Goals

I recently set some goals for myself. They were divided into 2 catagories, things I would like to accomplish this year (before 12/31/05) and things I would like to accomplish within the next 5 years (before 12/31/10). Since I want to hold myself accountable, I am going to post them here.

Things I Want to Accomplish:

For the rest of this year (To be completed before 12/31/2005):
1.Take the GMAT
a)Score Above a 600
2.Get down to 175lbs
3.Deposit $5,000 into ING Direct Account
4.Play in Doms Alumni Basketball Game
a)Practice so I don't look like a fool
5.Visit Cullen, Steve, et. al. in Baltimore
6.Join a Gym
7.Apply to Hofstra and Fordham MBA Programs
a)No Later than March 1, 2006
8.Meet/Talk to Single Women
9.Read 2 non-MBA, non-Work books
10.Achieve all goals set in Fittobemen.com's Finally Fit Challenge

Within 5 Years (To be completed before 12/31/2010):
1.Start and complete my MBA
2.Train for and complete a triathlon
3.Keep the weight off :-)
4.Get into a serious romantic relationship with a woman
5.Learn to skate, play roller (or ice) hockey
a)Join a roller or ice hockey league
6.Earn $75,000+ per year in salary
7.Learn a foreign language
a)Spanish, Italian, or Latin (as initial ideas)
8.Author a web blog (of my own design) on my own web server (also of my own design)
9.Move into a place of my own
10. Throw out the first pitch at a baseball game

I welcome all comments on the goals I have set for myself.

-Brian

Wow...I haven't posted in a while

Its been a while, but here I am. I've worked a ton of hours through the summer, but I've made it through without too much harm. I'll provide a more detailed update later. However, here are some progress pictures of how I'm doing physically (try not to drool too much...lol):

Until next time...

Brian

7 days till Baltimore

So we are down to the final week before my trip to Baltimore to see the Chilean, the Lt, the Scientist, and everyone else. I'm pumped to be going down. Hopefully we'll eat, drink, and have fun.

I had set an ambitious goal of 192lbs for my weight when I went ot Baltimore. I weighed in this morning at 195lbs, so I can still get there (although it will be a little bit of a long shot). In a realted note, a couple of people at work told me they thought I've lost weight. Those type of comments are an ego boost and make it worth the effort to work out and diet. :-)

I've been getting outside to ride my bike and run. I'm enjoying the outdoor cardio and will keep it up until it gets too cold outside (or too dark). My one complaint is the shitty weather. What do I need to do to get some nice weather outside?

I've started reading the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series of books. The first book was interesting and I might have to see the movie at some point.

On the work front, I've managed to fit an entire work week (42.25 hours) into a 4 day span. If I would have had to work on MOnday, I would have logged my 4th consecutive 50 hour week. I like the OT, but these hours are beginning to wear on me a little bit.

I'm going to begin my GMAT efforts in earnest this weekend. I plan to spend the next 8 weeks preparing for the GMAT, then take the test in the beginning of September. THen I will start applying for an MBA in the fall (hopefully going back in the Fall of 2006).

I think thats all for now. I'll try and post again before I go to Baltimore.

B.

Long time no post

Wow...its been a while since I've posted to my blog. I would have posted sooner, but I've been increadibly busy (mostly with work...I've been working 50 hour weeks since the beginning of June).

But life goes on...I have been keeping up with working out. I'm down to 196 lbs!!!!! And I've passed the 1 year mark (I was 270lbs on 7/1/2004, when I decided to get up off my fat ass and drop the extra poundage). I'm hoping to drop down to 185-ish before I decide whether to continue or go into maintanence mode (this decision will be based upon whether I can see my abs or not...vein I know, but its a goal).

We have some special homecomings upcoming. The Chilean returns to Baltimore on 7/10 and The Lt. comes home from Korea on 7/11. I'll be down to Baltimore on 7/15 to visit. I'm sure we'll have some good times.

In other news...I got a membership to the Nassau County Aquatic Center. For those of you that don't know, Nassau County (on Long Island) built a world class fitness and aquatic center for the 1998 Goodwill Games. The center has an olympic sized swimming pool, weight room, and cardio equipment. The membership wasn't expensive either ($225 for 6 months). Plus, this place is literally down the block from where I work.

