The 50/50 Challenge

Over the last couple of weeks I have been researching life insurance policies. I would like to increase my life insurance from what I have today in order to ensure my family is well taken care of in the event of an early departure. I've learned that the cost of the premium is directly related to the health of the insured at the time the policy is written. Weight, age, cholesterol level, and blood pressure all factor into the premium. Three of the four I can actively do something about improving. The fourth, age, I can't do much about. Therefore, I am setting the following goal for myself.

I will lose 50 lbs. over the next 50 weeks. 

I am currently 200 lbs. Looking at charts, with my medium build I should be 145 to 155. So setting a goal to lose 50 in 50 will get me to the proper weight target. I also expect that my cholesterol level and blood pressure will both improve (although they aren't in bad shape now as it is).

How am I going to do it? Losing weight is a pretty simple process. You must burn more calories than you consume. That's it. So I am going to watch my eating and stay away from the "bad" stuff and will eat more healthy. In addition I will exercise at least 4 times per week. Between eating right and exercise, I should be able to take off the desired weight and improve my cholesterol and blood pressure in the process.

I am not going to get obsessed over losing exactly one pound per week. I know that some weeks I will lose more than one and others I might gain some. But the trend should point to 50 in 50. I've set a reminder for myself to post an update each Sunday morning, starting with January 10th as my first Sunday (since that will be the end of the first full week in 2010).

Cheer me on!

Another Tooth

Lindsey lost another tooth. I don't think she has many left now!

Great Wolf Lodge

Some very generous friends of ours treated us to a overnight adventure at Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, TX. We had a ball! I think it was the first real vacation my family has gone on. The water park was awesome and Andy and I greatly enjoyed the Maji Quest game (a treasure hunt throughout the hotel).

Jane and the kids playing in the arcade.

Lindsey getting pampered in the spa.

Texas Holdem

Andy and I are finishing up a wonderful Christmas day with a little heads up Texas Holdem. He was up for a while. Then I caught him in a big bluff and cleaned him out. He bought in again and is slowly winning his chips back. I am creating a monster!

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Texas Snowman!

Andy decided to build a snowman. By 11 am, the sun is quickly melting the snow, which is making it perfect for packing together into a big snowball. After about an hour of rolling we ended up with this...

Lindsey added some oranges for buttons and eyes. A nice touch!

Playing in the Snow

The kids are outside playing in the snow. Yes, I said snow! The snow survived the night and we still have some on the ground, and on the trampoline! They can't bounce as high as they normally do, but still fun playing on the tramp!

Andy and Lindsey running around the front yard.

Lindsey loves eating show! Always has! Still does!

Christmas 2009

Andy and Lindsey woke us up about 1 am this morning to let us know that Santa has come while they were sleeping. We asked them to go back to bed. That worked for about an hour, then we were reminded once again about the presents waiting for attention down by the Christmas tree. After a few more awakenings during the night we finally caved around 6:30 am and headed downstairs to see what Santa had brought. The kids had a ball opening presents. There weren't as many presents as previous years. I suspect Santa is feeling the down economy also!

Snowing in Texas

About noon today it started snowing. The snow turned into a winter storm and brought about 2 inches of show to the area. Yesterday it was 76 degrees and we were out and about in shorts and t-shirts. What a change! Only in Texas!

Andy decides to make a snow angel!

Trail Walk

Lindsey and I are out on the trail with Tucker. Yesterday it was 76 degrees. This morning it is near zero. Snow is on the way.

Going Bonkers

Andy and I are at Going Bonkers in Lewisville, TX. We brought his friend Sam this time. They love it here. The playground is a great way for them to burn off some energy. And it gives me a little time to get caught up on some reading. A win-win!

Early Christmas

As we usually do, we opened some of our Christmas presents early this year. The kids wanted to give Jane one of her presents, so she game them one also.

Andy picked out a Dallas Cowboys snuggy to keep her warm during the cold winter months here in Tesas.

Lindsey picked out a bottle of Jane's favorite purfume.

Andy is a big Lego Star Wars fan, so he was pretty happy about his early present.

And Lindsey, well you can't go wrong with Little Pony stuff! Fun for all!

Lawnmower Dog

Tucker likes to help with cutting the grass. Or at least he thinks he is a big helper!

Another Classy Picture

Was at Andy's Christmas Party today. Was able to get another fun picture of the teacher and some of the students.

Classy Picture

I stopped by Lindsey's school today for their Christmas party. I was able to get the class to pose quickly for this picture. Fun stuff!

Rockin'

Andy and Lindsey carefully create a small pile of rocks on the trampoline.

Next, they jump around the pile to see how high they can make the rocks jump. Something inside me says this is a bad idea... but it's fun to watch!

Say Cheese

Lindsey poses for the camera.

Trampoline Fun

I shot this of Andy and Lindsey playing on the trampoline in the back yard. They were having a ball!

Another Tooth

Lindsey lost another tooth tonight. The tooth fairy is going to need to work some overtime to stay up with this family!

Christmas Decorations

This was emailed to me...

Well, there is good news and bad news about the Christmas decorations this year.

The Good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take him down after 2 days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever. But two things made me take it down. First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by. Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn't realize it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). By the way, she was one of many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn't take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard.

Kind of feel like I gave in to the man by taking him down but my neighbor did confirm two near miss accidents on the busy street next to my house. I think I made him too real this time. So it was fun while it lasted.

School Kid