Diet Update: Grip Style

Today is a great day, since I woke up this morning to find out that I am down to 325. It has been a tough hill to climb, but ever since I rededicated myself to a new diet plan its been going great. The diet I was first on was way too tough.

On my old diet I had stopped completely stopped consuming everything that is considered bad for you such as burgers, pizza, and burritos. Trying to stick to only consuming sandwiches and fruit every day was beginning to suck! I really started to think about the long run and how in the world was I going to keep it up.  There was no way it was going to happen.  So I did some research and found that every diet program such as Jenny Craig's and Weight Watchers focuses on one main thing, portion control.

So that's what I am focusing on now.  I'm focusing on how much I eat and better choices instead of staying away from everything that's considered bad for you.  It's all about portion control.  Lets face it, we will not stay on any diet if we are limited to carrots and celery sticks every day. So with that in mind on my new diet, I allow myself to have a burger or some pizza. I try to be smart with my food choices, for example I will order a turkey burger instead of a regular beef burger, and when I order pizza, I get thin crust pizza and have two maybe three slices.

The one diet that worked for me was a diet that I created myself back in 1997. I lost 40 pounds during the summer by just cutting back on thinks like soda, bread, and other greasy food. At that time I was playing basketball every day, but taking all that extra calories out is what really made a difference.

So its another day of the diet, lets see what happens from here on out. The goal is be at least 319 or under by the next diet update.

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Posted in: diet update,Grip Johnson,personal stories,The Talent

Why I Like A Certain Music Festival

The weather here in Missouri doesn't appear to like me very much as of late. On Saturday, lightning hit my house and knocked out my internet connection and phone line for a few days (luckily, the power still held strong..). So, I haven't blogged or really written anything since Saturday.  But, let's talk about something else, yeah? :)

I've been asked so many times what inspires my writing. I'd have to say that it's music. Most of the time, I can't write if some kind of music is playing  in the background. Sometimes, I need to evoke a certain emotion that maybe a song can help get me to. So, yes. Music is very important to me. I tend to lean more towards the rock genre (whether it be punk, hardcore, alternative, metal..yes, I do listen to metal lol).

So when I found out a few of my favorite bands were playing at Warped Tour this year, of course I had to get tickets. If you don't know what Warped Tour is, let me try to explain as best as I can. It's basically a punk rock music festival that travels all across the country throughout the summer. It's an all day event and it's an awesome hot, sweaty day. In order to survive the heat, you have to drink several bottles of water and continue to coat yourself with sunblock (unless you like the lobster look...). It's where people are free to be who they are and not get judged if they have an "emo" haircut or a green mohawk.  People walk around with their tattoos showing the individuals they are. It's fun to be able to enjoy the music with people who appreciate it just as much as you do. Around the area I live in, it's all country music. People don't know even know the bands I'm talking about. If they do,  it's rare.

On August 3, I'll be making a trip up to St. Louis, Missouri so I can let go of all the stress the past year has brought and have fun. I hope everyone reading this takes the time to plan a little trip and do the same. You have to have some fun, you know haha. But, I understand if a punk rock music festival isn't your thing. :)

Have a great weekend! Oh... and check out my blog, The Undeveloped Story, later on tonight for part 6 of my serial story, Muhhhh: A Zombie Love Story. I wasn't able to post it on Tuesday because of, well, those pesky internet issues.

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Posted in: Entertainment,music,personal stories,serial story tuesday,The Talent,weather

April Fool's Day Memory by: "El Jefe"

I actually posted this last year on April Fools Day.  Due to its popularity, I am reposting it for this year.  Enjoy:



Today is  April Fool’s Day!!!  I love it!!  A friend emailed me this list of office pranks.  I highly recommend that you try a few of these. These pranks are funny and harmless.  Remember, always use good judgment when playing pranks on coworkers (especially your boss).#10 - Clipped

Make some photocopies of a paperclip.  Then put them into the paper tray of the copier and watch your coworkers going nuts trying to find the paperclip stuck somewhere in the copier.#9 - Taking Notes

Replace the victim’s pens with pens that have caps super-glued to them.  Another alternative includes painting the tips of pens or pencils with clear nail polish. When they try to write, none of the pens will work.  The nail polish can be later removed by dipping tips in polish remover.#8 - What Do You Want?

