Cole's 5th Birthday

Today is my third child's 5th Birthday. We all woke up early to open presents and he was super excited. He received a package of super hero's, some space station stuff, and a couple of shake and go cars (Batman & Joker edition). I actually think the highlight of his birthday came last night when he opened up Papa & Titi's (my folks) presents. He received a Husker Basketball Jersey w/ matching shorts, a Husker basketball, a Husker T-Shirt, and a ticket to a real Husker basketball game. There was much jumping and shouting. All was well.

I know that parents are not supposed to have favorites, but I must say that Cole is like the boy I have always wanted. He is loud, ornery, and continuously gets in his mothers hair. I like to think he is a miniature version of me. I love all my other kids, but I think boys are supposed to give you grey hair and have you worry about what they will do next. This is what I have with Cole, and I love it.

Weight - 210.8 Down 2.6 lbs from yesterday...I guess you could say that water retention was high. Started to really work on my obliques today and am going to be pushing that direction every other day. I know that aerobic exercise is the best way to get rid of stomach bulge, but since I'm losing weight anyway, anything to help the ol' love handles will do me some good.

Ah, Food.

It's crazy really. When looking back at all the holiday traditions in my family, they all seem to revolve around food. Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas Dinner, 4th of July BBQ, Easter Dinner, birthday dinners, etc. etc. etc. When people come over to visit, where do we sit and do most of the chatting? In the kitchen, of course. Why is it that when food plays such a vital role in society today, we are all surprised that obesity is the biggest epidemic out there? (no pun intended) The time of hunting and gathering is way behind us as a society, but it seems natural instinct is to overeat and over indulge like we don't know where our next meal is coming from. I am just as guilty as the next guy, but it seems that it will take more willpower and a huge cultural shift to put things back in the proper perspective. People as a whole need to really take a look at diet and portion size to save their/our children from what could be a nationwide health care collapse due to complications with weight induced illness. The original serving size at McDonalds is the equivalent of a kids meal today. What has changed from the 50's that we need 3 times as much food? Besides greed and want? I am not trying to get on a soapbox here, and I have a long way to go when it comes to my children and lifestyle, but this problem is only going to grow until the issue is made public and is taken seriously. When it comes to things I am scared of in the future...this is one of the top items.

Weight - 213.4 Not a great couple days for this guy. Willpower lost out this weekend due to hunger and a loss of healthy things to eat at the in-laws. Oh well, back on the wagon from this day on.

Choosing Joy

I love Thanksgiving. The meal and the football are (of course) my favorite parts. I also really enjoy a day to talk about being thankful and truly enjoying life in general. This holiday, however, I am needing to really choose joy. I am with my nephews, who could be the most ungrateful, self-centered boys I have ever met. Normally when you show up after an extended absence, a person would make it a point to actually say hello. Not these two, whatever they are doing is ALWAYS more important then even saying hello. They also complain constantly and one of them is on the phone texting his girlfriend the entire day. (or playing video games) Usually this puts me in a pretty foul mood, but not today. Today I am choosing joy. Today is the day that I let it slide. I am not going to get angry today and try my best to not get aggravated. I hope everyone else can also do the same today.

Weight - 210.8 I am hoping to maintain the next couple days. Today I think I can eat smart, but everything my mother-in-law makes today is going to be FATTY. Then tomorrow is the Husker game in Lincoln, so it is always tough to eat good. If I can maintain, then Saturday and Sunday will still give me time to get down to my goal weight of 210 this week.

Order and Cleanliness

I am a fan of a clean house. I would even go on to say that I am more than just a fan, I am in love with it. When I walk into the house after work, the last thing I want to see is a pile of laundry, toys on the floor, and dishes in the sink. This is why I love my wife. She is also a fan of being clean. I know, a lot of people like a clean house...but how many people actually do anything about it. How many people spend a good chuck of their days making sure the floor is always swept and mopped, the carpet is always vacuumed, the beds are always made, and the house is tidy? I would say not very many. As I have gotten older, I have come to appreciate this more and more. This morning I added another layer onto my love of clean. It was simple really, I went to find my work boots. I looked in the hall closet and they were not there. At this point, I knew I only had to look one more place and I would be done looking...my bedroom closet. Lo and behold, they were right where I knew they would be. I put them there last night, but I didn't remember that. (Too many drugs as a kid = no memory) The fact I didn't remember doesn't matter, because I knew where to find them. No stress and no trouble. So my morning continues on in wonderful beauty...Ahhhh.

