Day 20-22

Gosh, time flew again. I have eaten fairly well--but not diet well. We're off to a trip to Colorado for the weekend and my goal is not to overeat. I plan to enjoy my time, but not overeat!

Poker will take a back seat this weekend. It's a football weekend and I can use time away from the game. Therefore days 23-27 will be blank. I'll be back on day 28.

Day 18

Why is it when I decide to take a day off, so to speak, that I go on tilt? I have eaten two bowls of ice cream and have not played poker at all well. I must be someone who needs structure and I should provide it for myself! I will work on that in the future.

Tomorrow there are things I need to get done, so I'll be scheduled. I bet I'll do better!

Day 18

I am already steaming carrots for the lunch casserole. I plan to eat healthy today! Getting things packed for the weekend trip to the Mizzou/Colorado game we're attending. Should be fun. While away, I plan to eat healthy--ordering things that are more healthy from menues (plus maybe one hotdog at the game, and if cold, certainly hot chocolate) and walking a LOT. Have three days to go before we leave, but need to get things washed and packed as the week is BUSY! Am providing dinner for my last class Wednesdy night and while it's almost all ready, have to assemble and get things ready to do. Then there's packing for the weekend, monthly hair appointment, nails to get done, etc.

Poker buddy--or someone I hope will be my poker buddy is coming for lunch and hopefully we'll work on pot odds and I'll learn them much better!!!

Have a great week!

Day 17

Poker wasn't so good today. Bombed out of a tournament at the casino first thing. Wouldn't have played the hand any differently though, upon reflection. Then lost $300 in a cash game. One bad play--calculated risk with a bluffer--turned out disasterous. Couldn't get back into sinc. Therefore, just left.

Lovely dinner with husband who grilled steaks. I made potato salad. We had a soup and 1/2 sandwich lunch and hot dog while out. Tomorrow I exercise an hour at least!

Plan to write goals for the coming year tonight that include poker gains and weight losses.

Days 13-16

Where do the days go??? I thought I had missed a day at the most and find I've missed 3 before updating today! I will keep better track of this--I promise!

Went to a casino last night about an hour away and made $300. Had $600 in my pocket and had to put another $200 on the table at one time until I finally figured out the players and was able to read their bets in relation to my hand. Then I began winning! Also connected with another player wishing to improve and he's coming Monday for lunch and poker learning. I think that will help me, and hopefully him, as I learn better by doing and hearing it out loud. When I teach, then, I find I learn more than my students at times--at least as much.

Online I went up and then down this week. Down isn't as low as it has been in the past, but it's not as up as I want. I now have to earn back $600 plus $300 to be at my all-time high and have all the money back I've invested in poker since August online. I'm not putting my casino winnings with online ones yet. I AM keeping strict records for the IRS, though.

The pounds part of my days have not been astringent, but I AM making some lifestyle changes such as what I order in restaurants and not eating candy and rarely dessert. Last night we came back late and stopped in a neighboring town at a tavern sort of restaurant where we LOVE the hamburgers--which are huge! Instead, I had their chicken mulligan soup and half a hot ham and cheese sandwich. The soup was more of a stew and delicious! While I thoroughly enjoyed the sandwich too, I now know I can get by on a bowl of soup--and that's well within the dietary guidelines I have for myself. I took one small bite of my husband's hamburger and thus didn't feel deprives at all!

I think it's these life-style changes that will get me where I want to be eventually (within a year?) and staying there!

Good luck to you and yours who are waging this weight battle with me!

Day 12

Well, I'm going to have to get serious about weight loss! I hate being fat and I need to get my diet under control. It has not been out of control as it was in the past--but far too much for dieting seriously. I had 3 pieces of dark chocolate today, a peanut butter sandwich for lunch, scrambled eggs for breakfast, and spaghetti and two rolls for supper. On a strict diet I can have all those things--but not in the quantities I had today, nor all in one day. Tomorrow I go to the neighboring town which has better produce and will stock up for my salads. I'll also be busier and won't eat so much.

I played a lot of poker today somewhat successfully. I am learning. That's the best I can say at this point. Working to be a consistent winner. Also, have to learn my own body and when I need to take breaks. Good to do all this at lower limits as I'm learning. How about you? Any poker news for me?

