Today I used an elliptical for the first time ever. It was for one minute, but that represents one more minute than all the time I have previously spent on an elliptical combined.
10,050 steps.
No overeating.
Hit the road tomorrow for Albuquerque. I will be gone a week. Not sure about posting during this time.
Filed under Exercise
The movie in the Cardio Theater today was Silverado. I came in at the very end. They then restarted it. I realized that I had never seen the beginning of the movie. Fascinating. Apparently I had only seen bits and pieces from the middle and end of the movie. I did not see it in the theater and I had never rented it. Must have caught it on the tube. Seeing it from the beginning a whole lot of things that I remembered made a whole lot more sense.
I did the walking at the gym. Made 10553 steps. But this evening I ate too many pistachios and a couple of protein bars. At least if I had to overeat it was with reasonably healthy food – better than Doritos or Twinkies.
Tomorrow will be another day – or I guess today will since this is after midnight.
Checked out the football this weekend – even though the Steelers are no longer playing. I guess I will become a Saints fan at this point. Why? Tricia organized a trip to New Orleans for her family at Christmas. It was a great time. Sean and cousin Adam did some heavy-duty bonding during the Saints overtime loss to Tampa Bay. I watched it while listening to the Steelers beat the Ravens.It’s not a permanent thing – but at least during the playoffs.
Filed under Movie
The movie at Louisville Athletic Club was GoldenEye. They appear to be in a James Bond phase.
I was surprised to see Judi Dench playing the role of M. I had not realized that she moved into the role that early. I checked and discovered that she was M in four films before the series reboot with Casino Royale. She works in that role and most every role she plays.
Pierce Brosnan was Bond. James Bond. He never really worked for me in that role although I thought he was great in Evelyn and a number of other films.
Tomorrow’s movie is Silverado. Football again in the afternoon.
See you along the Trail.
Posting a day late here.
Yesterday was the second weigh-in for the Noble Road Biggest Loser event. The base weigh-in was on January 8. The result – a 3 pound loss. A good week.
Since this journey along the Graybeard Trail began, the total loss is closer to 13 pounds. The effort began about December 17 when I stopped (more or less) eating “sweets” – items that are predominantly sugar. While I did not restrict the eating of other items, I did try to do some walking at that point. Our trip to New Orleans involved a great deal of walking as well – and eating, lots and lots of eating. That did enough to prevent any gain and actually drop a pound or two. Since returning to Louisville on December 31, I have made a more focused effort that includes a period of exercise, eating somewhere between 1,600 and 2,000 calories and walking 10,000 steps or more a day. It is a good start.
Yesterday the step count was 12,729 – the most steps yet. That came because as well as getting to the gym, I participated in the Presbyterian Center’s Justice Walk to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We walked to the Ohio River where Dr. Blaine Hudson from the University of Louisville reflected on the Louisville’s role in the underground railroad. We then turned back and went to the offices of the Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky where Edgardo Mansilla of the Americana Community Center addressed immigration issues and how we can live as neighbors to those who come to this country.
The movie at the gym was Deja Vu. I am discovering that the movie makes a big difference. Gripping movies are much easier to walk to – the time seems to pass almost unnoticed.
Filed under Uncategorized
Computers had to be left at the Presbyterian Center today to receive new security patches. That allowed some extra time at the gym which coincided with the second half of the Duke-Boston College basketball game. Duke won handily.
Time on a couple weight machines followed time on the treadmill.
The step count for the day totaled 10, 795 steps. A few too many nuts were eaten afterward.
Filed under Uncategorized
Late last night, I learned of the death of Tom Niccolls. Tom had served at Hiram College. He was a gentle, patient, passionate, dedicated peacemaker and justice seeker. He was in Eastminster Presbytery – in the Youngstown area. We often ended up at events together – sometimes unintentionally.
I remember walking across the Ninth Street Bridge in Cleveland. The march was for nuclear disarmament. And there, on the bridge, I met Tom and Betty. Again and again that happened.
Tom was a writer – a number of his skits will appear among the resources offered by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program for the 30th anniversary of Peacemaking: The Believers’ Calling.
He was also a fool. For Christ. In profound ways. Tom engaged in clown ministry – a ministry that he shared around God’s world. A ministry rooted in the gospel which proclaims, in the face of the weary, worn wisdom of the world, that love is stronger than hate; goodness is stronger than evil; resurrection will follow death; and God will have the final word and that will be a word of grace.
