My TransAmerica journey has ended! Maybe.

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

I walked/ran/biked across the USA!



It was a virtual journey but nevertheless a journey of over 4,000 miles. Very interesting health tool with pictures showing where you are as you leave the Atlantic coast in Virginia and head for the Pacific coast in Oregon. The trip was supposed to be 4063 miles long but I am at 4069.3 and still have no view of the Pacific so am wondering what is up. Usually, you get a message showing how far it is to the next town or landmark. I have none. I guess I need to keep tracking my miles and see what happens.


Here's what I did today in my effort to reach the Pacific:
1. Called off sick from work. Hey, I have to use them or lose them and there aren't many 62 degree sunny days in November in Pittsburgh.
2. Walked 4 miles while listening to Coffee Break French.
3. Biked 12 miles.
4. Ran 4 miles in Mingo Creek Park where it looks like a very interesting trail is under construction.


Sounded like I was dying when I got up this morning and called off. Then my throat cleared and I had no cold symptoms or knee problems during my 3 workouts.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HEALTHIERKEN 11/3/2011 3:11PM

20 miles while sick ; ) You're a superman!!!!!! Good luck finding the Pacific - - are you Lewis or Clark????? Report Inappropriate Comment

LINDAKAY228 11/3/2011 10:34AM

Awesome job! I'm in Oregon right now and nearing the end of my journey too. Report Inappropriate Comment

BILLALEX70 11/3/2011 8:26AM

Great job Ray! Report Inappropriate Comment

PRINCESSNURSE 11/3/2011 6:24AM

Maybe you will end up in the ocean? Report Inappropriate Comment

JOPAPGH 11/2/2011 8:30PM

Hard to play hookie when you work virtual. People just call you anyway. WooHoo on the exercise triad! Report Inappropriate Comment

Week 2 report.

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

This was a challenging week. I had a bad cold for most of the week and was stuck in training for 2 days that involved driving over an hour each way, sitting for 8.5 hours each day, and having to eat the provided meals.


Lost 1 pound.


Had no Diet Coke.


Had no beer on 4 days and no 3rd beer any day.


No upper body strength training. No time to get to the gym. Should have done some at home.


No biking. Cold and cold weather to blame.


After 2 weeks with run/walk totals of 8.1 and 11.5 miles due to a non-running freak knee injury, I was able to get about 29 miles in for the second week in a row and this week had more running. Knee is now 95% better so will get in 30's this week. Cold is 85% gone.

Not a really good week but considering the circumstances, not too bad. My target weight loss is 1.5 a week so I am on track there although I had hoped to lose 2 pounds a week for the first few weeks.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LKEITHO 11/1/2011 2:39PM

Every pound lost counts! Good job! Report Inappropriate Comment

JOPAPGH 11/1/2011 8:38AM

I would classify as a good week with all factors considered. on no third (beer). Report Inappropriate Comment

CAROLCRC 11/1/2011 7:52AM

Glad you are feeling better. Impressed you got as much done and lost while going to training. When they put food in front of me, it's always my downfall. Report Inappropriate Comment

JEM0622 11/1/2011 7:36AM

Good stuff...especially that the cold is clearing! Report Inappropriate Comment

PRINCESSNURSE 11/1/2011 7:01AM

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CRAZYMAMA46 11/1/2011 6:34AM

Getting something in is good. Keep up the work and stay focused. I know how hard it is to try and stay on track and be away from your routine. You are doing good. Report Inappropriate Comment

What I found running Saturday morning.

Monday, October 31, 2011

What I first found Saturday morning, to my great surprise, was

enough snow on my car and in my yard to make a small snowman.

But what I found running that morning was



a little finger monster.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HEALTHIERKEN 10/31/2011 4:07PM

Sounds like your morning jaunts are treasure hunts in disguise! Fun : ) Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNSCREENISGOOD 10/31/2011 2:58PM

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LKEITHO 10/31/2011 11:59AM

Perfect for Halloween! Report Inappropriate Comment

BELSNICKEL 10/31/2011 11:55AM

combimation run and treasure hunt. Super!! Report Inappropriate Comment

CAPTHAMMER 10/31/2011 10:03AM

You crack me up. Thanks for the early morning chuckle. Report Inappropriate Comment

SP_COACH_NANCY 10/31/2011 9:41AM

Aww, that is too AWESOME!!! BOOOOOO!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

GAILRUU 10/31/2011 9:39AM

Just in time for Halloween! Report Inappropriate Comment

Naked salads.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Is this Emoticon a salad? I can't tell. But if it isn't, why the heck doesn't SparkPeople have a salad Emoticon???