Weight - 211.6 Down another 0.8 lbs and feeling better and better. I love the fact I have energy all day and don't get bogged down by over eating. It took a while to get to this point, and I still struggle at times with the addiction of food...but I am getting better. Pull-ups and sit-ups today. Now I just need to find something that really works these love handles, and I will be a happy camper.

A good weekend

This weekend was pretty darn enjoyable. Karri's friend Sandy came down to visit, so Karri was in a good mood all weekend. They went to Greeley on Saturday morning, so I got to hang out with the kids, wash the dog, clean out my truck, and watch a little football. That doesn't sound like much fun, but I have been meaning to get to all of that, so I was actually pleased to get it done. The downfall of Saturday was the NU vs TA&M game. I am not usually one to blame the referees, but they had it in for NU and it showed. The referee's lost control of the game when they started taking out frustration on Coach Pelini by penalizing NU. Not a good game at all. Just ugly.

I also had the best Sunday I have had in a while. We went to a new church and I just enjoyed going to a place with life. I was uplifted the entire day...which was a great change of pace. We may just have found a church home...finally. That afternoon was spent with a great friend, a nice evening walk with my darling wife, and just chilling in the evening. Peaceful and relaxing all weekend, could you ask for more?

Weight - 212.4 Down .8 lbs from Sunday and 1.6 lbs from my weekly goal. I am uber excited about being close to 210 and am going to set that as my goal for this week. The only problem with that would be being at my in-laws this weekend. Karla cooks like a farmers wife...lots of butter and cream in everything. I really need to watch what I eat this weekend, and quantity will be very lacking. I am bringing granola bars to try and tide me over....lets hope for the best.

Remake Movies

I am not a fan of remaking movies from 10 - 20+ years ago. I understand that the kids these days have not watched the awesomeness of "Top Gun" or "The Karate Kid", or even "Godzilla". I also understand the movie companies want to make money, and since the original movies did so well, they assume the remakes will do just as well. Here is where my problem lays...why can't kids just watch the original movies? Sure the special effects are not all digital and some of the acting seems a bit hokey, but there is a reason they were classics. THEY WERE FRIGGEN GOOD! My family just finished watching the remake of the "Karate Kid" and it wasn't too bad. I did have a few issues with it however...

1) The kid learned Kung Fu and NOT KARATE! Shouldn't they have called this movie the Kung Fu kid?

2) In the original, Mr. Miyagi whooped up on the kids, while in the remake Jackie Chan only let they beat themselves up (like only Jackie Chan can do). It was an entertaining scene, but doesn't make nearly enough sense when the two go to the dojo later on.

3) They moved to China. How will there be a remake of the "Karate Kid 2"?

The only part of the movie I did really enjoy was watching Will Smith's child act. It was amazing to see how much like Will Smith he really was like. Mannerisms, Voice Inflection, and so on. It was like watching a young Will Smith.

So parents...do you children a favor. Watch the original movies prior to watching the remakes with your children. Save History! (Yes, my children watched the original Karate Kid months before watching the remake)

Weight - 213.8 Finally broke the 214 barrier and still feel like I can make a lot more progress. Pushups and Planks this morning. Sandy Reikofski also came to visit this weekend so I can help her with the music program she is using for her dance recital. She and Karri went to Greeley this morning to visit Sam's Club and eat lunch with her mom, so it is just me at the chit-lens today...Good Times.

Thursday Bowling

We have started a little family tradition of going bowling every Thursday night at "Fire Lanes" here in Brush. It is a quaint little bowling alley that has eight lanes and is really clean. It is also dollar bowling from 6:00 - 10:00 with dollar shoe rentals. So between the six of us, it is only $12.00 for a good hour of entertainment. Worth every penny to get the kids out of the house for a bit. Yes, it is a good hour due to the time it takes to get Isaac and Cole to actually get up and bowl. Speedy we are not. This is also excellent practice for next year when the Rogge family travels to Pla-Mor lanes in Fairbury for our bi-annual Thanksgiving Bowling Tourney. Karri got the best of me yesterday with a 121, while I was second with a 108 (I was just excited to get above 100) then Isaac brought in the Bronze medal with an 83. (He usually just dropped the ball on the lane and I would push it.)

Weight - 214.2 Situps and squats this morning and a nice brisk walk yesterday. I think the same plan is in order for tonight and tomorrow, and as long as I don't eat to much pizza tonight, my goal of 214 by Monday weigh-in is achievable.

