Snail mail trading. I have accumalated over 7TB of stuff, including: ROM's (300+ dvd's all emulated systems from pre Atari 2600-N64, plus all handhelds, computers (Apple IIe/C64), arcade (MAME), Pinball (PinMAME), slots (Fruit Machine), All/Most Dreamcast, 1500+ PSX, NDS, PSP, GBA, etc); mp3's (15,000+ albums (all genres: audio books, christian, comedy, christmas, rock (light and hard), rap, metal, pop, soundtracks, country, foreign, alternative), Billboard Hot 100 1956-2006, All Billboard charted hits of the 80's (over 4200 songs), 12,000+ Old Time Radio shows); Movies (top 100 movies of all time, Stephen King, Eddie Murphy), ripped to Xvid Avi from Netflix, Blockbuster, Hollywood video (movies, completed TV series); Warez (including all Windows from 1.0 - XP, all versions, "flavors"); ebooks; prOn (straight and gay). Will soon be adding my brothers Anime collection
Music
80's!, comedy ("Weird Al" Yankovic, Capitol Steps, Spike Jones & his City Slickers, Allen Sherman, John Valby, Johnny Crass), Beatles (collected over 500 albums, including bootlegs, "alternates", etc. Also have ripped all Movies, documentaries, etc)
Movies
Don't really have enough time nowadays between the 2 jobs, and working out
Television
The Biggest Loser, Fat March, Shaq's Big Challenge, Amazing Race, Prison Break, Dukes of Hazzard, 3 Stooges, 70's TV shows (All in the Family, Good Times, anything from that era)
Books
Non-Fiction (horror, murder, autobiographies,), Diabetic cookbooks, weight loss books. Stephen King. Calvin & Hobbes, Andy Capp, Peanuts, Retro-Gaming (modding consoles, bldg MAME cabinets, history of consoles)
About me: On January 1st of 2006, I finally found a scale that supported my weight. Back in '98 when I got my drivers license, I lied to the DMV and said I weighed 350lbs, as I really had no idea what I weighed. You see, prior to that, when I went to the Dr's office, they wouldn't even weigh me, as their 350lb scale didn't support my weight. At this time (1/1/06) I learned I weighed 510lbs! I signed up at a local gym (they provided a discount rate for the employees at my job). I went in almost every day, did the exercise bike, and stopped when I was pooped. Usually, only 10 minutes, I figured I was doing something good
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For my diet, I did over the counter diet pills (TrimSpa, green tea pills, etc), water pills (the labeling was directed towards women, but I was really swollen.) A can of Slimfast and a burrito for lunch, and a tv dinner for dinner. I lost 30lbs by May. My goal was to lose some weight before my 25th anniversary grade school reunion in May. Unfortunately, at this time, I started to experience all the symptoms of diabetes: dry mouth, leading to excess drinking; urinating EVERY 45 mins (30lb weight loss in 2 weeks), blurry vision (i honestly didn't realize this was a sign). I got so fed up with the urinating, I took myself to the health clinic. My sugars were so high, they had to do a urine test, to test for keytones (which I had a high level). I was admitted to the ER on 6/1/06. At this time, the Dr put me on a 1800 calorie diet, and gave me some literature on Diabetes, and the food exchange program. When I was released, i regained all of my vision. On my next Dr's appt, I asked my Doc, "I want to restart the gym WHAT is it that I am supposed to do?". He suggested 30mins on the treadmill, and then with the weight, work on my legs one day, my arms one day, and my chest one day. I eventually paid a trainer to put me on a different program........................................................................................................................
I became very disciplined with the dieting, and the exercising. In October, I did a 5mi walk for ADA. I trained myself by using the treadmill for 1 hr a day for a week.. I bought books on dieting, food nutrition, exercising, weight lifting, diabetes, etc. You name it I bought it! I've read Richard Simmons books, Jared from Subway, and just about anything inspirational. I have gained inspiration by watching the tv show Biggest Loser. I even bought the 2 books based on that show. I also learned in the beginning of this journey to write EVERYTHING down. I found a DayPlanner specially made for diabetics. With my 2 jobs, it is difficult to keep track of the calories, etc. I also weigh myself daily, and log that. I will log any workout that I do. I find by doing all of that, it helps me to look back to see what I was doing right/wrong when I hit a plataeu......................................................................................................................
During this short time, I have been taken off most of my meds for diabetes. My proudest moment was getting off the insulin! I am now only on Metformin 2x a day and a shot called Byetta. I am going to ask my Dr next week about weaning me off of these as well. My blood sugars are Excellent (range from 70-95). A1C is at 5.1. Total Cholesterol is only 113................................................................................................................
On April 10th, 2007, I finally dumped all my chubby clothes, like the sweatpants, and bought some really nice clothes. I shaved myself clean, and got a nice haircut. I may weigh 292 now, but I am DETERMINED to join water aerobics this summer. This will be my first time in any sorta shorts in almost 10 yrs.
Hey saw you making a u turn on the corner of 18th and Hanford Arm. Thought of honking, but didn't want you to fall over and get smooshed LOL. Hope all is well. k.i.t.
See, that's the thing. I'm a foodie, so I have to find difficult ways to make the most simple dish. I've made an art out of microwaving a lot of stuff, but it saves me time :)
Hey, how are you? FYI, West Hills is having a blood drive coming up here soon on the 30th. I probably won't be able to go but if you want, you can go get some goodies for giving up some of your goodies (not trying to be nasty lol). Keep up the effort, big man!
I will hopefully be out that way in April this year. My hubby deploys the 8th of April. And I know I will be out there at the Shell station for sure. I might be drunk, or I might be sober...LOL!!! Take care of your self!! Tell Shawn I said HI!!
thanx for the support...i am celebrating by getting my lip pierced tomorrow night... i am so excited i am going right after work... i hope you keep it up too you are doing soo good and we are (my mom and i) both proud of you. thanx again!!!
merry christmas I was a little late but I have a really good excuse, I was in the hospital for the past few days with pancreatitus...for the Second Time this year... Yeah I know excuses excuses.. lol...I got out in just enough time to open presents with my kiddos... I hope u had a very merry christmas... in case more medical stuff happens to me and I don't get the chance on time, Happy New Year too... ;) Maybe I'll get lucky and stay out of the hospital until my surgery in January... keep our fingers crossed... :) ~Marie~
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