Back On Track

Hopefully getting back on track again today. I have a doctor appointment in three weeks, it would be nice to have my weight nice and low (well, within reason, of course)...

Diet Update

Breakfast 4/3:
Food	Category: Servings
South Beach bar	Grains: 2
8 oz light yogurt	Dairy: 1
Apple	Fruit: 1
62 oz water	n/a
20 oz coffee	n/a

Lunch 4/3:
Food	Category: Servings
Ham (3 oz) and pepper jack (1 oz) on wheat w/ mustard	Protein: 3 Dairy: 1 Grains: 2
9 oz salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 3
3 oz carrots	Veggies: 1
Banana	Fruit: 1
32 oz water	n/a
10 oz tea	n/a

Afternoon Snack 4/3:
Food	Category: Servings
6 oz celery	Veggies: 2

Dinner 4/3:
Food	Category: Servings
4 oz ham	Protein: 4
6 oz potatoes	Grains: 2
Green beans	Veggies: 1
12 oz water	n/a

Evening Snack 4/3:
Food	Category: Servings
Popcorn	Grains: .5
Crackers	Grains: .5

Totals for 4/3:
Category	Servings
Grains	7
Veggies	8
Fruits	2
Protein	7
Dairy	2
Fats	0
Extra	0

Exercise for 4/3:
Type	Duration/Sets
Aerobic	Recumbent bike: 30 min Treadmill: 15 min

Weight Update

Weight as of 5 AM 4/2: 197.0

So ends my first full week without McConnell. Looks like I'll need to revisit my portion sizes again...

I Lead a Boring Life

Sorry. I thought I had something interesting to say today. Unfortunately, I was wrong...

Diet Update

Breakfast 4/2:
Food	Category: Servings
South Beach bar	Grains: 2
8 oz light yogurt	Dairy: 1
Banana	Fruit: 1
10 oz water	n/a
10 oz coffee	n/a

Lunch 4/2:
Food	Category: Servings
Roast beef and pork	Protein: 3
Scalloped potatoes	Grains: 2 Extra: 1
6 oz salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 2
Green beans	Veggies: 2
Apple dump cake	Extra: 1
10 oz water	n/a
10 oz coffee	n/a

Dinner 4/2 (Max & Erma's):
Food	Category: Servings
Fish & chips	Protein: 6 Grains: 2 Fats: 1
Cole slaw	Veggies: 1 Fats: 1
2 small tossed salads w/ bleu cheese on the side	Veggies: 4 Dairy: 1 Fats: 1
Cup of tortilla soup	Extra: 2
36 oz water	n/a

Totals for 4/2:
Category	Servings
Grains	6
Veggies	8
Fruits	1
Protein	9
Dairy	2
Fats	4
Extra	4

Exercise for 4/2:
Type	Duration/Sets
Aerobic	Walkin' the neighborhood with the in-laws: 60 min

The Pearl

Mmmmmmmmmm........ Amy and I are back in NE OH today, and we were able to get dinner from my favorite Chinese restaurant. Noone makes szechuan chicken like them.

Diet Update

Breakfast 4/1:
Food	Category: Servings
Bagel w/ butter	Grains: 2 Fats: 1
"Fake bacon"	Protein: 2
8 oz light yogurt	Dairy: 1
Banana and clementine	Fruit: 1
20 oz water	n/a
20 oz coffee	n/a

Lunch 4/1 (Pizza Pan):
Food	Category: Servings
Pepperoni pizza	Protein: 1 Dairy: 1 Grains: 3
7 oz salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 2
3 oz carrots	Veggies: 1
Banana and clementine	Fruit: 1
20 oz water	n/a

Dinner 4/1 (Pearl of Hunan):
Food	Category: Servings
Szechuan Chicken	Protein: 5 Veggies: 1 Grains: 4 Extra: 2
Veggie egg roll	Veggies: 1 Fats: 1
6 oz salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 2
Fortune cookie	Extra: 1
20 oz water	n/a

Totals for 4/1:
Category	Servings
Grains	9
Veggies	7
Fruits	2
Protein	8
Dairy	2
Fats	2
Extra	3

Sorry

My friend, Piglet, says I'm supposed to entertain her with things I write in my blog. Sorry, Piglet, I got nothing...