My next 3 goals are:
1. Prepare for the GMATs (Hopefully taking them in September)
2. Build a better "athletic base" by biking, running, and swimming. (If you can't tell, I would like to compete in a triathlon at some point...probably next summer. If all goes well, I'd probably try to get into a 5k sometime around thanksgiving).
3. Go out and put myself in a position to meet girls...preferably single.

As always, my fitness goals remain unchanged (lift 3 to 4 times a week, eat clean). Of my 3 new goals, the hardest will be #3. This is because I'm not as outgoing as I should be when it comes to the ladies. I've worked to overcome my fat issue (as I said before, I made myself fat...I've worked hard (and will continue to work hard) to overcome that). Now I've got to get myself in a position to do some good. Although if someone would help me out, I'd be appreciative.

Thats all for now. I'll try to post again soon.

Brian

Summer

Happy memorial day.

A quick update for tonight. I'm glad to see some nice weather (better than the cold rain we've seen before this).

I changed my desktop OS from Windows XP to Fedora Core 3. I'm hoping for the best with the change. I'm already noticing the increased stability and functionability with the new OS.

I'm weighing in at 203lbs. That means I've lost 6 lbs in May and 67 lbs since 7/1/04. I'm aiming for 192 lbs by the time I visit Baltimore in July (although I think I'll probably finish closer to 195lbs). I've also decided on my next workout. I will finish Book of Muscle in July. After I finish, I will use the Testosterone Advantage plan's advanced workout. This workout is a 9 week workout with 4 lifting sessions per week. However, I will need to join a gym before I can start this (seeing as I do not have all of the necessary equipment to do the exercises). I'll probably call Dolphin FItness in Westbury and NYSC in East Meadow this week to arrange trial visits (both are close to home and work). Right now, I think NYSC probably has the advantage, because they have a pool and I could go to one of their other locations for spin classes.

Anyway, I'll wrap up now. I'll try to post an update tommorow or Wednesday.

Peace,

Brian

Got Tiger?

I post to you today from my new Powerbook. This computer kicks ass! I am very pleased with my purchase, and this may be one of the best computers I have ever used. I guess the old saying is true: "Once you go Apple, you don't go back."

So I've been continuing to work hard at the bank. I've put in many hours and am learning much. Hopefully I will see a raise since my 3 month review went well. But HR gets to decide my fate on that.

I've been doing some reflecting lately. Specifically, I have been pondering if I will ever meet anyone of the female gender whom would go out with me. It seems that every girl I meet is either married, engaged, or has a boyfriend of a long time. I realize I probably need to do more to get myself out there, but I'm not quite sure what I need to do. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know (I appreciate any and all advice).

Anyway, enough of my bitching. I'm looking forward to having a weekend off.

In other news, I'm probably going to join a gym in the near future. For the past 11 months, I have been working out in my basement. While I have had tremendous success with the current arrangement, I am looking for access to better equipment and meeting some good looking girls might be nice too.

Thats all for now. I'll post more soon.

Brian

Weight loss stats:
Current Weight: 204 lbs
Weight loss since 7/1/04: -66lbs
Next goal: 202 lbs on or before 5/31

Got Tiger?

I post to you today from my new Powerbook. This computer kicks ass! I am very pleased with my purchase, and this may be one of the best computers I have ever used. I guess the old saying is true: "Once you go Apple, you don't go back."

So I've been continuing to work hard at the bank. I've put in many hours and am learning much. Hopefully I will see a raise since my 3 month review went well. But HR gets to decide my fate on that.

I've been doing some reflecting lately. Specifically, I have been pondering if I will ever meet anyone of the female gender whom would go out with me. It seems that every girl I meet is either married, engaged, or has a boyfriend of a long time. I realize I probably need to do more to get myself out there, but I'm not quite sure what I need to do. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know (I appreciate any and all advice).

Anyway, enough of my bitching. I'm looking forward to having a weekend off.

In other news, I'm probably going to join a gym in the near future. For the past 11 months, I have been working out in my basement. While I have had tremendous success with the current arrangement, I am looking for access to better equipment and meeting some good looking girls might be nice too.

Thats all for now. I'll post more soon.

