It was so beautiful outside that I had to go and give my knee a try and go out and run. And surprisingly there was little to no pain! So I might reach that 5K goal yet!
Showing posts with label Exercise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exercise. Show all posts
Jul 20, 2011
Jun 23, 2011
Resolutions Halftime
It has been six months since I made my 2011 New Year's Resolutions and even though I don't want to, I guess I should take a look at how I have done. I will rate myself using the Mountain Dew Rating System with 5 Dews being the best (meaning I totally nailed the goal) and 0 Dews meaning I totally flopped.
Resolution #1
"Take Time to Write More"
I did complete another ScriptFrenzy round but aside from that I have not taken the time to write anything else. I do have that children's book that I want to work on. And I really should complete my other novels and take some time to plot my new novel that I will be writing in November.
Resolution #2
"Read More"
The year started out really good. I read a couple of books during the first quarter and I read the Ensign every month for the first quarter. Unfortunately I am struggling this 2nd quarter. I am a little over halfway through my book (Mick Foley's Have A Nice Day) and I think I can finish it off before the end of the month. I have fallen off the wagon when it comes to the Ensign reading. I missed one month and I am behind this month. I have got a lot of reading to do these last couple of days!
Resolution #3
"Be Healthy"
I said I would exercise 5 days a week and I think I have been very close to doing that. I might have missed a day or two here but I can honestly say that I have been exercising a couple times a week. I have played racquetball, I have been riding my bike to work, I have been walking with Randy and I recently have been hitting the Total Gym. I can also honestly say that I have been careful in what I eat. I am definitely eating more healthier foods (more fruits and veggies) even though I still eat my share of treats. I have cut down my soda consumption as well. I still have time to train for my 5K and hopefully my knee will keep up. I think I hit this goal outta the park!
Resolution #4
"Pick up a Pen and Draw!"
Sadly I have not done as much with a pen as I would have liked. I have taken some time to do some doodling but that is about it. I still am interested in doing some art based on the songs of Queen but I have not done anything yet. Looks like I know what I need to do for the rest of the year.
Resolution #5
"Play the Bass"
I still have not learned how to read music but I still manage to pluck my bass a few times a week. Some of the songs I thought were difficult at first are now pretty easy. And some of the songs I am able to sing along with while playing which is way more difficult than you would think. My voice wants to follow the bass and the timing is off and most songs. I am also active in my choir.
I was thinking that I had not done so well with my resolutions but after looking and thinking about them, I think I have done a pretty good job (averaging about 3 Dew per goal). There are things that I definitely need to improve on and now I am feeling a bit motivated to work on them.
Resolution #1
"Take Time to Write More"
I did complete another ScriptFrenzy round but aside from that I have not taken the time to write anything else. I do have that children's book that I want to work on. And I really should complete my other novels and take some time to plot my new novel that I will be writing in November.
Resolution #2
"Read More"
The year started out really good. I read a couple of books during the first quarter and I read the Ensign every month for the first quarter. Unfortunately I am struggling this 2nd quarter. I am a little over halfway through my book (Mick Foley's Have A Nice Day) and I think I can finish it off before the end of the month. I have fallen off the wagon when it comes to the Ensign reading. I missed one month and I am behind this month. I have got a lot of reading to do these last couple of days!
Resolution #3
"Be Healthy"
I said I would exercise 5 days a week and I think I have been very close to doing that. I might have missed a day or two here but I can honestly say that I have been exercising a couple times a week. I have played racquetball, I have been riding my bike to work, I have been walking with Randy and I recently have been hitting the Total Gym. I can also honestly say that I have been careful in what I eat. I am definitely eating more healthier foods (more fruits and veggies) even though I still eat my share of treats. I have cut down my soda consumption as well. I still have time to train for my 5K and hopefully my knee will keep up. I think I hit this goal outta the park!
Resolution #4
"Pick up a Pen and Draw!"
Sadly I have not done as much with a pen as I would have liked. I have taken some time to do some doodling but that is about it. I still am interested in doing some art based on the songs of Queen but I have not done anything yet. Looks like I know what I need to do for the rest of the year.
Resolution #5
"Play the Bass"
I still have not learned how to read music but I still manage to pluck my bass a few times a week. Some of the songs I thought were difficult at first are now pretty easy. And some of the songs I am able to sing along with while playing which is way more difficult than you would think. My voice wants to follow the bass and the timing is off and most songs. I am also active in my choir.
I was thinking that I had not done so well with my resolutions but after looking and thinking about them, I think I have done a pretty good job (averaging about 3 Dew per goal). There are things that I definitely need to improve on and now I am feeling a bit motivated to work on them.
Jun 15, 2011
Man on a Mission
Last Monday I began a new quest.
Next month, on July 9th my nephew Naythan is getting baptized and they are having a pool party (no relation to the actual baptism) afterwards. Now I am not much of a swimmer but for some reason I am looking forward to dipping my feet and play in the pool.
So I have a little under a month to complete a new goal. So what is this new goal?
One of my goals this year is to run a 5K race and that is not looking so good. I tweaked/twisted my knee a few weeks ago (I think I did it when I knocked myself out... ...that is for another blog) and I cannot run on it without it starting to swell. I played racquetball on it last Saturday and I really had some problems. So my training for the 5K hasn't really started. I have been riding my bike to my dad's for work (a little over 8 miles round trip) so I am not without exercise but I feel like I am missing out.
So I have decided that I am going to work out on my Total Gym every other day and ride my bike on the other days (except for Sundays) until July 9th. We'll see how much of a difference a months time will make.
