Losing Weight in California

P90X Day 9 FAIL

2010-06-29T07:37:00.001-07:00

So I missed a day of P90X. Not because I was sore or hurt but because I ran out of time. I went on a long hike at Point Dume so I ended up coming home too late and fell a sleep early. I hope I didn't mess things up too much. I'll be track for Day 10 though.

P90X Day 7 and Day 8

2010-06-27T16:50:00.000-07:00

Day 7 was a day of rest. Nice!

Day 8, I upped my weight to 15lbs. I am super sore. I didn't do ab ripper X but I did Ab ripper 200 instead. My arms are already hurting so I am worried about how I will feel tomorrow. I'll post the stats for my 8th day tomorrow!

P90X Day 5 and 6

2010-06-26T17:46:00.001-07:00

Day 5 was back and legs. It was an epic fail but it's all good. I'll get it for next week! I ended up not doing ab ripper x.

Day 6 was kenpo karate... This was an easy workout it seems. I had problems doing some of the moves but I don't feel like the cardio workout was very good. I ended up going to 24 hour fitness after class and running 1.25 miles in 18 minutes. I'm not a fast runner but I got a pretty good work out there.

I am concerned thought. I am on day 7 and have not done the stretch X workout yet but I just weighed myself. I was at 210 and now I am at 220. I'm not sure if I have gained fat or if I have gained muscle or what but I know I did not gain 10lbs of muscle in a week. I need to really watch what I am eating for the rest of the week. Ugh. We shall see.

P90X Day 4

2010-06-24T01:14:00.000-07:00

Yoga X

Thank you Bryan Kest...

I've been doing power yoga for about 2-3 years now so Yoga X was quite easy. The stretching at the end felt GREAT though. BUT I have to admit that day 4 bled into day 5. I was soooo busy today that I didn't even start yoga X until 11:30!!!! So I finished around 1 AM, but all I gotta say is, "I did it!" I'm still on track and I am dedicated to finishing this sucker. I WILL DO IT BABY!!!!!

I am not feeling as sore as I did yesterday. I almost quit yesterday since I was sooo stinking sore. I think tomorrow I'll be super loose but I think that will be very short lived. Oh well, good times!

P90X Day 3

2010-06-22T14:36:00.000-07:00

All on 10lb weight. I'll up it next week when I repeat this.

Alternating Shoulder Press 10
In and Out Bicep Curls 16
2 Arm Tricep Kickback 12
Deep Swimmer's Press 12
Full Supination Concentration Curl 12
Chair Dip 10
Upright Row 14
Static Arm Curl 24
Flip Grip Twist Tricep Kick Back 8
Seated 2 Angle Shoulder Fly 16
Crouching Cohen Curl 10
Lying Down Tricept Extension 11
In and Out Straight Arm Shoulder Fly 10
Congdon Curl 12
Side Tri-Rise L-12 R-13

Alternating Shoulder Press 12
In and Out Bicep Curls 20
2 Arm Tricep Kickback 14
Deep Swimmer's Press 14
Full Supination Concentration Curl 14
Chair Dip 12
Upright Row 16
Static Arm Curl 32
Flip Grip Twist Tricep Kick Back 5
Seated 2 Angle Shoulder Fly 18
Crouching Cohen Curl 10
Lying Down Tricep Extension 14
In and Out Straight Arm Shoulder Fly 12
Congdon Curl 14
Side Tri-Rise L-14 R-16

I have to say..... I am so freakin sore. SOOOOOO SORE!!! I think I need to drink more water. I am so sore.

Ab Ripper X was another epic fail. I think I need to do P90's Ab Ripper 200 instead because I'm not getting much of a core work out. Tomorrow is Yoga X. I'm going to be sore in the morning. So sore......

P90X Day 2

2010-06-21T06:20:00.000-07:00

P90X Day 2

Plyometrics

30 minutes and had to stop because I ran out of time. This section is longer than the others, I didn't time out when I wake up well for this. I'll finish the rest when I come home hopefully around noon. I better do the 10 minute warm up again or I'll hurt myself.

My upper body is sore as hell. I knew it would be like this after my work out yesterday. I gotta drink lots of water today!

Y is coming back today!!!!! Gotta pick her up around 4PM! So come home around noon, then finsih plyometrics, then clean up my room, then pick up Y. Busy day!

P90X Day 1

2010-06-20T10:16:00.000-07:00

This is my new push to get into better shape. I'll be doing P90X and riding my bike this summer. I have gained like 10lbs but I am about 90% sure that I have lost a ton of muscle. I would like to be under 200lbs by the end of summer. I am at 213lbs right now. C'mon baby!

Standard Push-Ups 10
Wide Front Pull-Ups 10
Military Push-Ups 10
Revere Grip Chin-Ups 10 w/chair
Wide Fly Push-Ups 10
Closed Grip Overhand Pull-Ups 10 w/chair
Decline Push-Ups 4
Heavy Pants 10lbs 20
Diamond Push-Ups 5
Lawnmowers 10lbs L-20 R-20
Dive-Bomber Push-Ups 4
Back Flys 10lbs 20

Standard Push-Ups 10
Wide Front Pull-Ups 10
Military Push-Ups 5
Revere Grip Chin-Ups 10 w/chair
Wide Fly Push-Ups 4
Closed Grip Overhand Pull-Ups 10 w/chair
Decline Push-Ups 1
Heavy Pants 10lbs 20
Diamond Push-Ups 6 on knees
Lawnmowers R-20 L-20
Dive-Bomber Push-Ups 2
Back Flys 10lbs 15

Ab Ripper X.... Epic Fail... I couldn't do half of the exercises. I'll get it later!

So I am going to be sore as hell tomorrow. My back isn't bothering me too much. I'm going to drink a ton of water. I had 1 protein bar and 2 egg white drinks I think I might jump to 15 lbs instead of 10lbs. I might do a ab ripper 200 session tonight instead, ab ripper X is a mess. I'm making lunch, ginger pork. YUM!!!!

Note: work on diamond push ups and decline push ups. I pulls up aren't happening either but I think those will come in time. DRINK A TON OF WATER!!!!

P90X

2010-06-19T21:47:00.001-07:00

Day 1 of 90 starts tomorrow. My back is still a little sore... I'll take my time anyway.

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1-18-10

2010-01-18T10:00:00.001-08:00

209.4. Booo!

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1/11/10

2010-01-11T05:34:00.001-08:00

206.6

What! What!

Keep it going baby! Feelin' good. Do it for her!

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1-4-10

2010-01-04T07:53:00.001-08:00

208

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People moving out

2010-01-01T16:45:00.001-08:00

My room mate is moving out. He is being a little odd about it. He just asked if I wanted a bottle of distilled water? Wow....

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10/12/09

2009-10-12T05:51:00.001-07:00

209.... Fail... Booooo. Gotta try to work out during this week a lot but it's gonna be a rough week. This week will be the busiest week in a long long time for me. Gotta fit in the workouts some time during the days. Kick it!

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Cheated again

2009-10-11T09:47:00.001-07:00

So I weighed myself this morning... I'm supposed to wait until Monday morning... Stupid me.

Anyway, I'm heavier than I was today last week. I'm going to be up this week considering I am going out for lunch today before catching a musical.... Ugh....

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Scale

2009-10-08T08:54:00.001-07:00

I need a new scale... I stepped on it 3 times this morning and I got 3 different weights. I wasn't supposed to check my weight until Monday but.... I cheated. Got to pay for a new scale though, Booo!

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Stupid ride

2009-10-05T22:35:00.001-07:00

I only rode for about 10 miles.... I left too late so it was pitch black when I was riding. Bad idea. 1/2 a stuffed salmon and some mushrooms for dinner. I ate a lot of almonds today.

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Monday 10/05/09

2009-10-05T05:53:00.001-07:00

Well I was convinced that I would not make my weight lose goal this week.... But I did!!! Nice!! 207.4! Gotta keep kickin butt this week. Woot woot!

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Not happy

2009-10-04T22:06:00.001-07:00

I anticipate a weight gain for tomorrow.... Sigh... Week 1
= fail

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Bike ride

2009-10-04T12:18:00.001-07:00

Nothing big. My friend is coming over so it had to be short. From my place to the marina and back in about 1 hour and 5 minutes. Not sure how far because my cycometer is out of batteries..... Booooo.

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Scale

2009-10-04T08:11:00.001-07:00

I think I need a new scale for tracking the weight. Fo the last two weeks my scale tells me about 3 different weights whenever I stand on it... Very inconsistant.