If your phone system has conference calling, you can prank two coworkers at once.  First, call the first coworker’s extension, then quickly call the second coworker and conference them in. Then listen to them argue over who called whom!#7 - Human Voicemail

Have coworkers persistently call the victim asking for Larry (or any other name as long as there is no one by that name in the office).  Leaving voicemail for Larry works as well.  At the end of the day, call them and ask:  “Hi! This is Larry! Do you have any messages for me?”#6 - Who’s Calling?

Leave a note on the victim’s desk that “Mr. Lyon” called for them (Mr. Behr also works) and wants to be called back as soon as possible.  Make sure to include the phone number of a local zoo as the call back number!#5 - Can You Hear Me?

Tape down the hook that presses down when the handset is in the cradle so when the phone starts ringing and they pick it up, it will keep ringing.  For an extra effect, put a little piece of scotch tape over the microphone of the phone receiver.#4 - It’s Possessed!

If you have a wireless mouse, plug the receiver into your coworkers computer (leaver their mouse plugged in).  Then periodically, as they are using the computer, use your mouse to slightly move the cursor on their screen.   If you have two coworkers’ computers in close proximity, just switch the cords around randomly (mouse, keyboard, monitors, etc.) and watch the coworkers go crazy trying to figure out what’s going on!#3 - Roller Coaster

If a coworker’s office chair has a lever that adjusts its height, tie it with a piece of cord underneath the chair in its adjusting position.  Once the victim sits on the chair, it will slide all the way down, but as soon as they stand up, it will rise back all the way up.#2 - Important Papers

Take random papers from the recycling bin (it doesn’t matter what they way but it is better if they look important) staple pages together in random order and put them in a coworkers desk file drawer or their mailbox.  For better results, make a memo sheet (or a post-it) that says “Confidential” and watch the coworker going nuts trying to figure out what it means.

#1 -  Let’s Prank’em!

Send a coworker the e-mail below (Just don’t click on the link unless you want to spend 10 minutes closing annoying popup messages).  It works like magic if the victim is a known prankster.  They will most likely fall victim of this prank while thinking they are about to prank someone else!  In our book, this makes the following the funniest office prank of all:

Copy-paste and e-mail them the following message:

 Hey, can you help me play this prank on someone in the office? This is hilarious, check it out:http://www.resumark.org/blog/funniest-april-fools-day-prank.html



Good Luck!!!
 

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Posted in: Aprils Fools Day,Jokes,Miscellaneous,personal stories,The Talent

El Jefe - Diet Update

Good News Everyone!  My diet is going well and I would call it an early success!  Remember, I started out at around 207 and as of today, I am down to 199. 

You probably want to know how I have done it.  That seems to be the big question these days.  I am waiting for Richard Simmons to give me a call and ask for some advice.  Maybe even the guys from "The Biggest Loser" will want to know my secret!

Anyway, I made three very simple changes that everyone can do:
1.  I am starting to eat a lot less.  I used to eat till I got full and then tried to finish my food.  I kept going.  Now, If I feel close to full, I stop, even if there is still some lasagna on the plate, I am done.
2.  I am eating my big meal of the day at lunch instead of dinner.  This helps immensely as now I am not going to bed with a lot of food in my stomach that won't get burned off and stored into fat.  This is a big change.
3. I am the Boys soccer coach at my high school.  This year, I am running with the team more often and taking part in alot of the drills.  This is helping me burn calories.  You don't have to be a coach though -- Just get out there and start walking, running, exercising.

I will keep you posted!  El Jefe

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Posted in: diet,diet update,health and fitness,personal stories,The Talent

Diet update: Grip Style

So its been about a week from my last update and I can honestly say I've feel that I've done pretty well. As I was getting ready to get on that scale I was pretty confident that I would be at the same weight or I lost some pounds. I walk up to the scale and I look down to see that I have lost two more pounds. Now its not much but I did hit my goal of being getting into the 320's by my next update.

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Posted in: diet update,Fitness,Grip Johnson,personal stories,The Talent

Weight Loss Update! Chubster!