Day 11

Already played poker for about half an hour before I leave to get new tires for my car. Lost initially, but played well. As with most in life, I ended up $10 playing correctly. Must do that for longer periods of time. Also want to look at the tournaments at Poker Stars that bring trips and prizes with them. Looks like fun and not expensive.

Started the day correctly with diet and plan to continue! I'll let you know tomorrow!

Happy Monday everyone!

Day 10

Sleepy Sunday. Slept late and then took a nap this afternoon. Tomorrow I'm back on 2 salad a day meals and exercise. Have to get started again. Company's gone, so I can better set my own schedule. I had 2 biscuits--one with egg and cheese today. Tonight is grilled meat and potato salad.

Poker has been a tournament in which I won a seat next Saturday to another qualifier and low-risk play online. Didn't do well in cash but won the tournament of over 1000 people. That involved taking some risks and having them turn out. Next tournament wasn't so good.

Anyone reading this should remember this is breast cancer month and help give free mamograms by clicking on the pink box at this site daily: http://www.thebreastcancersite.com
Also remember to send the site to everyone you know who will do so too!

Days 8 and 9

Well, I have fallen off the weight loss wagon. I didn't weigh because I know have gained. Thus on Monday I start the salad diet for two weeks--perhaps 4. Two salads a day--only fruit for sweets and melba toast for toast. That does it--if I stick to it. I actually like the salads. I may substitute a bowl of chicken soup--home made--once in a while. That's cooked veggies and chicken with spices--so it's not more caloric.

In poker I have not done well either. I'm taking a break for the rest of the night. I seem to play well for a day or so and then lousy. I have yet to determine whether the lousy is just the swing of the game or my playing--probably both. I need to take 5 days a week and use an hour to review my playing as well as an hour learning more.

Took 87 year old aunt home today. She had a great time visiting. She was most appreciative.

Have a great Sunday if you read this in time....

Day 7

All right, I didn't resist the cherry tart at Book Club last night. I also had a sandwich when I returned before retiring for the night. Today I have had a small glass of orange juice, a hamburger at the local "joint", a small marshmellow/hot fugdge sundae, and two pieces of my dark chocolate. Tonight is Rotary where we eat from a buffet. My hope it to eat only a small amount. I have gained back one pound. Tomorrow, back to the astringent fare!

Poker has been non-existent today after earning $300 back yesterday that I lost a couple of days in a row. I've cleaned my husband's office prior to his returning tomorrow from his trip out west. I hope I'm still married after he sees it. I hope it brings the added benefit I think it will--that he can concentrate without being overwhelmed by all that is "undone" in his office. Everything is still in tact--just in boxes in the garage. We'll see.

Hope anyone reading this is having a great day as well as losing weight and learning poker!

Day 6

As to poker, I have played below my bankroll so that I can play for fun while taking care of my 87 year old aunt. She's with her brother today though dinner, so I have some time. Because I'm tired and had to get up for doctor and dentist appointments, I think I'll take a nap rather than pursue poker much today.

For food, I drank hot chocolate between the doctor's appointment and the dentist appointment as I had no time and could not eat before I had blood drawn. Afterwards I came home and took my aunt to see her brother. Then I ate a toasted bagel and cantelope for lunch. I'm pleased that cookies don't appearl to me as they once did--and they are on the counter right in front of me.

Book club tonight and just drinking coffee will be my goal. I'll tell you tomorrow.

Day 5

Today for pounds, I am on hold. I'm going to try to maintain weight while entertaining an 87 year old aunt for the week in my home. So far, so good. I have to ignore dessert, eat only a little bread, eat a salad for lunch while she's having a full meal with her brother in the local Care Center, and if possible, exercise. I had oatmeal with craisins and almonds in it for breakfast. I use the plain instant and put in two packs of sweetner. I have yet to find the green sweetner that I've been told to use, so I use Splenda until then. Lunch was a salad with a biscuit. Dinner is at the local church noodle supper, so I'll be lost there--but try to keep quantities down. I do have a lot of fruit on hand for snacks. I'm still finding that I prefer fruit to sweets more now!

In poker I played well today--which is what I have been told to concentrate on instead of the money. I'm working up to that mindset and see the advantages of it. I had a $500 swing, but left it up--so I feel good about that. Concentrate on making the right moves. To do so, I review notes and my hands to see what works best for me. I do love this game. I do love this game. I do love this game....

