tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57768166948566826682012-02-12T21:04:32.319-06:00Why "Getting Better and Better"? This is a hopeful blog about various topics that I sincerely hope to not only help myself improve, but might rub off on anyone else who bothers to find and follow me. Inspired by John Lennon's, "Beautiful Boy" and his original artwork "Every Day in Every Way."Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.comBlogger2681100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-66538886225034004692012-02-12T11:03:00.000-06:002012-02-12T11:03:05.011-06:00

Folks...I've done well with getting better and better so far.  Sure, its taken too many years to get to where I am now and too many times seeing highs and lows in the process.  However, I'm one of the lucky ones. I've had time and financial resources on my side.  Aside from working too much, I've rarely had the kind of demands of my time that many who face similar challenges getting fit have.  

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-6903805721020197862012-02-11T10:31:00.002-06:002012-02-11T10:31:52.057-06:00

I was reading Tammy's blog today about her binge thoughts and I did leave a comment.  Upon re-reading, I realized I had a typo and instead of typing "being", I typed "begin".  And then I look at the world binge and realized it is the same letters as well. Hmm...a connection?  More like coincidence. Begin, Being, Binge. You can probably do a better job than I can in putting those words

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-71815703986394798322012-02-10T12:47:00.001-06:002012-02-10T12:47:31.201-06:00

When my relationship with my food was at its worst, I'd only eat a meal if it was truly fulfilling and enjoyable to me.  That often meant restaurant food, select re-heated processed foods, and meals from-scratch eaten in the first sitting. And only for few kinds of meals, i.e. chili, is a leftover as good if not better than the original meal. As such, I rarely ate leftovers...and worse,

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-16841267196410457812012-02-09T19:14:00.000-06:002012-02-09T19:14:20.126-06:00

The journey to getting better and better is clearly never ending.  It is a series of meeting objectives and continually improving.  You can certainly reach a point of being satisfied with the outcome and perhaps even work to maintain your achievements, resting on the laurels of hard work. The summer of 2010 is where I last hit my lowest weight, best physical form, and nearly normal bloodwork...

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-27137030945011445112012-02-05T15:59:00.003-06:002012-02-05T15:59:58.257-06:00

I don't really have a recipe...I tend to cook by intuition and what makes sense together instead of following specific recipes.  Unless of course it is a baked good, which takes a bit of food science to be that creative with throwing things together. Sure, if you are setting out to learn how to cook, I do recommend following recipes and if you already have the basic down, I do encourage reading

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-78748051304701363822012-02-04T09:03:00.002-06:002012-02-04T09:03:48.314-06:00

Panera's, originally the St. Louis Bread Company, has finally done their roll-out of Steel Cut Oatmeal topped with fresh strawberries, whole pecans, and a cinnamon-brown sugar topping.  It is 320 calories according to their nutrition guide.  (oh...and vegan as well) Its been in St. Louis for a couple years now, at least, and may have been in some other Panera test markets.  Finally noticed it on

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-7640035145321067682012-02-02T22:24:00.001-06:002012-02-02T22:24:15.663-06:00

I've been watching episodes of Supersize vs. Superskinny on YouTube, but I think I could also be watching from the show's site as well. Enjoyable from at least two perspectives.  First, it is a British show so they local slang is very entertaining.  Second, it covers two extremes of the same issues of eating disorders. It doesn't provide as much fitness or nutrition advice as I might like, but

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-2893897855091168422012-02-01T10:51:00.000-06:002012-02-01T10:51:08.334-06:00

Usually when you are heavy and out of shape, all sorts of things are difficult.  It is difficult to participate in sports.  It is difficult to fit comfortably in airplane seats, movie theaters, restaurant booths, etc.  It can be a challenge getting on and off the potty.  You get winded doing much beyond walking.  Shopping for clothes that you actually like. This is just a tiny list of things

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-25568157933672393442012-01-31T09:27:00.001-06:002012-01-31T09:27:37.950-06:00

My wife remarked, while cleaning a small mesh strainer, that "gee...you are really using this a lot...we never used to." She's right...there are utensils and appliances that have long been collecting dust that are seeing a new light of day and others that were regular counter queens taking a seat back on the bench. Depending on your methods for improving your health and wellness, you might have

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-53118723858682645792012-01-30T06:43:00.000-06:002012-01-30T06:43:24.722-06:00

Let's just say (you know, hypothetical and all) that the Mayan prophecies are true. Let's just say that on 12/21/2012 there will be an apocalyptic event. Let's just say that we'll survive, but the earth will be a different place. Let's just say that the fittest will have the best chance to survive. Let's just say that you want to survive. Let's just say that you are struggling with

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-35637620981674533882012-01-29T12:45:00.001-06:002012-01-29T13:04:56.193-06:00

Bob's Red Mill 7-Grain Cereal.  Blue Diamond Almond Milk.  Strawberries.  Blueberries.  Banana.  Brown Sugar.  Bowl. Coffee.  Raw Sugar.  Almond Milk.  Cup. You'll find very few restaurants that'll put that on the menu.  You'll find fewer people that'd choose that over other breakfast items that might appear even if they did. And...a few weeks ago, I'd have been the first person to tell you

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-51323798143575357462012-01-27T12:41:00.001-06:002012-01-27T12:41:30.686-06:00

If you haven't seen the movie, A Clockwork Orange, then some of this post may be a bit confusing.  It is a violent and dark tale about a bunch of young hooligans and their leader who were vile and despicable to their core and carried out unspeakable acts of aggression I won't detail. The leader was captured and incarcerated in a facility that used an experimental technique to rehabilitate

