Sunday 30 September 2012
Wednesday 26 September 2012
Weight Loss Wednesday - Calorie Counting
First and foremost I'm another 2lbs down this week so now at 191lb, another two next week and I'll be at my target weight so pleased with the progress.
Did a calorie counting experiment last week (monday to sunday), logging everything each day onto a spreadsheet i've set up. It than calculates my daily calories each day and a weekly average.
Last week my average was 2366 calories per day, highest day was tuesday when i consumed 2667 calories but that is explained by the fact it was the night went out for a few beers. Lowest day was friday when i consumed 2220.
Looking on a website normal calories per day for someone my age and size is around 2500 while should be aiming at 2,000 to lose a pound per week. These figures are for someone with a light activity level but last week I did a lot of physical activity with some heavy gardening and a table tennis competition at the weekend, plus a league match and training session during the week.
Anyway my initial weekly average is 2366 as I've said and my aim is to slowly bring this down each week which should in turn help my weight drop along with increased physical activity. This is the plan I'm starting after my holiday, instead of the onus been on weighing I'm going to concentrate on getting my calorie intake down to 2,000 by christmas. I will weigh on my return from holiday but not again until christmas and see where calorie counting takes me.
Thats the plan folks, but still got to weigh in next week hopfully to see I've reached my 189lb goal.
Did a calorie counting experiment last week (monday to sunday), logging everything each day onto a spreadsheet i've set up. It than calculates my daily calories each day and a weekly average.
Last week my average was 2366 calories per day, highest day was tuesday when i consumed 2667 calories but that is explained by the fact it was the night went out for a few beers. Lowest day was friday when i consumed 2220.
Looking on a website normal calories per day for someone my age and size is around 2500 while should be aiming at 2,000 to lose a pound per week. These figures are for someone with a light activity level but last week I did a lot of physical activity with some heavy gardening and a table tennis competition at the weekend, plus a league match and training session during the week.
Anyway my initial weekly average is 2366 as I've said and my aim is to slowly bring this down each week which should in turn help my weight drop along with increased physical activity. This is the plan I'm starting after my holiday, instead of the onus been on weighing I'm going to concentrate on getting my calorie intake down to 2,000 by christmas. I will weigh on my return from holiday but not again until christmas and see where calorie counting takes me.
Thats the plan folks, but still got to weigh in next week hopfully to see I've reached my 189lb goal.
Wednesday 19 September 2012
Weigh in Wednesday - Ex Girlfriends & holidays
We'll start with the weight loss and I'm pleased to report a 3lb loss this week which now brings me to 193lb, pleased about that because I'm still on target for 189lb before i go on my American trip (2 weeks to go).
I know on this holiday I'll possibly gain a significant amount and am already planning my weight loss campaign for when I get back. A few years ago (2007) I did a stringent calorie counting system which did me good, at that time I came down a lot and eventually got down to coincidently exactly where I am now 193lb. Couldn't believe that but have checked my old records, obviously a lot as happend since then and i've had bad times wheresome of the weight as gone back on.
I designed a spread sheet that I fill in on a daily basis everything i eat and drink and it calculates my daily calories (each day and average), i'll be aiming for under 2,000 per day which should bring the weight off slowly.
Yesterday was ex girlfriend day, first of all sadly it would have been Janes 49th birthday so she was definately in my thoughts. Phoned her Mum in the morning and had a good chat which was nice, think they are always pleased to hear from me. I'm actually going to visit them (take to lunch) the day before I fly to America as I'm staying over at a airport hotel so will take the opportunity to visit Janes grave again.
And last night actually went out for a drink and chat with Paula which was nice. I know we split awhile ago but it was more to do with circumstance and lifestyles, we never fell out and always remained good friends. Before anyone asks we are not planning to get back together, we've both moved on its just friends going out for a drink. Whether we do it again, well don't see why not if we both fancy a drink, we had a good laugh last night.