"The Talk"

I have decided not to number days anymore just because it is getting tedious and I am not on a day count, but a lifestyle change. Yesterday, Dylan asked me, "Dad, when you were in 5th grade, did you have to take a class to learn about your dick?" I am sure a look of astonishment crossed my face, and I said, "What!" He then proceeded to tell me that all the boys in his class have to go to a class on Friday and talk about "boy stuff" and most importantly, their dicks. After I relayed to him that there are many names to call the trouser snake, we should probably just call it our penis. He agreed that perhaps this was a good call. I remember this class when I was his age, so I am not going to be a parent that doesn't let him take the class. One way or another, he is going to hear about it during reccess or from his friends, so he may as well sit in on the class as well. I actually used this time to find out what he "knew" and to speak openly about the subject of not only hormones, erections, and nocturnal emissions, but also about sex and what it was. I won't go into details (unless requested) but my darling son was aware of what sex was, but is pretty naive about everything else. I think my favorite part was at the end during question and answer period. I just told him to ask anything that he wanted, words he heard at school, thoughts he may have had, anything. I was always strait forward and honest, I think the way you need to be.

Weight - 215.4 I guess the school lunch yesterday wasn't as good for me as I thought. The 5th graders get to invite parents for a Thanksgiving Feast at the school, so the herd made the trek and had lunch with D. I thought I counted enough points, but I guess not. Push-ups and planks today...and I'm still feeling good.

Day 16

Last night we had Chris Oden over for dinner...this has become a Tuesday night ritual, which is nice. Another good overall day, I rode my scooter into work and really enjoyed it. I am afraid that I am going to get motorcycle fever by riding something with 2 wheels and an engine, but that is a chance I am willing to take. It is a really freeing feeling to be in the open air, and you get a good sense of how beautiful the day is. It is very similar to a bicycle ride, except the effort isn't there. This makes me excited for summer time when I don't have to bundle up so much and can really enjoy it.

Day 16 - 214.8 I dropped another pound last night and it seems not going to Vail was a huge help on the gut. This morning was pull-ups and sit-ups, I decided not to do squats today...they just seem like a waste of time if I go walking every day. Not much to say today, so...Toodles

Day 15

Vail did not end up being in the plans for yesterday. Gene decided the roads were too bad and he didn't want to get stuck on the mountain with me, so we stayed in Brush. I was a little disappointed, but what can you do? Nothing really exciting last night, but this morning must have changed my clock time by and hour. My alarm went off like normal, so I went downstairs to do my pushups and planks. I was about 1/2 way through with my pushups when Karri opens the office door and asked what I was doing. I told her pushups and she replied, "At 4:30?" So I bounced back upstairs and layed down for an hour before I got back up and did the exercises again. It is all ok though, because I rode my scooter into work today and just loved it. This may be my new mode of transportation unless it is snowing.

Day 15 - 215.8 Yesterday I saved up a lot of points for dinner thinking I would eat out, but since I didn't go to Vail, I ate really well at home. I am really excited for a drop of 1.2 lbs and continue to get motivation every time I get on the scale. My overalls (for scooter riding) also fit extremely well, because normally they are tight. I am seeing progress, and it is good.

Day 14

Official weigh-in day today. The goal for this week was 218.0 and I came it at 217.0. The new goal for this week is 214.0 (another 3 pounds) and I hope I can do it. If I stay in town instead of going to Vail, I believe I will be victorious, but if traveling it will be much harder. I say if because according to the gentleman I am traveling with, the mountains are supposed to get a foot of snow and 60 mph winds. If we are going to leave, it will be around noon - so I guess we will find out if we are going soon. Dinner with Graffs went well last night, we had nachos and they were delicious. The company was also very enjoyable. I believe I overshared an experience with them, but I think they just come to expect about anything if it is coming out of my mouth.

Weekend #2

Yesterday I weighed in a 217.0 while today it was 218.2. I did go over 6 points yesterday, but really think it was the soda I had. The Husker game yesterday was a lot of fun. I happened to sit by Jessica (Phillips) Slechten (I think that is spelled right). I went to Hastings College with her and it was a lot of fun to actually catch up with somebody from HC that joked of the HC advantage like I did and was NOT judgmental of me dropping out early. I also sat next to a lady that actually knew where Wiggans, CO was. Pretty small world all the way around.

Tonight, we head back from Elsie to Brush so we can meet with the Graffs by dinnertime. I am definitaly looking forward to that..I just hope I can eat right so the weight doesn't look too bad this next week. I am in Vail on Monday - Wednesday, and it is always tough to eat well when traveling.

Until tomorrow!

Day 11

Yesterday the highlight of the day was my wife surprising me with a new CD of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show Soundtrack". I am super excited. I had never viewed the RHPS before, so a we Tivo'd it and then watched it about a week ago. I have been singing the songs ever since. In fact, if my diet goes as well as planned, I have two things I want to do. 1) Go to a live showing in Denver and dress up as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, and 2) Perhaps join a theater group and be a part of the cast. I'm sure this is just one of my part time obsessions, but for now...at least it is a goal.

