Raise your hands...how many of you know John Prine's song Spanish Pipedream? Yeah? Good, then you'll know what I'm talking about. No? Well, all you need to know to understand this topic is the first 4 words of the chorus.
Blow up your TV
Okay, I have to admit that I didn't actually blow it up. But, I turned it off. I've had enough of reality. I've had enough of fake (ie. Balloon Boy). I've had enough sports and news and pundits and...well, I've had enough TV.
I've been trying to decide if I should give up cable. I'm just not sure that I can suffer Food Network withdrawal. And, more and more, I'm finding that I'm turning to the cable channels that run the reruns of old shows. Like MASH and Andy Griffith. So, I've not convinced myself to cut the chord just yet.
But, I sure have enjoyed a day of peace. By peace, I don't necessarily mean quiet. I've played all my favorite music. And I danced around the house while doing things that I probably wouldn't have gotten done if I'd gotten sucked into some crumby TV show that I didn't care about but couldn't turn off.
The other thing I've done today is go through my inbox and unsubscribe to about 2 dozen emails, newsletters, etc. All they were doing was stressing me because when I didn't take the time to read them, I'd feel like I was leaving something unfinished. The next day, there be another email update. I was falling farther and farther behind. So, today I unsubbed and deleted all the unread things that obviously weren't that important to my every day (or every week) existence. Phew! Load off my electronic mind!!
So tell me, if you've cut the cable, how long did the withdrawal last? Are you glad you did it or are you considering cabling up again?
I'm definitely going to Turn off the TV on a regular basis going forward. And who knows, one day maybe I will Blow up the TV as John suggests...or at least donate it to a reality-, fake-, sports-, news-, pundit-needy home.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
That's NOT How I Roll!
Okay - this might tick some folks off but hear me out. (Please.)
I had to go to the store this morning to pick up a few things. Now, I do my best to avoid grocery stores on Saturday morning. And, I especially make a point to avoid WalMart on any weekend day. But, I found myself having to get a few things. And, against my better judgement, I headed to WalMart to get them.
I had made it to the second aisle when my cart got front-ended...by a person on an electric scooter throwing it into reverse without so much as a glance. Within 5 minutes, I counted 7 - SEVEN - motorized scooters on the grocery side of the store. Every one of them was a WalMart-provided scooter. And in every case, the person riding them was obese.
Now, before you think that I'm another person hating on fat people, understand that I am overweight. I've got another 80 pounds to lose. At one time, I had lost over 140 pounds. But, I wasn't smart enough to keep the weight off. Now, I'm on that journey down the scale again. I've worked with overweight/obese people. I fully understand their situation. Perhaps better than most of the people they will encounter throughout their lives.
However, I also fully understand that riding around a grocery store on a motorized scooter is not doing anything to improve their situation! IF you truly need a scooter for any reason other than you weigh too much and that makes it tiring for you to get around a store, you will own your own scooter! You will need it all the time. Not just when a store provides it to you. There are many, many, many legitimate reasons for using a scooter/wheelchair. Being fat is not one of them.
"But my knees..." Yeah, well let me tell you about knees. I had knee surgery for a torn cartilage. I was 100+ pounds overweight. AND, I was taking a medicine that was causing problems with my legs. I could barely get around. The pain was unbelievable. But I never used a scooter. I'd go to the store and walk as much as I could while leaning on a grocery cart. When I couldn't go any further, I'd sit down and then either continue shopping or pay and head home. Every day, I could walk a little farther. And each time I did, I'd feel so good about myself that the strength of my spirit added to the strength of my legs.
"But my back..." Yeah, well in order to make your back stronger, you need to make your legs and abdominal muscles stronger. Riding around on a scooter accomplishes neither of the things that will improve your mobility.
"But I get out of breath..." Yeah, well the only thing that is going to improve your lung capacity and ease your breathing is if you get up and move. I'm not saying you need to run a race through the store. (However, some of you drive the scooters like there's a prize at the end!) But walk at a steady pace using a cart for additional support. Increase the amount of time/distance you walk on every trip.
"But I get so tired..." Yeah, and how are you increasing your endurance by not pushing yourself to do something? You know why the muscles shrink while in a cast? It's because they are protected and not used. If you are riding a scooter and not at least trying to walk, your fat is acting like a cast on your muscles. You'll never get stronger or be more able to carry your weight if you don't start doing it!
"But..." But = BUTT. There's the equation for the day, folks.