As for holidays I've taken the plunge about Christmas, think been home alone would have depressed me so booked a singles holiday to the Costa Brava, in fact its 12 nights so Christmas and New Year will be partying in sunny Barcelona.
Bit overspending this year with holidays and home improvements but was helped with the christmas decision with a nice tax rebate, apparently they calculated my tax wrong in 2008 and I got a nice little sum that paid for half my holiday.
I know on this holiday I'll possibly gain a significant amount and am already planning my weight loss campaign for when I get back. A few years ago (2007) I did a stringent calorie counting system which did me good, at that time I came down a lot and eventually got down to coincidently exactly where I am now 193lb. Couldn't believe that but have checked my old records, obviously a lot as happend since then and i've had bad times wheresome of the weight as gone back on.
I designed a spread sheet that I fill in on a daily basis everything i eat and drink and it calculates my daily calories (each day and average), i'll be aiming for under 2,000 per day which should bring the weight off slowly.
Yesterday was ex girlfriend day, first of all sadly it would have been Janes 49th birthday so she was definately in my thoughts. Phoned her Mum in the morning and had a good chat which was nice, think they are always pleased to hear from me. I'm actually going to visit them (take to lunch) the day before I fly to America as I'm staying over at a airport hotel so will take the opportunity to visit Janes grave again.
And last night actually went out for a drink and chat with Paula which was nice. I know we split awhile ago but it was more to do with circumstance and lifestyles, we never fell out and always remained good friends. Before anyone asks we are not planning to get back together, we've both moved on its just friends going out for a drink. Whether we do it again, well don't see why not if we both fancy a drink, we had a good laugh last night.
As for holidays I've taken the plunge about Christmas, think been home alone would have depressed me so booked a singles holiday to the Costa Brava, in fact its 12 nights so Christmas and New Year will be partying in sunny Barcelona.
Bit overspending this year with holidays and home improvements but was helped with the christmas decision with a nice tax rebate, apparently they calculated my tax wrong in 2008 and I got a nice little sum that paid for half my holiday.
Wednesday 12 September 2012
Weigh in Wednesday - Slow going
Another week another pound, thats all folks just a solitary pound lost so down to 196lb this morning and my target of 189lb before my Route 66 trip is looking a bit of a distance away, 7lb in 3 weeks is not going to be easy, think this is a big week.
Think the damage was done saturday with the lads trip to the races, took my finger off the pulse as the beer flowed and the food intake wasn't too calorie friendly, still life is for living and i lost a pound.
It was a good day out, had a real good laugh but sadly I didn't back any winners so it was my wallet that came back lighter.
Can't make my mind up whether to go away at Christmas again but need to decide soon. Its not a great time to be at home alone and to be honest think I would get emotional if by myself. Think the events of the last few years still effect me, i've changed a lot and have a lot of ups and downs, find the downs are when i'm on my own.
I've got a large distant family (cousins, etc) but very few really keep in touch especially since my parents died, there are just 2 or 3 I talk to ut they got their own families. Same with friends Christmas is a family time so can't expect to see much of them either.
Need to make my mind up soon, the "singles" hols are selling real quick.
Think the damage was done saturday with the lads trip to the races, took my finger off the pulse as the beer flowed and the food intake wasn't too calorie friendly, still life is for living and i lost a pound.
It was a good day out, had a real good laugh but sadly I didn't back any winners so it was my wallet that came back lighter.
Can't make my mind up whether to go away at Christmas again but need to decide soon. Its not a great time to be at home alone and to be honest think I would get emotional if by myself. Think the events of the last few years still effect me, i've changed a lot and have a lot of ups and downs, find the downs are when i'm on my own.
I've got a large distant family (cousins, etc) but very few really keep in touch especially since my parents died, there are just 2 or 3 I talk to ut they got their own families. Same with friends Christmas is a family time so can't expect to see much of them either.
Need to make my mind up soon, the "singles" hols are selling real quick.