Next month, on July 9th my nephew Naythan is getting baptized and they are having a pool party (no relation to the actual baptism) afterwards. Now I am not much of a swimmer but for some reason I am looking forward to dipping my feet and play in the pool.
So I have a little under a month to complete a new goal. So what is this new goal?
My new goal is for my head to look completely out of place on my body.
One of my goals this year is to run a 5K race and that is not looking so good. I tweaked/twisted my knee a few weeks ago (I think I did it when I knocked myself out... ...that is for another blog) and I cannot run on it without it starting to swell. I played racquetball on it last Saturday and I really had some problems. So my training for the 5K hasn't really started. I have been riding my bike to my dad's for work (a little over 8 miles round trip) so I am not without exercise but I feel like I am missing out.
So I have decided that I am going to work out on my Total Gym every other day and ride my bike on the other days (except for Sundays) until July 9th. We'll see how much of a difference a months time will make.
Mar 5, 2011
Random Ramblings: The End and a Beginning
This morning I did something that I have not done in years. And it is something that I want to do more of but I just have not found the right person.
That did not come out right. This morning I rediscovered one of my favorite things, playing racquetball. I started playing with some of the guys at my last job but when I quit I didn't play again. The hardest thing is to find someone to play with. I could play with Kristy but then we would have to find someone to watch Logan and we usually forget and we end up not playing. Then I discovered a guy in my ward that used to play. The last time that he played he dislocated his knee cap and that was years ago too.
We both were a little nervous playing. But we had a lot of fun and we matched up very well together. He took a huge lead in the first game and it was at that point where I am just playing for exercise and not for fun. But then I mounted a comeback and took the first set. Joseph easily took the second and the tiebreaker was the most tense and fun. I took a big lead but just couldn't seal the deal and he made a good comeback and tied it all up. But I ended up winning the last set and am now Champion!
Today was also Logan's last basketball game and he went on a high note. For some reason he was really into the game and took over. He scored 18 points and must have had the same amount of rebounds. He didn't play on the floor this time either! But he did very well and is very excited to get into the advanced league next year. We stayed to watch my nephew Dax play his last game and he played very well too. I like watching Dax because he is a good defender, he is one of those defenders that can get under the skin of whoever he is covering.
After the game Logan got his certificate and it was funny to see that former Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan has signed it. End of an era there.
That did not come out right. This morning I rediscovered one of my favorite things, playing racquetball. I started playing with some of the guys at my last job but when I quit I didn't play again. The hardest thing is to find someone to play with. I could play with Kristy but then we would have to find someone to watch Logan and we usually forget and we end up not playing. Then I discovered a guy in my ward that used to play. The last time that he played he dislocated his knee cap and that was years ago too.
We both were a little nervous playing. But we had a lot of fun and we matched up very well together. He took a huge lead in the first game and it was at that point where I am just playing for exercise and not for fun. But then I mounted a comeback and took the first set. Joseph easily took the second and the tiebreaker was the most tense and fun. I took a big lead but just couldn't seal the deal and he made a good comeback and tied it all up. But I ended up winning the last set and am now Champion!
So a new beginning... ...and now an ending.
Today was also Logan's last basketball game and he went on a high note. For some reason he was really into the game and took over. He scored 18 points and must have had the same amount of rebounds. He didn't play on the floor this time either! But he did very well and is very excited to get into the advanced league next year. We stayed to watch my nephew Dax play his last game and he played very well too. I like watching Dax because he is a good defender, he is one of those defenders that can get under the skin of whoever he is covering.
After the game Logan got his certificate and it was funny to see that former Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan has signed it. End of an era there.
Jan 3, 2011
2011 Resolutions
YAY! 2011!
I am so glad to see some of my fellow bloggers come back to their blog and I am also glad to see that some of them has used the opportunity to blog to come up with some goals and resolutions. Reading them has motivated me.
I really like the way my cousin Jeremy posted his so I am going to steal it.
I RESOLVE...
- to take the time to write more. I have three unfinished novels that are just sitting around. I also have a children's story that is just sitting in my filing cabinet. My goal is to finish at least two of them and continue the third. I will also so another round of NaNoWriMo this November and I will need to figure out what I should write. And I will participate in another round of Script Frenzy this April. I am not sure what I will do for that competition. I might continue my comic book or try something completely different like a TV episode or a musical. And this blog will continue 5 days a week.
I RESOLVE...
- to take the time to read more. I really liked reading a novel/book once a month last year and I think I would like to continue that resolution for this year too. One thing I have learned by blogging daily is that I can do anything daily if I just put my mind to it. If I can blog daily, I can read something daily. So I resolve to read my scriptures daily. I also resolve to read the Ensign (a church magazine) from cover to cover every month. I also resolve to read a good book once a quarter. I have a bunch waiting.
I RESOLVE...
- to take care of myself. I am no spring chicken and I need to watch what I do (and what I don't do) to my body. So yeah, the ugly E-word. Exercise. I have been a slacker the last month and I need to get going again. I resolve to exercise 5 days a week if possible. I have some fun walking programs that I can do (and will do!) during the cold winter months and then get back into running when the weather gets a bit warmer. And speaking of running, I also will run my first 5K race this year. I will run the Top of Utah 5K on September 17th. I will have all spring and summer to train so I have no excuse not to make it. I will also watch what I eat and try to slim down my portions.
I RESOLVE...
- to pick up a pen and draw. I want to draw and I want to be creative. Last year I wanted to reactivate my Queen blog (Sheer Art Attack) and post some art based on Queen songs. I was going to do it once a month and I think that may have been too lofty a goal. So I will see if I can do something quarterly.
I RESOLVE...
