Getting in Shape Update 23

I did much better eating and drinking enough water this week.

Starting Weight = 267.0

Last Week's Weight = 226.5

Today's Weight = 222.5

Weight Loss in past week = 4.0 pounds



TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS
= 44.5 pounds

Gomo Rim Jambo?

No, I'm not speaking in tongues. The title of this entry is a line from the play, The Foreigner by Larry Shue, which I will be directing for Kaufman County Civic Theatre this summer. I picked my cast last night, and rehearsals start June 1st. The play is hilarious, and I hope we do a good job with it. I am excited about having cast two newcomers to our theatre. A couple of guys named Fester and Tex who have done a little acting in the past (at other ocmmunity theatres or in high school) read for me. I had to go out to Starbucks for their audition because they both work there and were on duty the night I had auditions. It was not a wasted trip.

Ah, the joys of community theatre. The actor playing the older British Staff Sergeant is a 20 year old, 5 foot 6 inch Latino. He's very funny.

From whence I came

In case any of you were wondering what my parents look like, here's a picture of them:



Now you can see where I got my great looks.

Getting in Shape Update 22

I was doing okay until Sunday. I ate too much pizza Sunday. Then yesterday, I ate a big dinner and had an entire bag of M&M's. I guess this was my first real set-back week.

Starting Weight = 267.0

Last Week's Weight = 224.5

Today's Weight = 226.5

Weight Gain in past week = 2.0 pounds



TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS
= 40.5 pounds

Don't Panic

I went and saw The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy last week. I was prepared for the worst. Some early reviews had been less than glowing.

I liked it. I think they did about what could be done in 2 hours with the material. I wasn't particularly fond of Mos Def's portrayal of Ford Prefect, but I was pleased with all the other performances. The Magrathean factory "floor" was splendid.

Kiss the Cook

Tonight, I did something I hadn't done in quite awhile. I baked chocolate chip cookies. I made them to give to my students at tomorrow night's final class of the semester. I had forgotten how much I enjoy baking.

My wife was impressed with the cookies.

Getting in Shape Update 21

Starting Weight = 267.0

Last Week's Weight = 225.5

Today's Weight = 224.5

Weight Loss in past week = 1.0 pound



TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS
= 42.5 pounds

Upcoming Stuff

I've been lax. I'm sorry.

Just haven't had that much to say lately.

Anyway, in the near future, watch this space for some newness. Last week, I stumbled across a piece I started writing at a boring Continuing Legal Education Seminar. I plan to finish that, and then I'll post it here in serial form--it's already too long for a single post). That one is an article about the Law School experience.

I also plan to write something about my experience on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" I appeared on the show back in 2001, and it served as a pivotal point in my life.

Getting in Shape Update 20

Still moving slow. For two days, I was down to 224.0, but it crept back up.

Starting Weight = 267.0

Last Week's Weight = 226.0

Today's Weight = 225.5

Weight Loss in past week = 0.5 pound



TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS
= 41.5 pounds

Getting in Shape Update 19

I seem to have hit my first real stall. Gonna have to start exercising again. In fact, I just spent an hour on my Gazelle Freestyle Elite.

Starting Weight = 267.0

Last Week's Weight = 225.5

Today's Weight = 226.0

Weight Gain in past week = 0.5 pound



TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS
= 41.0 pounds

Measurements Update

Early on in my weight loss program, I posted some goals.

1) Get to where an XL T-shirt is not snug.

2) Drop to a 42 inch waist

3) Get down to a 17 1/2 inch dress shirt.

I said I'd keep y'all posted, but I forgot.

1) I can wear my XL shirts in public now without embarrasment

2) I have had the pants of 2 of my suits taken in, and my wife bought me some shorts with a 38 inch waist. They were a tad snug, but I could get them on and could have worn them if I had wanted.

3) I just bought some new dress shirts yesterday. Neck size is 17 inches.

I don't know if the measurements will go down by proportion if reach my target weight, but if they do, I'll end up with about a 32 inch waist, wearing Large T-shirts, and having a 16 inch neck.

i can't even remember when the last time was that I wore a size 16 dress shirt.

Rube Goldberg Would Be Proud

This is an amazing Honda Accord Commercial (Flash 6 or above required). Make sure your volume is on.

And, this is a good article explaining how the ad was set-up and shot.

Recent Movie Viewings

As I mentioned before, because of the big gap between my regular work hours and the starting time of my part-time teaching gig, I often go see movies at the Dollar Theater.

A few weeks ago, I checked out National Treasure. I really enjoyed it, and I almost saw it again yesterday. I was particularly impressed with the performance of Justin Bartha as Riley Poole.

Yesterday, instead of re-watching National Treasure, I decided to see In Good Company. I was once again struck as I watched Topher Grace by my inability to comprehend how Ashton Kutcher--who is, by far, the least talented member--has become the biggest star from "That 70's Show".

Anyway, I thought this was a pretty good movie, too. No "pat" ending. Good performances from Grace, Dennis Quaid, and Scarlett Johansson.

The Blue Elbow

Some of you may have noticed that my right arm had a blue section in the pics in The Weight Loss Pics. There's a very good reason for that.

That day, I had gone to the Carter Blood Care Center in Mesquite and donated blood. Actually, I donated double red cells because they like the double reds from folks with O+ blood, like I have. That day's donation got me up to One Gallon in lifetime donations. I just started donating regularly last year, so that's not too bad.

I encourage everyone to give blood. Before I did it the first time, which was to donate in support of a family friend who had a heart attack, I was afraid to do it. Really, it's no big deal.

Getting in Shape Update 18

I had a few not so great eating days this week. Especially Sunday at a Cast Party picnic.

Starting Weight = 267.0

Last Week's Weight = 226.0

Today's Weight = 225.5

Weight Loss in past week = 0.5 pound



TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS
= 41.5 pounds

Make Sure You Know where Your Towel Is

The new version of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is coming out April 29th.

Zaphod and Ford are being played by Americans.

I think I'm more excited about this than the final Star Wars installment coming out in May.

So, I finally got a haircut

Because of the 6 roles I was playing in the production of Annie, I had let my hair get pretty long so I could have more flexibility in changing my appearance for the various characters. I was able to get my hair cut Tuesday, and now, my hereditary big ears are very noticeable. I think the weight loss may have some effect, too.

Anyway, what that has resulted in is that I seem to be looking more and more like my paternal grandfather looked (he passed away in 1987). I'm sure my family will tell me I'm crazy, but yesterday and this morning when I looked in the mirror, I thought the resemblance was undeniable.

Sic 'Em Lady Bears!

The Baylor Lady Bears Basketball team won the NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship last night. The dominating win was a pleasure to watch. It would have been more fun to go to the Dallas watch party, but I was so wiped out from the events of Friday to Monday that I decided just to go home and watch it from the comfort of my own couch.

I have two degrees from Baylor University, and today that's an extra-special thing.

Getting in Shape Update 17

Kind of an odd week. This week is the time for me to get back into the exercise routine.

Starting Weight = 267.0

Last Week's Weight = 227.0

Today's Weight = 226.0

Weight Loss in past week = 1.0 pound



TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS
= 41.0 pounds

Mixed Day

The day didn't get off to a great start. I had driven to Houston Sunday night because I was testing with Jeopardy! to try to get on the show. I did not pass the test, and then I had to drive four-and-a-half hours home. I consider trivia to be one of my particular strengths, so that was quite disappointing.

But, this evening, my favorite NCAA Men's basketball team, The University of North Carolina Tar Heels, won the National Championship.

If the Baylor Lady Bears can win Tuesday night, I'll get a double-dip on college basketball championships.