Again, if you need a scooter and have one prescribed to you by a doctor, I'm not talking to you. But if you think you need one and that WalMart is providing the scooter to you (as opposed to providing them for injured folks or elderly folks who need a scooter but, I'm sure, have trouble finding them available), I'm talking to you.
Get up, get moving. You'll gain pride and strength every time you do. And along the way, I bet you even lose some weight.
So, how do you CHOOSE to roll? Remember, it's a choice of a lifetime. It will, in the end, define who you are and what you can do.
I choose to roll on the power of my own two feet...not that of an electric scooter.
I had to go to the store this morning to pick up a few things. Now, I do my best to avoid grocery stores on Saturday morning. And, I especially make a point to avoid WalMart on any weekend day. But, I found myself having to get a few things. And, against my better judgement, I headed to WalMart to get them.
I had made it to the second aisle when my cart got front-ended...by a person on an electric scooter throwing it into reverse without so much as a glance. Within 5 minutes, I counted 7 - SEVEN - motorized scooters on the grocery side of the store. Every one of them was a WalMart-provided scooter. And in every case, the person riding them was obese.
Now, before you think that I'm another person hating on fat people, understand that I am overweight. I've got another 80 pounds to lose. At one time, I had lost over 140 pounds. But, I wasn't smart enough to keep the weight off. Now, I'm on that journey down the scale again. I've worked with overweight/obese people. I fully understand their situation. Perhaps better than most of the people they will encounter throughout their lives.
However, I also fully understand that riding around a grocery store on a motorized scooter is not doing anything to improve their situation! IF you truly need a scooter for any reason other than you weigh too much and that makes it tiring for you to get around a store, you will own your own scooter! You will need it all the time. Not just when a store provides it to you. There are many, many, many legitimate reasons for using a scooter/wheelchair. Being fat is not one of them.
"But my knees..." Yeah, well let me tell you about knees. I had knee surgery for a torn cartilage. I was 100+ pounds overweight. AND, I was taking a medicine that was causing problems with my legs. I could barely get around. The pain was unbelievable. But I never used a scooter. I'd go to the store and walk as much as I could while leaning on a grocery cart. When I couldn't go any further, I'd sit down and then either continue shopping or pay and head home. Every day, I could walk a little farther. And each time I did, I'd feel so good about myself that the strength of my spirit added to the strength of my legs.
"But my back..." Yeah, well in order to make your back stronger, you need to make your legs and abdominal muscles stronger. Riding around on a scooter accomplishes neither of the things that will improve your mobility.
"But I get out of breath..." Yeah, well the only thing that is going to improve your lung capacity and ease your breathing is if you get up and move. I'm not saying you need to run a race through the store. (However, some of you drive the scooters like there's a prize at the end!) But walk at a steady pace using a cart for additional support. Increase the amount of time/distance you walk on every trip.
"But I get so tired..." Yeah, and how are you increasing your endurance by not pushing yourself to do something? You know why the muscles shrink while in a cast? It's because they are protected and not used. If you are riding a scooter and not at least trying to walk, your fat is acting like a cast on your muscles. You'll never get stronger or be more able to carry your weight if you don't start doing it!
"But..." But = BUTT. There's the equation for the day, folks.
Again, if you need a scooter and have one prescribed to you by a doctor, I'm not talking to you. But if you think you need one and that WalMart is providing the scooter to you (as opposed to providing them for injured folks or elderly folks who need a scooter but, I'm sure, have trouble finding them available), I'm talking to you.
Get up, get moving. You'll gain pride and strength every time you do. And along the way, I bet you even lose some weight.
So, how do you CHOOSE to roll? Remember, it's a choice of a lifetime. It will, in the end, define who you are and what you can do.
I choose to roll on the power of my own two feet...not that of an electric scooter.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Persistent, Consistent, and Diligent
Another month, another Activate Upstate weigh-in. My parents and I all participate in the program. And, according to the official weigher at the Life Center where we weigh in, we are the only three folks who still weigh in every month. The dozens and dozens of others who started at our weigh-in station have all dropped off the edge of the scale.
The lady said she knew we would show up today. She said we are very persistent, consistent, and diligent in our efforts. That's the nicest thing anybody said to me this week.
Once I make up my mind to something - really make up my mind - I am indeed persistent, consistent, and diligent! And, I reach my goal. Always.
I made up my mind to lose the rest of my extra pounds three weeks ago. Since then, I've lost 14 pounds. And, nothing is going to stop me from losing all of it! (Compare that to the BetterU program where I intended to lose 25 pounds over 12 weeks. I only lost 17 pounds during those 12 weeks. See, I had the intention of doing it. I just didn't commit 100% to actually doing it!)
