I made it! I finished my 6-week kettlebell program, the first time in my life I've ever done a 6-week anything program. Feels good :)
Over the past six weeks, I moved up from the 12kg to the 16kg kettlebell (and could probably almost move up to the 20kg bell in some areas), lost 1/2" on my waist, gained 1/2" on my chest and arms, and lost 0.8lbs.
What worked:
-Having a target each week for the workouts, even if they sometimes seem designed to kill me.
-Daily reporting & accountability
-Learning I can actually workout in the evening. It gives me time to talk myself back into exercising, when I wake up in the morning I don't often feel like working out.
What am I going to change for the next round?
-For tracking purposes, I'm going to work on 4-week increments rather than 6-weeks. It's easier to fit everything in on paper...
-Add more cardio exercise to the routine. I need to spend more quality time with the treadmill or the exercise bike on my "off days"
-Do more of what Jesse calls "complexes". Not sure how I'm going to fit those in just yet, but I'll work on it. I need to have more of the "praying for death" exercise days
-Be more conscious about what I eat. Let's face it, I'm never going to be a health-food nut. Part of my motivation to exercise is to allow me the joys of indulging in my love of ice cream without any of the associated guilt. But I don't have to make that a meal, if I keep it as a dessert where it belongs I don't see a problem. I can make healthier choices for meals, but the train isn't going to jump the track if I occasionally grab a less-than-healthy meal on the road.
What I've noticed in myself:
-I'm generally in a better mood
-My recovery time from my quarterly cold/sinus congestion has decreased significantly
-I have to say I've noticed my food cravings have started to change, I don't always default to the burgers any more. I'm trying to drink juice more often than I drink pop. I'm not going to say I'm not going to drink pop any more because I'm not ready for that step, but I am consciously cutting back.
-There is a noticeable difference when I do things like help people move. Hauling freezers and couches is a bit easier than it used to be.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some Lego to build :)
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
You're Too Kind
Backstory: Back in June, we decided we were going to pay off as many of our credit cards as we could, starting with the retail cards. I got my statement for the Best Buy card and then called the customer support line to confirm the amount before I closed the account. They said yes, that was the correct amount so that's how much I paid...
Fast-forward... I got a statement in the mail saying I owed $1.24 on my Best Buy card. So I phoned in this evening to talk to someone about it. I think "Customer Service" is sometimes a misnomer, "Condescending Line" is more accurate.
Me: "I would like to know why I'm being charged $1.24 after I confirmed the amount to be paid, and then paid that amount on the same day."
Captain Condescending: "Well..." (oh, this is starting off on the right foot already) "... they wouldn't say that is the amount to pay because interest is calculated daily."
Me: "Yes, he did say that. I told him I'd like to close my account and asked how much I needed to pay. He told me the amount and that's what I paid."
CC: "Let me explain it to you so you will understand..." (Let me show you the inside of your lip) "...we calculate the interest on a daily basis..." (yes, you mentioned that, Sparky. It's not a difficult concept to grasp) "...so between your statement date and your payment date, you accrued $1.24 in interest."
Me: "So, the person I talked to didn't know the interest would be accrued?? He couldn't just tell me I needed to add $1.24 to the balance?"
CC: I can hear him rolling his eyes... "What I'll do is I will reverse the $1.24 from your account so we can stay on positive terms..." You are too good to me. What's your name so I can plant a tree in your honor. Maybe I could even write you into my will. What is the appropriate level of grovelling and showering of appreciation for clearing off my entire outstanding balance? I don't want to seem ungrateful to such a generous benefactor.
Part of me wanted to see this go to collections because I'm sure it would've cost them way more than $1.24 to come after me. They have already spent more in postage sending me account statements than what I owed.
Fast-forward... I got a statement in the mail saying I owed $1.24 on my Best Buy card. So I phoned in this evening to talk to someone about it. I think "Customer Service" is sometimes a misnomer, "Condescending Line" is more accurate.
Me: "I would like to know why I'm being charged $1.24 after I confirmed the amount to be paid, and then paid that amount on the same day."
Captain Condescending: "Well..." (oh, this is starting off on the right foot already) "... they wouldn't say that is the amount to pay because interest is calculated daily."