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-84013270924903416072012-01-26T21:17:00.001-06:002012-01-26T21:17:22.619-06:00

It seems to work for me...Around 9ish, I know I should be done eating, but yet there is always that tendency to feel a bit of a craving for something prior to bed.  When I start getting those feelings, I brush my teeth.  After all, you should brush your teeth twice daily anyway, if not after every meal.  So, you might as well get it in a bit early. It takes the edge off and the cravings

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-34731032759436175272012-01-26T15:57:00.000-06:002012-01-26T15:57:00.983-06:00

I don't know if this will end up being a regular series or not, but I thought I'd share a little tip about shopping, cereal shopping specifically. First, I think we can all agree that breakfast cereal has gotten INSANELY expensive.  And when I do shop for cereal, I also try my level best to find the highest fiber for the best taste, calories, fats, etc. I really like the FiberOne products but

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-64118361456510835032012-01-24T09:01:00.000-06:002012-01-24T09:01:00.943-06:00

This morning, I struggled against the alarm. I was prepared to tell y'all how tired I was and how I needed a rest day from working out.  But, I did get up and drove to work where my office gym is located. I was prepared to tell y'all how much work I had to do and should really get a head start on e-mails instead of doing my workout.  But, I did head into the workout room. I was prepared to

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-19567456480563931562012-01-23T14:09:00.003-06:002012-01-23T14:09:49.440-06:00

The most important result of the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart, is that I'm going to continue doing it. Now, for those interested in the numbers...they are as follows: Before After Difference Weight (lbs.) 175.4 168.4 -7.0 BF% 21.4 19.9 -1.5 Waist (inches) 40 38.5 -1.5 Hip (inchdes) 38 37.75 -0.25 I could have likely produced the same results by continuing

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-75238865217326443332012-01-22T20:45:00.000-06:002012-01-22T20:45:10.419-06:00

Today marks the end of the 21 Day Vegan Kickstart...and it has become just that...the start.  I think many, including DW, took it on as a detox or an elimination diet to see its affect on various annoying maladies.  I took it on a bit like a Mt. Everest expedition...not only did I try it because "it was there", but because I wanted to expand our options of whole foods. And, it was a wild success

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-46624434498672605952012-01-21T09:28:00.000-06:002012-01-21T09:28:00.765-06:00

Contemplate the things you've convinced yourself you can't do or can't become...think about them hard and really consider the perspective in how you look at them. Before you say what can't be done, make sure you aren't looking at things the wrong way.  While not necessarily the easiest path to take, few things are impossible.  Get better and better my friends.

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-2623052499942237802012-01-20T08:20:00.001-06:002012-01-20T15:24:55.239-06:00

No, we got nothing in common...  LOVE ME some Steely Dan and I couldn't help but think of "Hey Nineteen" when contemplating today's blog. And it made me think a bit about the old me and the new me, and therefore the collective "we".  While there are shades of me hanging around that I need to keep close tabs on, I'm declaring that the old and the new have NOTHING IN COMMON!  And I want it to stay

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-1844897367762168792012-01-19T12:44:00.005-06:002012-01-19T12:44:56.552-06:00

Here it is, day 18, and still chugging right along on my vegan diet.  Losing some weight and hopefully some inches, so it's all good in the veganhood. The absolute greatest challenge of becoming vegan is planning, preparation, and cooking.  And I'm talking about eating a healthy vegan diet, not vegan junkfood, i.e. pasta, pizza, potatoes, etc.  To eat healthy, though, you need a variety of

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-74098732389780074542012-01-18T08:39:00.000-06:002012-01-18T08:39:04.819-06:00

I'm sure most of you are aware of the "5  Stages of Grief" model proposed by psychologists Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler which posit that everyone when faced with a loss must inevitably go through these stages before being able to bring closure to that loss in a healthful way. In many areas of life, I find myself returning to this theory since it seems to fit so well and not

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-44259497178744860342012-01-17T21:07:00.002-06:002012-01-17T21:07:32.148-06:00

Went to an Indian buffet tonight, despite my better judgement.  It was actually my intention to order something off the menu, but there were several vegan dishes and they offered to bring us something additional and since it was a good value versus an ala carte menu option, we accepted that option. People view and approach buffets differently.  There are those that appreciate a buffet because it

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-67204618638984337262012-01-16T16:37:00.000-06:002012-01-16T16:37:56.764-06:00

I have to trick myself to do things...a lot.  I'm getting pretty convinced that my brain is its own independent entity that has more control over me than I have of it.  However, in the little control that I have over it, I can sometimes fool it. While not a goal oriented guy, I do like to set some standards for a given kind of a workout.  If I'm on the elliptical, I expect to go for an hour,

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-46531246426673692472012-01-15T11:48:00.001-06:002012-01-15T11:48:58.055-06:00

It'd be so much easier to maintain a vegan lifestyle... if I hated juices dripping down my chin from an inch thick cheeseburger. if I hated the richness of scrambled eggs topped with cheese and the sweet saltiness from a side of ham.   if I hated the spicy allure of a pepperoni pizza.   if I hated the fiery zing of a buffalo chicken wing quenched in cool creamy blue cheese dressing. if I hated

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-77244951489859030912012-01-14T12:56:00.000-06:002012-01-14T12:56:15.362-06:00