- to continue to the play the bass guitar. But instead of just playing it by ear, I may borrow some books from the library and really teach myself how to play. And to also continue to sing with the choir and look for some other opportunities to use these talents.
I RESOLVE...
- I have some other things that I want to do this year but they are private or they are too mundane and boring to list them here.
Nov 5, 2010
Shorts in November?
I feel fat.
Every time I put my hands on my stomach I feel fat. I have not exercised for the last couple of weeks and I really needed to get out while the weather was still nice.
I went out and ran the other day but yesterday I was feeling really tired. So I decided to get my walking shoes and pack a backpack and grab my camera and go up to the campus of Utah State University.
A few summers ago I participated in a Diet Cholesterol Eating Study at USU and I would walk up to campus each morning to eat breakfast. It is about a 2-3 mile walk and it is all uphill on the way there. I enjoyed walking so I decided yesterday to retrace my old walking trip and bring my camera along to take pictures of the beautiful fall foliage. I will have to blog about the eating thing sometime in the future.
Every time I put my hands on my stomach I feel fat. I have not exercised for the last couple of weeks and I really needed to get out while the weather was still nice.
I went out and ran the other day but yesterday I was feeling really tired. So I decided to get my walking shoes and pack a backpack and grab my camera and go up to the campus of Utah State University.
A few summers ago I participated in a Diet Cholesterol Eating Study at USU and I would walk up to campus each morning to eat breakfast. It is about a 2-3 mile walk and it is all uphill on the way there. I enjoyed walking so I decided yesterday to retrace my old walking trip and bring my camera along to take pictures of the beautiful fall foliage. I will have to blog about the eating thing sometime in the future.
This is usually where I start my run. It goes up this nice trail to the Logan Temple. But this time I hung a left and went up a different trial.
If you look right at the bottom you will see a small river.
Somewhere in this direction is my house. Can you see it?
That large building in the distance is Old Main on USU. And that is where I am headed.
Old Main Hill. Not too far away now.
On Old Main Hill there is a cool amphitheatre. Sometimes after class I would come over here and sit and relax.
Old Main. A ton of my classes were here. Grandpa Anhder had to ring the bell in the tower with the A on it when he was at USU.
I circled the building and came back down that path. It was so nice out. I was wearing shorts and I was not cold. SHORTS! In November!
On the way home you can see the Logan Temple rise up out of nowhere.
This was the temple Kristy and I were married in. I would then walk down the hill and take a left and go to Merlin Olsen Park.
Oct 15, 2010
Random Ramblings
Day 349
Ugh.
I have been feeling a bit blue these last few days. Don't get me wrong, things are still good and I still feel quite blessed but I am just a bit down in the dumps.
It must be the moon. Or it is my time of the month because I get like this once a month or so.
I have not exercised in almost two weeks and I think that has something to do with it. Today I talk a long walk over to Macey's (I took the new road they built) and it was nice to go out in the sun and be alone with my music and my thoughts. I think the fresh air did me some good although my belly still doesn't feel so great. I hope I am not coming down with something.
Tomorrow we are heading down to visit some family for a Halloween Party and I am looking forward to hanging out with Kristy's family. It is always fun to eat and catch up with everyone. And the best part is that I will have something to blog about Sunday!
And guess what I found on YouTube? I found a couple of clips of the Alice Cooper/Rob Zombie concert I just went too. Totally brings back memories.
First up is Alice Cooper's Under My Wheels.
And Rob Zombie's Dragula.
Ugh.
I have been feeling a bit blue these last few days. Don't get me wrong, things are still good and I still feel quite blessed but I am just a bit down in the dumps.
It must be the moon. Or it is my time of the month because I get like this once a month or so.
I have not exercised in almost two weeks and I think that has something to do with it. Today I talk a long walk over to Macey's (I took the new road they built) and it was nice to go out in the sun and be alone with my music and my thoughts. I think the fresh air did me some good although my belly still doesn't feel so great. I hope I am not coming down with something.
Tomorrow we are heading down to visit some family for a Halloween Party and I am looking forward to hanging out with Kristy's family. It is always fun to eat and catch up with everyone. And the best part is that I will have something to blog about Sunday!
And guess what I found on YouTube? I found a couple of clips of the Alice Cooper/Rob Zombie concert I just went too. Totally brings back memories.
First up is Alice Cooper's Under My Wheels.
And Rob Zombie's Dragula.
Oct 9, 2010
Last Days of September
Day 343
This is it. I did my final Matt at Work column just a few days ago and now this will be my last Last Days column!
But that isn't entirely true. I still have two months before my New Year's Resolutions are up and I cannot quit now. So the blog and this column will continue for at least a little bit longer. We are entering the home stretch, I gotta gird up the ol' loins and take it to the end.
No set writing yet but I have been jotting down notes in preparation of next month's National Novel Writing Month. I have an idea for a story involving vampires (I know, I know... so overdone) that I thought about six years ago. It is a horror story (sorry ladies, no lovey-dovey vampires here) set back during the Old West titled Blood Mine. I know how the story ends and I know how the main character gets there but I have no idea where to begin. I am hoping NaNoWriMo gets the creative juices flowing.
I am currently reading two books this month. I finally received The Extraordinary Works of Alan Moore and I am about halfway through that book and I am a few chapters in Driven: An Autobiography by Utah businessman Larry H. Miller.
Both books have already proved to be well worth reading. I'll have some reviews of them when I complete them sometime this month.
Same old song and dance. I don't think I eat what I should and I think I eat way too much. But I am eating better than I was a year ago. I am still exercising, I am trying to run every other day (except Sundays) and I work out on my Total Gym the other days. I feel better and I think I look better. This is definitely the longest I have been exercising, I don't think I have done something like this since high school. I am going to run the Top of Utah 5K next year so I am some motivation of working out during the winter.
