I have to work on fixing my internal clock. I have been working on this, but it’s all been thrown awry since Saturday night, which I believe I mentioned in yesterday’s update. Last night I was up until shortly before sunrise again. I am reminded of Billy Joel’s “I’ve Loved These Days”, specifically the line “… we’re sleeping long and far too late” – I did end up sleeping closer to ten hours than 8. I’m not sure that I can help that. I may need the extra sleep, I don’t know. Who knows what’s right for a person that’s almost 300 pounds overweight?

Oh, speaking of weight, I hopped on the scale after my workout this morning and had a reading of 439! That takes us out of the 440s, which means that I have completely fulfilled the goal I had of reaching 440 by beginning-to-mid-April. It’s time for a new goal. I want to hit 390 by the beginning of September. I’ll be satisfied with 400, but I want to see 390. As usual, the standard consequences apply – if I’m not able to get close to this goal, I’m going to have to go back to considering weight loss surgery, which has been put on indefinite hold, for the time being.

I do believe that I’ll be able to avoid surgery. I believe that I can get this weight off myself, by eating right, exercising, and persevering, even through the setbacks. I don’t believe in bad plateaus. I see a plateau as a good thing. It’s a sign that I’m able to maintain the weight that I’ve lost. Perhaps that’s part of the reason that I’ve been so lucky to have such short plateaus.

Well, there’s not much more to say. My friend is still in the hospital, and I need to go visit. I’d like to thank Nick and Emilio, members of our local congregation, who responded to the call for a blessing, and met me at the hospital late last night. I know my friend appreciated it greatly, as do I.

As for my sleep troubles, I think I’m going to put in today’s second workout around midnight – 20-30 minutes of walking, either inside or outside. And if I feel I can manage it, and it will help, maybe a little extra. That might give me a few hours of energy, but I figure around 3 or 4 AM, I should be out like a light.

JOKE OF THE DAY

I’d like to thank The South Jersey Deviler for today’s joke, since I lifted it from his publication (he doesn’t know yet). If you like a good laugh, check out the site. You can read a few pages from his monthly newspaper – which is always dedicated to humor! If you live in or around New Jersey, you may be able to find the paper at his advertiser’s locations, for free. If not, but you like the paper, you can have it delivered for the sum of $21 per year (As Alfred E. Neuman would say – “Cheap!”)

And now for the joke:
“Signs from Hotels around the World. In a Japanese hotel:
‘You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid.’”

So… anyone else making travel arraignments to Japan?

TODAY’S WORKOUT

Today’s workout was simple – indoor walking laps for 30 minutes. My shoulders were killing me by the time I was done, but I’m so glad I did it. Now I have to get some breakfast down me and get going!

TODAY’S SPECIAL

I made Brussels Sprouts for dinner last night (if you want to argue about the spelling, please refer to the link), just dumping them in the pot with a little water, letting it boil, then dropping the heat to low for a while. That’s how we’ve always made them, and we love them, but I got to thinking – can’t there be a better way to make these babies? My philosophy is that any question you can possibly think of has probably been asked before, and on the internet, at that. Google let me to this – Rantings of an Amateur Chef, which has a great way to make these tasty veggies even better!

NK24/7 gives us some much needed help with our heartburn.

SOME THINGS BEAUTIFUL

Photobotos gives us what I call “God’s Swimming Pool”.

A blog I’ve recently started reading, called “Serene One”, gives us images of Spring.