Saturday 8 September 2012
Did Obama do good for America
Almost 4 years ago (nov 2008) I posted an Obama quiz asking how people thought he would do in is term in office. With the money blowing circus that is the American Elections arriving in our news programmes how do you think he did.
From day one I always had suspicians his "change" was a load of old bull an he was another Tony Blair, good talker but nothing else.
But got to give the bloke a chance and now we can look at the facts.
These are the questions I asked in 2008 (with my answers from the time) -
1. What Tax levels will the Americans be paying compared to today ?
a) More
b) Less
c) About the same
2. What will Employment levels be ?
a) More Unemployed
b) Less Unemployed
c) About the Same
3. Value of the £ against the $ (currently £1 = $1.63)
a) More $ to £
b) Less $ to £
c) About the Same
4. Law & Order
a) Higher Crime Rate
b) Lower Crime Rate
5. Troops out of Iraq ?
a) In 18 months as promised
b) During is term of office
c) Still there
6. Troops out of Afganistan
a) All Out
b) Reduction in numbers
c) Increase in numbers
d) Same amount there
7. Environment
a) 80% cut in emmisions as promised
b) significant reduction in emmisions
c) Slight reduction in emmisions
d) No reductions in emmisions
8. Health Service
a) No Change
b) Free Health Service for the Poor
c) Free Health Service for all
d) Significantly Cheaper Health Service
e) Slightly Cheaper Health Service
9. Stock Markets (Dow Jones) currently approx 9,600
a) Higher
b)Lower
c) Same
10. Who'll win the next Election ?
a) Democrats
b) Republicans
c) Dunno
My answers
1. a)Higher Taxes - Hate to say it but told you so- with more tax rises promised in 2013 (his speech in washington 11th july 2011 stated this.
2. c) Similar levels unemployed - Actually 86,000 Americans now don't have a job than when he took office.
3. a) More Dollars to £ (think its actually about 15cents lower than it should be and will level out) - I called this wrong its about the same today, so no change.
4. a) Higher Crime Rate, think more poverty will cause that as population increases. - Can only find data for his first two years in office and it dropped both years so credit where credit is due.
5. b) Think they'll be out at some stage but 18 months is too ambitious. - Got there eventually, give him a job achieved badge.
6. d) Can't see the situation changing for both the US or UK could even be an increase. - No change actually think more troops, think this is Obamas Vietnam.
7. b) Significant decrease although 80% not attainable - All talk no action from the worlds biggest gas guzzlers.
8. e) Think he'll make efforts but find its a bottomless pit. - Talk is cheap, no real improvement in health care, love to hear any Americans opinions on this one.
9. a) Higher, think history suggests it will grow again - As predicted its gone up as all stock markets around the world have, as i said history is the big indicator, so the rich just got richer during the last 4 years.
10. c) Dunno - Depends whether the "Change" is good or bad for the Americans & it can go either way I'm sure. - Over to the American people on this one.
From day one I always had suspicians his "change" was a load of old bull an he was another Tony Blair, good talker but nothing else.
But got to give the bloke a chance and now we can look at the facts.
These are the questions I asked in 2008 (with my answers from the time) -
1. What Tax levels will the Americans be paying compared to today ?
a) More
b) Less
c) About the same
2. What will Employment levels be ?
a) More Unemployed
b) Less Unemployed
c) About the Same
3. Value of the £ against the $ (currently £1 = $1.63)
a) More $ to £
b) Less $ to £
c) About the Same
4. Law & Order
a) Higher Crime Rate
b) Lower Crime Rate
5. Troops out of Iraq ?
a) In 18 months as promised
b) During is term of office
c) Still there
6. Troops out of Afganistan
a) All Out
b) Reduction in numbers
c) Increase in numbers
d) Same amount there
7. Environment
a) 80% cut in emmisions as promised
b) significant reduction in emmisions
c) Slight reduction in emmisions
d) No reductions in emmisions
8. Health Service
a) No Change
b) Free Health Service for the Poor
c) Free Health Service for all
d) Significantly Cheaper Health Service
e) Slightly Cheaper Health Service
9. Stock Markets (Dow Jones) currently approx 9,600
a) Higher
b)Lower
c) Same
10. Who'll win the next Election ?
a) Democrats
b) Republicans
c) Dunno
My answers
1. a)Higher Taxes - Hate to say it but told you so- with more tax rises promised in 2013 (his speech in washington 11th july 2011 stated this.