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FAFSA

2009-10-03T11:07:00.001-07:00

So I decided that I am not going to wait. I reapplied to PLNU to finish my masters. I filled out my app last night and I am pretty much a student at this point. It should be a good time. I also filled out a FAFSA which made me feel like a high school senior again. Hahah. Hopefully the finances will work out. I am going to get student loans and go farther into debt.... But it'll all be worth it in the end right?.?.?...... Cross your fingers for me!!!

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Monday 9-29-09

2009-10-02T19:19:00.001-07:00

208

Goal - 200 by December 15

Let's do it baby!!!

ugh

2009-03-16T20:51:00.001-07:00

I'm not who I used to be.

Karma

2009-03-16T17:54:00.000-07:00

I am depressed right now for whatever reason and I have t blog or write about it before I explode.

I believe in karma. I truly feel that if I do good and nice things.... good and nice things will happen in return. I volunteer my time teaching kids music. I go to high schools and teach kids who don't get people coming in to instruct and help very often. I have good credentials when it comes to that as well. So I do that. I teach kids for a living and I teach in an after school program. I think that is amazing karma. I feel like I live a purposeful life and do good for the world.

So why the hell is everything going wrong all of a sudden. Everything sucks. Work has gone to poop and I feel like my immediate superior and the boss are both angry at me. Things aren't going well at all. Health-wise things are not perfect either, I fell off my bike and hurt myself badly for like 2 weeks. UGH!!!!!! Also the other stuff I don't like talking about.

So when? I ask you..... when?!?!? is my good karma going to kick in? Please someone tell me?!?! I'm losing faith in one of the things I have held as a fundamental truth in life. You do good things and good things happen to you.

I'm ready to fall apart right now. I need one good thing to happen to me in the next couple days or I'm going to go insane. Meet a new girl, find some money, something even smaller than that. I need something to happen.

Let me maybe use "The Secret" right now. Send good vibes out to the world.

I WANT TO COME INTO SOME MONEY!

Hopefully that will do something.

The end for right now.

Things are getting out of hand real quick

2008-05-23T16:10:00.000-07:00

So..... I got into a car accident yesterday. Ugh. I think the other guy was at fault but apparently it will be a shared fault situation. Booo. But my issue is that it is putting my strained financial situation into a worse place. I think I will be fine though. My CD just by chance matured today so I got a few grand to spare.... thank goodness. I am not too happy with myself and I am under a great amount of stress. I left to go watch Indiana Jones to get my mind off things but..... it didn't work. I am hungry but don't want to eat. Things just are not working out. Sometimes I feel like things are plotting against me. I feel like things are just about to get on track and the next thing I know I get horrible news or some lame crap happens. It makes me wonder at times. I just don't know. I was thinking abut going to grad school but my ideas are on hold now because I am in fear of how much my insurance will go up. It's a funny thing. This grad school situation. I don't want to make enough money so I want to go to grad school to get a raise. I can't afford to go to grad school because I don't make enough money. Booo.

Well there is one more thing I was thinking about. I have not called my mom about this accident. I don't know how much she will help. She is going to likely freak out. I hate calling her because she will freak out and can't really do anything. So it's pointless. My family is too poor to help me financially and she is in another country. Eh. I think about my relationship with my family and I wonder WTF happened. Don't speak to my father, rarely speak to my brothers and my mother. Hummm.... maybe I need to change things... but don't really want to. Makes life lame sometimes when you don't speak to family or really don't count on them for anything. I really don't want to and can't. Whatever. I have a lot to think about this weekend. I thought it would be a nice relaxing weekend. Things are poop. Dang.

5/19/08

2008-05-19T06:14:00.000-07:00

So Tired....

2008-05-15T17:01:00.000-07:00

I've been so damn busy. I am soooo tired. I need some sleep. Err.... rather, I need more sleep. Ugh. My abs are sore.... not sure why. Tired....

Funk

2008-05-13T22:20:00.000-07:00

I'm in a funk. boo.... not sure what is going on but not feel to great about things. Work has been rough. One of my co-workers has been well..... a bitch. I think I have lost all respect for this woman. For a person in her 40's she really seems to act like a 11 year old girl. It's interesting. Outside of that I was accused by her of being anti-social and lonely. Apparently in her mind losing weight ha caused a hormone inbalance in me. Who knew? Apparently she is a doctor now as well. I guess it has been a long time since I have been in some sort of relationship. Eh. Do I want a girl friend? Not sure, actually, I think no. But yeah, I think I am in a low point right now. I only have about 20 something more work days left. Then summer vacation is here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SWEET! I've been working so hard. I deserve this time off coming up. Things will be kickin ass soon. Eh. I'll let it roll off.

5/12/08

2008-05-12T05:52:00.000-07:00

7/23/07 was 247.4
My weight on
7/30/07 was 241.2
My weight on
8/6/07 was 239.0
My weight on
8/13/07 was 234.6
My Weight on
8/20/07 was 233.4
My Weight on
8/27/07 was 231.0
My Weight on
9/3/07 was 227.4
My Weight on
9/10/07 was 221.6
My Weight on
9/17/07 was 218.6
My Weight on
9/24/07 was 214
My Weight on
10/1/07 was 212.6
My Weight on
10/8/07 was 208.2
My Weight on
10/15/07 was 207.8
My Weight on
10/22/07 was 207.8
My Weight on
10/29/07 was 201
My Weight on
11/5/07 was 200.4
My Weight on
11/12/07 is 198.6
My Weight on
11/26/07 was 200.0
My Weight on
12/3/07 was 198
My Weight on
12/26/07 was 194.6
My Weight on
1/7/08 was 196.6
My Weight on
1/14/08 was 194
My Weight on
1/28/08 was 195.2
My Weight on
2/4/08 was 193.4
My Weight on
2/11/08 was 193
My Weight on
2/18/08 was 194.2
My Weight on
2/25/08 was 190.6
My Weight on
3/3/08 was 192.2
My Weight on
3/17/08 was 192.4
My Weight on
3/31/08 was 192.4
My Weight on
4/7/08 was 190.2
My Weight on
4/14/08 was 193
My Weight on
4/21/08 was 194
My Weight on
5/12/05 is 189

Soooo I've been busy as hell. Playing in a musical, work performances, and just a lot of personal stuff going on. I've had very little time to myself. Yesterday was my first real day off although I still had to record tracks for a rock album... ugh. So I'm tired as heck! On the plus side I was able to get some time in the morning yesterday to go on a bike ride. I took about a 60 mile round trip ride up and down the beach. I haven't been on a ride for so long because of my schedule. Today..... my legs feel like jello... boo. I am soooooooooooo friggin sore. I'm still trying to build up to a 100 mile ride. I think I am taking one at the end of the summer, or even during the summer. I like riding because it gives me time to think about stuff and my life. It's just some me time.

This week will be pretty chill because we are doing state testing the whole week. Tonight I will be hitting up power yoga and after that I'm not sure what my weeks plans will be. Eh. I'll figure it out. Should be a good time either way. I just hope I will not be so sore tomorrow. I'm moving slow................

4/21/08

2008-04-21T06:10:00.000-07:00

4/14/08

2008-04-14T06:03:00.000-07:00

4/7/08

2008-04-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

3/31/08

2008-03-31T19:21:00.000-07:00

7/23/07 was 247.4
My weight on
7/30/07 was 241.2
My weight on
8/6/07 was 239.0
My weight on
8/13/07 was 234.6
My Weight on
8/20/07 was 233.4
My Weight on
8/27/07 was 231.0
My Weight on
9/3/07 was 227.4
My Weight on
9/10/07 was 221.6
My Weight on
9/17/07 was 218.6
My Weight on
9/24/07 was 214
My Weight on
10/1/07 was 212.6
My Weight on
10/8/07 was 208.2
My Weight on
10/15/07 was 207.8
My Weight on
10/22/07 was 207.8
My Weight on
10/29/07 was 201
My Weight on
11/5/07 was 200.4
My Weight on
11/12/07 is 198.6
My Weight on
11/26/07 was 200.0
My Weight on
12/3/07 was 198
My Weight on
12/26/07 was 194.6
My Weight on
1/7/08 was 196.6
My Weight on
1/14/08 was 194
My Weight on
1/28/08 was 195.2
My Weight on
2/4/08 was 193.4
My Weight on
2/11/08 was 193
My Weight on
2/18/08 was 194.2
My Weight on
2/25/08 was 190.6
My Weight on
3/3/08 was 192.2
My Weight on
3/17/08 was 192.4
My Weight on
3/31/08 is 192.4

Well not much has changed. It's driving me crazy.... but eh. What can I do?