Me: "Yes, he did say that. I told him I'd like to close my account and asked how much I needed to pay. He told me the amount and that's what I paid."
CC: "Let me explain it to you so you will understand..." (Let me show you the inside of your lip) "...we calculate the interest on a daily basis..." (yes, you mentioned that, Sparky. It's not a difficult concept to grasp) "...so between your statement date and your payment date, you accrued $1.24 in interest."
Me: "So, the person I talked to didn't know the interest would be accrued?? He couldn't just tell me I needed to add $1.24 to the balance?"
CC: I can hear him rolling his eyes... "What I'll do is I will reverse the $1.24 from your account so we can stay on positive terms..." You are too good to me. What's your name so I can plant a tree in your honor. Maybe I could even write you into my will. What is the appropriate level of grovelling and showering of appreciation for clearing off my entire outstanding balance? I don't want to seem ungrateful to such a generous benefactor.
Part of me wanted to see this go to collections because I'm sure it would've cost them way more than $1.24 to come after me. They have already spent more in postage sending me account statements than what I owed.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Startling Revelations...
Remember back in March when I had my first go-round with kettlebells? It took a while, but I got back in the saddle. This time with a 12kg kettlebell (26.4lb for my American friends) and a program put together by Jesse. And I have to say this time is working out MUCH better.
So, what have I learned so far?
1. "I haven't" is not synonymous with "I can't"
For years, I thought these two were interchangeable. Turns out, not so much. I thought because I hadn't been able to follow an exercise plan, somehow maybe I couldn't. For the first time ever in my life, I can say "I'm on the third week of the program." Next week I'll be saying "I'm on week #4", and so on. And soon, I'll lose count because it's just a part of my lifestyle and not an exercise program.
2. "I can't now" doesn't mean "I never will"
Three weeks ago, if someone had asked me, "Do you think you'll be able to do a 24kg snatch?" I would've said something like, "Are you crazy??" Yesterday Jesse figured it was time I graduated to the 16kg (35.2lb) bell. Once I had done a few exercises, he said "OK". Let me jump in here and explain... When Jesse says "OK", it means "You think you're done, but now I'm going to make you do more." Sometimes it sounds remarkably like, "Let's see if this kills you."
He brought out a 20kg (44lb) and had me do a few more snatches. Then he said "OK" again and brought out the 24kg (52.8lb) and had me do a few more snatches. For those not familiar with snatches, here's a short video:
So, what have I learned so far?
1. "I haven't" is not synonymous with "I can't"
For years, I thought these two were interchangeable. Turns out, not so much. I thought because I hadn't been able to follow an exercise plan, somehow maybe I couldn't. For the first time ever in my life, I can say "I'm on the third week of the program." Next week I'll be saying "I'm on week #4", and so on. And soon, I'll lose count because it's just a part of my lifestyle and not an exercise program.
2. "I can't now" doesn't mean "I never will"
Three weeks ago, if someone had asked me, "Do you think you'll be able to do a 24kg snatch?" I would've said something like, "Are you crazy??" Yesterday Jesse figured it was time I graduated to the 16kg (35.2lb) bell. Once I had done a few exercises, he said "OK". Let me jump in here and explain... When Jesse says "OK", it means "You think you're done, but now I'm going to make you do more." Sometimes it sounds remarkably like, "Let's see if this kills you."
He brought out a 20kg (44lb) and had me do a few more snatches. Then he said "OK" again and brought out the 24kg (52.8lb) and had me do a few more snatches. For those not familiar with snatches, here's a short video:
Yeah, doing those with 24kg. Sure, he makes it look easy, but it isn't. Didn't see that happening any time in my near future, but I did it (only twice on each arm, but it still counts).
3. I actually enjoy workouts.
Really! Last week was probably the most hectic I've had in a long time, and Wednesday was the worst of the week. I spent most of the day holding onto the thought that if I just get through, I can go back to the hotel room and do my workout. I stumbled in after a 14hr+ work day and did my exercises and it felt great.