Ahhhh the fine Tuesday mornings when I know that stepping on the scale is definitely not something I want to do.  I truly love those Tuesday mornings!  NOT!

I knew this weigh in was not going to be pleasant. 

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Posted in: Cantina El Chub,Chub Johnson,health and fitness,personal stories,The Talent,weight loss update

Why The French Hate Americans

When I lived in Mexico, I knew about 10 Frenchmen who were studying at the Tec (The School Where I worked and studied for my Graduate Degree, Also called ITESM.) A friend of mine was dating one of them, so I went to some of their parties, hung out with them from time to time, and even played pick up games of soccer with them.

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Posted in: Contributors Thoughts,personal stories,The Talent

OOPS! - I Should Have Stayed Sick

El Jefe here with another diet update.  Not a good one either.  Since I have been feeling better, I have been eating better.  Despite soccer season starting and playing with the team in practice, I have actually gained a couple of pounds over the past two days.  I am at 205 Lbs.  I was going to run today, but we got three inches of snow last night so screw that!  I really need to move back to Texas or maybe Arizona or out to Cali with the Write Guyz so I wouldn't have to worry about snow and cold weather.  This really blows!!!

WTF!?!?!  I have to get serious.  I have to change my attitude and focus on losing weight!   I am thinking of doing something drastic...I just don't know what yet.  When I figure it out, I will let you know.  And don't worry, it will be earth shattering!!!

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Posted in: diet update,health and fitness,personal stories,The Talent,written post

The -istas

I wrote a thing on my blog, El Blog de Steve , over a year ago about the overuse of the suffix -ista on everything.  Luckily, after that post the use of the word seemed to drop off.  Maybe people are listening to me. 

Well, I think it is time for a reminder!  Over the past week, I have heard various -ista terms used by friends, colleagues and on TV.  I bet I have heard -ista at least 12 times in a week.  Come on people.  Because of this, I am sharing my original -ista article with the readers of The Blogg Pound.  Maybe you all can help me spread the word! 

I have been more than a little annoyed recently with the adding of "-ista" to the end of everything (i.e. fashionista, Bookista, anythingtodowithpolitics-ista...etc.)

At first, I thought it just meant someone that was an expert on the subject that appears before the -ista.  Well, I have to admit I was a little wrong (And I am rarely wrong, so make a note of this moment -- It probably won't happen again for a few years).

Anyway, I have found that this term -ista means that you are someone who is into/obsessed with whatever comes before the "-ista". You are not necessarily an expert, just obsessed with it. 

OK, so who came up with this thing?  How did it get into the English language?  Heck, -ista isn't even "English" but rather used often in Spanish (I am a Spanish teacher, so I know these things)

There are a couple of things that bother me about this new colloquialism. The first being that it exists at all.  Sounds kind of stupid to me. If it must exist then why does it not include ALL interests. To me, it would appear that all "-istas" are women concerned with their particular demographics. Hence the -ista ending.  It is a feminine ending (the -a is used for females, if it was male, then it would be an -o)  So, why not us guys?  Are we just not qualified to be -istas?  Think of the possibilities!

Photo source:
Eduwonk.com

...a Journalista.

Photo Source:
kungfuculture.org

...a Kung Fuista

Photo Source:
Collegecandy.com

...a Chickista.

Photo Source:
Gawker.com

...a Chucknorrista.

Photo courtesy:
imdb.com

...a Dudeista.














Just Think of the Possibilities...It is endless.  That means it is going to be overused in the near future.  I am already sick of it.  And Please don't call me a Blogista...

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Posted in: jimmy kicks,personal stories,The Boss,The Talent

Trying To Let It Be

It's been sort of a rough few weeks for me. I guess maybe I should explain a little. You see, around four years ago, I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. I tend to suffer from moderate to severe panic attacks in sometimes random situations.

I've always been sort of a nervous person. I get that from my dad. There's a history of mental illness in my family ranging from OCD to anxiety disorder. My older brother  suffered from it before I did and so I saw how hard it was for him. It wasn't something I wanted to go through, but I did. Okay, I still do.