Soooo... I'm not happy with where I am in my life. I have sent out 2 job applications for different gig. I don't know if I can take teaching for much longer... It has a lot to do with kids driving me crazy. It has a lot to do with parents driving me crazy. ugh. A lot of crap has been going down. I need to make more $, and I need to put myself into a better situation. I need some time to myself and I need just need a change. Ugh. I need to get my ass up and get a better gig or go back to school. I need a change. What should I do?.... humm. I'm gonna hit the gym and think about it.

3/17/08

2008-03-17T16:54:00.000-07:00

7/23/07 was 247.4
My weight on
7/30/07 was 241.2
My weight on
8/6/07 was 239.0
My weight on
8/13/07 was 234.6
My Weight on
8/20/07 was 233.4
My Weight on
8/27/07 was 231.0
My Weight on
9/3/07 was 227.4
My Weight on
9/10/07 was 221.6
My Weight on
9/17/07 was 218.6
My Weight on
9/24/07 was 214
My Weight on
10/1/07 was 212.6
My Weight on
10/8/07 was 208.2
My Weight on
10/15/07 was 207.8
My Weight on
10/22/07 was 207.8
My Weight on
10/29/07 was 201
My Weight on
11/5/07 was 200.4
My Weight on
11/12/07 is 198.6
My Weight on
11/26/07 was 200.0
My Weight on
12/3/07 was 198
My Weight on
12/26/07 was 194.6
My Weight on
1/7/08 was 196.6
My Weight on
1/14/08 was 194
My Weight on
1/28/08 was 195.2
My Weight on
2/4/08 was 193.4
My Weight on
2/11/08 was 193
My Weight on
2/18/08 was 194.2
My Weight on
2/25/08 was 190.6
My Weight on
3/3/08 was 192.2
My Weight on
3/17/08 is 192.4

Well last week I missed my post. Boo. I was sooooo tired. My job was drivin me crazy and I was just waiting for my Spring Break to start up. Well I am on break now and I can tell you this is just what I needed.

I went on a bike ride the other day on my new bike. It's a Scattante R-560 road bike. I enjoyed the hell out of it. It was so windy yesterday though.... I ended up getting sand all over the gears and chain..... ugh. So now I took it to the shop to get the chain and gears cleaned up and to stop this odd humming sound to stop. On the plus side I got it fixed for free. My bum hurts from the new seat though. I think what I am going to do is buy a real pair of road pants. I wear these fake-ish pair of road pants that have been fine for what I have done in the past. I'm actually going to go pick up my bike soon and I think I am going to buy a real set of cycling gear. I also ate it a couple times when I was riding my new bike because of these clip shoes I was wearing... it's new to me.... oh well. It's fun and well worth it. Tomorrow I believe I am going to drive down to Orange County to take a nice ride. It'll be away from the sand.

This will be a good week. I'll be posting some stuff in the next couple days!

2008-03-03T05:58:00.000-08:00

Weight Loss 2/25/08

2008-02-25T05:39:00.000-08:00

Weight Loss 2/18/08

2008-02-18T14:10:00.000-08:00

7/23/07 was 247.4
My weight on
7/30/07 was 241.2
My weight on
8/6/07 was 239.0
My weight on
8/13/07 was 234.6
My Weight on
8/20/07 was 233.4
My Weight on
8/27/07 was 231.0
My Weight on
9/3/07 was 227.4
My Weight on
9/10/07 was 221.6
My Weight on
9/17/07 was 218.6
My Weight on
9/24/07 was 214
My Weight on
10/1/07 was 212.6
My Weight on
10/8/07 was 208.2
My Weight on
10/15/07 was 207.8
My Weight on
10/22/07 was 207.8
My Weight on
10/29/07 was 201
My Weight on
11/5/07 was 200.4
My Weight on
11/12/07 is 198.6
My Weight on
11/26/07 was 200.0
My Weight on
12/3/07 was 198
My Weight on
12/26/07 was 194.6
My Weight on
1/7/08 was 196.6
My Weight on
1/14/08 was 194
My Weight on
1/28/08 was 195.2
My Weight on
2/4/08 was 193.4
My Weight on
2/11/08 was 193
My Weight on
2/18/08 was 194.2

Okay, I'm stuck. I'm not sure what to do. I was hoping to be peeking at a high 180 number by now but it just ain't happening. I think I will be okay in the long run BUT things are moving slow. I must say I am much more physically fit than before. It is painfully obvious. I can run the lap around my block without stopping. Actually I go a lap and a half with out stopping. I couldn't do even half that a couple months ago. I can swim non-stop for about 45 minutes. I really having nothing to compare that to. Yesterday I took a 75 mile ish ride on my hybrid bike. I need a road bike and I would love to see how far and fast I can go on a nice road bike. I just need some $$. Oh well. Today, I am soooooooo friggin sore. SORE! But I think things are okay.

This is the bike I want

Weight Loss 2/11/08

2008-02-11T06:09:00.000-08:00

Weight Loss 2/4/2008

2008-02-04T06:05:00.000-08:00

Weight on 1/28/08

2008-01-28T06:02:00.000-08:00

Weight on 1/14/08

2008-01-14T06:09:00.000-08:00

Flat line Weight on 1/7/08

2008-01-07T05:51:00.000-08:00

Followed by this article

2007-12-29T14:12:00.000-08:00

61% of teachers taking sick leave in 2006 suffered mental illness

Saturday, December 29, 2007 at 05:00 EST

TOKYO — The education ministry said Friday that 7,655 teachers at public elementary, and junior and senior high schools took sick leave in the 2006 academic year, of whom 4,675, or 61%, suffered mental illness including depression. Both figures are record highs, according to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

The number of those who took days off due to mental problems rose for the 14th straight year, and a ministry official said, "Teachers are becoming busier and busier, and their work is getting more complicated. Moreover, they face tough working conditions under which they're required to manage relationships with colleagues and parents."

New School Model

2007-12-29T14:07:00.001-08:00

Cover Story: Up north, bright kids

12/29/2007

BY KOZUE HAYAMA AND TAEKO HIRAOKATHE ASAHI SHIMBUN

AKITA--Could northern latitudes and colder weather have an impact on students' learning abilities?

Sixth-graders in Akita Prefecture have surprised a lot of people by scoring the overall highest marks in a nationwide test on scholastic levels for almost all pupils in that group.

Third-year junior high school students were also tested in April, the first time in more than 40 years.

Since the results were released in October, some have referred to the prefecture as "Japan's Finland" in reference to Finland's recent top ranking in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's Program for International Student Assessment for 2006.

To teachers in the prefecture, who say they are doing nothing special, the results have come as a surprise. But it has teachers and education officials in other parts of the country wondering how schools in the prefecture do things differently.

As soon as the results were announced, the prefectural education board received inquiries and visits by officials and assembly members from various parts of the country.

"We are just doing what must be done as a matter of course," said Takao Sasaki, an official with the prefectural board of education's compulsory education section.

What the schools do as a matter of course is to ensure that class numbers are kept low.

At Chikuzan Elementary School here, classes are taught by teams of two teachers--one to lead the lesson and the other to help individual pupils when they cannot keep up. The system is mainly used in math, science, physical education and home economics.

This practice has been in place for 44 years, nearly 30 years ahead of schools in other prefectures. These days, the teaching team system has been adopted not only by the majority of the prefecture's schools, but also by schools in other regions.

Another feature for which Akita Prefecture is noted is the high competition in hiring exams for elementary school teachers.

Only one in every 36.9 applicants passed the exam for prospective teachers for fiscal 2008. The figure for fiscal 2007 was 27.7.

In addition to the tough competition to become a teacher, there are systems in place to ensure that novice teachers are properly trained.

Four officials are in charge of improving mathematical abilities at the prefectural education board. They regularly send math exercises to each school, tailored to each grade. When a school reports the results from its pupils, the board can immediately inform the teachers how the school fared compared with the prefecture's average.

In 2006, eight experts were also appointed by the board to give guidance to teachers on conducting classes.

Motoko Kudo, a teacher at Deto Elementary School in the city of Katagami, is one such expert.

"Veteran teachers sometimes get fixed in their teaching styles and are unable to deal with changing circumstances in children," Kudo said. "I hope to help teachers by joining their lessons."