4. It's not about the pounds or inches anymore
When I started three weeks ago, I took my measurements and weighed myself so I could see how far I have come when I reach week 6. Now, those week 6 numbers are more of a curiosity than a goal. I don't care if nothing has changed on paper because everything has changed in my head. I feel so much better, I'll keep going regardless of what the scale or measuring tape have to say. They don't get to vote anymore...
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Here's Yer Sign...
I got the chance to do some shopping for electronics today picking up some equipment for a couple of new hires at work. I enjoy shopping for electronics, especially when I get to do it on the company credit card. I was in one of the London Drugs in Calgary looking for a portable printer. It was the middle of the afternoon, so the computer department was relatively slow. There were two staff in computers at the time, one a seasoned vet and the other a new trainee. The new staff was following the other staff around the department like a lost puppy. I had to chuckle a bit to myself because I remember well my own days as a green trainee following Scott Bogdan around the Lethbridge London Drugs computer department...
Anyhow, I made the mistake of asking the poor greenie if the HP 100 was the replacement for the 470. He looked at me in a small panic before checking with the seasoned veteran. I put the two printer boxes on the counter so he could ring them in (after he figured out what to scan). As he's ringing them up he asked, "What are you going to use them for?"
What I actually said was, "for mobile printing". What I was thinking was, "I thought I'd try them out as planters for the front porch."
Runners-up included:
"I'm not going to use the printers, I just need the boxes."
"I'm doing some work on my car and need something to block the tires."
"My table is wobbly and these are just the right height to straighten it out."
If I had asked that question during my training, I'm fairly sure Scott would've smacked me. "They're printers, what do you think he's going to use them for?"
Anyhow, I made the mistake of asking the poor greenie if the HP 100 was the replacement for the 470. He looked at me in a small panic before checking with the seasoned veteran. I put the two printer boxes on the counter so he could ring them in (after he figured out what to scan). As he's ringing them up he asked, "What are you going to use them for?"
What I actually said was, "for mobile printing". What I was thinking was, "I thought I'd try them out as planters for the front porch."
Runners-up included:
"I'm not going to use the printers, I just need the boxes."
"I'm doing some work on my car and need something to block the tires."
"My table is wobbly and these are just the right height to straighten it out."
If I had asked that question during my training, I'm fairly sure Scott would've smacked me. "They're printers, what do you think he's going to use them for?"
Thursday, August 25, 2011
You Pushed the Wrong Button
Aug 12: we went down to Kalispell for the weekend with our friends Barb & Jesse. Left the kids at home and took off, just like the "old days". I had saved up my hotel points to cover the rooms. I made reservations for 2 rooms with queen beds, not a hard concept. When we got there to check in, there was a line-up and the staff at the counter kept announcing there weren't any rooms available without a reservation. Whew, good thing we booked ahead.
We got to the rooms, and when I got in bed I had to think for a minute. It has been a few months since we replaced our queen bed at home, but I don't remember ever having my feet hang off the end like this. You'd think in all the years of having a queen, I'd notice something like that.
We got home on Aug 14, I pretty much dropped my bags at the door and went to the computer to register a complaint on the Choice Hotels website. I got the automated "Your request will be researched and you will receive a response from us within 72 hours." The 17th rolled around, then the 18th, and finally on the 19th, I sent an email reminder saying the 72 hours were up.
Fast forward through two more email reminders, and this morning I figured I'd just phone in and see if anyone could help. The guy on the other end had to look up my reservations, then called the hotel. After listening to the most obnoxious hold message ever (I REALLY don't want to listen to you saying how great you are right now), he came back on and said the hotel confirmed they were queen beds. What?!? Do your beds have an exchange rate now too?? I'm pretty sure a queen is the same size in the US as it is in Canada. Oh, and the hotel MAILED a letter on the 16th. Not emailed, but the good old-fashioned postal service. In what alternate reality does that qualify as receiving a reply within 72hrs?! It still hasn't arrived yet. What's the frakkin' point of asking how I would like to be contacted if you are going to ignore it anyway and wimp out by sending a letter??
