http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal.asp?id=LRB605 LRB605's Blog on SparkPeople, home of free diet plans and a healthy living community http://assets2.sparkpeople.com/assets/nav/logo_spark.gif http://www.sparkpeople.com/ http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4900195 Another school year has come to a close. It is always tough the last few days of school. There are so many thing to do to finish up the year but they were accomplished. It is also hard to eat right during this time because of the graduation events and other things. Not sure if I did a 100% yes but it was within reason. So now for a summer of different things to accomplish. I have to get to my target weight so the next doctor visit will be a good one. Sun, 27 May 2012 17:11:10 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4879216 Woohoo! I lost a pound this week. Didn't think I was going to lose any. Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers!!! I am so thankful for my mom both of them. Both you might say? I am adopted so I have a birth mother who I never got to meet and my mother who raised and nurtured me. So thankful for both of them!!!! For without them...I wouldn't be here and be who I am. Sun, 13 May 2012 09:43:18 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4865232 I was talking to a friend just the other day and I asked how much weight had he lost. He told me he had lost 43 pounds. While not on Sparkpeople, he has accomplished a lot. He told me that I inspired him when I lost so much weight when I first joined Sparkpeople. He said " If you can do it I can too!" It made me realize that we show people that you can lose weight. So keep on losing...people are watching. Thu, 3 May 2012 19:18:43 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4856823 I almost put "great" in the title of this blog. It truly was a great <BR> Saturday. I was able to participate in our city cleanup day. Our group cleaned up a half mile stretch on the freeway in our town. It was actually more than a half mile because I walked back and forth to cover the area to pick up trash. After that I was able to clean out some gutters on my house. Shortly after that I helped my wife volunteer at a bountiful harvest pickup. We helped set up and clean up. So today ... Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:00:37 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4846260 Last week was truly a busy week. My wife and I (with several others) took 10 teenagers to a school competition in St. Cloud, MN. They did great in the competitions. The biggest competition for me was to make sure that I didn't gain a lot of weight back. I only gained one pound. I was able to choose what I ate on two of the three meals each day but was unable to each control what was offered on the noon meals. Overall I think it was a great success! <em>279</em> Sun, 22 Apr 2012 08:56:20 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4838559 Today started out pretty busy and stressful. But at the end of the day all was accomplished and ready for a big week. What made it even greater is that I lost 2 pounds this past week. Alright!!!! Mon, 16 Apr 2012 23:41:05 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4835261 I started this morning not knowing what I was going to be able to accomplish. But after a great first three hours of the day, I had accomplished three things: getting a haircut, meeting someone for a gift of photo paper and cleaning our church building. After that I was able to spend some time with my oldest son and grandson. I remember that when I first started Sparkpeople one of the motivators was to make a collage of pictures of your loved family with a quote to motivate you. I made tha... Sat, 14 Apr 2012 21:04:29 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4833044 Everything is on schedule today. Exercised, healthy breakfast eaten......Hanging in there. Feeling great! <em>224</em> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:31:35 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4831516 Just a quick blog....I am on track and getting back into the swing of things. Feels good to be on the right track again. Thanks to everyone for the nice comments and support. I need it! Thu, 12 Apr 2012 08:59:16 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4830349 Third day is doing great! I was a little late getting started with my cardio but I got it in. And to avoid just watching the clock while I exercised I read about Flytying which I do as one of my many hobbies . I have been true to eating the required number of calories and drinking my water these past two days. It is all coming back!!! No, not the weight but the memories of losing weight. Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:59:53 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4828386 All right! Made the second day with my exercise....20 minute resistance band work out. I am realizing that there are muscles there that haven't been used for a while. But keeping with it. I know you say it is only the second day. But it is each day that counts! Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:13:32 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4826562 Wow I should look at what was accomplished before I got off my healthy track. I know where my down fall took place. I have just gotten over being sick this weekend ( that is another story that I won't share). But I lost 5 pounds. So I said....why not a good start....so I am back again. I know that it is critical for the first 2 weeks to 30 days so I am relying on my support group! <em>41</em> Mon, 9 Apr 2012 08:31:16 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4514775 Well....I lost a two pounds! Doesn't seem like much but after setting on the same weight for about three weeks...I am glad. I went to the doctor but my cholesterol was still high. I have six months to get it back to acceptable level. I do not want to have to get back on the medicine. Keep on doing the basics...I keep telling myself this! Sun, 2 Oct 2011 09:00:45 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4504274 I have completed my third week. I am exercising again eating healthy again and my weight is just staying the same. I know...I know give