Im Starting With the Man in the Mirror

Ive posted a lot of times about losing weight. I dont know if this time will be different. Something has got to give though. I weigh 221.3 pounds right now. Most of my health concerns can be fixed by bringing that down to a healthy weight. My doctor would like it and all of my clothes will fit again if I get into the low 190s. I would love to get down to the 160s. So, I need to lose about 15-30% of my body weight.

Exercise: I am going to look into competing in triathlons. I would like to compete in one by next spring. In the mean time Im going to start training for 5k runs. I will also start riding my bike again. I would like to get a membership to a pool. My plan is to do one of these activities every day for at least 30 minutes a day. On the days that weather prohibits me from doing one I will be doing Wii Fit. In summary, I am going to be more active. I have to be.

Diet: I am pre-diabetic and suffer from acid reflux. My doctor says that both of these can be managed by diet. I am going to start by limiting my breakfast and lunches to only things that are compatible with these lifestyles. This means that I will not be able to eat anything at work. Nothing. No exceptions.

If you happen to read this blog still, you have probably gathered that this post has been a way for me to hold myself accountable.

Bluetooth Headset

First let me say that I have no illusions about how cool or uncool a Bluetooth headset and I realize that no one wears it as a fashion accessory. I would like to say that I absolutely love the functionality of my friend I've had it for a couple of days now and it is absolutely wonderful. In fact, I am writing this entire post while driving in my car. That bad I will be editing this when I get home to make sure I have all of the grammar and punctuation correct I will likely had a picture of a hot girl wearing a Bluetooth headset for Teresa. I know how she likes that.

As it turns out, I decided not to edit the above content. I liked it the way it was. Also, there arent any pictures of hot girls wearing bluetooth headsets. Sorry Teresa.

So, I got a bluetooth headset. I make a lot of calls on the road and decided it was time. That and I was tired of taping a pack of gum to my ear so that everyone would think that I was cool. I got the Plantronics Voyager Legend. (Use it!) It was well reviewed by online and it doesnt pretend to look cool, it just works. It looks like what it is, an ear piece with a microphone on it. I love it. It connects right to my phone when I put it on. It sounds just as good if not better than the speaker in my phone. Most importantly, I have my hands free to drive while Im conversing with people on the phone. It has taken me a little bit to get used to the cadence of the voice commands with the headset but I think Ive got it. I only have to pull my phone out if Im dialing an extension; everything else is hands free. 

We as a society have come to a place where our phones are expected to do everything automatically. In order to expand on that we have peripherals to support and increase their functionality. I love my headset but wont be the guy walking around the store talking on it. Ill use it for safety while driving but it doesnt improve anything beyond that. I would love to get a smart watch. I think the idea of being able to simply look at my wrist to see who just sent me a text message or email is brilliant. No, it isnt hard to take my phone out of the pocket but I like the idea of wearing a watch anyway so why not have it do more than tell time. As for Google Glass, I just dont know. I cant imagine a situation where I would want the features it offers. Not to mention Big Brother.

NFL Power Rankings: Conference Round 2014

I dont think this has ever happened; the top two teams are the teams going to the Super Bowl. Not just that but they are both significantly ahead of everyone else. 

1. Patriots 102 (14-4) Same
2. Seahawks 102 (14-4) Same
3. Packers 78 (13-5) Same
4. Broncos 72 (12-5) Same
5. Cowboys 67 (13-5) Up 1
6. Colts 65 (13-6) Down 1
7. Cardinals 50 (11-6) Same
8. Lions 39 (11-6) Same
9. Bengals 37 (10-6-1) Same
10. Steelers 35 (11-6) Up 1
11. Ravens 34 (11-7) Down 1
12. Eagles 34 (10-6) Same
13. Bills 24 (9-7) Same
14. Chargers 21 (9-7) Same
15. Chiefs 21 (9-7) Same
16. 49ers 6 (8-8) Same
17. Texans 1 (9-7) Same
18. Dolphins 1 (8-8) Same
19. Panthers -10 (8-9-1) Same
20. Saints -24 (7-9) Same
21. Vikings -28 (7-9) Same
22. Browns  -29 (7-9) Same
23. Rams -29 (6-10) Same
24. Giants -38 (6-10) Same
25. Falcons -45 (6-10) Same
26. Bears -52 (5-11) Same
27. Jets -64 (4-12) Same
28. Raiders -75 (3-13) Same
29. Redskins -75 (4-12) Same
30. Jaguars -92 (3-13) Same
31. Titans -112 (2-14) Same
32. Buccaneers -116 (2-14) Same

