago she lost a bunch of weight. I don't know how much, didn't ask.Never talked to her about how she lost it----strange, I couldn't seem to keep my feet out of my mouth so I just asked around the family kinda quietly rather than talk to her.

Anyway, she lost a large amount of weight and by all accounts lost it by moving more and eating better-----what a damn concept!!

The bottom line was , she looked much healthier,more confident,much more outgoing and more beautiful than ever.I was so impressed with her accomplishment.

AND, I can remember thinking on more than one occasion----if a girl can do that , I ought to be able to do it too!Hell, I am a MAN and I'm tuff.

Now if ya don't like my reasoning, get a grip. But,the seed was planted and I did not even realize it at the time.It was in my mind and given enough time it got in just the right spot and BAM!After awhile the seed got fertilized with my education and the trip began.

Now anyone that needs to lose their fat, need to look no further than me ----because if someone like me can do it----anyone can.Ain't rocket science----eat less/move more.Hell even a girl can do it--LOL

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Free your heart from hatred.

Upside Down

Howdy from the land of squawking crows and singing cicadas !

For sometime , around 6 weeks, I have been having a little lower back problem. Kinda had a pinch in my right hip. Feels like a softball in my butt cheek.It would come and go and go and come.

I cut out using my walking sticks and it helped a little. I slowed up on my Turbulence Exercises and for 3 weeks I have been going to the chiropractor.I got a little relief but no cure.

Last week I borrowed an Inversion Table, one of them tables that ya hang upside down from.It does take some getting use to. It is kinda weird as I am flipping over.I use it after I walk on the treadmill at night. Used it about 6 times so far----and I think I'm cured.My back feels much better now.It really streches me out.

Janet bought me a new day book and I will being setting some goals for the rest of the year this week.I think I will ease back into a full practice routine by the end of the month and give er hell the rest of the year.

Got any goal ideas?

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Don't want to make any mistakes in life?? Stick yur hands in your pockets and make sounds like a carrot.

Happy Anniversary

Howdy from the land of ripe peaches and braised short ribs!

Well, it has been one year .Yep, one year ago I started down the road in my fat loss journey.It has been a great trip so far.I have learned so much and the time has flown by. I have quite a few more miles to go and yes there have been some detours and some pot holes.

The map I am using is mine to chose which turn to take and sometimes, bless my pea pickin heart I just go ahead and make the wrong turn. Now days though , when I make a wrong turn I just stop quicker than I used to would and turn around.I think this part of the journey has to be made. I can not escape the wrong turns. If I did not hit a pot hole ,it would be too easy.

My education has been extensive and widely varied while on my trip so far.I have learned
1.the energy equation
2.to move even when I don't feel like it
3.nothing, I mean nothing, worth doing is easy---worthwhile --yes --easy--no
4.I am addicted to sugar
5.the value of of a support group
6.that obesity transcends race,age,gender
7.I am worth the effort
8.the more I move the more I want to move
9.and a host of other things I can not quite get a handle on right now.

I am beginning to realize just how ingrained my eating habits were and still are. Growing up every function involved a meal. Every social occasion revolved around the food. My grandmother never had much money but she could always feed anyone coming to her home and feed them well. She took great pride in feeding people.Every trip was planned around where we would eat. These things still exist today.They are still important.Now I am challenged to manage these meals/events in a totally different manner ---if not I will fail.

I am also becoming much more aware that somewhere down the road I will come to the stop sign. When I do the real challenge will start. The real challenge will be to maintain my weight/BMI.The reason I think this will be more of a challenge than the actual fat loss trip is the goals will be ZERO.Weight gain--ZERO Weight loss--Zero. This is beginning to worry me. But hey, it is still down the road a good ways.

Today is the day to reflect. A year ago I weighed 305 pounds, I was at 45.0 BMI,I could not walk over a 1/4 mile without having to stop and catch my breath. I could not bend over to tie my shoes without putting my foot on something.I could not do one pushup.I could not fall asleep without having 1000mg of ibuprofen in me.I could not pass up a doughnut or 6.I had no desire to do anything.

Last Friday I weighted 225.0 , my BMI is 33.4. I can walk 3 1/2 miles at work during lunch and walk 30 minutes on the treadmill that night at home.I can tie my shoe by bending over.I can do 3 sets of 18 pushups.I don't have to take Advil to sleep and yes sports fans I can pass up a doughnut.I got all kinds of desires and ambitions.

Now I still want something sweet and yes I eat sweets sometimes but I am much better now than before with being able to cope with this addiction.

Yes today is a day to reflect.I shudder to think where I would be and where I would be headed if I had not read the article on Muata 15 months ago.Probably headed for a coronary bypass.

Today is not a day for goal setting that will come another day. Needless to say, the trip is not over.

Today is a day to thank those who have given me so much support.From the bottom of a country boy's heart ,I thank Janet, Tessa, Mac and all my family and friends that have offered words of encouragement. I can't thank Muata enough, he is the one that sparked a fire under my ass, he is the one that hollered go, he is the one one that brought back A MER I CAN.

On a day for my reflections I would offer one line of encouragement to anyone sitting on the fence.

Take a hold of your life,don't let your life take a hold of you.


Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
No body is prefect, everyone stumps their toe.

Get the Gun

Howdy from the land of pickles and hush puppies!

It's 3 am and the phone rings---- No that ain't right----It's 3 am and Janet hollers "get the gun". Hoppy cornered an armadillo in the shack.One less pest tearing up my yard.

I have been hovering around 225 pounds all week--225.4--225.6--225.8.Seems like I sweated around 28 pounds of water out on my walk yesterday.Anyway I think I will break below 225 any day. What a deal that will be.

Mike (Janet's big brother) and his squeeze are coming down this weekend for a visit. We are looking forward to seeing them.I won't be doing any large amount of work over the weekend but I do plan on walking today and Friday.

Stay tune for the end of the month---it should be close.

Pearl of Wisdom form the mind of WEL
Endeavor to persevere.

The $64 question.

Howdy from the land of chuckboxes and cobbler in a dutch oven!

If you have never eaten cobbler in a Dutch oven, I feel right sorry for ya.I think we are losing a lot of our humanity with all the FAST food,FAST cars, FAST jobs, GIANT houses, and all the creature comforts we now call necessities.But that is a subject for another blog.

Anyway, I have a question for anyone out there. It comes from a Red Steagal poem---"If you knew you couldn't fail, what would you do?"

Now if I chew on that question long enough I have to ask myself some really hard questions.And,in trying to answer those questions I have to look inside myself for some answers. No one can answer for me.

This "food for thought" question can fit into numerous settings in my life---jobs-life styles-and yes even fat loss. If I knew I couldn't fail how much fat would I carry?If I know I can't fail would I continue to lose fat?

A year ago my answers would surely have been different than they would be today.Why? One reason is because I now know I have the power ,not to fail.

A man named Mac Ballard told me hundreds of times as a kid "You can do anything you want , if you want to bad enough and your are willing to pay the price." He was right.

I have had my doubts about this journey at times. As the trip unfolds I learn these fears and doubts are just like the monster in the closet as a kid----just in my head.I have learned and am still learning that I am my own worse enemy.I place 99% of all the barriers in front of me.WHY?

Is it because the first word we learn as a child is NO?Is it because we are told mostly what we can't do?I am not smart enough to know all those answers but I am kinda like an Airedale dog--I ain't as dumb as I look, either.

I have learned an important lesson on this trip ---Mac Ballard was right---I can do any thing if I want to bad enough AND I am willing to pay the price.

I will continue to lose fat ---why?--because I know I can't fail. Thanks Mac Thanks Red.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
Call the problem,ask for the solution,devise the method,achieve the answer.

Summer recipes

Howdy from the land of dusty fields and sun dried everything!

It is SUUUMMER!I was on the tractor most of the day yesterday and it was hot!!I saw two jack rabbits ---each carrying an umbrella!

The kids came up Saturday and we cooked up some fish for my fathers day meal(my choice). We also made a grilled fruit salad---yep grilled. Janet saw it on the food network and we tried it with pineapple couple days ago and it was good-different but good.

I grilled some pineapple, peaches,banana and watermelon.Got some grill marks on them and chopped them up and walla---grilled fruit salad. Pretty good.

The fish Mac brought from his trip to Lake Texoma---it was good too----it would pick you up where your lowdown and strengthen you where yer weak.

I don't know if it is old age or my fat loss journey but I have been trying different stuff for a while. Some new stuff is good, some not so much.

My two new walking buddies are still coming to the track at lunch and my nerve issue in my back is slowly getting better.

Stay with me till the end of the month and see if I make my goal. Oh yea, I got two new pairs of jeans---38" waist, when I started my trip I was wearing 46" and could not button them damn things.

Pearl of Wisdom from the mind of WEL
You can work around someone for 20 years and never really know how smart they are, doesn't take but 5 minutes , sometimes to see how stupid they are.

You think I'm Weird?

Howdy from the land of brush piles and cedar posts!

I was walking yesterday and caught up with two co-workers walking. They have been walking about three weeks but I never talked to them only said Howdy.

We talked about the sunshine and they made the comment I had lost quite a bit of weight. I told them close to 79 pounds of fat. They were impressed, I was thrilled---makes ya feel good.

Anyway, they asked how long I had been walking, what I ate, etc and we talked for a quarter of a mile. One fella said he was diabetic and his doctor was telling him what his future looked like if he does not lose some weight. Then he said his wife does not believe he can lose any weight---damn ---that is cold.

I told him I did not know him at all, but I was convinced he could lose all the fat he wanted. I kinda got on a soap box with him, basically told him he had the power---no one else. I told him if a cowboy like me could make life style changes ---for the better ---anyone could.

I also told him he should make the better changes for himself.If I did not like myself enough to change, how could I expect someone else to like me.It starts with me.

Anyway, I told them about Muata's , Tony's, yours truly' site and encouraged them to read----feed the brain---lose the fat. I hope they do.

If they think I'm a little weird---oh well---less fat & weird is better than more fat & weird.

See ya down the road and get your ass in gear and make a change for the better, you deserve it.

Pearl of Wisdom form the mind of WEL
Yesterday is gone,no telling about tomorrow,you only control today.