If anyone else finds this blog and are working on weight loss and/or better no limit poker playing, I'd love to hear from you!

Days 3 and 4

I traveled to casino to play poker. While I learned a lot, I lost--$400. However, I made $150 and then $100 in my room online. I analyzed and found that I talked too much to my neighbors and didn't pay enough attention to the other players. We had a pro from Las Vegas there too and he cleaned up as did some young boys--between 21 and 30. I need to study their style. I can learn this!

I've kept my 8 lbs off. I have our 87 year old aunt with me now for a week so she can visit with her 92 year old brother that she's never lived with, during the next week. Their mother died when she was born and as it was in those days, she was farmed out to relatives over the years. They need time together and I'm pleased to help them with this time. I fed us chicken/vegetable soup and biscuits for dinner. We had chocolate chip cookies for dessert--but only two small ones--not the six I would have eaten in past years. Have found that I'm not so prone to needing the cookies as I once was. I've broken myself of that sugar need.

I did get fruit at the store--bananas, pears, necturines, grapes, cantelope, etc. That helps me when I'm hungry--to eat things that are better for me. I've found I can lose weight by just laying off the candy and the refined sugar treats. As I see such treats in the stores nowadays, I just know they are never going to be a big part of my diet. A friend said to me this week that she only allows herself to eat desserts on weekends. She weighs Monday mornings and then Friday mornings. She said Fridays are her "real" weights.

Good luck to anyone reading this who is playing poker--and bon appetite to those learning to eat correctly!

Day 2

This morning I did not weigh. Won't tomorrow either as I attended a luncheon and ate 2 of my favorite carmels made by a neighbor--who makes absolutely the best carmels in the world! I didn't eat the pasta salad but only the green salad, one roll, and the chicken salad and fruit on the plate. Much more than I'm used to eating, so I was full! Had 1/2 of the cupcake as I just don't need the sweets.

Had a friend over for dinner last night, and we had a chicken/vegetable soup I made in the crock pot. Did have two biscuits with it--but few calories in the soup. Had a salad to begin the meal. Was so nice to catch up as we hadn't had time together for a few months.

Played poker when I got home from the luncheon and gained $133. However, in reading The Poker Mindset, I now know that I should not be keeping score by money but by the correct betting (or not betting) I do. I am working toward this--but am not always sure what the correct thing to do is, so I am left wondering. I am gaining, though, and as this book states; it does take time.

Tomorrow I'm off to the casino for at least one night. Plan to play live cash game. If I get bored with that, I'll go to the tournament at the other casino in the evening. I am determined to learn this game to the very best of my ability! Hope you are joining me in this quest.

Poker Today

Just finished a session at $1/$2 no limit on line. Played conservatively but correctly. Was down about $89 when I flopped a full house. Normally the others fold when I bet the standard 2/3 of the pot. This guy raised all in and I called. Ended up $95 on this session. Hope to keep that up. Played until my neck hurt and then quit. Need to know when to fold more wisely as well as my physical condition that does play into my playing--not that I always know that. Plan casino time this week. I'll compare those.

Day 1

Within a year I plan to lose 55 more pounds. I have lost 8 pounds in the last month. To lose the first 8 pounds, I have eaten salads incessently--but boy am I a master salad-maker now! In this blog, I will work to post daily how I am doing and what I am doing to lose the weight.

We all know that weight loss is diet and exercise. The consistency of this is my issue. I constantly fight the battles of not eating candy, cakes, rolls, etc. In the last month, Ihave learned to enjoy many more fresh vegetables and fruits! That's a plus. I'm learning to put these into warm dishes for wintertime as I live where it gets cold--mid-Illinois.

Along with this, I am learning to become a master poker player. This was just for fun and now I wish to turn it into a consistent profit. Thus as I lose pounds, I hope to win more and more at poker! I have read several books and am somewhat stuck on pot odds. In slow motion, I can figure pot odds. Doing it on the fly with my outs figured in is my problem. I need to get better at this. I read where one hour a day devoted to any subject will make you an expert in a year. We'll see if this is true.

Anyone who has help for me is welcome to comment. Anyone wanting help themselves is equally welcome to comment! Join me on the year-long adventure where I lose pounds and gain poker skills for a profit. Hopefully if you wish, you can do the same!