I am still playing the bass guitar almost daily and I am really starting to pick it up. I don't know how to read music and I don't know what notes I am hitting on the bass but my ear is picking up the notes and telling my fingers what I should hit on the bass. Recently I have learned Queen's Under Pressure and I can almost do it without looking. I am probably up to about twenty to twenty-five songs.
So it was not a bad month at all. I only have two months before I hit the one-year mark and I am looking forward to seeing how far I have gone.
This is it. I did my final Matt at Work column just a few days ago and now this will be my last Last Days column!
But that isn't entirely true. I still have two months before my New Year's Resolutions are up and I cannot quit now. So the blog and this column will continue for at least a little bit longer. We are entering the home stretch, I gotta gird up the ol' loins and take it to the end.
WRITING:
No set writing yet but I have been jotting down notes in preparation of next month's National Novel Writing Month. I have an idea for a story involving vampires (I know, I know... so overdone) that I thought about six years ago. It is a horror story (sorry ladies, no lovey-dovey vampires here) set back during the Old West titled Blood Mine. I know how the story ends and I know how the main character gets there but I have no idea where to begin. I am hoping NaNoWriMo gets the creative juices flowing.
READING:
I am currently reading two books this month. I finally received The Extraordinary Works of Alan Moore and I am about halfway through that book and I am a few chapters in Driven: An Autobiography by Utah businessman Larry H. Miller.
Both books have already proved to be well worth reading. I'll have some reviews of them when I complete them sometime this month.
EXERCISE AND EATING RIGHT:
Same old song and dance. I don't think I eat what I should and I think I eat way too much. But I am eating better than I was a year ago. I am still exercising, I am trying to run every other day (except Sundays) and I work out on my Total Gym the other days. I feel better and I think I look better. This is definitely the longest I have been exercising, I don't think I have done something like this since high school. I am going to run the Top of Utah 5K next year so I am some motivation of working out during the winter.
OTHER STUFF:
I am still playing the bass guitar almost daily and I am really starting to pick it up. I don't know how to read music and I don't know what notes I am hitting on the bass but my ear is picking up the notes and telling my fingers what I should hit on the bass. Recently I have learned Queen's Under Pressure and I can almost do it without looking. I am probably up to about twenty to twenty-five songs.
So it was not a bad month at all. I only have two months before I hit the one-year mark and I am looking forward to seeing how far I have gone.
May 25, 2010
The Chocolate Milk Diet
Day 206
I am trying something new starting today. Well, I am trying two new things today. I am working an earlier shift and I am starting a new diet called The Chocolate Milk Diet.
Does it sound too good to be true? Yes, in a way it does. The key thing is that you still need to eat healthy and you still need to exercise but if you add Chocolate Milk to it, you may get some amazing results. I would settle for less-than-amazing results. If I only lost a few pounds, I would be extremely happy.
So why does the Chocolate Milk Diet work? There are 4 things that make it work and I will briefly go over them here.
1) Calcium
A recent study has found that calcium actually impedes your body's ability to absorb fat. Chocolate Milk is an excellent source of calcium and your body absorbs it easier when it comes from milk.
2) Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps your body get calcium from your food. If you don't have enough Vitamin D, your body may not be absorbing all the calcium that enters your system. Chocolate Milk is usually fortified with Vitamin D.
3) Endurance
Chocolate Milk surprisingly (well it surprised me) contains electrolytes that keep you hydrated, more than water. It will give you a much-needed boost for your workout.
4) Protein
You need muscle to burn calories and fat and the more muscle you have the more calories/fat you will burn off. Chocolate Milk is an excellent source of protein.
So how do you get started? The experts recommend consuming 3 glasses of Chocolate Milk a day. They recommend drinking 1% Chocolate Milk. You wake up in the morning and drink your first eight-ounce serving of chocolate milk. Then a second before you exercise you down your next glass and then right after your workout you drink your last glass. If it's your day off, just pattern them for morning, afternoon, and night.
I recommend that you read the full article about the diet here. It shows the science behind the reasons and goes in more depth than I did.
I am pretty excited to give this a try. When I get off work I am heading home and drinking my second glass and then going out for a run and then come home and drink my last glass. I am planning on giving this a whirl for the next two weeks. We'll see how it goes.
I am trying something new starting today. Well, I am trying two new things today. I am working an earlier shift and I am starting a new diet called The Chocolate Milk Diet.
Seriously. The Chocolate Milk Diet.
Does it sound too good to be true? Yes, in a way it does. The key thing is that you still need to eat healthy and you still need to exercise but if you add Chocolate Milk to it, you may get some amazing results. I would settle for less-than-amazing results. If I only lost a few pounds, I would be extremely happy.
So why does the Chocolate Milk Diet work? There are 4 things that make it work and I will briefly go over them here.
1) Calcium
A recent study has found that calcium actually impedes your body's ability to absorb fat. Chocolate Milk is an excellent source of calcium and your body absorbs it easier when it comes from milk.
2) Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps your body get calcium from your food. If you don't have enough Vitamin D, your body may not be absorbing all the calcium that enters your system. Chocolate Milk is usually fortified with Vitamin D.
3) Endurance
Chocolate Milk surprisingly (well it surprised me) contains electrolytes that keep you hydrated, more than water. It will give you a much-needed boost for your workout.
4) Protein
You need muscle to burn calories and fat and the more muscle you have the more calories/fat you will burn off. Chocolate Milk is an excellent source of protein.
