Well, I didn’t lose much this week (just half a pound), but then I did enjoy myself at some of Louisiana’s finer establishments.  Hole in the wall Cajun restaurants are the best (unless you’re trying to lose weight).

I also didn’t work out as heavily as I could have.  I let my push up challenge workouts fall out.  I’ll get back on it tomorrow morning.

I am at a total of 15 lbs lost.  I’m on target for my year long journey.  So, all is good in the world!

I will be weighing in on Thursday morning since I’m going out of town.  The dangerous part of this is that I’ll be traveling for a full month.  Keeping focus during that time will be challenging, which is a main theme of this blog.  We will persevere!

All cross America we are beginning to feel the pinch at the pump. I’ll admit it, my truck takes almost $100 to fill up, which is a sobering thought. But ever the optimist, I starting thinking about this from a slightly different perspective. Maybe, just maybe, $4 per gallon of gasoline is a good thing.

Hear me out.

When our budgets get squeezed, we each have to resort to changes in our behavior in order to make ends meet. Exactly what changes are we making as the result of rising costs?

I for one am not going out to restaurants as often (yes, that is a part of my eating/diet plan), but it definitely is cheaper to buy groceries for a family than to eat in a restaurant. As a result, I’m eating better. I’m also eating less as I look to stretch a meal into leftovers for the next day’s lunch.

I’m also driving my Can-Am Spyder (a three wheeled motorcycle) to work. It burns much less gas than my truck. And because I lean into the curves, it is working my core more than driving a car or truck. Yes, that is relatively minor, but small changes do make a difference over time. I’ve also considered walking to work (although the 90 degree plus days with South Arkansas humidity would leave me a bit unkempt). Are more people walking? Or at least walking to the closest bus/subway stop? I imagine so.

My girlfriend (fancypants) was telling me that the company she used to work for is now allowing all employees to work from home one day per week as a way of helping their employees deal with the higher commuting costs.  Fewer cars on the road, driving fewer miles also means cleaner air.  Think about that one for a while.

Another area where I can see a potential positive is where companies might cut back on employee travel to make it through the economic slump.  Less travel means fewer business meals and tempting hotel bars/mini-bars.  I definitely feel more comfortable sticking to plan when I’m home.  I’m not sure my travel will be reduced (due to the nature of my job), but for many, I could see this being a real possibility.

I’m not so sure that paying more for gas is a curse. It might just be a blessing for many of us. What do you think?

This Weird Al video is a pure classic! For the kids in the audience, this was a spoof off Michael Jackson’s Bad video. Both were excellent for their time. Boy those were the days!

For one, I was fit. I was strong. And this video was funny.

Now I see it differently. If you watch the video carefully, it is about peer pressure. He had stopped hanging out with his “fat” friends, who obviously had food issues. He then felt compelled to show them he was still a part of the group. Bizarre in its presentation, but remember, it is a spoof and therefore had to follow Michael’s video structure.

They tell recovering alcoholics to avoid bars and scenes where drinking is prevalent. Smokers, much the same, don’t put yourself in a situation where you’re likely to smoke. I believe this is somewhat the same for dieters. I won’t go into a fast food restaurant now. Yes, I know they have healthier selections today. But I know the smells and the images in the restaurant will weaken my resolve (at least right now).

Am I saying that you should dump the friends that aren’t fit? Of course not. But you should take the time to understand what influences your behavior. And yes, if there are certain friends, or certain events that cause you trouble, you should try to avoid them. At the same time, if you can find positive influences, such as a workout buddy, that push you in a positive direction. It’s all about understanding yourself.

Over time, you should be able to train yourself how to better deal with negative influences. Be it friends or family, fast food, or other things. I have to. I travel a lot for work. Unless I figure out how to eat better on the road, I’m not going to make my goal. Between “grab something and go” meals and hotel bars, I’m going to have many challenges in the coming year.

Yes, “I’m Fat.” But I don’t intend to stay that way.