The only way to reach a goal is through persistence, consistency, and diligence.
I have 3 main goals right now...lose all of this weight, find a freakin' job and get my books published. Hang tight folks, the job and books will happen before I reach my goal weight. But, all of those goals will be reached sooner rather than later.
Onward and upward...except for the scale, that will continue heading downward.
The lady said she knew we would show up today. She said we are very persistent, consistent, and diligent in our efforts. That's the nicest thing anybody said to me this week.
Once I make up my mind to something - really make up my mind - I am indeed persistent, consistent, and diligent! And, I reach my goal. Always.
I made up my mind to lose the rest of my extra pounds three weeks ago. Since then, I've lost 14 pounds. And, nothing is going to stop me from losing all of it! (Compare that to the BetterU program where I intended to lose 25 pounds over 12 weeks. I only lost 17 pounds during those 12 weeks. See, I had the intention of doing it. I just didn't commit 100% to actually doing it!)
The only way to reach a goal is through persistence, consistency, and diligence.
I have 3 main goals right now...lose all of this weight, find a freakin' job and get my books published. Hang tight folks, the job and books will happen before I reach my goal weight. But, all of those goals will be reached sooner rather than later.
Onward and upward...except for the scale, that will continue heading downward.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Fat Taxing
I just heard a TV commentator talk about the new "should fat people pay more for insurance?" debate as a "fat tax". That was a new take on it. I thought the fat tax was on sugared drinks. No?
I'll tell ya something that is fat-beyond-fat and should be taxed. Actually, two somethings. Have you seen the ads for the burger value meal that includes a taco? Ay carumba! Are you kidding me? Let's see...I'll have a super-sized burger, give me the largest order of fries ya got, a 64 oz soda...and oh yeah, throw in a taco. In my family, we refer to Jack-in-the-Box as the "big-headed guy's". Maybe we've got the wrong end tagged as big!
So - not in the mood for a taco with your burger? That's okay. Drive a few yards down and grab yourself a humungo burger...topped with shaved roast beef! Have you ever heard of a more nauseating idea? Heck, I could handle a taco on the side long before I could handle roast beef on top of my burger!
I wonder what the folks in the brainstorming sessions are thinking when they come up with these ideas. Do you suppose some guy is checking his stock in Slim-Fast and Jenny Craig and trying to figure out how to make more money?
And just as confusing, what are people thinking that actually order these meals? I can see someone buying big-headed guy's combo and dividing it up between three kids. But, my guess is that that's not how most of the burger-taco-fry-gallon-o-soda meals sold are eaten.
No wonder fat is taxing our hearts and knees and every other body part. Lunch for three has become a lunch-for-one option in today's world.
I'm not even going to get into the insurance debate. Yet.
I'll tell ya something that is fat-beyond-fat and should be taxed. Actually, two somethings. Have you seen the ads for the burger value meal that includes a taco? Ay carumba! Are you kidding me? Let's see...I'll have a super-sized burger, give me the largest order of fries ya got, a 64 oz soda...and oh yeah, throw in a taco. In my family, we refer to Jack-in-the-Box as the "big-headed guy's". Maybe we've got the wrong end tagged as big!
So - not in the mood for a taco with your burger? That's okay. Drive a few yards down and grab yourself a humungo burger...topped with shaved roast beef! Have you ever heard of a more nauseating idea? Heck, I could handle a taco on the side long before I could handle roast beef on top of my burger!
I wonder what the folks in the brainstorming sessions are thinking when they come up with these ideas. Do you suppose some guy is checking his stock in Slim-Fast and Jenny Craig and trying to figure out how to make more money?
And just as confusing, what are people thinking that actually order these meals? I can see someone buying big-headed guy's combo and dividing it up between three kids. But, my guess is that that's not how most of the burger-taco-fry-gallon-o-soda meals sold are eaten.
No wonder fat is taxing our hearts and knees and every other body part. Lunch for three has become a lunch-for-one option in today's world.
I'm not even going to get into the insurance debate. Yet.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Lighten Up!
I feel soooo gooooood! Tomorrow is "shred day". I love shred day. You see, a couple times a year, the local Chamber of Commerce brings in this big shredding truck - and they shred all the crap that I've got sitting on top of my shredder!
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I could actually use my little shredder for something other than a crap-that-needs-shredding holder. But that takes time and makes a huge mess on the floor around the shredder. It's much easier and cleaner to just toss it all in paper bags and then toss it in the big shredder.