NFL Playoffs: Conference Round 2014

Conference Round Results
I dont think that anyone is surprised by the results of last weeks playoff games. It was surprising that the Packers gave the Seahawks the first half troubles that they did.
Packers @ Seahawks: Seahawks!
Colts @ Patriots: Patriots!

Super Bowl Pick
I really dont know what to think about the upcoming game. After what Seattle did to Denver last year its hard to envision anyone being able to beat them. That said, Tom Brady.
Seahawks vs Patriots: Seahawks

NFL Power Rankings: Divisional Round 2014

The remaining 4 teams are in the top 5. It looks like we have a pretty accurate representation of the best talented teams playing in the Conference Round.

1. Patriots 89 (13-4) Up 2
2. Seahawks 88 (13-4) Down 1
3. Packers 82 (13-4) Up 2
4. Broncos 73 (12-5) Down 2
5. Colts 70 (13-5) Up 1
6. Cowboys 67 (13-5) Down 2
7. Cardinals 50 (11-6) Same
8. Lions 40 (11-6) Same
9. Bengals 39 (10-6-1) Up 1
10. Ravens 35 (11-7) Down 1
11. Steelers 35 (11-6) Same
12. Eagles 35 (10-6) Same
13. Bills 23 (9-7) Same
14. Chargers 20 (9-7) Same
15. Chiefs 19 (9-7) Same
16. 49ers 6 (8-8) Same
17. Texans 3 (9-7) Same
18. Dolphins 1 (8-8) Same
19. Panthers -9 (8-9-1) Same
20. Saints -24 (7-9) Same
21. Vikings -26 (7-9) Up 1
22. Browns -28 (7-9) Down 1
23. Rams -30 (6-10) Same
24. Giants -37 (6-10) Same
25. Falcons -44 (6-10) Same
26. Bears -50 (5-11) Same
27. Jets -63 (4-12) Same
28. Redskins -74 (4-12) Up 1
29. Raiders -75 (3-13) Down 1
30. Jaguars -90 (3-13) Same
31. Titans -110 (2-14) Same
32. Buccaneers -115 (2-14) Same

NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round 2014

Divisional Round Results
I really thought that the Cowboys were going to get the Packers today. Oh well, 2 of 4 isnt that bad. (Not that good either.)
Ravens @ Patriots: Patriots!
Panthers @ Seahawks: Seahawks!
Cowboys @ Packers: Cowboys Packers
Colts @ Broncos: Broncos Colts

Conference Round Picks
Looks like were going to have a couple of good games to determine who gets to the playoffs.
Packers @ Seahawks: Seahawks
Colts @ Patriots: Patriots

The question is, if im right, will the Seahawks do to the Patriots what they did to the Broncos last year?

Weigh In: Week 2

Weigh in: 223.1
Changes
Diet: In addition to no sweets or late night snacks I am eliminating all fried food at work. This will primarily affect my potato and tortilla chip intake.
Exercise: I dropped the ball this week with the exercise. Excuse, excuse, blah, blah, blah. Im going to keep it the same this week.

NFL Power Rankings: Wildcard Round 2014

The top is getting crowded. 