Brian

Weight loss stats:
Current Weight: 204 lbs
Weight loss since 7/1/04: -66lbs
Next goal: 202 lbs on or before 5/31

Review

So I recieved my 3 month review at work today. This review marks the end of my probation period at the bank. (Every new employee is subject to a 3 month probation period, which ends with a review of your performance over those 3 months). So, my review went well. My boss had good things to say about me and my performance. Next step is to see if I get a raise. I'll keep everyone posted.

In other news, I finally purchased a new computer!!! I bought the 15" Apple G4 Powerbook. See here for details about the computer: http://www.apple.com/powerbook/

This computer has 1.5Ghz, 1GB of RAM, a Combo drive (DVD-Rom/CD-RW), and a backlight keyboard. I also purchased the Applecare protection plan. I am soooooo pumped. I can't wait for my new baby!

Thats all for now. I'll post again soon.

Brian

P.S. I think this makes it 2 posts in a row where I haven't bitched about not having a girlfriend. :-)

Dum Spiro, Spero

Happy Cinco de Mayo (thats the fifth ofMay for those of us who do not speak spanish).

I've started reading The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Its not my normal fare of reading, but I picked it up at the suggestion of a co-worker. So far its interesting, in a philosophical sort of way. I think I'll have to reread it to get its full meaning (its 13 chapters...not too long). The basis for the book is defeating your enemy without having to fight. I think it will have some positive effects on my approach to my job.

I think I'm finally going to get my new computer this weekend (hopefully). Despite a last minute suggestion of a G5 powermac, I think I'm still going to get the Powerbook, probably a 12" w/ superdrive or 15" with combodrive.

After I take care of the computer, I probably should start to prep for the GMAT. If I start soon, I'll probably take the test in September and plan on MBA (at night) in 2006. Of course, that timetable is subject to modification or change :-)

I'm also going to join a local gym soon. Since I started working out last July, I've worked out in my basement. And I've had great success (down 62lbs in 10 Months). But I'm doing the gym thing for 2 reasons: (1)Greater access to equipment/specitality classes (i.e. spinning) and (2) Better chance of meeting a good looking, athletic, smart, single woman (around my own age). I'm usually pathetic around the ladies, but I'm gonna put that aside and work on finding someone special (if anyone reading this is interested, let me know :-D ).

One thing that has surprised me was a comment by a friend whom I was talking to the other night. He said that he thought I was more mature since I've graduated college (and he read my blog...but that is another story). I find it interesting that others see changes that I do not notice in myself. By the way, If this friend reads this post, I hope Smallix ended up working.

I think thats all for now. If I think of anything more, I'll be sure to post it.

Brian

Weight Loss Stats:
Weight: 208lbs
Weight Lost: -62lbs
Next Goal: 203 by Memorial Day
192 by 7/15/05 (Brian's return to Baltimore to visit the Lt. and the Chilean...and possibly the APG Scientist and Mr. Smallix, if they are around)

P.S.: The APG Scientist needs to update his blog. The same I-Pod post has been up since 4/5. :-)

Testosterone

So I'm updating my blog on a Tuesday. What a novel idea.

Life goes on. I get up in the morning and work out (lift or cardio in the form of HIIT). Then I eat while reading Newsday (Long Island's very own tabloid). After I shower, get dressed and go to work. After work, I come home, eat and watch some TV before bed. Its an ordinary existance. But I'm getting some much needed banking expeirnce while making some $$. So I really shouldn't complain.

I've been considering buying a new computer (my current computer was bought in 2000 and currently runs Windows XP). I've pretty much decided to venture into the world of Mac. I've been divided on which direction to go in. On the one hand, the mini would meet my needs without costing an arm and a leg. On the other hand, I am tempted by the 15" powerbook. The powerbook is a notebook, and the 15" comes with 512 MB ram, 60GB hard drive, backlight keyboard, OS X.3/Panther (X.4/Tiger after Friday), and the i-life suite. Not a bad deal. I'll let my audience know once I decide on something.

Anyway, back to the Yankees game. A-rod is 4-4 with 3 HR (2 run, 3 run, and a Grand Slam) and 10 RBI.

Peace,

Brian

Weight Loss Stats:
Current Weight: 210
Weight Lost since 7/1/04: 60 lbs
Goal: 200 lbs by 7/1/2005