Update XX: A Darn Good Judge of My Financial Situation

[Joe Biden 2020]

Bushie go walk to downtown Tulsa and back. I walk to downtown Minneapolis and back quite frequently.

Downtown Tulsa is 13 miles.  I only walk 20 minute miles.  It would take me 9 hours to get there and back, not including time to rest.  I am not ready to walk a marathon, my heart would literally give out.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I just walked down to the apartment laundry facility which is 1/4 mile from my door, put my clothes in the dryer, then walked back.  This is 1/2 mile in about 9-10 minutes.  I'll do another half mile in a couple or three hours.

Again, it's not a big walk, but it's definitely a good start and I don't think anyone would discount that.

I'm pretty sure you're fudging the numbers but congratulations anyway

Nothing here is to be congratulated. I used to do that with Jeff -- recognize even the smallest of victories -- and it was always misinterpreted as a reason to kick back with a day off from exercise, or a Braum's meal, or a day of napping. One step forward, one step back ... always.

If he's able to keep up this level of activity for a month ... then pat him on the back. Until then, any congratulations will only be used days from now as a reason for a cheat day: "I'm doing everything right, you guys said so. And now I deserve a reward."

You're right, there's nothing to be congratulated after just one day, but I still can feel good about myself.  I just have to keep this up.

[Joe Biden 2020]

With the laundry finished for the week, I am going to make a Walmart list, grab some supper, and then go by the store before daylight is gone.  I think I will go out to eat tonight.  The exercise portion of the change started today, but the diet portion starts at midnight, so I'm going to enjoy one last meal before I start the diet portion tomorrow.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Enjoy your vegetables, Bushie.

I will make sure I have a few veggies at dinner.  I'll eat out, but I'm going to a place where I can get vegetables.

[Joe Biden 2020]

How long until the diet is "official"?

5 hours 30 minutes.

I went to Golden Corral for supper tonight, but decided to try something different for me - a bell pepper.  It wasn't bad.  I had one plate of food at Golden Corral not piled exceptionally high, just ham, mashed potatoes, and a few bell peppers and celery.  I also had a small amount of ice cream and banana pudding.  So, while not officially on the diet, yet, and even though I did go to Golden Corral, I managed to get down two vegetables.  I also got some baby carrots at Walmart along with some bottled water.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Bushie, what's your official weight for the first day of this "new diet"?

This morning, I weighed in at 287.  I had come back up slightly as predicted by King just because I had closer to a normal amount of calories.

[Joe Biden 2020]

today was the first time you are a bell pepper?

Not the very first time, but it's not something I normally eat.

[Joe Biden 2020]

So was going to the Golden Trough a bachelor party of sorts? A Mardi Gras bacchanalia before the long Lent?

You could say that.

[Joe Biden 2020]

So was going to the Golden Trough a bachelor party of sorts? A Mardi Gras bacchanalia before the long Lent?

Are you kidding me? He'll be having "bachelor parties" several times a week ... starting tomorrow!

Tomorrow, I will open the day with cereal and then probably have a few carrots and a sandwich for lunch and then have some scrambled eggs for supper after church.  I will walk at some point tomorrow afternoon for about 10-15 minutes depending on how I feel.  I will also start my water consumption.  I'll report back tomorrow night and give an account of how I did.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Bell peppers and celery? Nice.

I was looking for the green beans, but I couldn't find them and it was really crowded, so I went to the salad bar and picked up a bell pepper and some celery.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I was looking for the green beans, but I couldn't find them and it was really crowded, so I went to the salad bar and picked up a bell pepper and some celery.

Wait, a bell pepper?  As in; a whole bell pepper?  Was it at least sliced?  Or did you just munch on it like an apple?

A couple slices of a bell pepper.

[Joe Biden 2020]

The only thing I will say to J-Mann is that I'm aware of my own faults and weaknesses.  I can't do this on my own, that's why I have no intention on closing Update.  I need the accountability this provides.  I'm going to rely on you guys to give me tips and pointers where I could change a few things.  I may ask every now and then about a particular recipe or stuff like that.  In return, I pledge to be truthful about what I eat and what I weigh and how much I walk.  I'm going to take your post as motivation to prove you wrong.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Bushie, what are all the things you know how to cook?  Are you actually going to learn to cook anything new during this phase of "cooking at home 5 nights a week"?

Spaghetti
Bacon and Eggs (scrambled and fried)
Chili
I can put a roast in the crock pot (not sure if that counts)

I definitely want to learn and I'm going to get a simple cookbook and follow a few the recipes.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Chili from scratch.  Browning the hamburger meat and adding in some chili seasoning and maybe a few spices.  I might throw in some other stuff like ranch style beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and cover it with a lid for a few minutes to let the ingredients cook together and blend nicely.  I make sure I have plenty of Fritos and shredded cheese to cool the chili down.