1. Seahawks 79 (12-4) Up 1
2. Broncos 78 (12-4) Down 1
3. Patriots 76 (12-4) Same
4. Cowboys 70 (13-4) Up 2
5. Packers 67 (12-4) Down 1
6. Colts 59 (12-5) Up 1
7. Cardinals 52 (11-6) Down 2
8. Lions 41 (11-6) Same
9. Ravens 40 (11-6) Up 3
10. Bengals 39 (10-6-1) Down 1
11. Steelers 36 (11-6) Down 1
12. Eagles 35 (10-6) Down 1
13. Bills 22 (9-7) Same
14. Chargers 21 (9-7) Same
15. Chiefs 19 (9-7) Same
16. 49ers 7 (8-8) Same
17. Texans 4 (9-7) Same
18. Dolphins 2 (8-8) Same
19. Panthers -3 (8-8-1) Same
20. Saints -22 (7-9) Same
21. Browns -25 (7-9) Same
22. Vikings -26 (7-9) Same
23. Rams -30 (6-10) Same
24. Giants -35 (6-10) Same
25. Falcons -42 (6-10) Same
26. Bears -48 (5-11) Same
27. Jets -62 (4-12) Same
28. Raiders -73 (3-13) Same
29. Redskins -73 (4-12) Same
30. Jaguars -88 (3-13) Same
31. Titans -108 (2-14) Same
32. Buccaneers -112 (2-14) Same

NFL Playoffs: Wildcard Round 2014

Wild Card Round Results
Well, the one pick I was hoping was wrong was the only one I got correct.
Cardinals @ Panthers:
-Cardinals Panthers
Ravens @ Steelers:
Steelers Ravens
Bengals @ Colts:
Bengals Colts
Lions @ Cowboys:
Cowboys

Divisional Round Picks
Ravens @ Patriots: Patriots
Panthers @ Seahawks: Seahawks
Cowboys @ Packers: Cowboys
Colts @ Broncos: Broncos

Weigh In Week 1

Weigh in: 225.1

Changes
Diet: In addition to no sweets I will be eliminating evening snacks. Dinner will be my last food for the day.
Exercise: In addition to the 30 minutes of dog walking I will be using Wii Fit U for 30 minutes 5 days a week.

Here We GO!

My weight is something I struggle with. I love food and hate exercising. I am not worried about being handsome or anything like that. I just want to be healthy, and fit into my clothes.

This morning when I weighed myself I weighed 226 pounds. This is embarrassing and I feel like a failure. I think the ideal weight for my gender, age, and height is in the 140s. Id like to be in the 160s. Im going to give myself until Flag Day to get down to 190. At that point my clothes should fit again. From there, Ill work on getting to 164. I would like to be there by the end of the year.

Changes
Diet: Eliminate all unnecessary sugars. This means no pop, cookies, candies, cakes (including cup style), ice cream, or anything else that has doesnt have any nutritional value.
Exercise: Im going to start walking Hudson for 30 minutes every day again.

This is just the beginning. I plan on making new changes every weekend until I reach my goal.

NFL End of Season Wrap-Up 2014

Its the end of the season and my playoff picks were not the best.

AFC

Ill take 3 division winners. 

East: Patriots (12-4)

I love that after a couple early losses people were calling it an end of an era. Never count Brady and Belichick out.

North: Bengals (10-5-1) Steelers (11-5)

Boy was this division tight. All 4 teams were in it until week 15. 3 of the 4 made the playoffs. Those 3 teams were all within 1 game of each other.

South: Colts (11-5)

The Colts had 11 wins. The other 3 teams had 14 wins total. 

West: Broncos (12-4)

The Broncos won 3 of their last 4. The Chiefs and Chargers together only won 3 games during that time.

Wild Card: Bills (9-7), Chiefs (9-7) Bengals (10-5-1), Ravens (10-6)

Well, I wasnt even close. There were a lot of 9-7 teams in the AFC. 