When we got back from Utah this past season, I decided that I wasn't going to join a gym.  My employer has a really nice workout room that serves my needs both from a cardio and a strength training perspective.  However, my wife is a "class based" exerciser.  She thrives in that environment when the workouts, both cardio and strength, are orchestrated.  Me?  Notsomuch.  I've known this for

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-25820979678748645052012-01-13T20:35:00.000-06:002012-01-13T20:35:31.765-06:00

That what I kept telling myself this morning when I hit the treadmill.  For today, after a 5 minute warm-up walk, I increased the speed from my usual 5.3 to 5.7 miles per hour and covered up the display with my towel.  It was hard going at first, but I told myself to keep at it.  I stayed the course and finally had to use the towel to dry off a bit and the clock just passed the 20 minute mark

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-40539752192187444352012-01-12T21:19:00.002-06:002012-01-12T21:19:33.693-06:00

I think that it's clear that you can't dig a tunnel with a spoon, unless of course you are as determined as a Mexican drug cartel.  But because of limited space or finances, sometimes we do limit the tools we have in the kitchen and do our best with what we have.  And that also means that our essential tools should perform multiple kitchen tasks.  If you are a fan of my kitchen mentor, Alton

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-70744668784286493362012-01-11T16:25:00.001-06:002012-01-11T16:25:56.853-06:00

Isn't one goal in life to be at peace with our station?  To achieve a level of contentment with our lot that allows us to effectively function on a day to day basis without plummeting into despair or at least some level of dysfunction? I'm hoping that the answers to these questions are yes, but yet the journey to achieving them is, for me, is the toughest one there is. I find reaching peace and

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-51830292887417986202012-01-10T13:58:00.000-06:002012-01-10T13:58:10.516-06:00

First, let me start off by saying that I now RARELY purchase anything from our lunchroom vending machine anymore, with the exception of sourdough pretzels as an emergency, needsomethingtokeepmefromkillingothersinahorriblemanner, kind of way.  However, since it looms over our food prep area, I can't help but take stock of it while waiting for my soup to nuke. And since our company has a "wellness

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-70330048928552652992012-01-09T11:46:00.000-06:002012-01-09T11:46:58.363-06:00

Well, here I am starting the second week of becoming Vegan and I guess I can say...it is going quite well.  The food choices have been varied and acceptable.  It has been interesting learning so much about new ingredients and cooking techniques and there have been observed changes in our health and feelings that anecdotally support the advertised benefits of eating a total or (very large

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-27778143767086331822012-01-08T13:53:00.001-06:002012-01-08T15:59:28.512-06:00

The soup can that is.  I've come to the realization that with about 30 minutes of effort and some willingness to be creative (and maybe some sufficient freezer space and containers) there is NO reason to buy canned soup again.  I'll dispense with the general ills of canned/process soups, i.e. high sodium, preservatives, BPA leaching from can linings, etc. and focus on the positives. First...

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-65095246929954605402012-01-08T10:58:00.000-06:002012-01-08T10:58:25.064-06:00

Ok...it may also be some freshly brewed hazelnut coffee with soy milk this morning, but I'm absolutely buzzing with energy today! I started this morning off by joining Chia Nation by having some blueberry soy yogurt over a small amount of grape nuts cereal and a tablespoon of chia seeds topped with fresh blueberries. After doing some shopping last evening, I'm fixing to prepare Carrot and Red

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-61065892300433399552012-01-07T22:11:00.000-06:002012-01-07T22:35:28.522-06:00

I haven't ever really been a fan of eggplant.  It is both a texture and a taste thing.  I've been able to tolerate it in a "Parmesan" format in the past, but you can pretty much bread, fry, and cover anything with sauce and cheese to some degree of satisfaction and the traditional baba ganoush has an simply weird texture to it. But, I did buy an eggplant and was determined to use it in some

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-11438367017702642322012-01-06T18:51:00.000-06:002012-01-06T18:51:18.805-06:00

We really need to work harder to become a hydration nation.  When I'm at work, I have access to reverse osmosis filtered water and ice so it is easy to have a cold and clean drink of water whenever I want.  I found that when I was home for the holidays, my water consumption went way down.  And while I can't say whether I felt same or worse without it, I have to figure that I wasn't hydrated

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-11446675811290123862012-01-05T08:07:00.002-06:002012-01-05T08:07:48.078-06:00

The return to the treadmill was triumphant.  With a 5 minute walk and a 35 minute jog, I completed a treadmill 5k this morning.  This is huge for me.  Before the holidays, I was trying to get back into running and was able to do a 5 minute and a 10 minute continuous jog after spending 30 minutes on the elliptical as a hot warm-up.  Today, was the first day that I tried a full treadmill workout.

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-30752399186837698712012-01-04T20:33:00.001-06:002012-01-04T20:33:52.384-06:00

Sure...I imagine if this title popped up in your Google Reader (or whatever) that you pressed "mark as read" and moved on.  Of course, you wouldn't have read this to validate my insight so I assume if you've read this much, then perhaps you'll read just a bit longer. Anyway, one of the pantry stables for vegans is Nutritional Yeast.  I've never had it before, but it has been mentioned in many

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-81869932949127231952012-01-03T22:02:00.000-06:002012-01-03T22:02:36.947-06:00

Ok...in Day 2 of the Vegan Kickstart...went very well today overall.  Learned a cooking lesson when I attempted to make Gingerbread Pumpkin Overnight Oats without one of the key ingredients, Chia seeds. I've heard them mentioned around various blogs, but have always been a bit apprehensive to eat seeds more popularized by fake hair on ridiculous pottery heads (no offense to lovers of Chia Pets).