Day 11 - 218.0 So I am down about a pound, and have reached my weekly goal weight of 218, so I need to at least maintain this weekend so I can reach my goal weight for next week of 215. This may be a little tougher then I want it to be, because tonight we travel to Elsie because tomorrow Dylan and I are driving with Tim and Alex to go to the Jayhawk vs. Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Should be a good time. NU should hammer Kansas, so I am looking forward to it. Then Sunday we drive back to meet the Graffs for dinner (nachos). Maybe I won't eat breakfast and/or lunch that day.

Day 10

So for the last couple days, I have actually awoke with an exemplary attitude towards life. I'm not 100% sure why this has happened, but I sure am glad it has. The only things that have changed the last week is me 1) "working out" in the morning, 2) Starting this diet, and 3) I have began to have a little "quiet time" in the evening before going to bed. I am focusing on becoming a better father, husband, and man in general. My guess is this time is what is pushing the attitude, but I really don't want to dwell on on to much and just let it take its course. I have, in the past, tried to push God into a timeframe and it doesn't work...so this is where I will leave it. On a lighter note, I got my scooter (moped) working again yesterday and am going to start driving it to work...as soon as I find my coveralls. (Cause, baby, it's cold outside)

Day 10 - 219.0 I am guessing that I should have only had 1 sloppy joe sandwich last night instead of 2. Still, I am down 0.4 lbs and close to my weekly goal of 218! This morning was sit-ups and squats and I am feeling good. Waking up in the morning is not really a big deal. I am a bit tired right when I get out of bed, but when exercise starts - I am wide awake. I do struggle to get through the sit-ups though...it is TOUGH. It feels good!

Day 9

So yesterday it started out as a pretty pleasant day. The weather was nice, I had a project I was working on, I knew I got to come home for lunch while Karri went to the lady doctor. So I made it home, and the appointment went a bit longer then I expected, but it was OK because I caught up on a few episodes of Chuck and House. I then drive back to work and get about 90% done on my project. All is well. Then I walk outside....and it was friggen snowing and cold. I remember in the past, the first snow of the winter was exciting, but not this year. This year it means that it will now continue to stay cold. I am tired of cold. I don't like it anymore. I guess New Mexico spoiled me in that aspect....you never shovel snow and it is only chilly for 1 month of the year. I became a bit depressed with the snow, but will fight through it.

Day 9 - 219.4 I got on the scale and became very exicted for the day. I finally broke the 220 barrier and am still working on going down. After my pushups and planks, Karri showed me a weigh-in sheet from August that had me recorded at 218.0...that kind of stole my thunder a bit. I thought this was the first time I had been under 220 in years, but that just shows how awesome my memory is (it was the drugs). So now the goal is to be under 215 in around 10ish days....I think I can do it!

Day 8

Yesterday was a pretty enjoyable day. Work was uneventful, but Karri and I went on a nice walk which I think ended up being about 2.8 miles. We decided that this will be the time we can air our grievances with one another (if there are any) so we can keep the lines of communication open. It also gives us an opportunity to take the dog for a walk, since I have basically stopped running in the morning. We had tacos for dinner (yum) and then went to the new owl movie at the theater. It was called Legend of the Guardians. Cole fell asleep about 1/2 way through, Isaac whined about his nose hurting - he is getting a cold, while Natalie & Dylan enjoyed it. It was only $2.50 a person to get in, so well worth it.

Day 8 - 220.2 I am very close to breaking the 220 barrier and am really exicted about it. Today was a squat / sit-up day and my abs are still a bit sore. It is a good feeling though, so I am not complaining about it. Today I have a few things to finish up at work, then Chris Oden is coming over for dinner and hopefully bringing a batter charger so I can get my scooter up and running for good. It may be a chilly ride in, but I am looking forward to getting my "hog" working again.

Day 6 & 7

Day 6 - So I weighed in on Sunday morning at 220.0, so needless to say I was pretty excited that in .1 lb I would be seeing 219 point something. The family continued our trend of "church shopping" and went to a Lutheran church in town. Two things struck me when sitting through service.

1. Where are all the kids in this town? Do any of the them go to church? During the kids time (it is a Lutheran thing) there were 2 children besides mine that went up. I counted a total of 7 children in service yesterday....and 4 of them were mine.