it time. It is frustrating but it will happen. Other than that frustration...I feel great and the clothes are starting to get loose again. Awesome! Mon, 26 Sep 2011 07:50:51 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4490268 This is the completion of the second week of my journey back to healthy living. I traveled to Denver this week for a conference but was able to do some of my cardio. So I made it up today. I also got to spend sometime with my two sons and my grandson. It is always great to sepend time with family. So onward to week 3....it is getting easier each week! Sat, 17 Sep 2011 21:50:41 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4480146 After over a year of not exercising consistently, I made it through the first week with three days of using my elliptical trainer! I even played some wiffle ball at school with the kids at break time. I exercised 15 minutes this morning and will do the last 15 for the day in the evening. But I know now that I can do it again! Mon, 12 Sep 2011 08:31:37 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4478008 Today was my 6th day back on track with my healthy living journey. I woke up this morning and had my favorite breakfast...oatmeal with raisins of course...and decided to go fly my radio controlled airplanes. After about an hour of flying...no crashes.... I returned home to my loving wife who convinced me that going to yard sales would be fun. Of course I agreed and walked probably about a half a mile. It was so busy at the street/area yard sale you had to park quite aways from the place. ... Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:02:23 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4468924 Got up this morning and did a few minutes of elliptical trainer. I know you shouldn't do this day after day but I figured that I needed the routine. So looking forward to day three! Tue, 6 Sep 2011 08:33:17 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4466983 I am getting back on track. I have too! I do not want to get back on the medicine to take care of cholesterol again so I got to do it ...... again. Mon, 5 Sep 2011 08:13:42 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=3514397 Well, today is an exciting day for me anyway! I decided to get back on track with my eating, exercise and overall discipline for weight loss. I lost 3 pounds this week. Woohoo.....Yes......Awesome! Ok...Ok... that is a little overboard but I am excited. The system works...you just have to be faithful and disciplined about it. That is the hard part but it can be done. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <em>30</em> <em>244</em> <em>244</em> Sun, 8 Aug 2010 08:02:41 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=3504708 I have decided to get back on track. I have gained some weight and not been serious about my weight loss journey. I know what needs to be done and I am going to do it. So back to the discipline I go.....I will need some help which I can get here at Spark people. Thu, 5 Aug 2010 00:09:42 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=3281770 Yes it is time to confess. I was headed for the last few pounds of my weight loss goal and old ways set me back. The horizon was looking good but I had a rough week. I gained three pounds. Next my wife and I went to see my youngest son graduate from college. After a trip of 14.5 hours one way plus the return trip, eating at restaurants, and eating at a friends house, I gained 3 more pounds back. Is it the end of the road? No, I will just set my goal time back a bit and get back on the ... Sun, 30 May 2010 09:47:00 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=3210731 After about three weeks of maintaining my weight at 202, this morning I stepped on the scale and I had lost a pound. I know that it is not a great amount but that I hope is the beginning of the last of my weight I am trying to lose. I am looking forward to the remaining time. The biggest benefit I have reaped so far is my getting off my cholesterol medicine. That is my biggest accomplishment! <BR> <BR> <em>250</em> Sun, 9 May 2010 12:09:29 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=3158877 Another week of holding my own. I haven't been diligent about about using my elliptical as I should have been. But I did other things to make up for it. So I am staying with the program. Sooner or later it will happen. Sun, 25 Apr 2010 14:24:43 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=3134613 After a long road trip with my students this past week, I was not sure of the outcome with the scale today. I was concerned because I was going to have to eat out this past week and not be able to eat the wonderful food my wife has been fixing for me. I was able to eat healthy this past week though. I made sure that I even exercised when I was able to on this trip. Then today I weighed and found out that I was still at the weight I was last week. I think that is an accomplishment. Everyo... Sun, 18 Apr 2010 23:28:22 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=3108028 On each Sunday I weigh to see what the result of the weeks work has been. I am still at the same weight I have been for about three weeks. At least I am holding my own. I am still excited that I am having to get new clothes because the ones I use to wear aren't fitting as they once did!! This next week is going to be a struggle because I am going on a trip with about 8 students and we are going to have to eat at restaurants, etc. I am resting in the fact that I have learned healthy eatin... Sun, 11 Apr 2010 23:35:41 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=3072901 Yes!!!! Woohoo!!! I did it!!! We did it!!! I just got back from my 6 month doctor visit. Last October I went to the doctor and as a result I decided to get serious about losing weight. I found Spark People by accident and joined. Now 6 months later, my cholesterol is overall 138. My doctor was very excited and asked how I did it. Of course, I told him about Spark People and he asked for the website address so he could recommend it to other people. My blood pressure was still not wha... Fri, 2 Apr 2010 12:03:02 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=3053142 As the title says a lot has happened since my last blog. My son had to have knee surgery because of a torn ligament. He had the surgery in the town where he is going to school (Indiana). He came through the surgery just fine. I had a little trouble getting home because of the snow storm in Denver last week but I made it. I was not able to stay on my diet while at his college but I did not gain any weight that week. But this week I got off the diet and splurged a little. I gained one po... Sun, 28 Mar 2010 16:52:24 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2998845 I missed writing my blog entry last week. I have not gain or lost any weight for the past 3 weeks. I have kept myself on my caloric intake and exercise time. I am not going to give up because I have accomplished so much. This has been the best time! I have met terrific people, been encouraged by those same people and been encouraged to hang in there! I will!! Thanks everyone! Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:11:34 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2940511 I guess I have reached my plateau. I weighed in this morning and I am still at 202 pounds. Just a few more pounds and I will have reached my goal. I have determined that I will keep on keeping on and keep my healthy life style. This is the best I have felt in years. <BR> <em>104</em> Sun, 28 Feb 2010 22:31:18 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2909612 One of the hazards about being a principal/teacher in a school is what you are called upon to do at times. We are a private school and therefore do not have the funding that is available to other schools. For one of our fund raisers we have a "Bakeoff" for the students. The students with help from parents (if they are small) bake items ranging from cakes to nutritional foods. While some of these items turn out not so great, there are items that do turn out very "great"! And of course you... Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:17:41 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2879678 Happy Valentine Day everyone! I hope that you have been blessed by this day. I know that I have. I meet my Valentine about 39 years ago. She was sitting on a public school bus...the bus that we took to school. I was smitten by her beauty (still am too) that day. And it was a journey that began the many years we have been married! Have there been bumps in the road...yes but we smoothed them out! Will there be bumps in the future probably ( we are still human but we will smooth them out... Sun, 14 Feb 2010 09:19:48 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2852656 It is weigh in day. I was pleased that the loss was 1.5 pounds. Once again the effort...the faithfulness to the plan.....and a positive attitude has brought success. The things that have been given to me though Sparkpeople have given me a new outlook on my health. This truly is one of the best gifts that could have been given to me. Thanks Sparkpeople!!!! <BR> <BR> <BR> <em>304</em> Sun, 7 Feb 2010 15:37:55 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2844042 It has been 4 months since I started on Sparkpeople. I can remember the uncertainties and the concerns about how it would all end. I had lost a few pounds here and there before I found Sparkpeople but I decided to get serious. I measured my waist today and I have lost 5 and 3/4 inches. I am getting closer to my goal. I am keeping myself focused and exercising. Thank you Sparkpeople! <BR> <BR> <BR> <em>334</em> <em>224</em> <em>244</em> Fri, 5 Feb 2010 09:54:50 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2820054 It is that time again and I wasn't sure if I would be in the plus column. I weighed in and have lost a pound. It was a so so week. I did have a couple of events that could have put me in the negative column but I remained focused and held my ground. I have also kinda pre-measured (I have four days to go before it is actually a month) my waist and I like the results. I will check in in four days! <BR> <BR> <em>30</em> Sun, 31 Jan 2010 10:44:22 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2788672 Another success! Successes like this are addicting. I have been really diligent about my caloric intake and my exercise routine this week. I made sure that I exercised my recommended time ( well... all but 5 minutes) and consumed healthy foods this week. I made sure that I had at least 2 or more fruits each day. I made sure that I drank at least 8 cups of water... some days even more. When I stepped on the scale this morning, I have lost 5.5 pounds this week. It isn't all about the weig... Sun, 24 Jan 2010 09:39:45 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2756395 I was pretty down last week when I did my Sunday weigh in. I had gained three pounds and it was my fault. I had enjoyed myself a little....no a lot at a couple of events that I had attended. But I determined that I was going to do what I should do and watch my calories and do some extra exercise. I added some extra minutes to my exercise routine just 10 minutes each exercise day which I did at a different time. As a result I lost 1.5 pounds. That is a big encouragement to me! Coupled wi... Sun, 17 Jan 2010 09:04:26 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2750330 I know it probably will not seem like a big accomplishment for some but I was able to bend over and touch my toes! I don't know when the last time that I was able to do that because of the spare tire that I had around my waist. I know that the tire still has to get smaller but I am so proud of myself if I do say so myself. <BR> <BR> <em>104</em> <em>243</em> <em>244</em> <em>224</em> Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:49:18 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2722446 Well I guess I need to make a sign that says what the title of this blog is. I didn't stay on track this week and as a result I gained three pounds. I am glad that I ordered the Spark because it will help me to focus once again. I know what I need to do but I just wasn't being focused about it. So I have kicked myself enough....it is behind me and I can do it! Sun, 10 Jan 2010 08:21:11 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2684732 I can't believe that it has been three months! It has been an interesting