In the April nationwide test, more children from the prefecture than the national average said they went over lessons they had learned that day after returning home.

The secret behind that is a system implemented at many of the prefecture's elementary schools.

Pupils write down problems they solved or compositions they wrote at home in their notebooks, and teachers write comments about the work the following day.

Sixth-graders in the town of Mitane, located about 50 kilometers north of Akita city, scored even higher than the prefecture's average.

"The children have continued with the home-study notebook system because they feel teachers will recognize their efforts if there is something written in the notebooks," said Hiroshi Matsuzuka, who teaches sixth-graders at Kohoku Elementary School in Mitane.

Sakiko Kaneda, another teacher, also noted that few children in the school skip breakfast, a problem thought to cause inattention, among other things, in schoolchildren.

"There are few places to hang, so all family members lead regular lifestyles," she added.

The prefecture's standing in the nationwide test has made many proud.

Makoto Hamada, principle of Chikuzan Elementary School, wrote in a school newsletter, "It is a great encouragement, coming at a time of bad news from Akita Prefecture being reported nationwide." Hamada was apparently referring to a high-profile murder case involving two elementary school pupils.

Hamada said he now takes the success of the school system here for granted.

"I was moved at first, but now I feel we're just doing what we're supposed to do," he said.

Meanwhile, Takeshi Sasaki, a former president of the University of Tokyo, who is from Akita Prefecture, said, "This puts a completely different perspective on talks about economic and regional disparities (that affect the prefecture)."

Sasaki is from the town of Misato, whose sixth-graders scored higher than the prefecture's average.

He noted that with the falling population, teachers had fewer pupils to oversee and thus were able to give them more attention.

Yasushi Akashi, a former undersecretary-general at the United Nations, who is from the city of Odate in the prefecture, said: "This is not so surprising. There are few cram schools or things that attract children's attention, so they are accustomed to reviewing at home what they learned at school. The lesson here is that they should steadily continue to do just that."(IHT/Asahi: December 29,2007)

Ahhh!!! Gotta catch up!!!

2007-12-27T16:40:00.000-08:00

Weight Loss Update

ehhh, they really never have real proof of this.

2007-12-22T15:55:00.000-08:00

Hamburg, Germany - Not only does it soothe the savage beast, but music also makes unruly children calmer while at the same time honing their facilities for cognitive skills and physical coordination, according to a leading expert. A mother's soft lullaby, granddad's whistling or granny's humming in the kitchen or the dulcet tones of father singing in the shower - all of these seemingly innocuous musical activities serve to help an infant not only in acquiring linguistic skills, but also in learning how human beings interact on a social level. "Experiments have shown that unborn babies in the womb appear to relax in response to certain music and also that they seem to recognize this music after birth," says Professor Michael Schulte- Markwort, head of child psychology at Hamburg's University Hospital in Germany. "From the outset, music helps the language centres in the brain to develop so that children who have been exposed to music at an early age tend to learn to speak earlier than those who are born into non- musical homes," he says. "Music also helps in the development of motor skills while at the same time reducing tension," says Dr Schulte-Markwort. "Learning the tunes and lyrics to songs also aids in developing memory skills for other tasks," he adds. Rhythm and dancing also skills young muscles in coordination so that musical children are healthier and better coordinated than children whose parents never teach them to sing and dance and play a simple drum or other instrument. "Children develop a feel for musical tones and associate certain tone patterns with certain rhythms," he points out. "As soon as they learn to walk, they also begin to move rhythmically in time to musical stimuli and thus automatically begin to dance. Good and attentive parents naturally encourage their offspring to sing and dance rhythmically," he adds. "That is why pre-schoolers should engage in games involving rhythmic movement and dancing, games that encourage children to clap in time with the beat or to beat out the rhythm on simple percussion instruments such as bells and chimes and little drums," says Schulte- Markwort. Age five or six is ideal for teaching children to play a musical instrument because their minds are most receptive to learning the skills involved. "If they have already been exposed to music and to rudimentary instruments, then at about age five or six they will think of learning to play an instrument as a kind of a game," he says. "We are not talking about the violin or bassoon, which involve very fine motor skills, and we are also not talking about tedious piano lessons which bore young minds. But instead we are talking about simple flutes and other instruments which produce a melodic sound easily and enjoyably," he says. "It is important to remember the fun factor. Singing, dancing and playing musical instruments must first and foremost be fun for children," he stresses.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/159814.html

Revised Wish List

2007-12-20T14:02:00.000-08:00

Olympus E410 with 2 lens

I'd rather get this SLR camera instead of the XTI.

Yoga Towel

Yoga Mat

Good stuff.

Being a poor teacher sucks.

No update?!?

2007-12-18T06:01:00.000-08:00

Well, work has kept me busy for the last 2 weeks. I was so tired on Friday.... Soooooo tired. Anyway, so why was there no weight loss update? Well my scale is broken... well not broken but the battery was out. Now for some reason I bought this fancy scale that uses these special lithium batteries. So I couldn't go into my tool box and grab some AAA batteries. Now here is something that gets me worked up. I bought this scale in July.... JULY! It's a lithium ion battery, I use the damn thing once a week for about 10 seconds. WTF? I only get 6 months out of it? Oh well. I haven't replaced the battery yet but once in a while the scale randomly works and it says I am at 195 which is less than before so I am happy with that. Today, I think I am going to check out a bike shop in Riverside. I wish I had some more money. I would like to purchase 2 items! I will link them.

Xti Camera

Specialized Allez Triple

Being a poor teacher blows.... Oh well.

Weight Loss Update

2007-12-03T05:57:00.000-08:00

Stomach Bug

2007-11-29T22:00:00.000-08:00

Holy crap.... I think I am sick. I have some sort of stomach bug going on. I'm hurting but there is no way I can take a day off until next Thursday..... damn it.

Weight Loss Update

2007-11-26T05:36:00.000-08:00

Good with the bad

2007-11-26T05:34:00.000-08:00

This post was supposed to happen last night but my internet went out.

So Monday I usually update my weight. Well as it turns out I was so busy this past week.... I forgot. Opps. Well I figure it's better that way.... I think my weight is up. Hey it was the week of Thanksgiving..... give me a break. My BG numbers were excellent all week though. No worries.

So here was the nice part of the week. I was at a college football game. Had a great time and at the end of the game I stayed a while later. Well when I left there were a few people I knew standing in a group that I did not see were there. As I passed by someone yelled out my name. Well as soon as he said it another person immediately said, "Dude, that isn't him." Well when I turned and waved and walked over the group of people were apparently completely shocked to see how much weight I had dropped. Apparently I don't look like the same person anymore.

Here is a little depressing thing. I have always had family issues. My mom likes to act like we have never had problems and brings up the problem all the time. I don't know why she does this when she knows it bothers me. Well I was at my brothers place and he was there with his wife putting up Christmas ornaments on their new tree. It hit me that I will have a pretty crappy familyless Christmas this year.... again. It hit me in the gut and it's one of those feelings I just hate. Ugh. Family crap... gotta hate it.

My Weight Loss

2007-11-12T08:15:00.000-08:00

Back Spasms continues

2007-11-09T05:49:00.000-08:00

So I've had a back spasm going on all week. I haven't worked out at all. So I figure I'll be a little heavier this coming Monday. I can live with that, because there is an explanation. It sucks but it was much more mild that it was before. The length of time I was in really bad pain was really only 1 day the rest of the time it just ached. I just didn't work out in fear of making it worse. Hopefully I'll be close to 100% by he weekend. I have Monday off bitch!

Back Spasms

2007-11-06T05:57:00.000-08:00

Ugh... I get them. I hate them. I have one now. Booo.

Weight Loss Update

2007-11-05T05:51:00.000-08:00

Weight Loss Update

2007-10-29T05:59:00.000-07:00

Friday bike ride

2007-10-27T16:56:00.000-07:00

So went on a bike ride on Friday after work. Well it was interesting. One of my co-workers mentioned there was a mountain bike trail on Mandeville Canyon Road. So I figured I would go and ride it afterwork the next day. Good/bad idea. I ate it about 5 times on this trip. I have a small cut on my leg from my pedals nailing me after jumping a log and had little rocks hitting me the whole time. I lost my chain about 2 times and my hand has some sort of bruise on it from when I fell on it. Flies came and attacked the blood coming out of my leg as well. So I didn't even finish the trail because I was afraid it would get too dark when I came back. It's basically a fire trail. I later learned that there are a few fire trails and that they are all bike trails. I might have taken the wrong one for my level. It was a bit nuts. I didn't take any pictures during the ride but I took at picture when I got back to where I started. That paved part goes for about another 500 ft or so them it's all gravel. It was an awesome ride though. The way back was AWESOME. It was all down hill and very dangerous. A lot of quick turns and I could have fallen off my bike a lot more. I was so tired when I came back. SOOOOO tired. I'm going to try to go on the road again next week. I really need to bring a real mountain bike though. I ride a hybrid and the wheels are just not wide enough for that rough riding. I might need to find a better saddle too.