2. It is truly amazing what your brain keeps as important. If attending a ELCA Lutheran church, a green worship book is used. This book hasn't changed in years, and yesterday I proved it. I didn't even need the book at all, I had the entire service memorized from when I was a kid. The kids would ask me what was next, and I could recite everything back to them without even looking at the beat. No wonder nobody goes to that type of service anymore....not a lot of intrigue.

Day 7 - 221.0 Yesterday night we had some friends over, and I didn't even follow a semblance of a diet. So I am giving myself the goal of 218.0 in 1 week. I dropped 4 official pounds last week and think I can drop 3 this week. Push-ups and plank excersises this morning so I begin my week a weakling again.

Day 6

On to the weekend. I got an extra hour sleep today before heading downstairs to do my sit-ups and squats. Yesterday entailed a pretty good day. Friday is movie night at the Rogge household so, as always, we made pizza for dinner. I actually watched what I ate on a Friday and only had 2 slices of pizza and stayed right at my point allotment for weight watchers. After pizza, we popped some popcorn and watched Toy Story 3. The kids loved it.

Day 6 - 221.0 As mentioned earlier, I did stay on my point schedule yesterday, so this really annoys me. I woke up this morning at least wanting to see 220.something. I guess this is added motivation to eat right today. Off to start the day...consisting of flag football, seeing my brother, and honey-do lists!

Day 5

So yesterday was a pretty good day. I had work (of course) but then went to flag football practice with Dylan. The head coach was busy and couldn't be there, so I got to run practice. Not to sound like a braggart, but this could have been the best practice of the season. We actually worked on pulling flags on defense (the first time all year) as well as plays the team is going to actually run in the game this week. Amazingly enough, the kids didn't get to make up their own plays and argue with each other the entire practice. Brilliant! I really do enjoy coaching and trying to help the kids understand the game of football as a whole....now if we could only tackle...

This weekend should be a lot of fun. D has his final flag football game of the season this weekend (starting at 9:00 am) and Matt, Shae, and Miles have decided to come down to watch the game. It is always nice to have a brother around, so I am really looking forward to that. Then it is off to clean out my garage so I can actually park my truck inside before the snow starts to fly. Sunday we are going to meet up with the Graffs, which always is a great time...so all in all, it should be a pretty enjoyable couple days. (I hope I can stay strong diet wise)

Day 5 - 221.0 So yesterday I stayed on course and dropped 0.6 lbs. My goal is to get to under 220 by Monday, so that means I really need to be smart this weekend. It may be tough with dinner on Sunday, but we'll see

Day 4

Well, yesterday went well until about noon, when Karri, the 2 littlest and I went to Little Bamboo to eat lunch. 22 points later I walked out with only a few points left for dinner. Needless to say, I went a bit over in points yesterday and this mornings weigh in proved it.

Day 4 - 221.6 I am now up .4 lbs from yesterday, but not really stressed out about it. A couple bad decisions yesterday, but I never did eat myself completely stuffed. That is a minor victory that I will take. I did squats and sit-ups this morning, and with sore legs and abs it was a pretty decent workout.

Day 3

So yesterday went OK diet wise. The family went to Mr. James Graff's house to celebrate his 32nd Birthday. Karri made him a German Chocolate Cake, so I had to have a little piece and a celebratory beer. My abs were pretty sore all day, along with my upper pecs from push-ups on Monday.

This morning consisted of push-ups and plank exercises. I just hope I notice a difference in strength in six weeks...because right now, I feel like the biggest wiener on earth. On a happy note, I am down another 1.8 lbs!

Day 3 - 221.2

Day 2

So, it's day 2 and I am still sticking with the program. This morning consisted of Squats and Sit-ups. The squats went pretty well, but the embarrassment set in again when doing sit-ups. Holy Crap am I fat. I also am a bit sore from yesterdays push-ups, but nothing serious. There is just the knowledge that muscles are being used that haven't been used in a while.

Day 2 - 223.0 lbs. I somehow managed to lose 2 lbs yesterday. I'm sure it is the combination of the stomach shrinking, and peeing out the beer from the weekend.

Time for a change.

So I have been talking about starting a diet for around 6 months now. It is time to start. I have motivation and just need to start doing something. So I have decided to start a 6 week lifestyle change. Every morning, I am going to get up and do something physical. A few push-ups, sit-ups, plank exercises, pull-ups, walking the dog....something. I am not going to go all gung-ho and kill myself, this is a lifestyle change and I want it to be something that I will stick with. I am also going to begin eating right. I will begin tracking points via weight watchers and will stick with it. I am also going to try and blog about each day....something to keep me motivated.

So, Day 1....225.0 lbs. I knocked out some push-ups and planks. My arms are sore already this morning. It is actually quite embarrassing how weak I am. Wowzers.