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I was tooling around cyberspace when I came across this ABC News article (Sorry, You’re Too Fat: Miss. Bill Would Ban Restaurants From Serving Obese Customers). It caught my attention for two reasons, the first of which should be blatantly obvious. But I also have strong ties to Southern Miss and am frequently there. The thought of being turned away at a restaurant gives me pause.

What would I do if a restaurant turned me down?

“I’m sorry sir, but you can’t have the Chicken Fried Steak. I’ll be glad to serve your fat ass a salad.”

We expect bartenders to turn down patrons who have had too much to drink. Can we expect restaurants to do the same to what the law defines as obese? Obviously, this House Bill will see the light of day (it is already dead in committee). But, passing a law was never the intent. The intent was to draw attention to a growing crisis.

The health consequences of obesity are well known. No need for me to rehash them here. What isn’t completely clear is what the eventual cost will be. Much like tobacco was punched around in the 80’s and 90’s, the problems with unhealthy eating habits are being publicized now. This is just a lawmaker’s way of making a point.

The point? It shouldn’t take a law for people to wake up and take responsibility for their and their children’s health. For me, it was the outward signs and how they made me feel (especially on the beach in Mexico). Next time I go to Mississippi, I won’t need the waiter or the restaurant manager to tell me what I should eat. That is my job.

Okay, I’ll admit it… I slipped up bad. First, I had no choice over where and when I was eating. Second, I had very limited time to do any exercise. But I know those are just excuses. Just let me get back home and I’ll do better.

Diet

I had non-fat yogurt and a pear for breakfast. Followed soon after with 16 oz of milk for a snack. That held me until lunch when we stopped at a sandwich place. I had a grilled chicken sandwich with provolone cheese on wheat, and a bag of chips. Dinner was at Emeril’s NOLA restaurant. This is where I lost it. Everyone was drinking wine, so I opted in rather than out. I ordered the baked oyster and crab appetizer, which also had breadcrumbs and butter as a filler. I had a bowl of gumbo. And baked red fish for my main. All in all I probably had three glasses of wine.

Exercise

Before I went to my meetings, I walked with fancypants through the French Quarter to show her the lay of the land. The walk was relatively short (30 minutes) and leisurely. I also did some walking and stair climbing at the property, but not much to speak of. I walked the five blocks to/from the restaurant.

A pretty sub-par day on both fronts.

So, we’re traveling through Mississippi and we stop at a Chinese/Japanese Buffet in Byram, Mississippi. An unassuming place at the corner of a strip mall (our choices were McDonalds, Subway, and this place).

I see a guy eating Tekka Maki (a tuna roll). So I walk up to the sushi bar and here is what ensues:

Me: I’d like a Tekka Maki roll please.

The Sushi Chef (SC) looks at me with a puzzled look on his face.

Me: A Tekka Maki roll please.

SC: What is that?

Me: Tuna

SC: Ah, tuna. Anything else?

Me: No, just tuna with rice rolled in seaweed. Then I point over to the gentleman that is eating it.

SC: Ah, tuna roll.

Me: Yes, a tuna roll.

I return to my seat, somewhat confused, and growing concerned. The owner of the restaurant (RO) walks over.

RO: What did you say to him?

Me: I just ordered a Tekka Maki roll.

RO: What is that?

Me: A tuna roll.

RO: What is a Tekka Maki?

Me: It is Japanese for Tuna Roll.

RO: You Japanese?

(You have to chuckle a bit at that if you look at my picture.)

Me: No, but every where else I’ve ordered one, it is called by its Japanese name.

RO: Okay, what is salmon.

Me: Saba

RO: Saba, salmon is saba.

Me: Yes, and tuna is called Maguro, except when it is in a roll. Then it is called Tekka Maki.

RO: Okay, but you can’t call it that here.

Me: Okay, I won’t.

Despite my concerns, I did eat the Tuna Roll. It was actually pretty good.