I don't even know what day it is.

Yeah, it's been over a week since I posted. I do appreciate the nudges I've received from Rich, even though I haven't responded.

This is definitely not going to be a long post - just a couple updates.

I exercised more this week, and eating less. Was asked last weekend if I had lost weight. I doubt it, but I don't know for sure. Need to get to the gym and weigh myself (the work-outs I've done were at home, using my Biggest Loser DVD).

I actually did get some time to review my July 12 talk last weekend. This post ends here, because I'm going to do more review right now.

Day 19

I know, I know. I haven't forgotten, but I have had other things take up space in my brain...

Mostly, the problem is just me. But I'm doing other things, too, like take care of my sweet Annalise (11 months old and this close to walking more than a few steps by herself).

I'm gearing up for another long weekend - the final weekend! - of our Kingdom Hall remodel project. I don't foresee it happening, but I'd like to hopefully get to review some of my research material for my July 12 talk while I'm there. We'll see.

That talk is the big thing I've got to do, but the part that's weighing on my brain even more is my newsletter. I actually did the interview with Rich Hopkins that I wanted to do, but I just haven't started writing. Once I start writing, I'm sure I can plug in his quotes and whatnot. But I gotta start. And on that note, here's a factor for why I haven't started:

I've noticed being way sleepier in the evenings lately. Until recently, I could easily stay up till midnight or 1am (sometimes later) and work on various things (talks, newsletter, etc). But as of late I've been feeling exhausted and sleepy by 10 or 10:30. Which cuts out several hours of time that at least had the possibility of being productive. I don't know what exactly has triggered it, but of course there are several likely candidates: full time baby care, stress of not having a job, stress of working on remodel project for long days without seeing Steph or Annalise until late in the evening (if even then). At least one will get resolved soon.

So. My highest priorities over the next few days are to review research material for my talk, and do some writing for my newsletter. If you aren't subscribed, but would like to see what I come up with, click here.

Day 15

OK, so I've been called out. Thanks, Theresa! I appreciate your support and looking out for me. I haven't forgotten or abandoned the challenge - I've just been... well, let's not blame anyone or anything. With the remodel project over the last two weekends, and next weekend to finish up, I'm out there about 12 hours a day, and I just don't feel like posting afterwards. During the week, I really don't have that excuse.

So, like I told Rich yesterday, a 'looking forward' video/post is more positive and fun to watch/read, and I plan to try those as well. Of course, we still have to post our progress, or there's no accountability, but I'd like to at least start off with the to-do list instead of the regretful list.

Now, here's the rest of the evening, by priority.

First, I have congregation accounts to work on for both April and May. Last day of May means this has highest priority.

Second, newsletter. Goal 3A is sending at least 6 newsletters over the 91 days, which is roughly every 2 weeks. I gotta get on it. I mentioned earlier that I was planning to interview Rich as a possible newsletter subject. Good news on that front: we spoke yesterday. I have notes and a rough idea of the basis of what I'll write, so now I gotta write.

Third, help with some laundry. Steph is at the gym right now, so I gotta make hay, as they say. Or is it 'mice will play...'?

Whatever. Blog is now done for the moment. I will post more info and progress tomorrow for sure.

Oh, might as well give a quick health update regarding food over the weekend: the food tables were moved to a different spot for this weekend, which made it easier to not just grab food whenever I wanted. And healthier meals were served. So, generally, I ate better. Also, I worked out on Thursday and mowed the lawn, too. I plan to work out tomorrow. I HAVE to do that more often. Eating better/less is not good enough.

Bye again. Thanks for reading.

Day 11, part 2

OK, update on the 3 must-do items. #1 and #3 got done. Annalise woke up during #1, so I had to wait for Steph to get home, then it was too dark. So, tomorrow for the lawn.

#3 took a while. LOTS of reference material. Have to read it all and thoroughly grok it now.

G'night.

Day 11, part 1

Well, just cuz I haven't posted updates doesn't mean I'm not thinking about it and making some kind of progress.

Biggest news in the last few days, is that my job with the Census is officially over. I have registered for the unemployment extension and will likely get it. But, this means a couple of things. First is that I'll be the primary caretaker of Annalise, and second is that I have to find a paying job. Both of which are, of course, big dedications of time. That said, on with the updates.

Rather than try to catch everything up to date, I'll just say this: I've been having ups and downs with what I eat. The meals have been healthier, but the snacks and desserts have been more frequent than they should be. Exercise is getting passed over. I need to get to the gym and do something. I need to try harder to get out of the house with Annalise, since LA Fitness has a daycare. I'm gonna try really hard to do that tomorrow - I need to get Steph to help me plan how to do that.

Speech work: nothing really.

Writing: nothing at all.

You may have noticed this is Part 1 of Day 11. That's because I have 3 things to absolutely do today, and I'm writing them here so that I can come back later tonight and say I did them.
1. Clean the kitchen, do the dishes.
2. Mow the lawn.
3. Gather research for July 12 talk.

I plan to do them in that order, and Annalise is asleep for the moment, so away I go.

Day 8

So, yeah, missed another day posting. Again, just tired and clean forgot to do it. While I'm not as sunburned as Steph (and others) were saying, I am feeling just worn out. Clearly the long working weekend took it out of me.

Honestly, I remember very little of yesterday. After getting home from the remodel (donuts & OJ for breakfast, pasta and tea for lunch), I crashed. Then ate dinner (smothered pork chops and rice) and crashed. Had a snack of Whoppers and chocolate milk, and fell asleep watching 24 while Steph went to see Star Trek again with her sister and friends.

I hope to post about today's activities later. Cookout over at my sister's house, might be helping to paint, too.

Day 7, Champion of Choice Challenge

Well, I clearly missed a day. Yesterday really wore me out and I fell asleep at the computer without doing a blog post. So, yesterday's update first, then today.