It was a beautiful ride.

Day of Rest

2007-10-24T19:43:00.000-07:00

Holy crap. I am tired. I have been sore in the thighs for about 3 days now and have had some leg cramps. I feel like a truck has run over me. But I kept working out and such. That all caught up to me today! I feel like a pile of poop. So I am not hitting the gym today. I do not think my body can deal with it. I'll do some stretching and a few push ups and a few yoga poses but outside of that..... I am finished.... for the day.

Eh...

2007-10-23T22:04:00.000-07:00

So I ended up not riding because I am afraid of the pollution from the fires. So I went to the gym. I didn't do any of the group X classes. I ended up on the cross trainer for like 45 minutes though. That is more than my usual 30 minutes. I got caught up in watching this show "Cavemen" on the TV while I was doing my cross trainer stuff so I ended up extending my warm down. I did some stretching. Then I did some time on the weight machines. I feel like my arms are much bigger. I can see and feel my biceps. Another odd thing is I had a shoulder ache so I rubbed it a couple weeks ago. I felt this lump/hard thing on my back. Turns out.... it's my shoulder blade. Who knew? I can seriously feel my shoulders now too. It was shocking. Anyway, I am adding more weight lifting to my work out. I did 50 back hyper extensions today..... a new record for me. I did about 40 rows on 95lbs. My back is feeling pretty darn good.

Exercise today...

2007-10-23T16:55:00.000-07:00

Sigh.... I was going to go cycling today. But I think it's a bad idea. The air isn't too great with all the fires going on and it's friggin hot! I think I need to go to the gym.... maybe I'll go to my first group X class. That would be interesting.

Weight Loss Update

2007-10-22T05:43:00.000-07:00

Work out/Some food

2007-10-19T20:19:00.000-07:00

I went to power yoga last weekend for the first time in 2 weeks. It felt great. I missed a couple days at the gym this week. I have been super duper busy. I'll hit the marathon 2 hour power yoga on Sunday I think. Why do I do this to myself? I think I will still be down this week.

I had my fav stuffed salmon today because I had a rough week. I figured a little treat would be okay. Tomorrow there will be some tailgating action.... I'm bringing a veggie plate just in case.

Weight Loss Update

2007-10-15T06:04:00.000-07:00

Wow

2007-10-09T17:43:00.000-07:00

Today was a rough day for me. I can't explain why... because there was no reason why. It was just a really rough day for me..... booo. Too much to do. My body is falling apart a little. Had some x-rays of my knees taken. Nothing too bad. My back is another story. I have some serious work to do on my back. Life is biting me in the arse right now. Take it one day at a time though..... one day at a time.

Update

2007-10-08T09:51:00.001-07:00

Well as you can see I have hit it. I am a little over 50lbs in weight loss. I am shocked I made it. SHOCKED! It seemed so far away but now I am there. Of course I do plan on losing some more weight. I have a goal in mind and I'm not sure how I feel about losing it. My original goal seemed so far away but now BAM! I am half way there. I also planned on being here in in 2008! Not at the tail end of 2007. Again, I am shocked I have made it but pretty darn proud of myself as well. I went to the doctors today and she saw me and immediately said, "I can already tell you lost more weight." She check my sugar readings and told me I was in very good range and said I was basically in the normal range. I can tell you I was starving when I was talking to her though because I have not eaten anything for 12 hours! I had blood drawn which I hate because my veins suck and they have to draw out of the back of my hands!!!!! UGH! After 2 attempts I had 2 vials of blood taken out. I'll know the results of that in a week but I feel good about it. I'm hoping to kick some major ass!

Now off to downtown LA to straighten out payroll issues and get my professional clear credential!

Weight Loss Progress 10/8/2007

2007-10-08T06:27:00.000-07:00

I'll update more later on this afternoon, I have an appointment today......

My weight on
7/23/07 was 247.4
My weight on
7/30/07 was 241.2
My weight on
8/6/07 was 239.0
My weight on
8/13/07 was 234.6
My Weight on
8/20/07 was 233.4
My Weight on
8/27/07 was 231.0
My Weight on
9/3/07 was 227.4
My Weight on
9/10/07 was 221.6
My Weight on
9/17/07 was 218.6
My Weight on
9/24/07 was 214
My Weight on
10/1/07 was 212.6
My Weight on
10/8/07 is 208.2

Weight Loss 39.2lbs
Total Weight Loss Since June - 51.8lbs

AGHH!!! Freakin college football

2007-10-06T22:42:00.000-07:00

My Bruins lost today.... what the heck. We really need a new coach. But I really feel bad for the 3rd string quarterback that played for half of the game. He was put in an impossible position. Freakin coach, freakin O Line, freakin Notre Dame!!!!!!

Sore Throat

2007-10-06T07:57:00.001-07:00

I've been waking up with a sore throat recently.... Can't explain it.

Ugh.

2007-10-02T09:43:00.001-07:00

I'm at work. I am tired. I have a full day ahead of me still. BOOOO!!!

Amendment to my funeral

2007-10-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

So again I have this odd feeling in me. But I thought more about my funeral. AKA death party of the century. I would like to amend where my funeral will be. My funeral will not be in a ball room or a multipurpose room. I would like to rent out Gladstone's in Malibu for a night. Cook the pig in the sand on the beach. Then when it is all over my guest don't have to go anywhere. Just throw my ashes into the ocean right on the beach. What a way to go. I could deal with it being at another restaurant along the beach. I want a friggin pit cooked pig though!!!!!

Weight Loss Progress

2007-10-01T05:55:00.000-07:00

My weight on
7/23/07 was 247.4
My weight on
7/30/07 was 241.2
My weight on
8/6/07 was 239.0
My weight on
8/13/07 was 234.6
My Weight on
8/20/07 was 233.4
My Weight on
8/27/07 was 231.0
My Weight on
9/3/07 was 227.4
My Weight on
9/10/07 was 221.6
My Weight on
9/17/07 was 218.6
My Weight on
9/24/07 was 214
My Weight on
10/1/07 is 212.6

Weight Loss 34.8lbs
Total Weight Loss Since June - 47.4lbs

As I had mentioned before my week was lite on exercise due to some temporary physical aliments I encountered. I was under the impression I would be up in weight but as it turns out. I wasn't. I am a little lower than last week which is a good thing, I dodged a bullet there. So close to hitting 50lbs in lost weight it's killing me!!!!!!! But as always I have to remind myself that I kick major butt!!

My legs are going to fall off tomorrow

2007-09-30T19:13:00.000-07:00

I know it. It's going to happen because I just did the most ridiculous bike ride ever. Well for me. I was taking my usual 26 mile trip to Torrance from LAX and when I got back I thought, "hummm, I can go farther." So I decided I would continue onto Venice then when I got there I decided Santa Monica isn't too much farther from there. So I ended up at Santa Monica pier took a 20 minute break ate some food I brought with me. Then rode home. I realized that, the trip was a little over 60 miles! The last leg of it I was totally dead. I was riding so slow up the hill to my apartment. It took me a little over 5 hours so something like 12-13 MPH. Not too bad. Longest ride EVER for me. I was going to train up to 65miles before the summer but man I was almost there today! Now to make the time like around 4 hours I would be happy. My BG when I got home was a 74. Not bad. I didn't exercise much this week because my back was bothering me. On Friday I was feeling better and I was in Newport Beach so I took about a 15 mile trip there. I had dinner with my bro and then went to a gym to shower then bam my shoulder hurt like HELL!! I had a gig that night and it took me all of my energy to keep from screaming out in pain. That passed last night. So today's ride makes up for some lack of exercise. Although I think I will be up in weight tomorrow. BOOO!!! Now I am going to have a dreamfields pasta dinner and sit on my butt and stretch out for a while!