As part of my renewed effort to lose weight, I now am not using any salad dressing on my salads.


What I had forgotten from when I did this about 2 years ago, is the reaction you get when you tell a waiter that you want no dressing. So far, I have heard, "Really? Are you serious?" "So, you are eating like a rabbit now?" "How about a little something on the side."

That last comment made me laugh because it came from a very nice looking waitress and it was a struggle not to make some comment about it.


But the best part of having no dressing on my salad is that I now get the full taste of all the salad ingredients. Some of which, like olives and tomatoes, keep the salad from being too dry and I really am enjoying this weight saving measure.


Which is not to say that I will not get blue cheese dressing (on the side) once I hit my goal weight. But I think I will be using less of it than I once did.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DEEJ4FITNESS 10/31/2011 8:37AM

Sounds GREAT!! :) I have a brother who has never eaten salad dressing; the very idea repulses him LOL And you're so right, to leave it off or barely drizzle something very light allows us to enjoy the flavor of our food without covering it up!!! Your body will be saying THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU as it slurps up all the flavor & nutrItion!! GO YOU! Report Inappropriate Comment

LKEITHO 10/30/2011 10:41PM

Not making a comment to that waitress must have taken a lot of will power! Report Inappropriate Comment

BELSNICKEL 10/30/2011 4:11PM

I like your biog. keeping finding the lighter side. Report Inappropriate Comment

BILLALEX70 10/30/2011 2:02PM

I love Newman's own lite balssmic. Only 35 calories for 2 tbsp! Report Inappropriate Comment

HOLISTICDETOXER 10/30/2011 1:31PM

A squeeze of lemon juice is often just as good! Report Inappropriate Comment

CAPTHAMMER 10/30/2011 10:04AM

Like you, when I started on SparkPeople I prioritized where my calories came from. My refrigerator is stocked with tasty fat free/low fat dressings but salads away from home are a minefield. My mom's in a retirement community and we often eat in the restaurant there. Having no fat free choices, I started ordering salads with no dressing. Experienced exactly the same kind of responses you've received and also found that the salads, though simple, are really quite tasty naked. for healthy discoveries. Report Inappropriate Comment

GAYLLYNNE 10/30/2011 10:04AM

I'm not a big fan of dressing but I buy the fat free kind and use just about a tbls on my salad. It's all I need. Congrats on your goals!! Report Inappropriate Comment

JOPAPGH 10/30/2011 10:02AM

I can get by with 1 tsp dressing, just drizzled over the top. Just enough, without being overpowering. Report Inappropriate Comment

MIAMIA7 10/30/2011 9:36AM

Great idea! I actually have never liked salad dressing. I agree that it makes you enjoy all the flavors in the actual salad. Sometimes depending on the salad I add salsa to the top. Anne Report Inappropriate Comment

Week 1 report.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Lost 2 pounds.


Had no Diet Coke.


Had a 3rd beer only once and no beer twice.


Upper body strength training twice (it's been a while)


Biked twice.

I'm satisfied with the week. Had planned to get to a Spinning class but schedule sabotaged me. Also need to be a little more complete on Nutrition Tracking but got a few 100% days after months without one.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JOPAPGH 10/30/2011 10:07AM

Here's to another great week of nutrition and exercise. Report Inappropriate Comment

LIGHTNINGRUNNER 10/25/2011 2:59PM

Great job Ray - wish I could say I see 2 pounds of loss. Report Inappropriate Comment

CAROLCRC 10/25/2011 8:23AM

For me it's the glass of wine at night... sigh. Congrats on a great start. Report Inappropriate Comment

HEALTHIERKEN 10/24/2011 11:40PM

Great week! Especial congratulations re: beer : ) I find giving up my pre-dinner drink one of the most difficult aspects of strict calorie-control. Report Inappropriate Comment

LKEITHO 10/24/2011 10:31PM

Great first week! Report Inappropriate Comment

WATERMELLEN 10/24/2011 6:05PM

You get this! And are doing great! Report Inappropriate Comment

BELSNICKEL 10/24/2011 5:19PM

Sounds like a good week Report Inappropriate Comment