journey so far. I began to lose very rapidly at first but now the rate is pretty consistent. I am losing about a pound a week. I am thankful that it is still coming off. I have enjoyed the reaction of people though. When I had lost about 20 something pounds people began to say have you lost weight? Some comments were you are skin and bones....you are withering away to nothing. (I must have been pleasingly plump!) ... Sun, 3 Jan 2010 10:49:33 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2659246 Yeehaw...woohoo....yes.......I can't believe it. I was concerned about this morning. I have been weighing in on Sunday mornings. To be honest I didn't do that well on portion control these past few days. My wife tried to fix healthier foods for the hoilday but she did the best she could. So when I stepped on the scale this morning I was hoping for just a maintained weight. But the scale said I lost a pound. I couldn't believe it. I am encouraged and ready to keep going. Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:13:29 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2646537 It is weigh in day. Last week I had not gained anything but I also had not lost anything either. So I stepped on the scale and there was a half a pound gone. I know it isn't much but maybe my body is ready to start losing again. So this week is the week to have a lot of self control. I must make sure that I am eating properly and exercising at least my weekly requirement. May be it will snow again this week and I can burn some calories by shoveling snow!! Merry Christmas and Happy Holida... Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:58:09 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2639697 I am getting ready for the last day of school. Our school is different than most. While other teachers are constantly changing classes ans students, I get to work with the same group of students each day. I must say that we have a good group of students this year. While they have different learning abilities ( don't we all), each day is new day to help them learn many new ideas and concepts. But I do like the time off for the Christmas holidays. Everybody needs a little time to relax and... Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:58:40 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2630079 Weigh in day.... and the results are in! I am the same weight that I was last time. I guess I have reached a "plateau". I didn't do any extra exercise but I made sure that I did exercise the amount I needed to this week. I even got some snow shoveling in this week. I just need to realize that one day I will reach a plateau and it will be the weight that I am striving to reach. So I continue down this journey. I am healthier, happier, and eating healthier these days. It is getting easi... Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:42:47 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2613718 I wish I could say that about the happenings that are going on around me. But I can't...they just seem to keep the same speed. I stepped on the scale this morning and it was half a pound gone since last week. I figured I had reached a plateau but I was able squeak out another half a pound. I think because I didn't walk as much as I have these past 3 weekends my exercise is going to have to pick up some. I am going to have to make sure I stay at the lower end of calorie intake. That will... Sun, 6 Dec 2009 09:15:27 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2595014 As I weighed in today, I was hoping for the best. I didn't know what to expect after this week. We had family over and we had a great Thanksgiving. It was helpful that two of our relatives are losing weight as well. My wife went to great lengths to make sure that everything she fixed was low calorie. And I probably did eat a little too much on Thursday. I also didn't exercise as much on Friday as I needed to exercise. I went hunting with a friend and we didn't walk as much as we did a c... Sun, 29 Nov 2009 08:19:43 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2580153 Weigh In day today!! I had resolved my self to the fact that I was probably going to have gained some weight. But I didn't I lost one and a half pounds. This past week was a very hectic week. We had a special three day meeting to celebrate the 30th year anniversary of our church. We had a special dinner on Sunday and yes there a lot of good high calorie food there. I did the best I could and choose the low calorie ones. And a friend took us out to eat at a restaurant where they cook the o... Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:01:44 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2562426 I was really concerned this morning! I have my whole family here this weekend. My youngest son is here for a special event at our church..he is in college in Indiana. So my oldest son, youngest son and I went out to eat yesterday at noon. Hardees. Yep fast food heaven! I usually look on the internet to get the low down on what is low in sodium but I didn't have time. So I was blindsided by the Southwest chicken salad. I ate the salad and almost all the shell. When I got home...oh boy was... Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:21:29 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2543580 Check in day again! I am getting use to getting up on Sunday morning and doing all my measurements. I can be thankful again. I stepped up on the scale and it showed that my weight loss was 4 pounds. My other measurements are coming down just a little slower. The benefits are great! Not just the benefits for me but my wife is losing weight as well! I can be thankful this month...no I can be thankful all the time! <BR> <BR> <em>30</em> Sun, 8 Nov 2009 08:09:11 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2542719 Today started with my getting to feed one of my hobbies. It required me to be outdoors and be a little cold. But it was something that I had not done for a while. I was privileged to have two friends along as well. And then it was off to do some work at our church. I am at home now kinda resting but I have to go out again. I thought today was going to be a slow day but maybe it will slow down eventually. Sat, 7 Nov 2009 19:35:39 EST