So how do you get started? The experts recommend consuming 3 glasses of Chocolate Milk a day. They recommend drinking 1% Chocolate Milk. You wake up in the morning and drink your first eight-ounce serving of chocolate milk. Then a second before you exercise you down your next glass and then right after your workout you drink your last glass. If it's your day off, just pattern them for morning, afternoon, and night.
I recommend that you read the full article about the diet here. It shows the science behind the reasons and goes in more depth than I did.
I am pretty excited to give this a try. When I get off work I am heading home and drinking my second glass and then going out for a run and then come home and drink my last glass. I am planning on giving this a whirl for the next two weeks. We'll see how it goes.
Feb 28, 2010
February Day(s) of Reckoning Part II
Day 120
I am starting to loathe these columns already. They may be no fun to read but believe me, they are not fun to write either.
It has been two months since I have made my New Year's Resolutions (or has my friend Betsy calls them New Year's Goals) and looking back, in the long run, I am pretty happy for how things have turned out.
But when I look at the last 2 weeks I am only slightly happy. It has been a hard two weeks but at the same time, I feel like I have grown a bit (and luckily not in the weight category) especially these last 2 weeks. At least there has been some improvement going on.
So how am I doing?
WRITING:
HUZZAH! I finished my 2nd draft! I felt a bit guilty for hardly doing anything the last time that I really focused and completed it. I have to admit that editing the ending was a lot of fun, there is a ton of stuff that I totally have forgotten about. It reads a lot stronger than my first draft. I still have a small portion to add, about maybe a thousand words or so.
2ND DRAFT: 93,993 words
1ST DRAFT: 65,285 words
Yeah, I would say that I have added quite a bit of content. Now for another set of edits and I should be completed!
And I have done a few more doodles of some cover art. That will be the goal for next time. I will post some rough drawings.
READING:
I feel like I have failed here. But with some fancy justification I can amend that. Unfortunately I never got 'Then We Came to the End' back from the library. And I am only about halfway through my replacement book 'Veeps'. So I have not completed a book this month. So the justification is that my goal for the year is 12 books which is at least once a month. I will finish 'Veeps' for sure but it may take some time to revisit the other book.
The book for March will be Warren Ellis's 'Crooked Little Vein' which I have not read yet. I read the first chapter awhile ago but never completed it.
Exercise and Eating Right
Ugh. I have not done as well as I would have liked. I skipped exercising a few times and I have not eaten great. But I still have exercised so at least I am getting something. And I have been a little more choosy when it comes to food. Still, this is better than normal.
With Spring right around the corner, I am feeling pretty ambitious. Which is good since I will need to exercise more to burn off all those Creme Eggs.
I am starting to loathe these columns already. They may be no fun to read but believe me, they are not fun to write either.
It has been two months since I have made my New Year's Resolutions (or has my friend Betsy calls them New Year's Goals) and looking back, in the long run, I am pretty happy for how things have turned out.
But when I look at the last 2 weeks I am only slightly happy. It has been a hard two weeks but at the same time, I feel like I have grown a bit (and luckily not in the weight category) especially these last 2 weeks. At least there has been some improvement going on.
So how am I doing?
WRITING:
HUZZAH! I finished my 2nd draft! I felt a bit guilty for hardly doing anything the last time that I really focused and completed it. I have to admit that editing the ending was a lot of fun, there is a ton of stuff that I totally have forgotten about. It reads a lot stronger than my first draft. I still have a small portion to add, about maybe a thousand words or so.
2ND DRAFT: 93,993 words
1ST DRAFT: 65,285 words
Yeah, I would say that I have added quite a bit of content. Now for another set of edits and I should be completed!
And I have done a few more doodles of some cover art. That will be the goal for next time. I will post some rough drawings.
READING:
I feel like I have failed here. But with some fancy justification I can amend that. Unfortunately I never got 'Then We Came to the End' back from the library. And I am only about halfway through my replacement book 'Veeps'. So I have not completed a book this month. So the justification is that my goal for the year is 12 books which is at least once a month. I will finish 'Veeps' for sure but it may take some time to revisit the other book.
The book for March will be Warren Ellis's 'Crooked Little Vein' which I have not read yet. I read the first chapter awhile ago but never completed it.Exercise and Eating Right
Ugh. I have not done as well as I would have liked. I skipped exercising a few times and I have not eaten great. But I still have exercised so at least I am getting something. And I have been a little more choosy when it comes to food. Still, this is better than normal.
With Spring right around the corner, I am feeling pretty ambitious. Which is good since I will need to exercise more to burn off all those Creme Eggs.
Feb 9, 2010
It's Back!
Day 101
One of my fellow bloggers was celebrating their 100th entry and I was happy but perplexed. How come I was only on #99? I commented on her blog hoping that she would see her mistake and come to find out that I was the one that can't count. So I had to go back all the way to #76 and renumber them all. I blame Kristy's Blognapping of Sunday. And thanks Andrea for finding my mistake.
Last night before I went to work I was flipping through the channels to find something to watch for a half an hour and I found something that I absolutely love. I am not a big fan of reality shows but there is one that I just find fascinating. I love celebrity meltdowns and train wrecks and this one is filled with it. And I do like this show for another reason, it makes me want to take care of myself. If these pampered celebrities can do it, so can I! I am talking about Celebrity Fit Club: Boot Camp!
