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
Monday, August 31, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, August 10, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, August 3, 2009
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.
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.
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