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-59101470284214107222012-01-02T13:36:00.000-06:002012-01-02T19:17:22.642-06:00

I've eluded to this in prior posts, but today marked the first official day of the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart hosted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM).  This is a program they put on several times a year complete with a planned menu, recipes, and other resources. I guess the first question you might ask is, Why?  And I don't have a perfect answer for it since there is so

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-60998321036713052782012-01-01T09:54:00.002-06:002012-01-01T09:54:53.476-06:00

Persevere [pur-suh-veer]    to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly. I've picked mine.  In fact, I've used it quite a bit lately in commenting on other's blogs.  It works for me...it may work for you or another word might be more suitable for you in 2012. I don't do resolutions...I don't really do mottoes

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-86044377384580893812011-12-31T20:10:00.000-06:002011-12-31T20:10:56.906-06:00

If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. - Unknown Author I believe strongly in setting yourself up for success in whatever endeavor you take on.  It simply makes sense.  Sure, spontaneity can be a really great thing when you want to have some real fun, but if you have a serious goal to reach that takes serious changes, you also have to do some serious planning and preparation. When you

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-64363587980552924172011-12-28T21:38:00.000-06:002011-12-28T21:38:17.080-06:00

Today, it was painful, uncomfortable, annoying, etc. to take a seated position, especially from a bathroom perspective the day following my TITLE Boxing Club introductory workout because... It was a great workout targeting areas of my body I haven't had the pleasure of working out lately I'm getting freaking old and any amount of exertion beyond breathing is a risk taken My ass has developed a

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-38748485213737975622011-12-27T16:24:00.001-06:002011-12-27T16:24:16.846-06:00

My S-I-L is a member of a TITLE Boxing Club.  My wife went with her and had a free workout that she really enjoyed.  She tends to enjoy class based exercise instead of self-directed workouts.  And while I tend to struggle with my self-directed workouts, I'm not a great class based exercise class either or via DVDs for that matter. Today, I went with the S-I-L for my free workout.  You can go at

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-39251276361674856412011-12-26T20:34:00.003-06:002011-12-26T20:35:33.913-06:00

I put my new bike, The Velvet Frog, to good use today.  Thankfully, though not very heavily used, have had a centrifugal trainer stand for my past bicycles and it adapted perfectly for use with my new bike.  Currently, I have it setup in the living room and while we only get over-the-air broadcast stations, I do spend some part of the day (especially while off work) watching something on TV.  

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-29697976110050269292011-12-24T16:13:00.001-06:002011-12-24T16:13:55.838-06:00

Syl...a long time blogger who still stops by suggested that I name my new tadpole trike...I've taken her up on that challenge.  I guess she was also the one that encourage the naming of my Garmin 705 since she had a name for her Garmin.  If I recall, my Garmin was dubbed "Big Brother" for its constant watch over my runs, rides, etc. And now, since I've got a tadpole style bike and it rides so

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-1093564449530344452011-12-24T12:08:00.001-06:002011-12-24T12:08:41.843-06:00

New fitness toy...new fitness toy...I mean...um...new piece of serious fitness equipment. Introducing my latest investment in health and recreational enjoyment.  The Catrike Expedition tadpole style trike. A trike, as you might remember from your childhood has three wheels.  In the case of a tadpole, there are two wheels in front and a wheel in the back...as opposed to the traditional "delta"

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-67063567947860360382011-12-23T22:21:00.003-06:002011-12-23T22:21:43.164-06:00

Epic fail...good, but regrettable..moving on...nuff said.

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-79862154024375973592011-12-20T20:24:00.003-06:002011-12-20T20:24:33.991-06:00

You'd be astonished and maybe even a bit disgusted with the discipline I've been able to show through the holiday period avoiding those small treats that seem to show up all over.  The cookies given as gifts, the food brought in for snacks.  Heck, today I managed to get a free bag of Doritos when I was helping someone knock something lose from the vending machine, but even those were given away

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-42637139440407366202011-12-19T13:15:00.001-06:002011-12-19T13:15:48.114-06:00

Ok...I adapted from the quotation, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." - Lao Tzu.  And I turned myself into a "runner" after graduating from the C25K program on 3/24/2010 after taking my first steps in January, 2010.  And during the rest of my stay at Canyonlands national park ran several times per week with the longest run of 8 miles.  And after returning to St. Louis in 

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-37853837189764761432011-12-18T18:07:00.000-06:002011-12-18T18:07:24.325-06:00

This is a good news post, but with a cautionary tale to finish.  As of this morning, the scale told me that I weighed 175 pounds.  While I don't have a firm starting weight since our scale was still packed for a couple weeks upon returning home from Canyonlands this past season in mid-September, I knew I was comfortably north of 200 pounds...I'd estimate 210 pounds.  So, in a matter of a few

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-18174106657962879132011-12-16T10:38:00.000-06:002011-12-16T12:51:43.234-06:00

I've held off blogging about my current weight because I didn't want the typical fluctuations to quickly make a liar out of me.  So, actually I've been solidly in the 170's for the last week or so.  This puts me squarely in the "Normal" BMI category. This is a good thing...and while I hate-hate-hate the BMI and find it horribly flawed, insurance companies and our government still rely on it.  As

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-22831542335231154952011-12-11T18:13:00.001-06:002011-12-11T18:31:10.355-06:00