When I was in college, I went through my first bout of the anxiety disorder. I would find myself at home during weekends or breaks and that's when the attacks really hit. It seemed like when I was alone or had nothing to do when the brain took over and a panic attack would hit. I still remember my very first one. I was sitting in my bedroom in the very spot where I am typing this post. All of a sudden, I started thinking about everything that I had to get done and all of these negative thoughts hit me. My heart started racing and my whole body started to tingle. My chest felt heavy like I couldn't breathe. I remember waking up my mom and of course, she didn't really know what to do for me except try to talk me through it. Sometimes that helps, sometimes it doesn't.  After awhile, I decided to go to therapy because I was pretty exhausted from the recent insomnia that hit and all of the panic attacks. They can be pretty draining.

A few years later, I guess I've learned to control them on my own. Although, the other night, I was at the movies with my friend and my brother and yeah.. a panic attack almost completely hit me. Why? Because I was sitting there and my brain took control again. I was thinking about student loans I had to pay off and with me being unemployed at the moment, that can be a little frustrating to figure out. But, near the end of the movie, I walked outside and got some fresh air.   Was it embarrassing for me to have to do that? Yeah, but that's just the way it goes sometimes. I can't help it.

A lot of people suffer from a mental illness of some sort. Some people don't like to talk about it because there's always a stigma that becomes attached to it. I've had people back away from me after they learn I suffer from anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. It's almost like they feel they are going to catch it.

Here are some things I would tell people who may not understand people with mental illness:

• It's not contagious
• There isn't an off switch for us (so telling us to just stop thinking about the bad things isn't really helping)
• We're still human beings (so treat us like one)
• Inform yourself about a mental illness a loved one might have so you can understand a little about what they are going through
• Sometimes all we need is just someone to talk to. Even if you don't have the answers. We know you don't have them. 

The current book I'm working on deals with self-harm (ie: cutting, burning, scratching, hair pulling, etc.). I want to give a voice to people who may not feel comfortable speaking up for themselves. I want people to know that it's okay to talk about it. That you're not alone. Because it can feel awfully lonely when people shut you out for some "issues" you might have.

Like the great Beatles once said: "All you need is love.. love is all you need."

If you have any questions about my type of mental illness (maybe you know someone suffering from it), feel free to ask me. I don't mind answering questions about it.

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Posted in: jimmy kicks,personal stories,The Talent

Diet Update - El Jefe loses Weight!!!

Nothing like being sick to lose weight!  Just a quick diet update.  I got sick last Thursday and still do not feel 100%.  I had actually gained a couple of pounds up until Thursday, but over the last 5 days, I have lost 5 pounds.  Probably because I hate eating when I can't taste anything.  I have bucket-loads of phlegm and mocos going down my throat.  Tonight was the first real mean I have eaten since Friday lunch.  Anyway, I am at about 204 right now.  Well on my way.  I need to get sick more often.

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Posted in: diet update,health and fitness,personal stories,The Talent

Chub Weightloss Update!!

Although today is not the official weigh in day, I couldn't help myself and decided to weigh myself this morning.

Weighing myself one day in advance can be heartbreaking sometimes.........
But it definitely wasn't the case for me this morning!!!!!!!!!  Today I weighed in at 375lbs.  I lost a total of 3 lbs last week.  I know a lot of people look at three pounds and pretty much scuff at it, but I am very proud of my three pounds.  I am currently at a total weight loss of 17lbs.  Grip and I started our weight loss challenge on Jan 3rd 2011.

I know someone my size could lose weight a lot faster, but I am okay with the pace I have going for myself.  I don't have the need to starve myself, or go all crazy at the gym.  All I've been doing is making sure I make conscious choices of what I put in my body, as well as the activity I do throughout the day.  In addition, on the weekends I try to go out with my wife a little bit more.  Whether it be just to purchase groceries or look around at the mall.

My goal is to be under 350 by the time June comes around.

Chub Out!
www.thewriteguyz.com

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Posted in: chub diet,Chub Johnson,personal stories,The Talent

SOCOM 2: FLASHBACK FRIDAY (CHUB JOHNSON)

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Posted in: Chub Johnson,personal stories,Socom 2,Socom 4,The Talent