The last that I heard of that show is that they were stilling looking for some fat celebrities for the show. I had absolutely no clue that the show is done and being aired. It was like Christmas came early! I couldn't watch all of it since I had to get to work but it looks like their could be a lot of meltdowns and train wrecks. Take a look at this cast. We have K-Fat Kevin Federline, musician Bobby Brown, Charles in Charge star Nicole Eggert, Tanisha Thomas from The Bad Girls Club, Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach, High School Musical star Casey Stroh, Jay McCarroll ( i have no idea who this guy is but he sure is pretty funny) and K-Fed’s old ex, Shar Jackson. Some of these guys I have no idea who they are but I am looking forward to Bobby Brown, Nicole Eggert and Sebastian Bach lose some weight. Nicole didn't look so bad, man I had such a crush on her when I (we) were both younger.
I plan on eating a cupcake and drinking a Mountain Dew while watching this show. This show is more addicting than Mountain Dew. And I love it!
One of my fellow bloggers was celebrating their 100th entry and I was happy but perplexed. How come I was only on #99? I commented on her blog hoping that she would see her mistake and come to find out that I was the one that can't count. So I had to go back all the way to #76 and renumber them all. I blame Kristy's Blognapping of Sunday. And thanks Andrea for finding my mistake.
Last night before I went to work I was flipping through the channels to find something to watch for a half an hour and I found something that I absolutely love. I am not a big fan of reality shows but there is one that I just find fascinating. I love celebrity meltdowns and train wrecks and this one is filled with it. And I do like this show for another reason, it makes me want to take care of myself. If these pampered celebrities can do it, so can I! I am talking about Celebrity Fit Club: Boot Camp!
The last that I heard of that show is that they were stilling looking for some fat celebrities for the show. I had absolutely no clue that the show is done and being aired. It was like Christmas came early! I couldn't watch all of it since I had to get to work but it looks like their could be a lot of meltdowns and train wrecks. Take a look at this cast. We have K-Fat Kevin Federline, musician Bobby Brown, Charles in Charge star Nicole Eggert, Tanisha Thomas from The Bad Girls Club, Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach, High School Musical star Casey Stroh, Jay McCarroll ( i have no idea who this guy is but he sure is pretty funny) and K-Fed’s old ex, Shar Jackson. Some of these guys I have no idea who they are but I am looking forward to Bobby Brown, Nicole Eggert and Sebastian Bach lose some weight. Nicole didn't look so bad, man I had such a crush on her when I (we) were both younger.
I plan on eating a cupcake and drinking a Mountain Dew while watching this show. This show is more addicting than Mountain Dew. And I love it!
Jan 28, 2010
January Day(s) of Reckoning II
Day 89
Is it the 28th already? It has been two weeks since the last time I posted a Days of Reckoning column? Time has certainly passed by pretty quickly. Let's see how I did.
WRITING:
I have not worked on it as much as I wanted to but the last few days I have made significant progress. I have edited about 44,883 words from my first initial draft and I have 39,547 words to go until I am done. So I am about half way done but I am at a part that I am not satisfied with and I am writing a lot of new stuff from scratch. I need to add more back story of one of the main characters and the plan is to write that and when I get tired or when I hit a wall, I go back editing what I have now. I don't want to toot my own horn but there have been some parts that I have been quite happy with. This is the first time that I have gone back to read it. Now I just need to get the stuff I have to some other people for some editing and review and finish what I have left and go from there.
READING:
Since it is still January I can say that I have accomplished this goal. I read 'Beat the Reaper' by Josh Bazell. The next book that has been recommended by my friend Steve is 'Then We Came to the End' by Joshua Ferris. I have already picked this up at the library but I have not started it yet.
I have started another book, a book which has self-contained chapters so I can just read a chapter at a time anytime. That way I have a book I can read anytime and I can count it as one of my months. The book is called Veeps: Profiles in Insignificance.
Here is a description:
"It's a tired but true cliche that every American Vice President is just a heartbeat away from the most powerful job in the world - a job they've often never really interviewed for. Who are these people? Over more than 200 years, the American voters have sent a platoon of rogues, cowards, drunks, featherweights, doddering geriatrics, bigots, and atrocious spellers to Washington D.C. to sit one bullet, cerebral hemorrhage, or case of pneumonia away from the highest office in the land. Veeps tells the sordid, head-scratching, perversely-entertaining stories of these men we've chosen to ride shotgun in the biggest rig in democracy, without ever seriously considering the possibility that they might have to take the wheel."
I am a few chapters in it and I am surprised at how some of our VP's have acted. The book is filled with a ton of neat facts as well. If you like history and political science, I highly recommend it.
ART:
I have not done anything new except for one doodle I did at my dad's house of some potential cover art for my novel.
EXERCISE AND EATING RIGHT
Ugh. I exercised good the first week but this week was a lot more difficult. I was not in the mood Monday and I did a half-arsed workout. Tuesday was normal and I went and got some extra exercise that night by playing basketball with a couple of guys from the neighborhood. I am so out of shape. Unfortunately, I came home and had a major asthma attack, I have not had a big one for years and this one was awful. So I didn't exercise yesterday. I am feeling better and did a workout today and I hope that I can continue but my chest is still tight. I felt that I have been eating better since the amount of candy and chocolate is getting scarce around here. And I am trying a new thing too. Did you know your brain needs 15 to 20 minutes to register signs of fullness? So I plan on eating slower instead of my usual world-is-ending-scarfing routine. Drink in between bites as well. According to WiiFit, I am done a few pounds.
All in all, I am happy with some of the progress I have made. Hopefully the exercising and eating right are now habits. We'll see Feb 14th.
Is it the 28th already? It has been two weeks since the last time I posted a Days of Reckoning column? Time has certainly passed by pretty quickly. Let's see how I did.