2. c) Similar levels unemployed - Actually 86,000 Americans now don't have a job than when he took office.
3. a) More Dollars to £ (think its actually about 15cents lower than it should be and will level out) - I called this wrong its about the same today, so no change.
4. a) Higher Crime Rate, think more poverty will cause that as population increases. - Can only find data for his first two years in office and it dropped both years so credit where credit is due.
5. b) Think they'll be out at some stage but 18 months is too ambitious. - Got there eventually, give him a job achieved badge.
6. d) Can't see the situation changing for both the US or UK could even be an increase. - No change actually think more troops, think this is Obamas Vietnam.
7. b) Significant decrease although 80% not attainable - All talk no action from the worlds biggest gas guzzlers.
8. e) Think he'll make efforts but find its a bottomless pit. - Talk is cheap, no real improvement in health care, love to hear any Americans opinions on this one.
9. a) Higher, think history suggests it will grow again - As predicted its gone up as all stock markets around the world have, as i said history is the big indicator, so the rich just got richer during the last 4 years.
10. c) Dunno - Depends whether the "Change" is good or bad for the Americans & it can go either way I'm sure. - Over to the American people on this one.
Wednesday 5 September 2012
Weigh in Wednesday - Need a good week
Only a solitary 1lb lost this week so a touch dissapointed as i would have liked a bit more as I'm still above my pre-Austria weight (by 1lb). So currently I weigh in at 197lb and still have 8lb to go before my America trip, only 4 more weigh ins to go. Suppose that makes it an easy formula, 2lb per week.
Think the main reason that i didn't lose what I hoped was been away playing TT involved 2 nights in an hotel and eating out (wrong foods) plus a few drinks. Still back eating my usual stuff now so will see what happens.
Am actually off for a day out Saturday with some of the lads from the local pub, we're off to the Horse Racing at Thirsk so don't think that will be a healthy eating/drinking day. Still got to enjoy life, we only get one chance.
Think the main reason that i didn't lose what I hoped was been away playing TT involved 2 nights in an hotel and eating out (wrong foods) plus a few drinks. Still back eating my usual stuff now so will see what happens.
Am actually off for a day out Saturday with some of the lads from the local pub, we're off to the Horse Racing at Thirsk so don't think that will be a healthy eating/drinking day. Still got to enjoy life, we only get one chance.
Monday 3 September 2012
Looking Forward
Have been away in Sunderland all weekend playing a TT tournament and must admit I was apprehensive, really didn't think my knee would stand up to two days hard competition. In fact with all the problems I've had in the last year I really thought my days of playing at this level were coming to an end.
Well I'm delighted to say I feel great my knee feels best its been for a long time, yes a bit stiff and swollen but no real pain. I know I wasn't at my sharpest have hardly practised and you can't get away with that at national tournament level.
On saturday i failed to qualify for the over 50's so went into the plate competition but did get through my section to the main draw in the over 40's.
As really expected went out early doors Sunday in the over 40's but found my form in the 50's plate going all the way and taking the title, was very pleased I must admit.
So now I can look forward to the new season with more optimism.
Well I'm delighted to say I feel great my knee feels best its been for a long time, yes a bit stiff and swollen but no real pain. I know I wasn't at my sharpest have hardly practised and you can't get away with that at national tournament level.
On saturday i failed to qualify for the over 50's so went into the plate competition but did get through my section to the main draw in the over 40's.
As really expected went out early doors Sunday in the over 40's but found my form in the 50's plate going all the way and taking the title, was very pleased I must admit.
So now I can look forward to the new season with more optimism.
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