NFC

At least I had 4 of the 6 teams correct. I just thought (and hoped) that the divisions would shake out a little different.

East: Eagles (10-6) Cowboys (12-4)

Well, the Cowboys beat the Eagles twice. 

North: Lions (11-5) Packers (12-4)

I knew, early in the season, that this division was going to come down to week 17 in Lambeau. 

South: Saints (7-9) Panthers (7-8-1)

Something has got to be done about this. A team with a losing record is going to the playoffs while the 10-6 Eagles will be watching from home.

West: Cardinals (11-5) Seahawks (12-4)

Winning your last 6 games, 5 of which are against divisional opponents, is a great way to sure up the division. 

Wild Card: Cowboys (12-4), Packers (12-4) Cardinals (11-5), Lions (11-5)

Its really a shame that the Panthers have home field advantage over these teams. 

Wild Card Round Picks

Ravens @ Steelers: Steelers

Cardinals @ Panthers: Cardinals

Bengals @ Colts: Bengals

Lions @ Cowboys: Cowboys

NFL Power Rankings: Week 17 2014

All in all the playoffs are seeded as they should be. Other than the Panthers of course. 

1. Broncos* 78 (12-4) Up 1
2. Seahawks* 78 (12-4) Up 1
3. Patriots* 75 (12-4) Down 2
4. Packers* 67 (12-4) Up 1
5. Cardinals* 60 (11-5) Down 1
6. Cowboys* 58 (12-4) Same
7. Colts* 48 (11-5) Up 2
8. Lions* 47 (11-5) Down 1
9. Bengals* 45 (10-5-1) Down 1
10. Steelers* 40 (11-5) Up 1
11. Eagles 33 (10-6) Up 1
12. Ravens* 30 (10-6) Up 1
13. Bills 22 (9-7) Up 3
14. Chargers 21 (9-7) Down 4
15. Chiefs 21 (9-7) Same
16. 49ers 7 (8-8) Up 2
17. Texans 5 (9-7) Same
18. Dolphins 3 (8-8) Down 4
19. Panthers* -14 (7-8-1) Up 1
20. Saints -21 (7-9) Up 2
21. Browns -23 (7-9) Down 2
22. Vikings -25 (7-9) Up 2
23. Rams -28 (6-10) Down 2
24. Giants -33 (6-10) Down 1
25. Falcons -40 (6-10) Same
26. Bears -46 (5-11) Same
27. Jets -61 (4-12) Up 1
28. Raiders -72 (3-13) Down 1
29. Redskins -73 (4-12) Same
30. Jaguars -86 (3-13) Same
31. Titans -106 (2-14) Up 1
32. Buccaneers -110 (2-10) Down 1

NFL Power Rankings: Week 16 2014

A little bit of shuffling all the way up and down. All in all the week went as planned though.

1. Patriots (12-3) Up 1
2. Broncos (11-4) Down 1
3. Seahawks (11-4) Up 1
4. Cardinals (11-4) Down 1
5. Packers (11-4) Same
6. Cowboys (11-4) Up 2
7. Lions (11-4) Same
8. Bengals (10-4-1) Up 1
9. Colts (10-5) Down 3
10. Chargers (9-6) Up 3
11. Steelers (10-5) Up 4
12. Eagles (9-6) Down 2
13. Ravens (9-6) Down 2
14. Dolphins (8-7) Up 2
15. Chiefs (8-7) Down 1
16. Bills (8-7) Down 4
17. Texans (8-7) Up 3
18. 49ers (7-8) Down 1
19. Browns (7-8) Down 1
20. Panthers (6-8-1) Up 3
21. Rams (6-9) Down 2
22. Saints (6-9) Down 1
23. Giants (6-9) Up 2
24. Vikings (6-9) Down 2
25. Falcons (6-9) Up 1
26. Bears (5-10) Down 2
27. Raiders (3-12) Up 1
28. Jets (4-11) Down 1
29. Redskins (4-11) Same
30. Jaguars (3-12) Same
31. Buccaneers (2-13) Up 1
32. Titans (2-13) Down 1

NFL Power Rankings: Week 15 2014

While not many teams moved very far this week a lot happened. The Broncos, Patriots, Cardinals, and Colts have all claimed a spot in the playoffs. Not to mention the Saints keep the hope alive that a team with a losing record wont win that division.