It's a simple recipe and I just put it in a cast iron skillet.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Bushie, do you have pots and pans in your apartment? If you've never used the oven before, it would seem that you probably wouldn't.

I've got a sauce pan, skillet, small round cake pan, and a cookie sheet/pizza pan.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Bushie, do you have pots and pans in your apartment? If you've never used the oven before, it would seem that you probably wouldn't.

I've got a sauce pan, skillet, small round cake pan, and a cookie sheet/pizza pan.

How would you have cooked spaghetti? A sauce pan often doesn't fit that (unless you mean sauce pot, not to be annoyingly...errr 'technical', but it's a major difference). In other words, does long pasta fit in anything you own?

Also, I don't know if others would agree, but put the skillet to work and fry vegetables! It's better than not having any ever even if frying is not completely healthy. Let's be real, your other options are all going to be fried anyway. At least make something moderately better with what you have.

I always break the noodles in two before putting them in the sauce pan so they will fit.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Chili from scratch.  Browning the hamburger meat and adding in some chili seasoning and maybe a few spices.  I might throw in some other stuff like ranch style beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and cover it with a lid for a few minutes to let the ingredients cook together and blend nicely.  I make sure I have plenty of Fritos and shredded cheese to cool the chili down.

It's a simple recipe and I just put it in a cast iron skillet.

Ugh, typical Okie, thinking chili has beans in it.

I won't dignify the mention of Fritos and shredded cheese with a response.

Some recipes do include beans.

Fritos and shredded cheese are staples at chili time.  I don't see what the big deal is with them, as long as they're applied with moderation and restraint?

[Joe Biden 2020]

I made it home from church.  This morning, I weighed in at 288, but I woke up too late for breakfast.  I just had two hot dogs for lunch.  I am about to have some baby carrots and a bottle of water for a snack.  After the Thunder game, I'll get out and walk for about 10 minutes.  BRTD, I'm not ready to walk 3 miles, yet.  I have to build up to it.  Maybe some day I can, but not right now.  I will be leaving for church at 1640 because we are starting the rehearsals for our Easter Cantata.  Easter is only 8 weeks away.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Bushie...walk 1 mile at least..thats normal walking pace for ~15 minutes.  Make it an hour and you've walked 3-4 miles.

I walk 20 minute miles, but I'm just not ready to keep it up for an entire hour.  Does nobody understand the need to work up to it?  Nobody who walks or runs a race starts out at the length required for the race.  They start out small and work up.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Bushie...walk 1 mile at least..thats normal walking pace for ~15 minutes.  Make it an hour and you've walked 3-4 miles.

I walk 20 minute miles, but I'm just not ready to keep it up for an entire hour.  Does nobody understand the need to work up to it?  Nobody who walks or runs a race starts out at the length required for the race.  They start out small and work up.

This is what I'm talking about -- never a willingness to take even the first step. A couple of laps around Walmart and you think you deserve a trophy, and no drive to ever push yourself beyond. I guarantee that in a month, you'll either be off the exercise train altogether, or saying how you're "working your way up."

Right now, I can walk about 20 minutes with no problems.  By the middle of March, I hope to be up to 30-40 minutes.  I can walk a mile with no problem.  I just can't do much beyond that, yet.  I am working to increase my distance and time.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I just had about 15 baby carrots and a bottle of water for a snack.  Quite tasty.  I will get out and walk in another 30-45 minutes after the Thunder game.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I just had about 15 baby carrots and a bottle of water for a snack.  Quite tasty.  I will get out and walk in another 30-45 minutes after the Thunder game.

Good. 2 miles minimum, ok?

Maybe not 2 miles because I don't want to get too sweaty for church tonight.  I don't want to stand next to my choir mates all smelly.  I also want to watch most of the Lakers vs. Cavs game.  I will put in at least .5-.75 mile, though.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I just had about 15 baby carrots and a bottle of water for a snack.  Quite tasty.  I will get out and walk in another 30-45 minutes after the Thunder game.

Good. 2 miles minimum, ok?

Maybe not 2 miles because I don't want to get too sweaty for church tonight.  I don't want to stand next to my choir mates all smelly.  I also want to watch most of the Lakers vs. Cavs game.  I will put in at least .5-.75 mile, though.

You are absolutely pathetic.

Just be glad I'm going to walk SOME.  It may not be on the forum's terms, but it doesn't have to be.  At least I will get out and get SOME exercise.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I just walked for 15 minutes and 2/3 of a mile.  I couldn't go any longer.  The forum, though, has to be happy that I got out there and walked some.  Of course, I know nothing will ever be good enough, but I feel good about it.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I don't understand why I'm being bashed over the head for walking?  No, I didn't walk for 2 miles, or even 1 mile, but I did not sit on my butt, either.  Beggars cannot be choosers.  I can't be expected to start off with 2 miles when I haven't walked ANYWHERE in several months.