Diet Update

Breakfast 3/31:
Food	Category: Servings
South Beach bar	Grains: 2
8 oz light yogurt	Dairy: 1
Apple	Fruit: 1
62 oz water	n/a
20 oz coffee	n/a

Lunch 3/31:
Food	Category: Servings
Turkey (4 oz) and cheddar (1 oz) on ciabatta	Protein: 4 Dairy: 1 Grains: 2
15 oz salad w/ bleu cheese	Veggies: 5 Fats: 2
32 oz water	n/a
20 oz coffee	n/a

Afternoon Snack 3/31:
Food	Category: Servings
9 oz salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 3

Dinner 3/31 (Boston Market):
Food	Category: Servings
Meat loaf and gravy	Protein: 5 Fats: 1
Mashed po-ta-toes with gravy	Grains: 2 Fats: 1
Caesar side salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 1
Cornbread muffin	Grains: 1
40 oz lemonade	n/a

Totals for 3/31:
Category	Servings
Grains	7
Veggies	9
Fruits	1
Protein	9
Dairy	2
Fats	4
Extra	0

Exercise for 3/31:
Type	Duration/Sets
Strength	Abs/back: 10 min
Aerobic	Treadmill: 30 min Recumbent bike: 15 min

Six (Business) Days

Continuing the "gettin' out of AOL" countdown....

Diet Update

Breakfast :
Food	Category: Servings
South Beach bar	Grains: 2
8 oz light yogurt	Dairy: 1
Peaches	Fruit: 1
64 oz water	n/a
20 oz coffee	n/a

Morning Snack :
Food	Category: Servings
10 oz coffee	n/a
Apple	Fruit: 1

Lunch (Winking Lizard):
Food	Category: Servings
Open faced steak sammich	Protein: 4 Grains: 1
Fries	Grains: 1
Big House Salad w/ bleu cheese on the side	Veggies: 4 Fats: 1
24 oz water	n/a

Afternoon Snack :
Food	Category: Servings
Carrots	Veggies: 1
Celery	Veggies: 1

Dinner :
Food	Category: Servings
Chicken pizza	Protein: 4 Grains: 4 Dairy: 2
24 oz water	n/a

Totals for :
Category	Servings
Grains	8
Veggies	6
Fruits	2
Protein	8
Dairy	3
Fats	1
Extra	0

Exercise for :
Type	Duration/Sets
Strength	Abs/back: 10 min
Aerobic	Walkin' the neighborhood: 45 min

Nope

Not much today. Sorry...

Diet Update

Breakfast :
Food	Category: Servings
South Beach bar	Grains: 2
8 oz light yogurt	Dairy: 1
Banana	Fruit: 1
40 oz water	n/a
20 oz coffee	n/a

Lunch :
Food	Category: Servings
18 oz salad w/ fat free italian	Veggies: 6
Banana	Fruit: 1
10 oz coffee	n/a
10 oz tea	n/a

Afternoon Snack :
Food	Category: Servings
Carrots	Veggies: 1
Lettuce	Veggies: 2

Dinner (Damon's):
Food	Category: Servings
Chargrilled prime rib	Protein: 8
Baked potato	Grains: 3 Fats: 1
Onion straws	Fats: 1
Small salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 1
Bread and butter	Grains: 1 Fats: 1
48 oz iced tea	n/a

Totals for :
Category	Servings
Grains	6
Veggies	10
Fruits	2
Protein	8
Dairy	1
Fats	3
Extra	0

Exercise for :
Type	Duration/Sets
Strength	Ab/back: 10 min
Aerobic	Treadmill: 15 min Recumbent bike: 30 min Walkin' with my sweetie: 30 min

Eight (Business) Days

Exciting news! I'm getting ready to leave my job at AOL for new horizons. My last day with AOL is currently scheduled for 4/7, though I'm a bit worried that I may be escorted out before then. I'll have a couple of weeks off, then I'll start in with Rescentris, Ltd. It'll be a good opportunity for me.