I've been doing a lot of lightening of the load lately. I think it's inspired by all those TV shows. You know, Clean House, Hoarders, Oprah. Now I don't have nearly the stuff that those folks do. Not even close. Not even close to being close. But, every time I see one of those shows (and they seem to always be on!), I absolutely have to clean up an area in my house even if it's only a small drawer. I am quickly making work of becoming a neat-nik!
What about you? Got a bunch of cancelled checks from 1987 sitting around the house? (Yeah? Well, I won't after tomorrow!) Or a closet full of perfectly good clothes that you never wear - and probably never will? (Got rid of those three weeks ago!) Well, call your local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau. Ask them when the next shred day is and get your papers together! And those clothes...call the local women's shelter or Department of Social Services. The DSS office will let you know when they have their women's education classes wrapping up - the participants can use those good clothes for interviews!
If it's just sitting around your house taking up space, pass it along to someone who can truly benefit from it. It will not only lighten your load, it will lighten your heart and your spirit.
Go forth and shred! (And donate!!)
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I could actually use my little shredder for something other than a crap-that-needs-shredding holder. But that takes time and makes a huge mess on the floor around the shredder. It's much easier and cleaner to just toss it all in paper bags and then toss it in the big shredder.
I've been doing a lot of lightening of the load lately. I think it's inspired by all those TV shows. You know, Clean House, Hoarders, Oprah. Now I don't have nearly the stuff that those folks do. Not even close. Not even close to being close. But, every time I see one of those shows (and they seem to always be on!), I absolutely have to clean up an area in my house even if it's only a small drawer. I am quickly making work of becoming a neat-nik!
What about you? Got a bunch of cancelled checks from 1987 sitting around the house? (Yeah? Well, I won't after tomorrow!) Or a closet full of perfectly good clothes that you never wear - and probably never will? (Got rid of those three weeks ago!) Well, call your local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau. Ask them when the next shred day is and get your papers together! And those clothes...call the local women's shelter or Department of Social Services. The DSS office will let you know when they have their women's education classes wrapping up - the participants can use those good clothes for interviews!
If it's just sitting around your house taking up space, pass it along to someone who can truly benefit from it. It will not only lighten your load, it will lighten your heart and your spirit.
Go forth and shred! (And donate!!)
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
If It's Tuesday...
...it must be BIGGEST LOSER.
Ugh! Coach Mo - there is no honor in falling on the sword. Especially for such a negative force. (In case you don't know who I'm referring to, it's Tracey. If you don't know her, you're better off in life!) The one truth is that the universe takes care of itself. I can't wait to see it happen in her case. (Yeah, it's so much more fun to be around to see it - or at least have a good friend report it to you...but that's another story for another day. LOL.) Let me restate my thoughts about tonight's show...UGH!
But, that's not what I want to talk about today. I want to tell you a BIGGEST LOSER story that had me up in arms for days this summer. There is a BL couple here in these parts. I went to a local event several weeks ago where these folks were part of the entertainment. The guy was absolutely hysterical. I didn't expect to like him but he turned out to be a hoot! The gal...well, she was very nice but also looked beaten down. It was all over her face.
After their gig, they were at a booth. I wanted to talk to them, compare notes from my time in the weight-loss spotlight. Then it happened.
They had a manager or handler with them. Well, it was about 1:30 - they had a noon show. So, when I got to the booth, the gal was eating a sandwich. One she'd brought from home. It didn't have much on it. BUT, the manager/handler/BIGGEST JERK leaned over and whispered something to her. I heard it but couldn't believe it. The gal turned to her husband and said "I need to go eat this somewhere else. BIGGEST JERK says it doesn't look good for me to eat in public." Yep, I'd heard correctly.
OH HELL NO! I spoke up. Pointed out that we all eat and that it was actually a good thing for the public to see this gal eating a healthy lunch. BIGGEST JERK shot me a hateful look and pulled the gal away.
I was livid. You see, I lived this many years ago. After I'd lost weight and become a public figure, every one thought they should tell me what I should or shouldn't eat in public. Strangers who'd seen me in the paper or on TV would approach my dinner table at a restaurant and suggest what I was eating wasn't the best choice or ask if Richard Simmons knew that I was eating out or what I was eating.
After allowing all that type of crap to drive me into exercise bulimia, I went the opposite way and gained weight. I started hiding what I was eating and after maintaining the weight-loss for five or six years, finally gave up the fight.
