she uses every opportunity to feed the resentment that is the perverse sustenance of her followers!
HER OWN sustenance is the publicity she garners, which enables her lucrative career ( of speechifying to the rubes).
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
'Tech Support'
When I have crashed
or got confused,
you were always there
to walk me through it,
and thanks to you I've learned some things,
like files, and fonts, and virus scan,
(I've learned from you there's nothing to it)
If I need to, I can clear my history now,
and when my disk is fragmented,
you taught me what to do to make it right,
So teach me, (please!) to operate this num lock,
I need it as I try, and try
to lock the numbness in, so I won't cry.
Alex died.
or got confused,
you were always there
to walk me through it,
and thanks to you I've learned some things,
like files, and fonts, and virus scan,
(I've learned from you there's nothing to it)
If I need to, I can clear my history now,
and when my disk is fragmented,
you taught me what to do to make it right,
So teach me, (please!) to operate this num lock,
I need it as I try, and try
to lock the numbness in, so I won't cry.
Alex died.
Monday, October 4, 2010
GEORGE'S EXCELLENT DIET ADVENTURE
Several people have asked me how I went about losing 55 lbs. in 11 months and I've been wanting to share my experience with them and others in a detailed way, in the hopes that it could be helpful.
When today I completed a 10 part diet questionaire for calories.com (which they may elect to publish on their website as a 'Success Story') It provided the chance to tell my story for anyone who is interested:
1. What made you decide to lose weight this time? Did you have an "Ah Ha!" moment?
An addiction to sweets -candy, pastry etc. has always been my downfall and my weight had gone up and down between 175 and 200 lbs. for 25 years.
After retiring however, my weight creeped steadily upwards month after month from 200 lbs to 222 lbs.
As my birthday loomed about 7 months in the future, I remembered my poor late, overweight, mother who, right up to her death at age 87, was always starting a new diet! Convinced that I was repeating her pattern, I said to myself, "It's now or never! Either LOSE the weight and KEEP IT OFF or accept that you will always be FAT.
From various diets over the years, I knew a lot about calories, diet strategies, healthy foods etc. but, before I began, I took advantage of the fact that I had an annual physical approaching.
I told my doctor of my intention to diet, told him of my addiction to sweets, told him
that I knew most of the health risks of obesity, and also that I 'know a lot about dieting'. That said, I asked for any 'wisdom' he could offer.
He suggested what he called 'a diabetic diet' - 1600 calories a day, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and a sharp reduction in 'starches' - ie., pasta, potatoes, white, rice and and anything made from flour that was not whole grain eg. white bread and pastry!
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
Conventional calorie reduction diets and Weight Watchers.
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude? What was the most important change?
I adhered to a 1600 calorie diet. I mostly eliminated starches and sugars. I became a fan of whole grains and an apostle of the glycemic index. I weigh and measure everything. I put a new 3x5 card in my pocket each day. On it I record each item I eat, how many calories it contains and the grams of protein and sodium. (this is actually very easy to do)
I now take a lunch bag with healthy snacks and diet soda or water every time I leave the house in order to avoid impulse snacking at convenience stores etc. As soon as I prepare my 'snack bag' I record the calories, protein etc on my 3x5 card and consider that that part of my daily caloric allowance has been 'spent.'
I also sharply ramped up my walking - from about 8-10 miles per week to 25-35 miles per week. I joined a gym and spend 30 minutes a day on a treadmill doing a moderate cardio routine. I began an abbreviated resistance training - about 15 minutes per day of mostly upper body exercises.
I established a line graph weight chart and began to weigh myself daily.
As I lost weight I got rid of my 'fat cloths' and replaced them with smaller sizes from local consignment stores. I even bought some jeans that were too tight and put them in my closet to motivate me!
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
As the name indicates, it helped me to COUNT calories. I have also gotten good nutritional information, recipes and last but not least, encouragement from the success stories of others.
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
Navigating a host of holiday gatherings soon after beginning in November,
then learning ways to compensate for periodic indulgences at church suppers, birthday celebrations, eating out etc.
6. How long did it take you to see results?
My diet changed SO RADICALLY that I saw results in the first week.
And I actually managed to lose 6 or 7 lbs during the Thanksgiving to New Years period while still enjoying the holidays!
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
When I got through the holidays still losing weight.
8. How do you prevent relapse?
In the past my relapses were related to:
a. my sugar addiction
b. boredom
My sugar addiction/craving has been dramatically curtailed by the 'diabetic' diet.
To avoid boredom, I have spent much time in acquiring an extensive list (and cupboard) of delicious healthy foods AND I have collected healthy food recipes from Calories.com and elsewhere.
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I feel better physically.
I have more energy to do things.
I know, as I age, something could happen to my health and of course something eventually WILL -no one lives forever!- BUT, I feel that I'm no longer INVITING a heart attack, stroke, diabetes, cancer etc.