Diet Update

Breakfast 3/28:
Food	Category: Servings
South Beach bar	Grains: 2
8 oz light yogurt	Dairy: 1
Banana	Fruit: 1
40 oz water	n/a
20 oz coffee	n/a

Lunch 3/28:
Food	Category: Servings
Left-over General Tso's chicken with white rice	Protein: 3 Grains: 2 Extra: 1
6 oz salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 2
3 oz carrots	Veggies: 1
Banana	Fruit: 1
20 oz coffee	n/a

Afternoon Snack 3/28:
Food	Category: Servings
3 oz carrots	Veggies: 1
32 oz water	n/a

Dinner 3/28 (Don Pablo's):
Food	Category: Servings
Steak fajitas w/ extra veggies	Protein: 4 Veggies: 4 Grains: 1 Dairy: 1 Fats: 1
Mexican rice	Grains: 1
Refried beans	Protein: 1
Chips and salsa	Grains: 1
48 oz water	n/a

Totals for 3/28:
Category	Servings
Grains	7
Veggies	8
Fruits	2
Protein	8
Dairy	2
Fats	2
Extra	1

*$#@ Starbucks

*$#@ Starbucks and their *$#@ stupid size names...

Since starting this little "exercise in the morning" thing, I've stopped every morning at the Starbucks a couple blocks from work for my morning cuppa. I always order the largest cup of whichever regular coffee floats my boat that morning. Said "largest cup" is called, inexplicably, "venti". Now, I've been ordering this for the past six months, so you'd think I'd have gotten it down by now, but this morning, I was thrown off my game. First, I was more tired than usual, and second, as I was getting ready to order, one of the employees handed a cup of something or another to a patron and proclaimed it as a "tall" whats-it. Which, of course, is their small. Unfortunately, to my sleep-sodden head, "tall" sounded big, so I ordered one. It wasn't until I got the wrong change back that I had realized my mistake. *$#@ Starbucks. I wish there was a Caribou on the way to work...

All of which reminds me that when I grow up, I'm going to own my own coffee shop. I'm not going to do the Starbucks fru-fru naming convention, no siree. I'm going to have size names that make sense:

• 8 oz - "Wee"
• 12 oz - "Little"
• 16 oz - "Middlin'"
• 20 oz - "Big"
• 24 oz - "FRIGGIN' HUGE!!!"

Customers will get a discount if they pronounce any of the names with a fake Scottish accent.

None of which, of course, has anything to do with the purpose of this blog, so I'll shut up now :)

Diet Update

Breakfast 3/27:
Food	Category: Servings
South Beach bar	Grains: 2
8 oz light yogurt	Dairy: 1
Banana	Fruit: 1
Pineapple	Fruit: 1
32 oz water	n/a
32 oz coffee	n/a

I had a cup of tea between breakfast and lunch.

Lunch 3/27:
Food	Category: Servings
Roast beast (3 oz) and pepper jack (1 oz) on wheat w/ mustard	Protein: 3 Dairy: 1 Grains: 2
9 oz salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 3
Banana	Fruit: 1
32 oz water	n/a

Afternoon Snack 3/27:
Food	Category: Servings
Carrots and celery	Veggies: 3
Hot tea	n/a

Dinner 3/27 (Old Bag o' Nails):
Food	Category: Servings
Fish & chips	Protein: 6 Grains: 2 Fats: 1
Large pub house salad w/bleu cheese on the side	Veggies: 3 Dairy: 1 Fats: 1
Cole slaw	Veggies: 1 Fats: 1
25 oz water	n/a
Blueberry sorbet (from Graeter's)	Fruit: 1

Totals for 3/27:
Category	Servings
Grains	6
Veggies	10
Fruits	4
Protein	9
Dairy	3
Fats	3
Extra	0

Exercise for 3/27:
Type	Duration/Sets
Strength	Ab/back: 10 min
Aerobic	Treadmill: 30 Recumbent bike: 15

Just Hanging Out

What started out as a day full of promise ended up a pretty lazy day. Neither one of us felt overly eager to do much today, so we mostly stayed in, venturing out only for food purposes.