Senor Helpful was absolutely no help whatsoever and said he couldn't do anything for me. If I wanted any further resolution I would have to talk to the hotel directly. No, I'm not going to talk to the hotel directly. That's a really dumb idea, they can't tell the difference between a queen and a double, how much help do you really think they'll be?? I'll tell you what I will do, however. If you look at my account, you'll see I have spent 40-50+ nights at your hotel chain every year since I joined in 2004 (did I mention it was Choice Hotels?). I'm taking those nights to another hotel which would love to have my business.
I wasn't even asking for a refund, I probably would've been happy with an acknowledgement there had been an error and an apology. But if this is how concerns are handled, you'll never see me walk through your doors again. It's time for me to start seeing other hotels. It's not me, it's you.
We got to the rooms, and when I got in bed I had to think for a minute. It has been a few months since we replaced our queen bed at home, but I don't remember ever having my feet hang off the end like this. You'd think in all the years of having a queen, I'd notice something like that.
We got home on Aug 14, I pretty much dropped my bags at the door and went to the computer to register a complaint on the Choice Hotels website. I got the automated "Your request will be researched and you will receive a response from us within 72 hours." The 17th rolled around, then the 18th, and finally on the 19th, I sent an email reminder saying the 72 hours were up.
Fast forward through two more email reminders, and this morning I figured I'd just phone in and see if anyone could help. The guy on the other end had to look up my reservations, then called the hotel. After listening to the most obnoxious hold message ever (I REALLY don't want to listen to you saying how great you are right now), he came back on and said the hotel confirmed they were queen beds. What?!? Do your beds have an exchange rate now too?? I'm pretty sure a queen is the same size in the US as it is in Canada. Oh, and the hotel MAILED a letter on the 16th. Not emailed, but the good old-fashioned postal service. In what alternate reality does that qualify as receiving a reply within 72hrs?! It still hasn't arrived yet. What's the frakkin' point of asking how I would like to be contacted if you are going to ignore it anyway and wimp out by sending a letter??
Senor Helpful was absolutely no help whatsoever and said he couldn't do anything for me. If I wanted any further resolution I would have to talk to the hotel directly. No, I'm not going to talk to the hotel directly. That's a really dumb idea, they can't tell the difference between a queen and a double, how much help do you really think they'll be?? I'll tell you what I will do, however. If you look at my account, you'll see I have spent 40-50+ nights at your hotel chain every year since I joined in 2004 (did I mention it was Choice Hotels?). I'm taking those nights to another hotel which would love to have my business.
I wasn't even asking for a refund, I probably would've been happy with an acknowledgement there had been an error and an apology. But if this is how concerns are handled, you'll never see me walk through your doors again. It's time for me to start seeing other hotels. It's not me, it's you.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Curbside Appeal
I'm always looking for shirts which fit me. Make that cheap shirts which fit me. I know where the expensive ones are, but I'm not ready to pay $70+ for a long-sleeve dress shirt. I think I once paid $40 for a shirt, that may have been the time store security had to come and help me pry my debit card out of my wallet. Hyperventilating may also have been involved, the whole incident is a blur and it's hard to remember specific details...
I used to be able to find 36/37" sleeves in the sale bin at Moore's, then they caught on to my scheme and started stocking the 34/35" sleeves. That doesn't help much. "We have bigger ones over here..." they would say, pointing to the expensive section. Are you really getting the "big spender" vibe off the guy digging through the $20 bargain bin??
Then for about eight months, Sears had my size and I discovered how nice a 37/38" sleeve really is. So, I'd stop in every time I was at the office and pick up a shirt. And then they decided to cater to the "business OompaLoompa" market. In what crazed and deranged world is a 32/33" sleeve considered to be Large??
I don't know why I keep going back to Sears to check for my size. Maybe it's optimism, maybe a hope they really do carry my size but other tall people get there before I do. Let me go on record right now to say I have officially made my last visit to the Marlborough Mall Sears in Calgary. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, let me give you a short essay...
I used to be able to find 36/37" sleeves in the sale bin at Moore's, then they caught on to my scheme and started stocking the 34/35" sleeves. That doesn't help much. "We have bigger ones over here..." they would say, pointing to the expensive section. Are you really getting the "big spender" vibe off the guy digging through the $20 bargain bin??