As previously reported, my wife and I are planning to do the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart beginning January 2nd.  While our individual prospects of maintaining even a vegetarian lifestyle following are different, the both of us are looking forward to adding a variety of recipes to our collection that maximize inclusion of whole, clean, foods. The 21-Day Vegan Kickstart is hosted by the Physicians

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-40985206992810304812011-12-06T20:52:00.001-06:002011-12-06T21:18:52.036-06:00

Yes...its going to be one of those kinds of posts.  Butt, I must say that I find the relief following a normal bowel movement to be oddly satisfying.  Perhaps those of you who are in the enviable position of never having an issue with consistent regularity and, like clockwork, can "wake and make" or "shit, shower, and shave (not all necessarily in that order)", may take for granted the simple

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-45352310807330712512011-12-04T13:35:00.001-06:002011-12-05T07:38:18.876-06:00

Are you looking to eat cleaner?  I know of few better ways of doing so than incorporating a greater variety of raw or "live" foods into your diet. I won't pepper this post with a bunch of (air quotes) facts about the benefits of eating raw foods versus eating a general vegetarian, vegan, paleo, etc., diet though will just say that in all my reading, the common sense of it well...makes sense.  

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-2118740813205518212011-12-03T23:12:00.001-06:002011-12-04T13:34:25.562-06:00

"Boy, I'm really sweatin.' Good sweat, beads of sweat...sweatin' bullets." - Elaine Benes I admit it...I enjoy a good sweat.  While sweating shouldn't be the only indication of a good workout or yielding any meaningful positive results, for me, it is an important one.  Why?  Because, I find it satisfying to "work up a sweat" as they say (or used to say) when exercising.  I'm needy...I need

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-48656227279431808392011-12-02T15:51:00.001-06:002011-12-02T15:58:16.245-06:00

You've heard the expression, too much of a good thing is not a good thing?  Yes...this can be true and something I'll be watching out for over the coming months. I've been very strict with myself regarding food choices and have also been very cognizant of getting my workouts in.  This is good...very good...and in this combination this is just right.  I'm neither starving myself nor working out

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-9921564977853449692011-11-27T16:50:00.001-06:002011-11-27T16:52:10.640-06:00

It is game night with the fellas...they'll be having pizza and beer and I'll be having freshly juiced beet greens, beet, carrot, kale, apple, and blackberry. I know...I know...they'll be jealous...but sometimes you have to be selfish when you are getting better and better.

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-58902330213534707202011-11-26T20:44:00.001-06:002011-11-26T21:03:55.167-06:00

Eating to gain required nutrition instead of trying to "take the hunger away." Looking forward to the produce aisle without dreading the cookie aisle. Seeking a piece of fruit for a sweet treat instead of ice cream. Reading labels over reading menus. Selecting a nice piece of salmon on the menu over the creamy pasta dish. Dining in as routine and dining out as a special

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-66691537974180226592011-11-25T10:46:00.001-06:002011-11-25T11:11:06.669-06:00

While I rarely just click and watch any of the recommended YouTube videos, I did in this case.  It brought me to an interesting set of videos produced by a mildly entertaining group of young Canadians that transform various food stuffs, mostly junk food, into grotesquely unhealthy concoctions consumed in a like kind manner.  Their website is "Epic Meal Time."  If you combine "Jackass" with food,

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-65528205807740995442011-11-24T09:57:00.000-06:002011-11-24T09:57:10.642-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!  It is one of the quintessential truly American holidays...and America has become quintessentially unhealthy as well.  We are unhealthy nutritionally, spiritually, financially, politically, and culturally.  Despite all that, I do have much to be thankful for.  I'm thankful for a very supportive and loving family, a beautiful wife, and an improving health. I'm also thankful

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-41637950743969668212011-11-23T08:35:00.001-06:002011-11-23T08:46:12.180-06:00

For me, beets are yet another item shunned and loathed as a child, but now adored as an adult.  Have you ever enjoyed the pleasures of a roasted beet salad with pine nuts and goat cheese?  Have you topped your salads at the bar with sliced or shredded pickled beets? No?  You should consider it.  They are an incredible source of nutrition and fiber as well as bringing a sweet and sometimes

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-79617660459787518852011-11-19T21:31:00.001-06:002011-11-19T21:37:40.141-06:00

Well...perhaps more precisely, my relationship with food.  I'm afraid of it...sure...there...I said it.  Food can be truly terrifying to me because of the power it seems to hold over me. Lately, now that I've become re-obsessed with getting healthy again, I'm have some difficulties making food choices.  Mostly due to obsessing over the impact any given choice might have on me.  I am eating...I

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-18891537249539811152011-11-15T17:16:00.001-06:002011-11-15T17:41:56.803-06:00

I know what you're thinking. "Did he eat six meals or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this eating I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a hunger pang, the most powerful binge trigger in the world, and would blow your diet clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel hungry? Well, do ya, punk?  There is certainly a feeling of hungry...for the

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-68718306307357183522011-11-13T20:57:00.001-06:002011-11-13T21:22:47.433-06:00

This was a pretty impressive feat for myself, to say the least.  I made it through a weekend in Chicago (though I haven't weighed myself) with full confidence that I handled it much better than I thought possible.  It was done through being simply...normal.  That's right.  Eating some things I wanted without going overboard.  Making some good choices, while enjoying others.  That includes eating

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-85492517081612361132011-11-10T07:47:00.001-06:002011-11-10T08:03:58.710-06:00