So, BIGGEST JERK, if this gal struggles more than usual after losing the weight, I hope you take the credit that you so rightly deserve. You've got no idea what you are doing or saying. You are so superficial and so uneducated in the "handling" of weight-loss success stories that you are dangerous.
Now, if you want to devote some attention to Tracey from this season, I think you'd make a perfect team! But, leave the good folks alone! Look over your shoulder, BJ, the universe is approaching.
Ugh! Coach Mo - there is no honor in falling on the sword. Especially for such a negative force. (In case you don't know who I'm referring to, it's Tracey. If you don't know her, you're better off in life!) The one truth is that the universe takes care of itself. I can't wait to see it happen in her case. (Yeah, it's so much more fun to be around to see it - or at least have a good friend report it to you...but that's another story for another day. LOL.) Let me restate my thoughts about tonight's show...UGH!
But, that's not what I want to talk about today. I want to tell you a BIGGEST LOSER story that had me up in arms for days this summer. There is a BL couple here in these parts. I went to a local event several weeks ago where these folks were part of the entertainment. The guy was absolutely hysterical. I didn't expect to like him but he turned out to be a hoot! The gal...well, she was very nice but also looked beaten down. It was all over her face.
After their gig, they were at a booth. I wanted to talk to them, compare notes from my time in the weight-loss spotlight. Then it happened.
They had a manager or handler with them. Well, it was about 1:30 - they had a noon show. So, when I got to the booth, the gal was eating a sandwich. One she'd brought from home. It didn't have much on it. BUT, the manager/handler/BIGGEST JERK leaned over and whispered something to her. I heard it but couldn't believe it. The gal turned to her husband and said "I need to go eat this somewhere else. BIGGEST JERK says it doesn't look good for me to eat in public." Yep, I'd heard correctly.
OH HELL NO! I spoke up. Pointed out that we all eat and that it was actually a good thing for the public to see this gal eating a healthy lunch. BIGGEST JERK shot me a hateful look and pulled the gal away.
I was livid. You see, I lived this many years ago. After I'd lost weight and become a public figure, every one thought they should tell me what I should or shouldn't eat in public. Strangers who'd seen me in the paper or on TV would approach my dinner table at a restaurant and suggest what I was eating wasn't the best choice or ask if Richard Simmons knew that I was eating out or what I was eating.
After allowing all that type of crap to drive me into exercise bulimia, I went the opposite way and gained weight. I started hiding what I was eating and after maintaining the weight-loss for five or six years, finally gave up the fight.
So, BIGGEST JERK, if this gal struggles more than usual after losing the weight, I hope you take the credit that you so rightly deserve. You've got no idea what you are doing or saying. You are so superficial and so uneducated in the "handling" of weight-loss success stories that you are dangerous.
Now, if you want to devote some attention to Tracey from this season, I think you'd make a perfect team! But, leave the good folks alone! Look over your shoulder, BJ, the universe is approaching.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Catching Up
Hey gang,
Thanks for all the emails in my absence. Sorry for the delay in posting. Before I get back into the regular swing of things, thought I'd take this opportunity to catch up.
First of all...congrats to everyone on the BetterU path to health! My final number was -17 pounds. Not the 25 that I had hoped for. But given this summer, I'm pretty darn happy with the total! Hope everyone is continuing their healthy changes even though the program is over.
Next, two thoughts for everyone to take to heart:
Thanks for all the emails in my absence. Sorry for the delay in posting. Before I get back into the regular swing of things, thought I'd take this opportunity to catch up.
First of all...congrats to everyone on the BetterU path to health! My final number was -17 pounds. Not the 25 that I had hoped for. But given this summer, I'm pretty darn happy with the total! Hope everyone is continuing their healthy changes even though the program is over.
Next, two thoughts for everyone to take to heart:
- If you have a cat and you know it bites, keep the damn thing in your house! As a second suggestion along these lines...if you have a cat, make sure you get all of its shots! Preferably, BEFORE it bites someone, please. (I guess the same would apply for dogs as well...but since I didn't have a run-in in my own garage with a dog, I'll leave the comments directed at cats/cat owners right now.)
- If you're driving down the road and all of the traffic ahead of you is stopped, it would be appropriate for you to stop, too! And when I say stop, I mean using your brakes - not the back end of the car ahead of you (or more specifically, not the back end of the car I'm driving).
So, I guess that's my summer in a nutshell. Thank goodness autumn is here! LOL! How are you doing?
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