Coffee and Music

Enjoying my coffee this morning in the backyard with my bluetooth headphones listening to my Lollapalooza mix.  The last few weeks I have been going through the massive schedule of bands at Lollapalooza this year and figuring out where and when I have to be to see my favorites.  I love events like this as I am huge music fan and I have been discovering some great bands.  It is going to be great seeing the Foo Fighters, Eminem, Cage the Elephant, Artic Monkeys and even Coldplay.  But I think I am most excited about bands like Grooplove, Walk the Moon, Foster the People, Delta Spirit, The Naked and Famous, and Young the Giant.
It is going to be such an incredible event 3 days of fantastic music, meeting up with my friend along the way and we will be cruising to Lollapalooza on our bikes so even getting there is going to be fun!

Slow Carb Diet Update

After  being on vacation for a week and enjoying myself extensively as it was a vacation from my diet as well, I was dreading the scale.  I fasted on Saturday and weighed in on Sunday morning.  I am up 3 pounds .  I was pleasantly surprised!  As I have mentioned previously I was averaging about 3 - 4 pounds a week.  the last two weeks before vacation I was averaging only about 2 pounds per week.  The difference?  I was working over 100 hours a week and had no time for exercise.  My walking and cycling ceased.  My stress level was very high and I was very miserable.  I am back now feeling rejuvenated and with some new decisions on life moving forward.  I should lose those 3 pounds this week and be back to pre vacation shape in no time.  The Slow Carb Diet simply works.

Getting Things Done

Last week I was on vacation, and got a chance to get some reading done.
One of the books I tackled was Getting Things Done by David Allan. I have used a few organizational systems in the past and the one I use most is the Franklin Planner.  Having read the system I will be spending the next few weeks getting it into practice.  I would recommend this book to anyone looking to build system to organize, de stress and generally get more productive.
I will touch base in a few weeks to give you another set of feedback.

Book Challenge (read 26 books in 26 weeks)
Weeks left 23
Books Read 3 left 23

On Vacation

Just in case you are wondering what is going on, I am away on vacation.  I will be back soon with updates lots to talk about ....  Spent the day on the lake will leave you with this picture.

Your Brain at Work by David Rock

Just finished Your Brain at Work by David Rock. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Long in parts, the author uses 'scenes' which are work and home place scenarios in which he takes fictional characters through various challenging situations. The first scenario shows several decision points where the character falls into natural human responses, which leads to less then desired outcomes. This is followed by a discussion of basic brain functions and thinking exercises that get you to look at the situation differently. How to monitor yourself from going off track and keeping yourself focused. It then follows with a repeat of the scenario where the main character uses the practices described and how they use the techniques to make better decisions and interact with people better. I did not like the approach at first but later found it giving my mind more to work with then just the concepts.
I would recommend this book to anyone who can be introspective. It will change the way you think and act.
Recommend

Book challenge
2 read 24 to go

Rework

This week I read the book Rework, based on a recommendation I saw a while ago on diggnation, but I digress.
Rework was an excellent and quick read.  It talks about many of the problems that new companies have and how breaking away from conventional entrepreneurial or corporate thinking.  How to really create something.  It will make you re think and may even shatter many of your established thinking patterns.
This book is clearly aimed at starters (some running or starting a small business) and if that is not you wait for my next pick....  (Your brain at work ...)
However if you are and looking for a fresh perspective and something that might just keep you on track pick up Rework

Book Challenge:
Read 1
Still to go 25

Diet Update

Well I have now been on my new lifestyle plan for 6 months now and here is where I stand.
I have lost 95 pounds
I have gone from not fitting into my 44 size pants to fitting in to size 38 pants
I am feeling great!  Now I would like to tell you I am close to my goal but I am not.
However today I am over half way to my goal.
Today I will be celebrating life and love with a bike ride with friends in the morning and a day of fun and adventure with my girls.

How are you celebrating this gift called life?