I give thanks that God shared Tom Niccolls with us for a time and that I had the privilege of knowing Tom. I give thanks that God who Tom followed in this life has welcomed him home. I give thanks for Tom’s foolishness. May I be such a fool.
****
Got back to the gym today. Did a little over two miles on the treadmill and several weight machines. I made it to 10,093 steps. The goal worked as I did some extra walking to make it.
Filed under Uncategorized
On our Christmas trip to New Orleans, there was music everywhere – at least in the French Quarter. Music blared out of bars and various other institutions of entertainment. But there were also street musicians. It was like having a soundtrack for the trip.
Since it was a weekend, I stayed a bit longer on the treadmill than usual and did 2.6 miles. A blister seems to be developing on one of my feet so tomorrow’s trip may be a bit shorter.
In the afternoon, a friend and I went to Costco. I have discovered a need for new blue jeans (the one pair I own is too big – I have enough pairs of what pass for dress pants in my life) and a belt. There are issues keeping my pants up. An intriguing problem to have on this journey.
Blue jeans and a belt were not found, but a number of other items were ranging from salmon burgers to pistachios to drain opener. Lots of walking took place – but the pedometer – and all those steps – had been left on my dresser. Sigh. I totaled 7,148 without them and would have probably exceeded the 10,000 goal had I worn it.
This evening I went to watch the Cowboys with friends – who are Cowboy fans. A good time for them!
Eating went pretty well. Chili in the bar.
See you along the Trail.
“Does that mean Casino Royale?” I asked, gesturing to the sign behind the reception desk of the Louisville Athletic Cub.
“No, the other one,” replied the attendant.
“Quantum of Solace?”
“That’s it,” she said.
I headed off toward the Cardio Theater.
The club usually posts the movies they will show a few days in advance. There must have been a change, as “007 – The New One” had not been posted on Thursday. I had gone to the gym planning to listen to some new CDs that we had purchased in New Orleans. But Quantum of Solace was too good to pass up. The iPod went into my pocket but it came back out when I returned to the Shire. Great music with memories of a great time.
Sean Connery will always be James Bond for me. Daniel Craig is a very, very close second.
However, I find that it is Dame Judi Dench who makes the new Bond films. As in almost every one of her films, she is incredible. Can you even name the actor or actress who played M in the earlier movies? I can’t. But Dame Judi establishes an unforgettable presence through her amazing performance. “If you could avoid killing every possible lead, it would be deeply appreciated.”
Stats for the day: 2.02 miles on the treadmill; 10,324 steps overall; eating within the guidelines.
Today was the weigh-in for a biggest loser type program with friends in Cleveland. The total numbers will not appear, but I will post the pounds lost or the pounds gained each week.
And someday, we will be able to say “Mark – The New One”
Filed under Movie
Mixed results on a snowy Louisville day. I made it to the gym before the snow started. Now, bear in mind that this is Louisville snow so we are talking around 3 inches max but as always even that amount snarls roads.
My plan had been to listen to music again, but I managed to leave my headphones at home. So I headed into the Cardio Theater and caught Catch Me if You Can – 1.82 miles worth (this is about 35-38 minutes of walking at the moment). Amazing how calm and normal Christopher Walken‘s character is in this movie as compared to a number of his other films.
Eating went well. I discovered that the chili and salad combo at a local restaurant fits the calorie guidelines I am using.
However the general walking did not go so well. I only made it to 7,806 steps – my lowest total since I have started this endeavor. Lots of meetings today. Good meetings – but lots of sitting.
Tomorrow – the weigh in.
Filed under Uncategorized
No movies were viewed. No national parks were visited. But there is big news from today.
My step count was 11,178! I exceeded my goal of 10,000 for the first time.
I went to the gym this morning and listened to Christmas music on my iPod. The movie in the Cardio Theater was Blow. That simply seemed a tad intense. I did 1.84 miles on the treadmill.
But I moved around the building a lot and spent some time at the grocery store and the numbers added up.
I also managed to eat well. The goal there is 3 meals of about 400 calories and 2 or 3 snacks of about 200 calories. Met that one again today too!
Filed under Uncategorized
Along the Graybeard Trail 