First thing this morning, my body was telling me to keep hitting the snooze button, but I fought the strong messages and ignored it in time make it to the office gym for my daily workout. However, during today's session on the elliptical, my knee began protesting about 40 minutes in.  While deeply disappointed to stop, this time I paid attention to what my body was telling me...and it must have

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-24280450789848937882011-11-09T08:02:00.001-06:002011-11-09T08:02:58.270-06:00

Hit a good milestone on the scale this morning.  I was below 190!  From a BMI perspective that still puts me in the overweight category for a 6' person.  I'd need to get to 183 to squeak into the "normal" range. I only think this is important because nameless folks who maintain insurance rates and set standards seem to think it is. My real goal is to get back to my "thin" pants (size 34 Dockers

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-35219737991497101542011-11-07T08:27:00.003-06:002011-11-09T08:02:58.274-06:00

Do you really have to love, love, love eating right and exercising to do it? My answer is...it sure as heck would help! But, that simply isn't reality for most of us.  Let's start with the fact that being active and eating right isn't my default nature, i.e. it isn't natural for me.  So...if someone would say "Do what comes natural to you.", that'd appear quite different, i.e. pizza and TV 

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-83328758800144714152011-11-05T21:49:00.000-05:002011-11-05T21:49:33.015-05:00

Ok...yes...you'll probably get sick quickly of my new toy and my videos...but most of what is on TV is crap so you might as well watch my stuff for just a few minutes if only to see how much of a mess I can make of things. I utilized my new Omega 8004 Nutrition Center to create a "Sorbet".  In this case, a 5 minute Mango Blueberry sorbet.  You want the recipe?  Take some frozen mango and frozen

Getting Better and Betterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424906750253934361noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-37324890986934783482011-11-04T22:53:00.000-05:002011-11-04T22:53:16.244-05:00

My new toy weapon in the fight for good nutrition arrived today!  I decided to vlog about it and unbox it for my viewing audience.  As with anything I do, it is both unscripted and includes at least one built in gag-reel item.  Additionally, it is clear from the video that one part of the nutrition center can easily be confused with a sex toy...If that doesn't get you to watch it, then I guess I

Getting Better and Betterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424906750253934361noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-42275683785439581802011-11-01T21:28:00.002-05:002011-11-01T21:28:27.368-05:00

Ok...I'm not really miserable at all...actually feeling pretty f'ing awesome lately.  My weight while not plummeting is on its way down.  Yes I regret re-losing each pound all over again, but that is just the way that it is. I manage a few projects at work and we try to work in a project team room, or at least most of us do since it makes the team interactions much more useful and spontaneous.

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-28849463234097539802011-10-31T21:53:00.001-05:002011-10-31T21:53:53.027-05:00

Happy Halloween to you all!  I hope that it was safe and fun for you and your families.  For my wife and I, we went out to her parent's place and hung out with the kids and walked their neighborhood.  It's one of those neighborhoods that is pleasantly crowded with kids and folks even seem to bring their kids from the outside to enjoy the tricking/treating as well. Today, not only did I get

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-77523176314465193802011-10-30T16:50:00.002-05:002011-10-30T16:50:47.350-05:00

Ok...I went ahead and ordered the juicer I've been researching now for quite awhile.  It is the Omega 8004 and will hopefully be a wonderful addition to our kitchen appliance collection...and actually get used more importantly. My intention is to juice mostly greens and vegetables, not fruits...well except for adding some sweetness to the veggie juices.  I "bought into" the marketing, snobbery

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-17129109365464277592011-10-29T12:17:00.000-05:002011-10-29T13:12:41.717-05:00

I considered making this a video blog as I struggled with how to actually express my point in simply the written word.  Then again, it allowed me to somewhat consider the wording rather than 100 self-imposed "takes" or the likely blabbering that'd ensue on video. For reasons I won't go into, I have not been exercising for the last 2 weeks, but will be starting again soon.  But what I did realize

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-78600203113370865202011-10-26T13:57:00.000-05:002011-10-26T13:57:14.786-05:00

Sure...that might be trademarked or something, but what the heck...they're completely correct.  I've had a lot of soup lately and it simply makes sense to be part of a healthy lifestyle.  Now, I'm not talking about heavy duty clam chowders, baked potato soups, etc.  I'm talking about your basic, middle of the road, veggie, meat, noodle, type soups. In general, and mostly if homemade, are very

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-36313779160786038202011-10-25T08:00:00.000-05:002011-10-25T08:00:18.272-05:00

Umm...What? Sure...you can fail over and over again simply by eating the wrong foods over and over again.  Or by ceasing exercise sufficiently to allow the poor food choices to overcome you. Does it happen overnight?  Nope...you've heard it before, you don't gain it overnight so you won't lose it overnight...the same thing happens in reverse. It starts with the loss of the mental edge...the

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-10956415060679467782011-10-24T08:18:00.000-05:002011-10-24T08:18:21.656-05:00

So, I have heard so much about the success of people who Juice or are Juicers that I thought I'd do some research on it.  After all, it seems that people get really ripped and fit by Juicing.  I did some googling and just look at this guy!  I mean really, all that from vegetable and fruit juices? Oh wait...maybe I mixed up my research...oh dang...that was from anabolic steroids...crap!