I feel attractive again ( I even got a couple of tattoos to celebrate and show off!)
I get clear feedback that women find me attractive.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
1. Decide not to merely diet but to change your lifestyle. Tinker with your plan as you learn more, but stay with it.
2. Educate yourself about food values -calories, protein, sodium, fiber, whole grains, etc.
3. Weigh and Measure everything
4. Develop a program of regular exercise
5. develop your own list of many delicious and healthy foods and recipes.
THE NUMBERS:
Starting weight: 222 lbs. (11/1/09)
Current weight: 167 lbs (10/4/10)
Goal: 160 lbs.
When today I completed a 10 part diet questionaire for calories.com (which they may elect to publish on their website as a 'Success Story') It provided the chance to tell my story for anyone who is interested:
1. What made you decide to lose weight this time? Did you have an "Ah Ha!" moment?
An addiction to sweets -candy, pastry etc. has always been my downfall and my weight had gone up and down between 175 and 200 lbs. for 25 years.
After retiring however, my weight creeped steadily upwards month after month from 200 lbs to 222 lbs.
As my birthday loomed about 7 months in the future, I remembered my poor late, overweight, mother who, right up to her death at age 87, was always starting a new diet! Convinced that I was repeating her pattern, I said to myself, "It's now or never! Either LOSE the weight and KEEP IT OFF or accept that you will always be FAT.
From various diets over the years, I knew a lot about calories, diet strategies, healthy foods etc. but, before I began, I took advantage of the fact that I had an annual physical approaching.
I told my doctor of my intention to diet, told him of my addiction to sweets, told him
that I knew most of the health risks of obesity, and also that I 'know a lot about dieting'. That said, I asked for any 'wisdom' he could offer.
He suggested what he called 'a diabetic diet' - 1600 calories a day, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and a sharp reduction in 'starches' - ie., pasta, potatoes, white, rice and and anything made from flour that was not whole grain eg. white bread and pastry!
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
Conventional calorie reduction diets and Weight Watchers.
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude? What was the most important change?
I adhered to a 1600 calorie diet. I mostly eliminated starches and sugars. I became a fan of whole grains and an apostle of the glycemic index. I weigh and measure everything. I put a new 3x5 card in my pocket each day. On it I record each item I eat, how many calories it contains and the grams of protein and sodium. (this is actually very easy to do)
I now take a lunch bag with healthy snacks and diet soda or water every time I leave the house in order to avoid impulse snacking at convenience stores etc. As soon as I prepare my 'snack bag' I record the calories, protein etc on my 3x5 card and consider that that part of my daily caloric allowance has been 'spent.'
I also sharply ramped up my walking - from about 8-10 miles per week to 25-35 miles per week. I joined a gym and spend 30 minutes a day on a treadmill doing a moderate cardio routine. I began an abbreviated resistance training - about 15 minutes per day of mostly upper body exercises.
I established a line graph weight chart and began to weigh myself daily.
As I lost weight I got rid of my 'fat cloths' and replaced them with smaller sizes from local consignment stores. I even bought some jeans that were too tight and put them in my closet to motivate me!
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
As the name indicates, it helped me to COUNT calories. I have also gotten good nutritional information, recipes and last but not least, encouragement from the success stories of others.
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
Navigating a host of holiday gatherings soon after beginning in November,
then learning ways to compensate for periodic indulgences at church suppers, birthday celebrations, eating out etc.
6. How long did it take you to see results?
My diet changed SO RADICALLY that I saw results in the first week.
And I actually managed to lose 6 or 7 lbs during the Thanksgiving to New Years period while still enjoying the holidays!
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
When I got through the holidays still losing weight.
8. How do you prevent relapse?
In the past my relapses were related to:
a. my sugar addiction
b. boredom
My sugar addiction/craving has been dramatically curtailed by the 'diabetic' diet.
To avoid boredom, I have spent much time in acquiring an extensive list (and cupboard) of delicious healthy foods AND I have collected healthy food recipes from Calories.com and elsewhere.
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I feel better physically.
I have more energy to do things.
I know, as I age, something could happen to my health and of course something eventually WILL -no one lives forever!- BUT, I feel that I'm no longer INVITING a heart attack, stroke, diabetes, cancer etc.
I feel attractive again ( I even got a couple of tattoos to celebrate and show off!)
I get clear feedback that women find me attractive.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
1. Decide not to merely diet but to change your lifestyle. Tinker with your plan as you learn more, but stay with it.
2. Educate yourself about food values -calories, protein, sodium, fiber, whole grains, etc.
3. Weigh and Measure everything
4. Develop a program of regular exercise
5. develop your own list of many delicious and healthy foods and recipes.
THE NUMBERS:
Starting weight: 222 lbs. (11/1/09)
Current weight: 167 lbs (10/4/10)
Goal: 160 lbs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