Diet Update

Breakfast 3/26:
Food	Category: Servings
1/4 c (pre cooked) oatmeal w/ 1/3 c dried fruit	Grains: 1 Fruit: 1
8 oz water	n/a
24 oz coffee	n/a

Morning Snack 3/26:
Food	Category: Servings
Cashews	Protein: 1

Lunch 3/26 (Camille's):
Food	Category: Servings
Michaelangelo Grilled Hot Wrap	Protein: 2 Dairy: 1 Grains: 1
Side salad w/ vinagrette	Veggies: 1 Fats: 1
House salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 3 Dairy: 1
20 oz iced tea	n/a

Afternoon Snack 3/26:
Food	Category: Servings
Carrots	Veggies: 1
12 oz pomegranate green tea	n/a

Dinner 3/26 (China Taste:
Food	Category: Servings
General Tso's chicken w/ white rice	Protein: 5 Grains: 2 Extra: 1
6 oz salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 2
Pork egg roll and 2 crab rangoons	Grains: 1 Fats: 1 Veggies: 1
24 oz water	n/a

Totals for 3/26:
Category	Servings
Grains	3
Veggies	7
Fruits	1
Protein	9
Dairy	2
Fats	2
Extra	1

Cincinnati Wine Festival

Fun day today. I met up with my friends, Mike and Bill, and went to the Cincinnati Wine Festival. We found some pretty tasty wines while there, and tasted a few old favorites. I think my taste in wine is changing a little, because I found myself enjoying some of the more mellow reds. Normally, I like the Aussie reds that take your tongue, abuse it with 50 grit sandpaper, pour cigar ashes on it, then stick it in a food dehydrater. It remains to be seen whether this represents a step up in the world...

Diet Update

Breakfast 3/25:
Food	Category: Servings
Potato flip	Grains: 3 Dairy: 1
8 oz water	n/a
24 oz coffee	n/a

Lunch 3/25 (Arby's):
Food	Category: Servings
Martha's vineyard salad	Protein: 2 Veggies: 2 Fruit: 1
Santa fe salad	Veggies: 2 Protein: 2 Dairy: 1
20 oz iced tea	n/a

Afternoon Snack 3/25:
Food	Category: Servings
Untold amounts of wine	n/a
Bread, veggies and fruits	Grains: 1 Veggies: 1 Fruit: 1

Dinner 3/25:
Food	Category: Servings
Pizza	Grains: 2 Protein: 1 Dairy: 1 Fats: 1
4 oz salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 1
30 oz water	n/a

Evening Snack 3/25:
Food	Category: Servings
Carrots	Veggies: 1

Totals for 3/25:
Category	Servings
Grains	6
Veggies	6
Fruits	2
Protein	6
Dairy	3
Fats	1
Extra	0

I Have...

... nothing to add.

Diet Update

Breakfast 3/24:
Food	Category: Servings
South Beach bar	Grains: 2
8 oz light yogurt	Dairy: 1
Peaches	Fruit: 1
40 oz water	n/a
20 oz coffee	n/a

Morning Snack 3/24:
Food	Category: Servings
Celery	Veggies: 2

Lunch 3/24:
Food	Category: Servings
Roast beast (3 oz) and pepper jack (1 oz) on wheat w/ mustard	Protein: 3 Dairy: 1 Grains: 2
6 oz salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 2
Carrots	Veggies: 1
Pineapple	Fruit: 2
20 oz coffee	n/a

Dinner 3/24:
Food	Category: Servings
Beef and veggie fajita/stir-fry/something-or-other (t'was yummy, dagnabit!) over mexican rice	Protein: 6 Veggies: 3 Grains: 2 Dairy: 1 Fats: 1
Doritos	Grains: 1
36 oz water	n/a

Totals for 3/24:
Category	Servings
Grains	7
Veggies	8
Fruits	3
Protein	9
Dairy	3
Fats	1
Extra	0

Six Month Review

I had my six month review with the dietician at McConnell. She reiterated how happy they have been with my progress, and showed me the results of my blood test last week, which seemed to be pretty good. I have an extra month use of the facilities, which is good, since I don't have anything to replace it yet...