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-54932318605607939462011-10-23T10:48:00.002-05:002011-10-23T10:48:24.214-05:00

Ok Willie...let's face it, there are times when it is important to give tribute to all that you have loved before, girls, cars, etc...and there are times when a tribute is a bit melancholy. While I can't say that I've ever loved a diet as much as I've loved a girl, I know there are times when diets are simply a necessary evil...I guess girls have been that as well. I haven't posted for a long

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-47605158715081068012011-01-17T08:33:00.000-06:002011-01-17T08:33:45.080-06:00

Well, so far, so good anyway.  I've lost about 5 pounds in the last two weeks.  Not burning up speed records, but that isn't the point really.  It is getting back to a healthy weight in a healthy way. I guess the question is  (and I also guess the answer is obvious)...Tis it a far far better thing to have lost the same weight over again than to have never lost it at all?  (Shakespearean perhaps?

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-45888661767912575022011-01-03T07:53:00.000-06:002011-01-03T07:53:00.534-06:00

The How is easy... ...eat like an idiot. ...show enough restraint to fool yourself into believing you are living the new lifestyle. ...make your appearances at the gym to aid in that belief. ...Deny that the old behaviors are back. ...Rationalize your eating as a reward for all the previous hard work. The When, Where, What, is irrelevant and the Who is obvious.  Though, you also forget that the

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-54547749935959173252011-01-01T09:30:00.000-06:002011-01-01T09:30:45.376-06:00

Happy New Year's day to y'all.  I did, what I thought, was the unthinkable.  I got up this morning and went to the gym!  I could, because I belong to Snap Fitness which is a 24x7 facility accessible by a keycard.  What was probably more amazing than me hitting the gym was that within 30 minutes, I wasn't alone.  By the time I left there were 3 others working out.  That was impressive, though I

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-17112992620572232202010-12-31T12:25:00.000-06:002010-12-31T12:25:58.059-06:00

Ok...I have been going to the gym lately so I guess I won't be too much of a cliche this coming year.  But let's face it.  I have been shall we say lax in my fitness agenda.  While I have been strength training and have started going to a climbing gym, my dietary and cardio have been, umm, counterproductive. So...even though on any given day for any given choice, I could make good ones, I

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-48822726009114566122010-12-24T13:08:00.000-06:002010-12-24T13:08:39.289-06:00

Been a long time since I blogged and rolled...been a long time since I something something something. Ok...as you can tell, there might be a good reason I've been away for awhile...I just don't have that blogging mojo that I used to...or potentially ever did.  Well...who gives a fudge anyway. Time to update you on my strength training progress.  So far, so good.  I'll do my best to detail what

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-39887390352470621952010-11-16T20:31:00.000-06:002010-11-16T20:31:32.245-06:00

Yes...I've been away from blogging for awhile.  Certainly a good portion of that has been a general blogging and fitness malaise that resulted in a backslide of almost 20 pounds, though that has been arrested. The daily struggle for getting fit also yields a continuous improvement in self-awareness. So...why have I stayed away from blogging lately?  Because, I learned that I was addicted to it.

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-65142707519167807772010-10-05T22:43:00.000-05:002010-10-05T22:43:56.926-05:00

Ok...I am personally condemning the phrase "If I can do it, anybody can."  I'm not exactly sure where and in what context I heard it in the last few days, but I've decided that I no longer like it.  Yes...even though I'm sure I've used it before. The closer I keep looking at it, the more that it is too self-deprecating.  I've decided it simply translates to..."I'm so barely functional and

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-60156501350822761222010-10-03T16:01:00.000-05:002010-10-03T16:01:11.529-05:00

I struggled with the title of this blog post. I'm going to try and detail for you our weekend's key activity which was backpacking down into Ashdown Gorge Wilderness Area.  I also think an applicable title would be "Packing Off the Pounds", but that was an early working title before my wife and I were wishing for sweet and peaceful death by the end of the expedition. We did our best to research

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-91835424703181277102010-09-30T17:44:00.000-05:002010-09-30T17:44:42.149-05:00

Folks...I know I've apologized once before for taking a blogging haitus, but it appears I've taken another one and beg the same apology. All of a sudden, though, I discovered not only did I fall of the wagon, it rolled over me. Now, I'm still at a decent weight and normal BMI, but it is the mental state that truly went the wrong way and I'm having trouble getting back on track. Yes...I've had

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-54904287024102409882010-09-10T08:22:00.000-05:002010-09-10T08:22:51.335-05:00

I can't imagine that I have a follower that isn't also following the fabulous Mizfit and might have already seen my guest post on her site.  Just in case, you haven't, please check it out and check her out... http://mizfitonline.com/2010/09/10/even-when-youre-done-youre-not/

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-57047359756931639842010-09-07T19:52:00.000-05:002010-09-07T19:52:32.697-05:00

Do you know why I like campfires so much? I mean sure, the warmth on a cool evening, the smell of woodsmoke while watching the starry skies, the true snap-crackle-pop that is music while meditating...all those things are wonderful. For me, though, it is the wisdom of a fire. Yes...I said it, there is wisdom in fire. What wisdom did I find?  Well, only the key to winning the battle in getting

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-41958839385545770662010-09-06T20:44:00.000-05:002010-09-06T20:44:17.242-05:00

Hello blog world and happy labor day! I had intended on putting together a broader perspective on where we are now living which included both the resort town of Brian Head, UT where we now reside through the end of October and the Cedar Breaks National Monument, my wifes new short-term assignment. Photographically, I only really covered the Cedar Breaks National Monument.  While I had hoped to

Getting Better and Betterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424906750253934361noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-84373774043015178472010-09-04T07:50:00.000-05:002010-09-04T07:50:19.686-05:00