1. Broncos (11-3) Same
2. Patriots (11-3) Same
3. Cardinals (11-3) Same
4. Seahawks (10-4) Up 1
5. Packers (10-4) Down 1
6. Colts (10-4) Up 1 
7. Lions (10-4) Up 1
8. Cowboys (10-4) Up 1
9. Bengals (9-4-1) Up 1
10. Eagles (9-5) Down 4
11. Ravens (9-5) Same
12. Bills (8-6) Up 3
13. Chargers (8-6) Down 1
14. Chiefs (8-6) Down 1
15. Steelers (9-5) Up 1
16. Dolphins (7-7) Down 2
17. 49ers (7-7) Same 
18. Browns (7-7) Up 1
19. Rams (6-8) Down 1
20. Texans (7-7) Same
21. Saints (6-8) Up 1
22. Vikings (6-8) Down 1
23. Panthers (5-8-1) Up 2
24. Bears (5-9) Down 1
25. Giants (5-9) Up 1
26. Falcons (5-9) Down 2
27. Jets (3-11) Up 2
28. Raiders (2-12) Down 1
29. Redskins (3-11) Down 1
30. Jaguars (2-12) Same
31. Titans (2-12) Same
32. Buccaneers (2-12) Same

NFL Power Rankings: Week 14 2014

Well, at 2-11, the Buccaneers are finally out of the playoff race. No one from the NFC South should be allowed this year. But, the 5-8 Falcons and Saints and 3-8-1 Panthers all have a shot still.

1. Broncos (10-3) Same
2. Patriots (10-3) Same
3. Cardinals (10-3) Same
4. Packers (10-3) Same
5. Seahawks (9-4) Up 2
6. Eagles (9-4) Down 1
7. Colts (9-4) Up 2
8. Lions (9-4) Same
9. Cowboys (9-4) Up 3
10. Bengals (8-4-1) Down 4
11. Ravens (8-5) Up 5
12. Chargers (8-5) Down 2
13. Chiefs (7-6) Same
14. Dolphins (7-6) Same
15. Bills (7-6) Same
16. Steelers (8-5) Up 2
17. 49ers (7-6) Down 6
18. Rams (6-7) Up 1
19. Browns (7-6) Down 2
20. Texans (7-6) Same
21. Vikings (6-7) Up 2
22. Saints (5-8) Down 1
23. Bears (5-8) Down 1
24. Falcons (5-8) Same
25. Panthers (4-8-1) Same
26. Giants (4-9) Same
27. Raiders (2-11) Up 4
28. Redskins (3-10) Same
29. Jets (2-11) Down 2
30. Jaguars (2-11) Same
31. Titans (2-11) Down 2
32. Buccaneers (2-11) Same

Goals

When I was a teenager, people would ask me what I want to be when I grow up. I got in the habit of answering: "I want to be happy". Now, if you were to ask me, I would say: "I want to be able to appreciate the times that are good, be able to cope with the times that arent, and be able to differentiate between the two."

NFL Power Rankings: Week 13 2014

Its hard to keep the Packers down at #4 but their wins arent as strong as the other 3.

