Do You Dream In Color or Miles?

One of two things is happening to me. Either I am obsessed with making sure I get my training runs in for my first of two 5K races this fall or my entire mindset has changed.

I woke up this morning remembering a dream I had last night. I decided to run from the place where I had dinner to the gates of Sea World where Jess was going to see how late they were open.

Confession - I am beginning to think and plan a possible family trip to Florida and it is stalled because I do not know the school calendar for the year yet and it is driving me nuts not being able to plan this trip....this is where the Sea World comes into play. For those that do not know, I suffer from OCDPD....Obsessive Compulsive Disney Planning Disorder.

I ended up running a little too far and had to backtrack to the actual ticket counter. I ran all the way to the turnstiles. If you have ever been to Disney or Sea World, you know that those two locations are not always right together!

When I arrived, Jess was there and we decided we had time to do the park that night. Thank goodness! I love Sea World! She told me I had run 2.66 miles....to be precise. It was so effortless that I had to verify it with the sales clerk. WOW - I am really getting into this running. In reality, 2.66 miles is not effortless for me yet but I am working on that.

I tried to remember if I ever had dreams about food and now dreams of running might be replacing those. I don't remember dreaming about food before...but I can tell you that I had never dreamed of running before! I know that Hilton Head Health had a profound impact on me but I did not think they would permeate my subconscious too!

Cardio Kickboxing....Miramar 24 Hour Fitness Experience

I paid for a week pass to the 24 Hour Fitness in Miramar this week because the Hampton Inn I stay at has crappy treads. I met a guy in the fitness center that weighs just 210 and even he said they slip under his running. JUNK!

So, I figure it is worth it to buy a week pass to the 24 Hour Fitness near the hotel. First of all, I really do not care for that club. I don't know if it is 24 Hour Fitness in general or just that location but it is not a friendly club and the equipment is practically on top of itself. They said enrollment drops in the summer....wow...I'd hate to visit when it is at the peak! It was a zoo in there.

I saw cardio kickboxing on the calendar for Thursday night.

First, I met a few dudes that were waiting for the class. I thought I would ask if they have taken it before. They had not but apparently thought they'd come out floating like a butterfly or minimally stinging like a bee as they posed and punched the air like Ali.

Their experience? Uh, they left halfway through...gassed. Goodbye!

Then I met the teacher...Ed. Appearance was that of serious steroid use. Said he was 49. Kind of a meathead. I asked if he used gloves or small dumbells. He said, "No way - it is way too hard the way it is!"

Hmmmm....maybe my friends at Hilton Head Health dial it in a little since most guests are a little soft in the middle. Maybe this class would be really hard for me.

MY experience? Not hard at all. I could have used weights. Shirt was only soaked about 1/3 the way down. The gang at H3 could just about soak my shirt all the way!!

Still, it was a good workout and changed it up a bit from what I have been doing so for that, I am happy. The best part might have been the girl next to me, thick accent - possibly like from Belarus or Russia.....she looked EXACTLY like Zooey Deschanel (from Yes Man!) - totally cute. She told me (hear the accent in your head) - "You do very good job!".

Thank you cute accent girl...you do very good job too!

No, HOLD the Firecracker....It Is SAFER!

Tonight, I overheard something that shocked me. It perplexed me. It made me want to yell at the top of my lungs. It made me realize why this country is so sick.

I was at Ruby Tuesday's having dinner in Miami Lakes, FL. Ruby Tuesday's is becoming a new favorite when I am traveling because of their huge list of fresh fit sides and other healthy options on their menu.

Today I tried a new summer special item called the Seafood Mixed Grill. I had them 86 the rice pilaf and subbed an extra side in. For the sides I had their roasted spaghetti squash and broccoli. In the main dish it was a smaller cut of Mahi Mahi, 3 grilled shrimp and small portion of grilled salmon made it a SUPER healthy, low calorie dinner.

Back to the tragedy that happened next to me.

It was a family of a mom and three kids. The oldest child was a boy of probably 13-15 years old. He was chubby in all of the places it comes first....butt, chest, hips and tummy. Not grossly fat but certainly overweight. He must be getting picked on about it or is self-conscious because when the waiter took the drink orders, he sheepishly asked for a diet coke. The waiter left and the mom said, "The diet soda is more fattening than the regular!"

What what what?

There is NO way I could have heard that correctly. Maybe she was winking at him and just being sarcastic.

Is this the newest entry in the 'Eat This, Not That' book series?








This is better for you than that?

Now I would agree that water would be the best bet if we were playing Unwise, Better, BEST! **Incidentally, I had that shirt on tonight!!**

Later, the waiter came back and offered refills. The mother spoke up that he should bring COKE this time for her son, not Diet Coke. Picking my jaw off the table, I realized that what I heard the first time was accurate. She believed this. When the waiter brought the new glass, she ACTUALLY TASTED IT to be sure it was not diet! She was CERTAIN that the diet was a horrible choice her son had made.

The only explanations I can conjure up is one of three possibilities:

1) Good old fashioned ignorance. Let's call it 'A lack of education'. This is the main problem in our country when it comes to obesity and health issues.

2) Perhaps she thinks the whole 'Diet' label is a super secret conspiracy and it actually is worse for you!

3) Maybe it is all of the stories about how diet soda tricks the body into thinking that it is real sugar and makes you react in a way that makes you eat more. Perhaps it is a misunderstanding on the study.

I wanted to say something, politely of course....but I did not because if it is scenario 1 or 2, she would never listen. Even on the off chance she would have answered my query as to why she thinks that, it was too risky in the middle of a restaurant and probably not my business.