Diet Update

Breakfast 3/23:
Food	Category: Servings
South Beach bar	Grains: 2
8 oz light yogurt	Dairy: 1
Apple	Fruit: 1
40 oz water	n/a
20 oz coffee	n/a
14 oz tea	n/a

Lunch 3/23:
Food	Category: Servings
17 oz salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 6
Apple	Fruit: 1
32 oz water	n/a

I had a cup of tea this afternoon, because I've had a belly ache...

Dinner 3/23:
Food	Category: Servings
Gyro and fries (from Nazareth)	Grains: 3 Protein: 4 Fats: 2
Celery	Veggies: 2
24 oz water	n/a

Totals for 3/23:
Category	Servings
Grains	5
Veggies	8
Fruits	2
Protein	4
Dairy	1
Fats	2
Extra	0

Exercise for 3/23:
Type	Duration/Sets
Aerobic	Water aerobics: 60 min

Check-In With McConnell - 3/22

I had my final weekly check-in with McConnell today. It again went well. Tomorrow I have a wrap-up with the dietician, and I'll have a follow up at six months and every year for five years. I have to say, it's been a very positive experience. Or negative, depending on your viewpoint.

Diet Update

Breakfast :
Food	Category: Servings
South Beach bar	Grains: 2
8 oz light yogurt	Dairy: 1
Banana	Fruit: 1
40 oz water	n/a
20 oz coffee	n/a

Lunch :
Food	Category: Servings
19 oz salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 6
Banana	Fruit: 1
14 oz tea	n/a
20 oz coffee	n/a

Afternoon Snack :
Food	Category: Servings
8 oz light yogurt	Dairy: 1
Carrots	Veggies: 1

Dinner (Damon's):
Food	Category: Servings
Prime rib sammich	Protein: 6 Dairy: 1 Grains: 2
Fries	Grains: 2 Fats: 1
Small salad w/ parmesan peppercorn on the side	Veggies: 1 Fats: 1
Bread and butter	Grains: 1 Fats: 1
30 oz water	n/a

Totals for :
Category	Servings
Grains	8
Veggies	8
Fruits	2
Protein	6
Dairy	3
Fats	3
Extra	0

Exercise for :
Type	Duration/Sets
Strength	Upper Body: 20 min Abs/back: 10 min
Aerobic	Recumbent bike: 30 min Treadmill: 15 min

Sick Day Again

Another sick day today. Hopefully back to business tomorrow.

Diet Update

Breakfast 3/21:
Food	Category: Servings
South Beach bar	Grains: 2
Banana	Fruit: 1
8 oz water	n/a
20 oz coffee	n/a

Lunch 3/21:
Food	Category: Servings
Grilled colby jack (2 oz) on wheat	Dairy: 2 Grains: 2
18 oz salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 6
Banana	Fruit: 1
24 oz water	n/a
24 oz green tea	n/a

Afternoon Snack 3/21:
Food	Category: Servings
Carrots	Veggies: 1
Green tea	n/a

Dinner 3/21:
Food	Category: Servings
Turkey brat	Protein: 4
1-1/3 c Pasta-Roni	Grains: 4 Fats: 2
Carrots	Veggies: 1
24 oz water	n/a

Totals for 3/21:
Category	Servings
Grains	8
Veggies	8
Fruits	2
Protein	4
Dairy	2
Fats	2
Extra	0

Nothing New

Nothing new under the sun.

Diet Update

Breakfast 3/20:
Food	Category: Servings
2 slices pepperoni pizza	Grains: 2 Dairy: 1 Protien: 1
Banana	Fruit: 1
20 oz water	n/a

Lunch 3/20:
Food	Category: Servings
Roast beast (3 oz) and pepper jack (2 oz) on wheat w/ mustard	Protein: 3 Dairy: 2 Grains: 2
8 oz salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 3
4 oz mixed veggies	Veggies: 1
Banana	Fruit: 1
36 oz water	n/a
24 oz coffee	n/a

Afternoon Snack 3/20:
Food	Category: Servings
3 oz carrots	Veggies: 1
12 oz water	n/a