WRITING:
I have not worked on it as much as I wanted to but the last few days I have made significant progress. I have edited about 44,883 words from my first initial draft and I have 39,547 words to go until I am done. So I am about half way done but I am at a part that I am not satisfied with and I am writing a lot of new stuff from scratch. I need to add more back story of one of the main characters and the plan is to write that and when I get tired or when I hit a wall, I go back editing what I have now. I don't want to toot my own horn but there have been some parts that I have been quite happy with. This is the first time that I have gone back to read it. Now I just need to get the stuff I have to some other people for some editing and review and finish what I have left and go from there.
READING:
Since it is still January I can say that I have accomplished this goal. I read 'Beat the Reaper' by Josh Bazell. The next book that has been recommended by my friend Steve is 'Then We Came to the End' by Joshua Ferris. I have already picked this up at the library but I have not started it yet.
I have started another book, a book which has self-contained chapters so I can just read a chapter at a time anytime. That way I have a book I can read anytime and I can count it as one of my months. The book is called Veeps: Profiles in Insignificance.
Here is a description:
"It's a tired but true cliche that every American Vice President is just a heartbeat away from the most powerful job in the world - a job they've often never really interviewed for. Who are these people? Over more than 200 years, the American voters have sent a platoon of rogues, cowards, drunks, featherweights, doddering geriatrics, bigots, and atrocious spellers to Washington D.C. to sit one bullet, cerebral hemorrhage, or case of pneumonia away from the highest office in the land. Veeps tells the sordid, head-scratching, perversely-entertaining stories of these men we've chosen to ride shotgun in the biggest rig in democracy, without ever seriously considering the possibility that they might have to take the wheel."
I am a few chapters in it and I am surprised at how some of our VP's have acted. The book is filled with a ton of neat facts as well. If you like history and political science, I highly recommend it.
ART:
I have not done anything new except for one doodle I did at my dad's house of some potential cover art for my novel.
EXERCISE AND EATING RIGHT
Ugh. I exercised good the first week but this week was a lot more difficult. I was not in the mood Monday and I did a half-arsed workout. Tuesday was normal and I went and got some extra exercise that night by playing basketball with a couple of guys from the neighborhood. I am so out of shape. Unfortunately, I came home and had a major asthma attack, I have not had a big one for years and this one was awful. So I didn't exercise yesterday. I am feeling better and did a workout today and I hope that I can continue but my chest is still tight. I felt that I have been eating better since the amount of candy and chocolate is getting scarce around here. And I am trying a new thing too. Did you know your brain needs 15 to 20 minutes to register signs of fullness? So I plan on eating slower instead of my usual world-is-ending-scarfing routine. Drink in between bites as well. According to WiiFit, I am done a few pounds.
All in all, I am happy with some of the progress I have made. Hopefully the exercising and eating right are now habits. We'll see Feb 14th.
Jan 4, 2010
New Year's Resolutions Part III
Day 65
This will be the last of my New Year's Resolutions, I really don't want to bite off more than I can chew.
Speaking of chewing, I am proud to report that instead of eating my usual handful of Mint Truffle and Cherry Cordial Hershey Kisses, I ate oatmeal and a banana. And that was after my first day on the Wii Fit Plus. I will not share my weight here but I was happy that I was only a couple of ounces from what I was months ago. I didn't gain as much weight as I thought I did during the holiday stuff-your-face season.
And now as I writing my blog, I am not drinking my usual soda, I am drinking some Crystal Light instead.
Speaking of keeping New Year's Resolutions, I have written a new beginning to my novel that is over 11,000 words.
Anyway, I will quit tooting my own horn. The plan is to list my status of these goals at least every two weeks. So I will wait to brag until then.
These last few resolutions are really just stuff that I would like to attempt and not necessarily complete. Meaning I want to get a start on these sometime this year.
Learn Greek. I think it would be fun to know and learn another language and with my Greek heritage I think this should be the one. Not sure how I will accomplish this one but an attempt will be made.
Practice my bass. Kristy got me a bass guitar a couple of years ago for Christmas (it actually was my bro-in-law Steve's guitar) and I have played with it but I have not made an actual attempt to learn the bass. That will change sometime this year.
Design the cover to my novel. For fun, I would like to design the logo and the art for my novel. I would eventually like to complete this but as long as I get a start on it this year, I will be satisfied.
I have some other goals but they are too boring and mundane to share here.
This will be the last of my New Year's Resolutions, I really don't want to bite off more than I can chew.
Speaking of chewing, I am proud to report that instead of eating my usual handful of Mint Truffle and Cherry Cordial Hershey Kisses, I ate oatmeal and a banana. And that was after my first day on the Wii Fit Plus. I will not share my weight here but I was happy that I was only a couple of ounces from what I was months ago. I didn't gain as much weight as I thought I did during the holiday stuff-your-face season.
And now as I writing my blog, I am not drinking my usual soda, I am drinking some Crystal Light instead.
Speaking of keeping New Year's Resolutions, I have written a new beginning to my novel that is over 11,000 words.
Anyway, I will quit tooting my own horn. The plan is to list my status of these goals at least every two weeks. So I will wait to brag until then.
These last few resolutions are really just stuff that I would like to attempt and not necessarily complete. Meaning I want to get a start on these sometime this year.
Learn Greek. I think it would be fun to know and learn another language and with my Greek heritage I think this should be the one. Not sure how I will accomplish this one but an attempt will be made.
Practice my bass. Kristy got me a bass guitar a couple of years ago for Christmas (it actually was my bro-in-law Steve's guitar) and I have played with it but I have not made an actual attempt to learn the bass. That will change sometime this year.
Design the cover to my novel. For fun, I would like to design the logo and the art for my novel. I would eventually like to complete this but as long as I get a start on it this year, I will be satisfied.