Then for about eight months, Sears had my size and I discovered how nice a 37/38" sleeve really is. So, I'd stop in every time I was at the office and pick up a shirt. And then they decided to cater to the "business OompaLoompa" market. In what crazed and deranged world is a 32/33" sleeve considered to be Large??
I don't know why I keep going back to Sears to check for my size. Maybe it's optimism, maybe a hope they really do carry my size but other tall people get there before I do. Let me go on record right now to say I have officially made my last visit to the Marlborough Mall Sears in Calgary. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, let me give you a short essay...
People in business, especially retail, know about the importance of curbside appeal. I'm a fan of Dennis Snow, a great speaker and author about customer service topics. One of his points is "Everything Speaks". Everything in your organization speaks something to the customer. This is why grocery stores spend so much time making sure all the product is brought forward to the front of the shelves, so it's easy for customer to reach and appears well-stocked.
You could expect a display like this in the toy section after parents let little Chucky run amuck while they're off looking at sporting goods etc. But what is the impression you get when this happens in men's wear? It's not like there was a huge sale either. I noticed three staff walk past this carnage as they went to other departments. I started to wonder how long it had been since any of the staff had been in the department to check on it. The shirt section was about 30 minutes away from graffiti and gang tagging. Fortunately, I made it out before things really got bad...
You could expect a display like this in the toy section after parents let little Chucky run amuck while they're off looking at sporting goods etc. But what is the impression you get when this happens in men's wear? It's not like there was a huge sale either. I noticed three staff walk past this carnage as they went to other departments. I started to wonder how long it had been since any of the staff had been in the department to check on it. The shirt section was about 30 minutes away from graffiti and gang tagging. Fortunately, I made it out before things really got bad...
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Only You Can Prevent Vaguebooking
Thanks to social media, I have a new pet peeve. It's called 'vaguebooking'. What, you ask, is vaguebooking?
Vaguebooking: An intentionally vague or ambiguous Facebook status update which prompts friends to ask what's going, possibly prompting friends to "Hide" future updates by the perpetrator.
I'm sure you know people who do this on a regular basis, hopefully you're not one of them. There's always someone who dangles just enough to keep their friends digging for more information.
Friend1: I'm so ________ [fill in the blank with angry/sad/frustrated/etc]...
Friend2: What's up?
Friend1: I don't want to talk about it right now.
Friend1: That was SO embarrassing!
Friend2: What did you do?
Friend1: I can't even talk about it yet, I'm still red
If you can't/won't talk about it, then why are you posting it?!? Either put in enough details so people know what's going on, or skip the status update altogether. Does it make you feel validated or important when friends comment on your cryptic status? Does stringing everyone along with breadcrumbs fulfill your need to be the center of attention?
I have a solution which will make everyone happy: Get a puppy. Seriously, they'll never judge you, they're always happy to see you, they never think your stories are boring, and they think you're the greatest person ever.
So to anyone reading this (both of you), you can help stop this online epidemic. If you are or have been guilty of vaguebooking, stop now! If you have friends who vaguebook, for the love of baby seals everywhere DON'T REPLY! Resist the urge, replying only makes it worse. The next time they post "wonders if it was worth it", "big surprise, can't tell anyone yet", or "that was a bad idea" leave them hanging. Seriously, even though it takes every ounce of self-control you have, don't even post a sarcastic comment. You can't extinguish unwanted behavior at the same time you are rewarding it.
I'm off to ... oops, I've said too much already.
I have a solution which will make everyone happy: Get a puppy. Seriously, they'll never judge you, they're always happy to see you, they never think your stories are boring, and they think you're the greatest person ever.
So to anyone reading this (both of you), you can help stop this online epidemic. If you are or have been guilty of vaguebooking, stop now! If you have friends who vaguebook, for the love of baby seals everywhere DON'T REPLY! Resist the urge, replying only makes it worse. The next time they post "wonders if it was worth it", "big surprise, can't tell anyone yet", or "that was a bad idea" leave them hanging. Seriously, even though it takes every ounce of self-control you have, don't even post a sarcastic comment. You can't extinguish unwanted behavior at the same time you are rewarding it.
I'm off to ... oops, I've said too much already.
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