Dinner 3/20 (Max & Erma's):
Food	Category: Servings
Bacon & bleu burger (6 oz)	Protein: 6 Grains: 2 Dairy: 1
Fries	Grains: 1 Fats: 1
10 oz salad w/bleu cheese on the side	Veggies: 3 Fats: 1
Cup of tortilla soup	Extra: 2
36 oz iced tea	n/a

Totals for 3/20:
Category	Servings
Grains	7
Veggies	8
Fruits	2
Protein	10
Dairy	4
Fats	2
Extra	2

Weight Update

Weight as of 7 AM 3/20: 196.5

McDonald's Coffee

On the way home from Carl and Sally's, I stopped at McD's for a quick bio-break. While there, I decided to get a cup of coffee, since they supposedly just changed blends.

It's still wretched.

Diet Update

Breakfast 3/19:
Food	Category: Servings
Piece of apple/butterscotch chip cake	Extra: 3
Banana	Fruit: 1
20 oz water	n/a
30 oz coffee	n/a

Lunch 3/19 (Bob Evans):
Food	Category: Servings
Fish and chips	Protein: 4 Grains: 1 Fats: 1
Two side salads (12 oz salad) w/ bleu cheese on the side/td>	Veggies: 4 Fats: 1
Cole slaw	Veggies: 1 Fats: 1
30 oz iced tea	n/a

Coffee on my drive...

Afternoon Snack 3/19:
Food	Category: Servings
Carrots	Veggies: 1

Dinner 3/19:
Food	Category: Servings
Pot roast w/ potatoes and carrots	Protein: 4 Grains: 2 Fats: 1
Carrots	Veggies: 1
24 oz water	n/a

Evening Snack 3/19:
Food	Category: Servings
1/2 c strawberry ice cream	Dairy: 1 Fats: 1

Totals for 3/19:
Category	Servings
Grains	5
Veggies	7
Fruits	1
Protein	8
Dairy	1
Fats	5
Extra	3

Headed North

Headed north to visit some friends. Especially my friend, Bill, who had a piece of a lung removed on Thursday. All in all, he's doing very well. He was in a chair rather than his bed, walked around a bit, and was pretty upbeat. It was good to see him doing so well.

Diet Update

Breakfast 3/18:
Food	Category: Servings
Small potato flip	Grains: 2 Dairy: 1
8 oz water	n/a
24 oz coffee	n/a

Morning Snack 3/18:
Food	Category: Servings
Carrots	Veggies: 1

Lunch 3/18 (Wendy's):
Food	Category: Servings
Chicken caesar salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 2 Protein: 3
Side salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 1
Mandarin orange cup	Fruit: 1
20 oz iced tea	n/a

Dinner 3/18:
Food	Category: Servings
2 slices pizza	Grains: 2 Dairy: 2 Protein: 3 Fats: 2
Cheesy bread	Grains: 3 Dairy: 1 Fats: 1
Pineapple	Fruit: 1
9 oz salad w/o dressing	Veggies: 3
Mixed veggies	Veggies: 3
Pineapple	Fruit: 1
20 oz coffee	n/a
20 oz water	n/a

Totals for 3/18:
Category	Servings
Grains	7
Veggies	9
Fruits	2
Protein	6
Dairy	4
Fats	2
Extra	0

Nothing New

Nothing new under the sun. Thinking good thoughts for Piglet...

Diet Update

Breakfast 3/17:
Food	Category: Servings
South Beach bar	Grains: 2
8 oz light yogurt	Dairy: 1
Apple	Fruit: 1
52 oz water	n/a
20 oz coffee	n/a

Lunch 3/17 (Panera):
Food	Category: Servings
Two classic cafe salads	Veggies: 4 Fats: 2
Bread	Grains: 2
Fruit cup	Fruit: 1
32 oz water	n/a

Dinner 3/17 (Texas Roadhouse):
Food	Category: Servings
Ribeye steak	Protein: 9
2 side salads w/ bleu cheese on the side	Veggies: 3 Fats: 1
Baked potato	Grains: 3 Fats: 1
Rolls	Grains: 1
42 oz iced tea	n/a

Totals for 3/17:
Category	Servings
Grains	8
Veggies	7
Fruits	2
Protein	9
Dairy	2
Fats	4
Extra	0