I have some other goals but they are too boring and mundane to share here.
Jan 2, 2010
New Year's Resolutions Part II
Day 63
I have a couple more New Year's Resolutions that I want to share. Unfortunately these are nowhere near as fun as the ones I listed earlier. I am only talking of one in particular that I am not looking forward to starting at all.
So let's start with the fun one first.
ART
I rarely pick up a pen to draw anymore and that depresses me. Last year I had a stretch of time where I participated in completing a drawing a week but unfortunately I lost interest and time and I stopped doing it. What I liked about doing it was I felt challenged and it made me think creatively which is something I want to do more of. So I am going to try to complete an art project, at least once a month. I have the tools, I just have to get off my butt (this will be a recurring theme) and do it.
Last year I developed a blog (which is deactivated) called Sheer Art Attack. (a play on Queen's Sheer Heart Attack album) It was a bi-weekly art celebration of the songs of Queen! Every two weeks a new song is chosen and posted every Monday and then participants/followers are invited during the 2 week period to illustrate their own interpretation of the song chosen. I had this idea in high school and I did some basic doodles of Queen songs but that is about as far as I have got. This quote really got me wanting to do it.
"That's what the song is about, though I'd prefer people to put their interpretation upon it - to read into it what they like."
-Freddie Mercury
So instead of doing that blog (which I may reactivate when I get some art projects stocked up) I am going to work on a monthly project based on a Queen song of my choice and post it to this blog. I may wait until my novel is completed before I start that project.
So now it comes to the least favorite part of my New Year's Resolutions but one that I am looking forward to having completed. I am now at that age where I have to be more careful with my body. I cannot just eat whatever I want. Yes, my doctor has told me to eat more fiber and to watch my cholesterol. Last summer I took part of a Nutrition study (which I will blog about sometime) which is to lower my high cholesterol. So it has come to this...
EATING RIGHT AND EXERCISING
I love sweets. I love chocolate. I love soda. But there is no freaking way I am giving those up. But from now on, I am going to watch how much I consume of this stuff. I am going to be more disciplined. I'm going to eat more healthy and eat more fruits and veggies. That part is the easiest part.
I didn't believe that this could actually work me out but it does get you pretty sore and does tone your muscles pretty good. I just have to get it out and use it.
I also need to get off my duff and exercise. When the weather gets nicer, walking and running will be something I will try to do daily. While it is cold, I will work on my Total Gym and the Wii Fit Plus I got for Christmas. I will alternate what I do daily and take the weekends off. My goal is to lose 7 total pounds and hopefully by my birthday in June. It will be hard work but worth it.
I have some other goals/resolutions that I will share next time on the blog. The biggest reason why I am going public with these is because I want to actually do them this time. And by using this blog, I can be held accountable for my actions. I plan on updating the blog at least weekly about how I am doing on these goals. Some are more important than others and some I might not start for months but I want to see how I am doing.
I have a couple more New Year's Resolutions that I want to share. Unfortunately these are nowhere near as fun as the ones I listed earlier. I am only talking of one in particular that I am not looking forward to starting at all.
So let's start with the fun one first.
ART
I rarely pick up a pen to draw anymore and that depresses me. Last year I had a stretch of time where I participated in completing a drawing a week but unfortunately I lost interest and time and I stopped doing it. What I liked about doing it was I felt challenged and it made me think creatively which is something I want to do more of. So I am going to try to complete an art project, at least once a month. I have the tools, I just have to get off my butt (this will be a recurring theme) and do it.
Last year I developed a blog (which is deactivated) called Sheer Art Attack. (a play on Queen's Sheer Heart Attack album) It was a bi-weekly art celebration of the songs of Queen! Every two weeks a new song is chosen and posted every Monday and then participants/followers are invited during the 2 week period to illustrate their own interpretation of the song chosen. I had this idea in high school and I did some basic doodles of Queen songs but that is about as far as I have got. This quote really got me wanting to do it.
"That's what the song is about, though I'd prefer people to put their interpretation upon it - to read into it what they like."
-Freddie Mercury
So instead of doing that blog (which I may reactivate when I get some art projects stocked up) I am going to work on a monthly project based on a Queen song of my choice and post it to this blog. I may wait until my novel is completed before I start that project.
So now it comes to the least favorite part of my New Year's Resolutions but one that I am looking forward to having completed. I am now at that age where I have to be more careful with my body. I cannot just eat whatever I want. Yes, my doctor has told me to eat more fiber and to watch my cholesterol. Last summer I took part of a Nutrition study (which I will blog about sometime) which is to lower my high cholesterol. So it has come to this...
EATING RIGHT AND EXERCISING
I love sweets. I love chocolate. I love soda. But there is no freaking way I am giving those up. But from now on, I am going to watch how much I consume of this stuff. I am going to be more disciplined. I'm going to eat more healthy and eat more fruits and veggies. That part is the easiest part.
I didn't believe that this could actually work me out but it does get you pretty sore and does tone your muscles pretty good. I just have to get it out and use it.
I also need to get off my duff and exercise. When the weather gets nicer, walking and running will be something I will try to do daily. While it is cold, I will work on my Total Gym and the Wii Fit Plus I got for Christmas. I will alternate what I do daily and take the weekends off. My goal is to lose 7 total pounds and hopefully by my birthday in June. It will be hard work but worth it.
I have some other goals/resolutions that I will share next time on the blog. The biggest reason why I am going public with these is because I want to actually do them this time. And by using this blog, I can be held accountable for my actions. I plan on updating the blog at least weekly about how I am doing on these goals. Some are more important than others and some I might not start for months but I want to see how I am doing.
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