Today

2007-09-29T22:20:00.001-07:00

Well There are a couple things. My shoulder doesn't hurt as much anymore but my neck hurts now. What the heck is up with that? My roomie has been extremely busy recently and I think he is cranky. I am a cranky dude too but I don't take it out on other people. I understand and I deal with it because if I were in the same situation I would like to be tolerated but.... you know. Anyway, today I went to a funeral. So it got me thinking about my funeral. So here would be my funeral in a nutshell.

1. It would be a party in a hotel ballroom or some sort of multipurpose room.
2. I would have to have some sort of motown or top 40 cover group there. Those guy would play all freakin night. EVERYBODY MUST DANCE!!!!
3. Open bar
4. I would like a huge BBQ pit. Korean BBQ, Roasted Pork, Chicken, Carne Asada, Yakiniku, Steak and stuff like that. I want like 3 or 4 of those giant barrel shaped BBQs running all night. The pig must be cooked in the ground! The whole thing would be like a buffet. Food and drink served all night.
5. Sushi Chef
6. Happy and sad testimonials are okay but they have to be short.
7. No one cries
8. No slideshow
9. I would like to be cremated.
10. I would like to be thrown off a cliff in Malibu after my funeral. I would like everyone at the funeral to be there.
11. I would like a granite or if there is enough money marble bench with my name carved into it placed somewhere along the beach.
12. I would like a piece commissioned in my name by Eric Whitacre or maybe Sam Hazo, to be premiered at my funeral.
13. I would like a scholarship program put together in my name from people who play the trombone.
14. Cool free giveaways
15. No flowers
16. Anyone who I knew at any point in my life is welcome.
17. Any of my students are welcome to come.
18. Any of my students are welcome to perform.
19. It would be a night time event. Like 6pm-midnight so we can have a good turnout and have some fun. I would like it to be on a Saturday night.
20. Big screens and stuff to show TV at the party.

I want it to be a party. Nothing sad. There is no reason to be sad.

Just an odd thought from me from my experiences of the day. It was an odd day.

Ouch, my shoulder

2007-09-29T07:33:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I spent the day at Newport Beach. I skipped out on school and went to NB because I had a performance there. I had to be there by 4 but seriously with Friday traffic I would have never made it so I went down there all day. I biked from NB to Huntington Beach Pier and back I think it was like only 15 miles total because it only too me 1 hour. Why did I end so quick? Well I had to met my bro for lunch. I had some organic food/ health food for lunch. It was good. Then I went to South Bay Subaru to get a trailer hitch and bike rake for my new Subaru Impreza but I haven't had it installed. I'll get that done at the Santa Monica dealership during work one day. But after that I went to the gym to shower and during the shower my shoulder started to hurt. What the heck? It hurt during my whole performance and is still sore. I don't know what is happening. During the down time at the gig I just laid on the ground because it hurt like hell. Booooo

Pizza? Take 2.....

2007-09-27T18:23:00.000-07:00

Well 2 hours later and I was at a 111. Well I don't like it a lot but it's within good range. I needed to be closer to 100 though. Booo. It'll be a once in a while snack, like 1/2 of that pizza, added to some exercise and I bet it would be under 100. I made it point to sit on my arse. Oh well. Good experiment. It was a good time.

Portion control baby!

It's just been one of those high days I keep reading about. It's better than getting a 200 or a 300 though.

Pizza? Hummm....

2007-09-27T17:05:00.002-07:00

I found this flat bread at the Vons I go to next to the deli aisle and I decided to pick some up. 8g of carbs net after taking out thesugar alcohol 1g and 8g of fiber.

This is the back of it. It's multi-grain... hummm.

This is what I put on the pizza. Now the bread is very... heavy? and very doughy but very soft. I bought this ragu pizza sauce. 5g of carbs per 1.4 cup but I seriously used like 3 tbsp of this stuff. So I am guessing like 2g tops of carbs. Budding ham 2 slices which would maybe at most have 1g of carbs and some of this low fat italian cheese, also maybe 1g of carbs.

This the result. I added oregano as well. ummm.

This baby is going into the toaster oven. I toasted it to the dark toast setting. I watched it so it wouldn't burn.

Here is the final product. I had it with my customary salad. It was tasty. The edges were toasted crisp. The middle was a bit chewy. Not was thick as a usual pizza but I always liked mine thin crust anyway. I was at a 94 before my meal so now I am going to check at 6:20 for my after meal to see if it messed with me. I plan to sit on my arse until then so I don't fudge the readings. Oh total carbs.... umm maybe 11? Then the salad. Probably total carbs like 13g.

Feeling odd..... dang.

2007-09-27T09:22:00.000-07:00

So I was teaching my first class and I was feeling odd so I decided to check my BG. It was a 114. I haven't had one of those in a while. I was a little shocked. I had a bigger portion of breakfast than I usually do. I was hungry but I woke up at a 74. That was a shock as well. No longer will I have those dang Jello Pudding Cups as part of my breakfast! I was hungry and I had just bought the sugar free kind! BLAH TO SUGAR FREE PUDDING! I just need to buy the regular sugar free jello cups I guess, I was trying to mix it up a bit. Bad idea! I hope this feeling passes soon though. Although 114 is a very acceptable number it seems to be high for me!!

BOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

I'm going to try some new flat bread tonight though. There was a picture of it used as a pizza crust... Oh geez. I hope it doesn't mess with me too much. According to the packaging 8 net carbs for a slice? of this flat bread. ummmmm...

Exercise

2007-09-24T06:20:00.000-07:00

I realize I haven't been posting about my exercise. Obviously I have been doing it or I would not have lost all of this weight. I have been doing a lot more cardio on the cross trainer and the recumbent bike at the gym. I haven't been going to yoga as much, once in 2 weeks now but I will get back on that horse soon. I also took a 25ish mile ride yesterday. I think I will be working on training for something soon. I'm not sure what but a 30 mile or a 65 mile, metric century as they call it, ride. But do not worry my few friend who read this. I am getting in my exercise!

Weight Loss Progress 9-24-07

2007-09-24T06:15:00.001-07:00

My weight on
7/23/07 was 247.4
My weight on
7/30/07 was 241.2
My weight on
8/6/07 was 239.0
My weight on
8/13/07 was 234.6
My Weight on
8/20/07 was 233.4
My Weight on
8/27/07 was 231.0
My Weight on
9/3/07 was 227.4
My Weight on
9/10/07 was 221.6
My Weight on
9/17/07 was 218.6
My Weight on
9/24/07 is 214

Weight Loss 33.4lbs
Total Weight Loss Since June - 46lbs

Well. Interesting stuff is happening. Ugh. I think things will be fine for me though. I am fighting through a few issues but I am kicking ass outside of that. Man, I rock it hard! I just need to keep it up! I kick ass!

2007-09-21T20:02:00.000-07:00

I wasn't sure where to post this but I figure this would be a good place. I because of good diet and doing some extremely good exercising have dropped a good deal of weight. Now for some reason recently I have not been feeling so great about it. My BG readings seem to always been between 90-110 and even lower in the mornings, on no med and just treating with diet and exercise currently. I have been dropping the lbs and I figure I should feel great. Well for some reason I feel a bit down. I imagine it's just knowing I have D that is messing with me. So I discussed this with a co-worker and she said maybe I am just feeling uncomfortable with my new body and mentioned that my pants looked huge on me. I pointed at the end of my belt and how I seem to be about 5-6 notches farther into my belt and said how I haven't bought any new clothes. So she suggested I go out and buy some clothes. But I figured I wouldn't do it because I still want to drop A LOT of weight. I feel like I don't want to waste money on clothes that will be too big for me in a month. She also told me that if I waited to get to my goal weight to buy new clothes I would look like I had clown pants on and what would look like an over sized shirt that people sleep in. But today I decided to go clothes shopping. I am ashamed to say it but I was a size 42 for about 1 year now. So I went into a low end kind of bargain bin store to buy some clothes. The pants were all about $10 but it was all name brand stuff like Ralph Lauren and such. I picked up some size 40 pants and went into the dressing room. I figured that was about right for me. So I put them on and still I looked like a gangster with my pants sagging really low. I looked down and thought to myself, "What the heck? Did I really lose more than 2 inches?" So went back out and picked up some 38 inch pants. Now I haven't worn 38 inch pants in a long while. (I seriously can't remember my last pair of 38 pants) So I was skeptical about even trying them one. I was convinced that they would be too small for me. We I put them on and they just slid right on no problems and it actually fit perfectly! I thought to myself, "Wow, that is amazing." I checked and they are not even the cheater pants with the elastic on the side they are actual size 38 pants! SO I picked up 3 pair of size 38 pants.