It was a pretty good day overall. Got up early to head to the remodel project by 6:15, as I am head of Parking. I basically have to tell everyone that they can't park on-site, and direct them down the street. Lather, rinse, repeat, as they say - just kept doing that all day long. And will continue for the duration.

I left the project just before lunch, as i had to get ready to go speak at the career day. Spoke at 3 25-minute sessions with a 5 minute break between each. They went OK - about as well as I expected.

Then I headed back to the remodel for an hour or 2. Dinner on-site was 'not my cup of tea', so Steph and Annalise and 2 friends and I went to CiCi's Pizza. Although I skipped lunch in preparation for the speeches, I wasn't very hungry for CiCi's. Overall, didn't eat much at all yesterday. It was convenient foods rather than healthy foods, but very small amounts.

On to today: Very long day again, but I knew I didn't post last night so I'm doing this now, before any other computer stuff tonight. And I'm already feeling a bit glazed over...

Food today: donuts on-site for breakfast, with some OJ. Lunch was some excellent baked chicken and a couple bites of some kind of potato (veggies were inedible, had 2 rolls, finished with small slice of apple pie), with water. Dinner was pot roast and mashed potatoes and sweet tea, finished with some pecan pie. Ate pretty healthy overall, including the portion sizes.

Given the environment, I did get a chance to talk about both my June 21st and my July 12th speeches a little. No real prep work was done, but talking about them counts for something.

And now we have the end of another update, so I will see you tomorrow.

PS. Owing to getting the remodel project started earlier than planned (Thursday afternoon instead of Friday morning), we only plan a half day of work tomorrow. I shouldn't be so worn out afterward, so that's good. Also good for my sunburn, as several people called me a lobster this evening. I don't think I'm that burned, though a half day and then a 4 days off will help it tremendously.

Thanks for reading!

Day 5, Champion of Choice Challenge

Feeling much better today. Took medicine to 'stop me up', so to speak, and I've been doing great today. On to today's progress:

1. Actually had a scheduled doctor visit this morning, related to my cholesterol. I've had super high cholesterol numbers for a long time, and I've been battling it for a little while under doctor supervision. First, good news: down 5 lbs from last doctor visit, and numbers were down as well but not enough. Doc upped my dosage again (each up has helped so far). We'll see.

In addition to medication, he firmly informed me that 3x weekly exercise is a must. Then we discussed this challenge, and I told him 30lbs in 91 days. He thinks that's a bit much, and will REQUIRE a combination of better portions, better food, and more exercise. I agree, and hope that I'm up to it. I don't want to disappoint myself or my family or the Challenge group. So I will proceed.

Food intake today: Whataburger with cheese, with fries, Dr Pepper. I did this knowing that I had a hard afternoon ahead. We're remodeling our Kingdom Hall (for those that don't know, I'm one of Jehovah's Witnesses), and we started demolition today. I had fairly constant exercise for about 4 hours. Yes, too much after being sick. Yes, too much after not lifting weights or exercising for many months. Now I'm sore all over (a bit, nothing major), but feel good for having gotten some blood flowing and muscles working. We continue demo this weekend thru Sunday, then pick up actual building and installing next Fri-Sat-Sun, finishing everything the following Fri-Sat-Sun. Busy weekends ahead.

Dinner was spaghetti with Dr Pepper. Water was consumed in large quantities throughout the day.

2A, 2B, 3A. On backburner because of remodel project. I should have more time to work on them the next few days though, as my part of the project is not intense like today was.

3B, done.

In conclusion, I'm optimistic about this challenge and how well I've kept up. Having Rich to follow and help remind me to blog is a serious help to me. That I've done the blog every day is a big thing for me. Yes, that sound you just heard was a small pat on my own back.

PS. Big DUH moment here. Update to 2A that I hadn't even mentioned on this blog: I'm speaking at a career day at a high school tomorrow. 3 sessions of 25 minutes. Funny thing is, I'll be telling them about a career in drafting/AutoCAD, and I haven't worked as a drafter since last August. Ironic thing is, I'm going to speak a career day on the day when even my current job is probably ending. Go figure. Anybody in Dallas/Ft. Worth need to hire a trainer? How about a drafter? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Day 4, Champion of Choice Challenge

Right to it, still sick, and now sleepy.

1. Due to being sick, not eating much. Had some of the leftovers (previously mentioned) for brunch. After that, crackers and Sprite and water. For dinner, a bowl of chicken soup and a few crackers and a little Sprite.

2A, 2B, 3A. No progress. Sick in bed watching DVR'ed episodes of 24.

3B. Here we are.

G'night, y'all.

Day 3, Champion of Choice

Brief update, as this household is sick, and I really feel like crap.

1. Weight. Yesterday: ate poorly, but not whole lot. It was cheesy bread from Little Ceasar's and almost half of a thin crust Pizza Inn pizza, and 2 cans of Dr Pepper - that was it for the whole day. Today, had 2 bowls of Raisin Bran for lunch and a few bites of dinner (mac and cheese, fried potatoes, baked beans, weiners & sauerkraut). Couldn't finish anything, feel too horrible. I think the milk at lunch was bad.

2A. No progress on the July 12 speech, which is a completely new outline for me, but I also found out that I've been scheduled for a 30 minute speech on June 21 (an outline that I've given before). So, I'll review that one along the way, but there's no real work to be done on it.

2B. Had an invite to a TM club. Kudos to Melissa Ashmore for trying to help me out. Too bad neither the meeting time nor the location would work for me.

3A. Current plan for next newsletter is about this challenge. Might give Rich a call and do an interview about it.

3B. Here's the update, so mission accomplished for the day.

That got a lot longer than I thought it would, so I'll stop here. Thanks for reading.