I have lived both an active, fit life and an unfit, unhealthy life. I know which is easier. I know what it is like to be picked on or judged. That boy was trying to take a small step to make a difference and he was thwarted. I have never been a sugar based soda drinker. I cannot imagine how much worse off I would have been if I had that as an addiction along with food. Food alone put me in a very bad place.

So I ask you....what would you have done? Would you say something or have asked? Would you have left it alone like I did? What if you were an expert in the field like Bob Wright? Would you have said something then?

I am still speechless.

A Unique Connection

I have this odd feeling we've met before.

A friend recently pointed out that the TV show that was on A&E last year filmed partly at Hilton Head Health is now available on Netflix streaming.

I am on the road this week and so I brought an HDMI cable so I can hook my laptop to the TV in my room. I have stayed up WAY too late rewatching episodes this week. Two ladies from the show, Stacia and Debbie are friends of mine on Facebook. I watched their episodes first.

Keep in mind that the show was complete long before I arrived at H3 for my 4 week stay. Yet somehow as I watch I feel like I know them. I think it is seeing them eat lunch with Robert or weighing in with Bob, Adam or Jeff. Sitting in Beth's office chairs. Working out with Adam or the front desk staff. Seeing the hallways and knowing every inch of them. Knowing EXACTLY where they are by the picture behind them or the chair they are in.

It is more than that. I hear the words they say as they describe the challenges that being obese caused them. I understand that language. I know the scenarios they paint.

When I see how hard they worked, I remember how hard I worked. The sweat soaked shirts and that feeling of complete exhaustion as you pounded on the wall in cardio boxing. I can taste the saline pool.

Watching the episodes makes me want to go back to H3. How much would I have lost in 6 months? I am doing just fine on my own....killing it as Jeff would say but still I wonder how being there for 6 months would have been different for me.

Yes, I feel like I know Stacia and Debbie and the others too. I cannot wait for the big reunion at H3 for Devin's Dash in October. Then these feelings like we've met before will be for real!

For anyone reading this blog that wants to make a change....needs to make a change. I can tell you that there is no time like the present. The days go faster when you are feeling better and living healthier than the days when you keep thinking, 'I will start next Monday'. Just do it!

We Tried?

I am deviating from my recent flurry of posts on health and wellness to comment on a story today in the papers about the Space Shuttle program.

The headline was suggesting the epitaph for the program.....

"WE TRIED"

Are they serious? The story refers to the shuttles as a failure to deliver cheaper space travel with a reusable vehicle. The program cost $196 billion originating back in the late 70's. First of all, let's compare that to the Federal Stimulus package that was going to save our nation. That cost us $787 billion and promised to keep the unemployment rate below 8% if I remember correctly. It saved a bunch of union jobs and for a good long while now, the jobless rate has been over 9%. I consider the stimulus a MAJOR fail. If my numbers are wrong on the percentages, I am sure The Rube will correct me. Back to the shuttle story...

There were 134 shuttle missions. I looked up the cost of the Apollo Saturn V rockets per launch (non reuseable) and loosely adjusted for inflation, it actually was cheaper at $111 billion which surprised me. Then again, the technology was a little less considering a calculator or cell phone today had more computing power than the computer on the Apollo missions. Furthermore, the Saturn V and capsule limited each mission to 3 people with little room to do experiments and studies. I think the shuttles were VERY good in that regard.

Lastly, they touted the shuttles as having cost 14 lives. Yes, it is sad. I think it is a miracle that only 3 men died on Apollo spacecraft (Apollo 1 fire in a test on the ground). I have read countless books by Gene Krantz and others of the early NASA days and they fully admitted that many of their decisions were by the seat of their pants. They were highly skilled and brilliant people but don't discount being lucky.

Every astronaut knows that they are strapping themselves to a controlled bomb. Given the opportunity and risk, they all go ahead to have that chance. Space travel is not trivial even with as many missions as there have been.

So, to the Space Shuttle program, I wish you well. I think you were a success. We cheer the triumphs and remember those that died doing what they loved. I have seen it launch from Orlando and once from Titusville. It rips on your soul as you watch that magnificent fireball reach into the sky. That is not failure in my book.

Burgers and Fries and Beers, OH MY!

Fast food and beer? I saw this story today in USA Today. I am so torn on this decision. As many of you know, fast food was one of my biggest obsessions and vices. I LOVED….fast food. Pick a restaurant, any restaurant. I can name you my top 10 items right off the cuff. That of course was the ‘Old Orracle’.

On one hand, I think introducing beer and wine will exacerbate the problem of too many calories in a meal with the addition of the beer and wine. On the other hand maybe it will drive some parents away with their children which would be a good thing. Keeping that taste out of the mouths of our children would not be a bad thing. I realize there is still the drive thru to get a bag of calories. Speaking of the drive thru, does that mean I can get a beer to go….maybe I will reconsider my abstinence from fast food! Of course I am kidding.

One thought was about the wine. Are they getting ‘good’ wine or are they getting Mad Dog 20/20? Perhaps Mogen David or Boone’s? I can see some low-roller hitting the joint for a burger and some tater tots and throwing in some Mad Dog but any real wine snob would not drink those lowly wines. On the other hand, I highly doubt most of your wine aficionados eat many meals at Sonic or Burger King.

If times are really getting tough enough for fast food eateries to have to boost sales with alcohol, I guess that means we are eating less of that junk food. Maybe it is just the lack of money from the Orracle that has driven this deficit in their cash flow!