Now, I know size 38 is still big and I have a long way to go but dang. I was/am so proud of myself. I want to use this little thing in my life to spring board me to continue with my weight loss and healthy life style. If I do my math right by the time I hit my goal weight I might be a size 32. That would be mind blowing for me.

I just had to write this post because I had no one to talk to about this and I am soooo freakin excited and happy.

Update 9-17-07

2007-09-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

My weight on
7/23/07 was 247.4
My weight on
7/30/07 was 241.2
My weight on
8/6/07 was 239.0
My weight on
8/13/07 was 234.6
My Weight on
8/20/07 was 233.4
My Weight on
8/27/07 was 231.0
My Weight on
9/3/07 was 227.4
My Weight on
9/10/07 was 221.6
My Weight on
9/17/07 is 218.6

Weight Loss 28.8lbs
Weight Loss from the Beginning of the Summer of 07 - 41.4lbs

I hope I can keep this up!

Stuff

2007-09-14T06:24:00.000-07:00

Had some potatoes the other night. Not a good idea. Stayed in the 110 range for like an hour. Went out and did a quick workout and dropped to 90. Not too bad. My weight is at a stand still. Hummm.... I didn't work out on Monday and Tuesday on purpose because I needed some recovery days. Number didn't change a whole lot on those days too...... I am off to work!

My Bruins!

2007-09-10T05:47:00.000-07:00

Oh yes and it was a good weekend in Bruinland this past weekend! UCLA beat BYU and now we are 2-0. Go Bruins! This weekend is Utah... Now I will not say any win will be east since my team is shaky at times but I think we will win! Go Bruins!!!!!!!!!!!

Weight Loss Progress 9/10/2007

2007-09-10T05:38:00.000-07:00

My weight on
7/23/07 was 247.4
My weight on
7/30/07 was 241.2
My weight on
8/6/07 was 239.0
My weight on
8/13/07 was 234.6
My Weight on
8/20/07 was 233.4
My Weight on
8/27/07 was 231.0
My Weight on
9/3/07 was 227.4
My Weight on
9/10/07 is 221.6

Weight Loss - 25.8lbs
Weight Loss from the beginning of Summer - 38.4lbs

So there was a good jump this week! 5.8lbs is a lot. It's a lot more than I have been losing recently as well. I think it has something to do with being back at work and dealing with the kids.

Now I have to revise my weight loss schedule. I will post it later today but I was going to hit 223lbs by December. Well as you can see I have hit it in September. My ultimate goal of 165lbs is waaaaayyyyy off but it doesn't feel as far away as it did 2 months ago. My next goal weight is 200lbs and I think my goal to hit that weight is mid-February. I think the Holiday months are going to kill me!!!

Either way, I kick butt and I can hit my next goal weight! I believe in myself!!!! I kick butt!

Weight Loss Progress

2007-09-03T08:14:00.000-07:00

My weight on
7/23/07 was 247.4
My weight on
7/30/07 was 241.2
My weight on
8/6/07 was 239.0
My weight on
8/13/07 was 234.6
My Weight on
8/20/07 was 233.4
My Weight on
8/27/07 was 231.0
My Weight on
9/3/07 is 227.4

Weight Lost - 20lbs
Weight Lost since the beginning of summer - 32.6lbs

So yeah Is started the summer at 260lb when I went into the Dr's office I was at 247.4lbs so that is why I am keeping track of 2 different weights. I technically have lost more than 10% of my first weight but not of the weight where I started to go to the doctor. My first goal weight is 223lbs.... I planned to make it there by the end of December... well I am well ahead of that. I am hoping to hit that weight by the end of September now. Which means I would be about 3 months a head of schedule!!!!!! My next goal weight after that is 200lbs.... I had planned to hit that weight by May 2008 but I guess I'll have to bump that up to maybe February. These are just little goals, if I don't make them I will adjust. But I am only 4.4lbs away from my first goals weight. I kick ass!!!! So proud of myself! I am a kick ass mofo!!!!

So it's impossible

2007-09-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

It's impossible for me to update this blog everyday. I'll just tell you that I am eating right. In general... hehe. But, the honest to goodness truth is that I am eating better and I am exercising more. I spent almost an hour and a half on an exercise bike yesterday mostly because I got caught up in a book. Oh well.

Today is a big day. Today is the first game in the UCLA Bruins' Football season! This should be an awesome game... I hope. I have to go into work on a Saturday morning to fix a broken percussion cabinet. Then go to the farmers market in Santa Monica and then hit the gym and be back before 12:30 to watch the UCLA vs. Stanford game. GO BRUINS! CHOP THE TREES!

So update and my shame

2007-08-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

So I haven't updated in a while. It not because of a lack of time but more to do with how I was eating and exercising. I broke my exercise streak at 30 days... the day AFTER my birthday!!! What the heck? I thought I would break it on my birthday but I was wrong it seems. Also my birthday was a mess.... I had dinner with a few of my friends... we went to eat steak. Then the waitress brought a big ol' thing of ice cream and brownies... I couldn't resist I had 2 spoonfuls... sigh... Also my mom was in town so we went out to eat and had Korean BBQ which should be low carbs but I didn't eat til I was satisfied I ate until I was stuffed. That equaled to about 3-4lbs of weight gain in a few days... I was so ashamed of myself. I ruined a good thing. Since then I am back on the workout band wagon and have been eating better. I doubled my workouts the rest of the week and BAM I was back to my weight from the week before and then BAM I am now under it.

My weight on
7/23/07 was 247.4
My weight on
7/30/07 was 241.2
My weight on
8/6/07 was 239.0
My weight on
8/13/07 was 234.6
My Weight on
8/20/07 was 233.4
My Weight on
8/27/07 is 231.0

Weight lost - 16.4lbs
Weight lost from beginning of the summer - 29lbs..... Wow.

Well, again not a huge jump but I have to be patient. It took me a while to get this size and it will take me a while to get back down. I am sad I let my workout record go but.... I am back on it. I feel a bit ashamed that I let my diet slip too but I need to get over it. My BG levels are good, so I am set! Just need to keep it up. Man, I want to be under 200 in the next 5 months now. My first goal weight was 223 and I am 8lbs off of that. I planned to be there by December! So I have to be way ahead of my goals! WAAAAY ahead. I think I will hit 223 by October or maybe at the latest November! I have to revise my weight loss goals at that point then! Kickin!

Weight Loss

2007-08-20T06:06:00.000-07:00

My weight on
7/23/07 was 247.4
My weight on
7/30/07 was 241.2
My weight on
8/6/07 was 239.0
My weight on
8/13/07 was 234.6
My Weight on
8/20/07 was 233.4

Total Weight Lost - 14lbs
Total Weight Lost from the beginning of Summer - 26.6lbs. Kickin!!!!!!!!! Not a huge jump this week but it's all good baby!!!!!!

8/14 to 8/18 work out report

2007-08-18T23:05:00.000-07:00

8/14
1.5 hours yoga
8/15
.5 hour walk
8/16
2 hour bike ride
8/17
1.5 hour yoga
8/18
.5 hour walking

I am keeping the work out up! I am kicking but the exercise has been lite this week. A lot of stuff to do. I cheated and I know I am slightly up from last week. UGH...... But I am not going to worry about it.. I still kick a$$.

8/18/2007

2007-08-18T23:01:00.000-07:00

So when I was at the Mitsuwa Japanese Market I bought this thing. I have decided to put a lot more fish in my diet and to cut down to zero basically any oil I would use to cook it. So I bought this fish roaster. 69.99 dollar and well worth it.

Lunch was a Lean Cuisine I had never had before. 20g of carbs and after I ate it I realized.... I didn't take a picutre of it but this is the box. The thing is the meal has potatoes in it... Soooo I was worried but I felt fine. The rest of the day was nuts helping my brother with and event he was putting on. It was really hot in Little Tokyo. I thought about going to the Tofu Fest but.... I didn't. I like tofu but not that much.

Dinner was my fish roasters debut. I must say I love it.
146g Suary Pike - pre-cooked weight
Cremine Mushrooms - 75g - pre-cooked weight
51g salad
6g 1000 Island
3g Jalapeno Gouda

I bought the mushrooms and cheese at the Santa Monica farmers market today. I like going there. I imagine the cheese is not good for me but it's only 3g. I cooked the mushrooms in the same fish roaster. It took only 10 minutes to make the fish and mushrooms and the clean up was not too bad. No oil used to cook but I put some non-stick spray on the grill of the roaster. It tasted awesome. I love saury because it has these bitter intestine that really give it a kick. This fish is called sanma in Japanese and it's one of my fav fish. I had to add some soy sauce though, just a little to add some salty taste. The fish roaster can roast veggies and meats too! I want to pick up some korean BBQ and give it a try sometime. Not oil cooking will be good for me! But I have to say it gets really HOT! REALLY HOT! I thought I might get a fishy smell too but I set the roaster up under the stove fan and ran the fan while it was cooking. That cut down on it a lot. Good times. Look for me eating a lot more fish!