Greetings from your sporadic blogger of late.  I've been cleaning and packing, cleaning and packing, this week.  Of yeah...keeping a full time job for a very difficult and stressful project to boot. It is now moving day.  In about 1 hour, we will have our final inspection/checkout.  Still much to do to pack up the little bits and pieces before heading out. We have loved our season here at

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-45248468580237301602010-08-29T13:04:00.000-05:002010-08-29T13:04:18.040-05:00

I was reflecting one day...reflecting on all the hard work that I've done to get into better shape...and reflecting on how long I've been kinda just going along instead of getting better and better. And, I've also said figuratively, that I need a "mountain to climb."  Bigger and more audacious goals to keep me interested and motivated.  I've done pretty well with that finishing C25K and

Getting Better and Betterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424906750253934361noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-24138127321046222852010-08-28T17:34:00.000-05:002010-08-28T17:34:54.584-05:00

I'm a convert...to cleaning house.  Not that I'd want to take it up as a career or anything, nor would I want to do this every week.  However, I do see the great merits in cleaning house. As mentioned in yesterday's post, my wife and I are leaving Canyonlands National Park at the end of her assignment on September 4th and headed to western Utah for Cedar Breaks National Monument until the end of

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-82374204404167761562010-08-27T20:09:00.001-05:002010-08-27T20:11:00.070-05:00

Seriously folks...while you don't have to accept my apologies for being an absent blogger, I certainly hope you do. I haven't been writing.  I haven't been reading.  I haven't been commenting. Fail, Fail, and Fail.  Epic failures. Not because I should be a slave to blogging, but blogging and developing a following does create unintended responsibilities. It is no different than developing a

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-20863959265515674512010-08-18T17:54:00.000-05:002010-08-18T17:54:12.871-05:00

While I have no proof, I can say with some certainty that certain manufacturers of Trail Mix are lacing crack into the recipe. There really is no other plausible explanation why I can't avoid eating it. After all, look at all the whole fruits and nuts that are in the average trail mix?  It has to be good for you right...all the top nutritionists demand that we eat whole foods including nuts,

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-86101753415683237482010-08-17T16:54:00.000-05:002010-08-17T16:54:07.985-05:00

It seems about time for some more pictures, huh?  I actually have two sets of pictures from other hikes we took last week that I haven't posted, but these are from our most recent weekend. We camped a couple different nights in the western Colorado area.  Being in southeast Utah, we are actually only a couple hours drive from some prime CO real estate!  We rolled into the Mavreeso campground on

Getting Better and Betterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424906750253934361noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-76713936057091301152010-08-14T12:53:00.000-05:002010-08-14T12:53:59.854-05:00

Yes, blogger fans...today is my birthday.  I haven't been blogging or commenting in the last week and don't have a lot of time for it anyway lately...and this I'm sorry for. By my birth certificate, I'm supposed to be 42 today.  But, based on my recent successes at getting and staying reasonably fit, despite some summertime laziness, I see that I have a whole new life...new possibilities.

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-54692652121690018142010-08-10T22:03:00.000-05:002010-08-10T22:03:36.669-05:00

Folks, allow me a very brief divergence from total reality.  I've been inspired in the last few minutes to write this post based on observed behavior of about 3 bats that are frantically feeding in front of our picture window (sorry, no reasonable photo possible) on the dirge of mosquitoes we have here. It certainly appears the bats are burning a tremendous amount of calories necessary to get

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-4794734556052540672010-08-08T07:00:00.014-05:002010-08-08T07:00:02.632-05:00

Exactly one month ago today, Patrick of Responsibility 199 gave me "The Fabulous Sugar Doll Blogger Award"... aw shucks Patrick, I never knew you felt that way...  I digress. I have linked back as instructed by the award rules and now I will provide you 10 little known facts about me. 1) I hate having unread e-mails.  To show Patrick how much his bloggerfriendship means to me (yes, I could

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-35791204440500249142010-08-07T14:09:00.000-05:002010-08-07T14:09:03.406-05:00

Forgive me runners, for I have sinned.  It's been over a month since my last run.  I have transgressed in the eyes of Nike, New Balance, and others. But, I have made penance. The conditions were right and some recent well-meaning-kick-my-butt-comments got me off the couch today.  It was cloudy and menacing, but not lightening at least.  I bathed in some bug spray to ward of the mosquitoes.  And

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-37587833384729701572010-08-06T07:00:00.004-05:002010-08-06T07:00:01.298-05:00

Wife: Kyle, I've had a long day at work today...you know, on patrol, hiking around, talking to park guests.  What have you done today? Kyle: Well, let's see...I worked of course, got a lot of good stuff done there.  I did lace on my running shoes, got on my Camelbak, and yada yada yada, I'm really tired now. Wife: So you got a good run in? Kyle: Well, like I said, the weather was looking pretty

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5776816694856682668.post-30142365511857047622010-08-05T22:30:00.000-05:002010-08-05T22:30:09.177-05:00

Ok...yup...I haven't been Mr. Triumph these days.  Sure, some occasional good physical outings like ascending Mann's Peak a couple weeks ago, but in the last few weeks the Utah desert has been in its "Monsoon Season" which brings daily lightening, thunder, and sometimes even rain.  And that rain has brought enough water to allow mutant mosquitoes to breed and descend upon us like some biblical

Kyle Gershmanhttps://profiles.google.com/103043880320998006911noreply@blogger.com9