Creative Ways to Say "I Love You"

In the States, Valentine's Day is somewhat of a big deal.  It is expected if you are in a relationship that you should partake in some way.  (I don't know if it is widely celebrated around the world?  Maybe some of my readers would let me know in the comments).  However, now that all the fuss surrounding Valentine's Day is over, should we go back to our same old mundane way of treating our significant other?  I say no!  Does this mean buying flowers or little gifts all the time, maybe.  Let me just say that after over 20 years of marriage, I have had to find some creative ways to say "I love you".  I have learned there are many ways to convey the thought without always having to spend money.  For example, my wife loves omelettes-me I can take them or leave them.  I know one way to make her smile is to surprise her with her favorite omelette in the morning.  Believe me, I make sure to whip up an omelette from time to time.  It may sound silly, but it is a cheap and easy way to say, "I love you".  What do you think?  I love to hear from you!!

Weight Loss Update - Breakthrough

First some history:  I had been on my journey for about four months.  I had lost 25 pounds.  Not a huge loss, but a good start.  Then I hit a plateau, a stall, a weight loss brick wall.  Maybe I was lax around the holidays.  Maybe it was the weather turning nasty.  Maybe, I was just a little bored with the journey.  I simply don't know, but I started going off the proverbial weight loss rails.  I didn't go crazy and start pigging out, but I was not as strict as I had been.  I just wasn't fighting as hard.  And it showed.  I weighed several times a week and for a month I sat between 287 and 284.  I wasn't really gaining, but I certainly wasn't losing either.  My mind just was not in the game.   I wasn't doing what I needed to do to lose, and I knew it.

About a week ago, I mentally checked back in.  I knew I didn't want to give back any hard fought for ground.  The pounds are too hard to lose to let them just creep back on.  I had to make some changes, but the desire had to be there first.  I had to WANT to lose weight again.  I had to want it bad enough to give up coasting.  In the video, I talk about my progress and some of the changes I made.  Have you found that this game is mental?  What changes did you have to make to get going on your journey.  I love reading your thoughts!!!

Meatloaf - Low Carb Cooking

Don't worry, I  am not going to change this into a cooking blog!!  It just seems that way.  I have weighed in and I have some good news to share.  I have that post done, I just need to finish the video that goes with it.  I will post it tomorrow.  I know, a real cliffhanger--ooohhh did he finally break through the plateau?  Is the four week drought of good news finally over??

Anyways, I was commenting back and forth with some friends in the UK and they are not very familiar with the old American standby-meatloaf.  I am certainly not a nutritionist, but I think meatloaf is probably a diet friendly food.  Let me know your thoughts.  And ladies that have more experience in the kitchen, be kind and take it easy on me!!!  So I thought since I was cooking it anyways, I might as well film it because I enjoy that too.  So Tim and Nikki and anyone else outside of the States that might be missing out on the simple joys of meatloaf, this one's for you...

Low Carb Cooking For a Happy Marriage...

For a happy marriage, I think each spouse must be willing to make concessions.  Now don't worry, I am not changing this blog into "Paul's Martial Advise" anytime soon.  However, I thought I would share an example from today, and I might even put a little weight loss spin on it.

The wife and I are both trying to lose weight.  We are trying to cut down on carbs.  Please understand before I get a bunch of hate mail, we are cutting down...not even low-carb, just trying to save a few carbs here and there when we can.  So when she saw I was making a roast she made a comment about not adding potatoes.  Now this is where things could have got ugly.  She was hitting me where it hurts--the stomach.  All my life with a roast, I have had potatoes.  I am just a simple meat and potatoes kind of guy.  Well, did I argue with her?  Did I try to explain to her that life is short and we have to enjoy the little things like potatoes?  Nope, I did smart thing.  I just smiled at her and said, "Don't worry, dear, I'm not putting in any potatoes".  Hey, after all, Valentines is right around the corner and I may be fat, but I not stupid. ;-)  What are you giving up that you really miss??  I would really love to hear from you!!  Here I am cooking it--with no potatoes!

Little Additions

 I am making some changes here and there in hopes of helping the old weight loss journey.  In addition to exercising just at night, I have decided to add a first thing in the morning session.  I plan to get in an additional 30-45 minutes on the elliptical and some weight lifting.  I will then have 12 hours between the night session instead of 24 hours in between sessions.  I do not know if this will work or not, so if you have any thoughts on this, I would love to hear them.  I love interacting through the comments with you!

I have also made a little addition to the blog.  On the right side under the "followers" section, I have added a section I ingeniously (LOL) titled "Paul's Dish O" the Week".  This is where I will have videos of me making some of my favorite dishes.  These meals are NOT intended to be for weight loss, but are just there for fun.  If you want to watch a guy that clearly has no skill cooking but enjoys the heck out of it anyways, then tune in.  You can even feel free to laugh along-- it wont hurt my feelings!  I just like to cook and am not trying to be professional about it at all!!!

Weight Loss Tip - Get Out!!

As many of you know, I live in Michigan.  Now Michigan is not known for beautiful weather in winter.  Although this winter has been pretty mild, there are still plenty of days where it is gloomy, cold, and just plain nasty outside.    On those days when the weather is miserable, I am so very grateful for a warm house with my elliptical and two weight machines in clear view of my TV.  While going on the elliptical, I can get so engrossed in watching TV that the time just flies and I can hardly tell I am even exercising.  This is fine and good, but sometimes I just have to get out.

A Fun Tag

So I always enjoy a good tag, especially when the questions are interesting.  Today I was tagged by Spunkysuzi and I though I would play along.  Since I did the same type of tag last week (with different questions), I thought I would change things up and do a video for this one instead of text.  I think many of my readers have already done several tags so I wont formally tag anyone, but if you have not done it yet and would like to, please feel free and consider yourself tagged.  I love your comments, so let me know what you think!!!

Thoughts On Turning 46

Well I used to always hear that 50 is "over the hill".  If that is true than I darn sure am near the summit of that hill.  I have to say so far things are OK.  With my weight loss efforts, I weigh less now than I have in 10 years.  To continue to lose weight and exercise is probably the best thing I can do to help my overall health.  However, there are some things that are changing that I cannot seem to control.

 First, I have noticed it seems like people mumble more often then they used to.  Sometimes, I find myself doing that awkward act of agreeing with someone just because I can't make out what they are saying.  People, when you are talking-SPEAK UP!  It is strange that this problem is so wide spread.  I have thought it could be my hearing, but I can hear the radio just fine.  I just turn it up.

The second thing I have noticed is they are making the print on pretty much everything too small.  I really am starting to think this could be some sort of a conspiracy.  If I want to read the label to see what is in a product-forget it-I just can't do it.  The eye doctor keeps talking about getting progressive lenses.  I am not sure, but I think that is fancy talk for bi-focals.  Silly doctor, everyone knows bifocals are for old people.

The third change I am noticing is hair.  Now ladies, I am sure you do not have this problem.  It is probably just a guy thing.  The hair on top of my head is getting a little thin, so why is it being diverted to where I don't need it.  Between my nose and my ears, I have enough extra hair for two heads!

Another change is my mind.  My wife says my memory is going because I cannot seem to remember to do all these little things she wants me to do.  I tell her that my memory is fine, it is just simply because I have my mind on more important big issues.

The last thing is....well...um...I think I forgot my last point and it was a real good one too.  I must have had some big, and more important thoughts come in and.............