8/17/2007

2007-08-18T22:52:00.000-07:00

This day was nuts. My mom flew in from Japan so I did not get to do much. This was breakfast.
69g salad
2g cheese
21g chicken
13g 1000 Island

I did not have lunch.

Dinner was some japanese food at the Mitsuwa market. I had the grilled fish, tempura veggies, and a salad. I left the rice alone..... tear. I think the tempura may have an okay amount of carbs in it but I don't think I came anywhere near my limit.

8/15 continued and 8/16/2007

2007-08-18T22:49:00.000-07:00

Dinner was another Lean Cuisine. 13g of carbs. It's steak tips and Portabello mushrooms. It's tasty.
59g salad
2g cheese
20g chicken
11g ranch

8/16/2007
60g salad
2g cheese
11g ranch
20g chicken

Lean Cuisine Roast Turkey and Veggies
12g of carbs

So dinner was at a friends place.
Creamy Asparagus soup. Ummm carb count? Who knows. But it was very tasty and probably very bad for me. At the tops is a garden salad with some glazed walnuts in them. Also I forgot to take a pic of it but there was grilled halibut served with the salad. It was all tasty and I think in general pretty low carb, I guess it could have been worse.

Picassa is killing me! 8/14/2007 and 8/15/2007

2007-08-18T22:42:00.000-07:00

Dinner on 8/14/2007 was a lean cuisine. But I had crossed by a El Pollo Loco that was having a killer sale on chicken so I bought just the chicken. No beans, no rice, and no tortillas. They are thighs and legs so kind of high in fat but have no carbs. The lean cuisine has 13g of carbs. Chicken is pictured below.

Breakfast salag in a bowl. I am putting all my salads in these throw away tupperware. That way I can mix it up really easy and use less dressing. Genius!
50g salad
2g cheese
10g 1000 Island
30g chicken - El Pollo Loco stuff just cut up.

Lunch was being packed up because I would be gone all day.
65g salad
1g cheese
14g 1000 Island
41g chicken

8/14/2007

2007-08-18T22:38:00.000-07:00

32g onion
20g beef
1/4 cup reddiegg
38g peppers
Tasty breakfast!

Lunch was on the road at Quiznos. I had the flat bread salad but!!! I did not have the bread. That is a lie. I had one quarter of the bread.... it was delicious..... hey gotta cheat sometimes. The thing is supposed to have like 70g of carbs but since I did not eat all the bread and all the dressing I imagine there is a lot less carbs. Picture evidence below!

Sorry

2007-08-17T12:33:00.003-07:00

I have been super busy with life. I will update the last 4 days later tonight. I promise! Ugh!

Camelbak

2007-08-13T20:28:00.000-07:00

Behold my new camelbak. It holds 3 liters of water. It will be 8lbs totally full and it cost me a good deal of money. This thing better be worth it and also poop gold. I bought this stuff called elixir with it as well. It's electrolyte tabs and has no sugar and less than 1g of carbs. Should be good for me, it's not really gatorade or anything. The other thing is with this bag I can hold my camera and take pictures of the cute girls I see and the beach. Also hold some more fruit for longer rides. I should be able to go longer now......

ARGHHH PICASA I HATE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-08-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

So breakfast.... Nothing interesting.
48g beef - 0g carbs
65g salad - 3g carbs
2g cheese - 0g cheese
18g Ranch - 1g carbs
100g plum - 10g carbs
14g total carbs

I had to be in Chino Hills today.... which it turns out I wasn't supposed to be.... but it's okay so I packed a lunch.
43g beef - 0g carbs
65g salad - 3g carbs
2g cheese - 0g carbs
18g ranch - 1g carbs
4g total carbs

Thing is I left Chino early so I ate this when I got home but.... I did not have the plum I packed that for my bike ride.
100g plum - 10g carbs

So it was lunchish time and I got hungry so I had this Lean Cuisine. Roast turkey and veggies. Very TASTY!
63g salad - 3g
2g cheese - 0g
12g Ranch - 1g
57g beef - 0g
Lean Cuisine - 12g cabrs
16g total carb count

Dinner... I was really hungry. So I made some of that pasta I like.
112g Pasta - 10g carbs
63g sauce - 3g carbs
63g chicken - 3g carbs
58g salad - 3g carbs
2g cheese - 0g carbs
10g 1000 Island - 2g carbs
21g total carbs

So it seems that I ate a lot today but not really because I had a hefty workout today. This morning when I got to Chino Hills I went to the HS and ran laps... okay jogged and walked laps. So went about a hour.... ran about 1 mile then ran up and down the stairs of the stadium. That was rough but a good time. Tomorrow I'll bring my bike. THEN! I got home and decided to buy a camelbak so I can bike longer with out dehydrating. Pictures of my camelbak will come soon. Anyway so I left from home and the trips was about 13 miles to the REI in Santa Monica.... then rode back. 26 mile trip.... I didn't think it was that far away. Also yesterday I posted 30 miles is the farthest I have gone. Well it seems I was totally wrong.... my roomie and I went on a trip a while back from LAX through Santa Monica to where the bike trail ends and that was much farther than where I was today. I probably have gone on a 35-40mile trip before. One day I'll hit the century mark though. I'll train for that one... So I worked out a ton today. I again need to go to the gym and hit the weights though... You burn much more calories for a much more extended period of time than doing cardio. Gotta hit the weights!

Oh yes... I kick major a$$ because I am still losing weight. Other than a few dizzy spells from some medication I was given for something else I am feeling pretty good. I am exhausted at the end of the day though. I'll be in Chino Hills tomorrow again and I will be riding my bike! A lot of hills.... I suck at hills. But it's good for me... a good kick in the butt. I am extremely proud of my progress though. I feel better and I just can't explain how well things are for me right at this moment. This weekend I ran into about 10 people I had not seens in a while. Of those 10 people about 4 people commented that I have lost weight. It feels so good when people notice. But wait until next year... I hope people won't be able to recognize me. Keep kickin! I rock hard abs washer board style!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Weight Loss

2007-08-13T05:42:00.000-07:00

So I cheat on my weight loss and check my weight a couple times during the day sometimes. I notice I gain weight as I go through the day, I lose weight after my work out, gain weight as I eat during the day, and lose weight during the night. I am always lightest in the morning..... So I was shocked at my weight this morning but I'll gain 2-3lbs during the day.

My weight on
7/23/07 was 247.4
My weight on
7/30/07 was 241.2
My weight on
8/6/07 was 239.0
My weight on
8/13/07 is 234.6

Basically I have lost about 12.8lbs in the past 3 weeks. Since the beginning of the summer I have lost 25lbs. Good job! I kick ass!!!!!!!!!!

Food and workout

2007-08-12T21:15:00.000-07:00

So let's see. Picassa is sucking right now so my posts are formating horrible. Oh well. It's time to update this sucker.
Breakfast was a salad with some protein.
68g beef - 0 to 1g carbs
68g salad - 3g of carbs
15g ranch - 1g carbs
1g cheese - 0g carbs
1 string cheese - 1g carbs

Lunch just didn't happen.... I had this as a snack.

105g plum - 10g carbs

Work out baby!!!
I went on a bike ride..... almost 3 hours of riding. 30 miles baby!!!!!! Longest ride I have done EVAR! LAX to Torrance to a little while into Dockweiler and then turned around back to LAX. My legs were tired and I did not have any more H2O so I decided to turn back. I need to buy a camelbak! I can keep some fruit in there too. Oh yeah, in Torrance I stopped and had an apple. Probably like 10g of carbs.... I imagine I burned that off real quick. 22 straight days of working out! I kick BUTT!!!!

Dinner.... another salad with some protein. It's all good though....

62g of salad - 3g carbs
36g beef - 0 to 1g carbs
2g cheese - 0g carbs
10g Ranch - 1g carbs
5g total carbs

Weigh in tomorrow...... I'm scared but at the same time.... I can't wait!!! I'm hoping for about 237.... we shall see.