1. Broncos (9-3) Up 2
2. Patriots (9-3) Same
3. Cardinals (9-3) Down 2
4. Packers (9-3) Same
5. Eagles (9-3) Same
6. Bengals (8-3-1) Same
7. Seahawks (8-4) Up 2
8. Lions (8-4) Up 3
9. Colts (8-4) Up 4
10. Chargers (8-4) Up 5
11. 49ers (7-5) Down 4
12. Cowboys (8-4) Down 4
13. Chiefs (7-5) Down 3
14. Dolphins (7-5) Same
15. Bills (7-5) Up 2
16. Ravens (7-5) Down 4
17. Browns (7-5) Up 1
18. Steelers (7-5) Down 2
19. Rams (5-7) Same
20. Texans (6-6) Same
21. Saints (5-7) Up 1
22. Bears (5-7) Down 1
23. Vikings (5-7) Up 1
24. Falcons (5-7) Up 2
25. Panthers (3-8-1) Same
26. Giants (3-8) Down 3
27. Jets (2-10) Same
28. Redskins (3-9) Same
29. Titans (2-10) Same
30. Jaguars (2-10) Up 1
31. Raiders (1-11) Down 1
32. Buccaneers (2-10) Same

Late Season Picks 2014

AFC
East: Patriots (9-2)
With a 3 game lead, it is very unlikely anyone will be taking the division from Tom Brady at this point in the season.

North: Bengals (7-3-1)
"Anyone can win this division right now. This might be the best division in the league." Thats what I wrote 4 weeks ago. It still stands.

South: Colts (7-4)
The Colts are the only ones who showed up again this season. 9-7 is probably all it will take to win the division.

West: Broncos (8-3)
The Chargers and Chiefs are hot on the Broncos heals. The Broncos have the easiest remaining schedule and should be able to hold on.

Wildcard: Bills (6-5), Chiefs (7-4)
There are a lot of teams at 7-4 right now. Those arent necessarily the best contenders either. Im going to stick with the Bills and Chiefs. Though, its hard to exclude both the Ravens and Steelers

NFC
East: Eagles (8-3)
"Thanksgiving could be the deciding game." Lets see how it goes!

North: Lions (7-4)
They may have to win out to take the division. They will almost certainly have to win in Lambeau.

South: Saints (4-7)
It depresses me that the 2-9 Bucs arent out of playoff contention yet. 7 wins could very well win this division. Perhaps 6.

West: Cardinals (9-2)
The Cardinals have a 2 game lead and the easiest schedule. The 49ers and Seahawks play one another twice still.

Wildcard: 49ers (7-4), Cowboys (8-3), Packers (8-3)
Its hard to exclude the 49ers and Seahawks but I think they are going to split their 2 remaining games and knock each other out of the playoffs.

As for the Superbowl, I think Ill stick with the Patriots over the Cardinals.

NFL Power Rankings: Week 12 2014

Despite a loss to the Seahawks the Cardinals hold on to the number 1 spot. The Chiefs may be this weeks biggest loser but the Lions also took a long fall.

1. Cardinals (9-2) Same
2. Patriots (9-2) Same
3. Broncos (8-3) Same
4. Packers (8-3) Up 3
5. Eagles (8-3) Same
6. Bengals (7-3-1) Up 4
7. 49ers (7-4) Up 1
8. Cowboys (8-3) Up 1
9. Seahawks (7-4) Up 5
10. Chiefs (7-4) Down 6
11. Lions (7-4) Down 5
12. Ravens (7-4) Same
13. Colts (7-4) Down 2
14. Dolphins (6-5) Down 1
15. Chargers (7-4) Up 2
16. Steelers (7-4) Down 1
17. Bills (6-5) Down 1
18. Browns (7-4) Same
19. Rams (4-7) Same
20. Texans (5-6) Same
21. Bears (5-6) Up 1
22. Saints (4-7) Down 1
23. Giants (3-8) Same
24. Vikings (4-7) Same
25. Panthers (3-7-1) Up 1
26. Falcons (4-7) Down 1
27. Jets (2-9) Up 1
28. Redskins (3-8) Down 1
29. Titans (2-9) Same
30. Raiders (1-10) Up 2
31. Jaguars (1-10) Same
32. Buccaneers (2-9) Down 2