John J Frady – Page 12 – JohnJFrady.com

Nuestras rojas elefantes beben fresa leche

I’ve been trying to learn Spanish for a few weeks now. Instead of paying for the Rosetta Stone materials, which I understand is extremely helpful; I opted for the free language-learning app called Duolingo. On this app, a happy owl leads you through lessons titled basics, phrases, food, plurals, animals, possessives, etc… and allows you to learn in a game like setting on your phone, varying the questions to keep it interesting.

Here are 5 lessons I’ve learned while trying to learn Spanish with the Duolingo app:

Yo is more than a statement yelled out by Rocky.
It’s surprising to me that almost anything can drink milk (bebe leche).
Yo no hablo espanol
Very rarely does an English word translate into a Spanish word by adding the letter o to the end.
This would have been a lot easier 20 years ago.

However, through the tenacity of the owl, I’ve made it to level 5 on Duolingo. If any of you have any tips on the Duolingo app or in learning Spanish altogether, please share.

Adios. Nuestras rojas elefantes beben fresa leche. Lo siento.

July 9, 2014 by johnfrady Categories: UncategorizedTags: Duolingo, John J Frady, Learning Spanish, nuestras rojas elefantes beben fresa leche 2 Comments

The more I drink, the more I drink…

There’s a Blake Shelton country song with the line: The more I drink, the more I drink. I know Blake is singing about alcoholic beverages and that’s never really been a problem for me. But my problem comes in a much tamer form of poison, soda, or more specifically Coca-Cola.

I’ve officially been “off” of soda for 3 days.

I wish I could say that it’s been easy to walk away from them, because that would be a terrible, bald-faced lie.

The truth is, I think about drinking a Coke at least 3 or 4 times an hour, especially if I’m out and about, stopping to get gas or at a fast food joint.

Someone told me the other day that I should just start drinking coffee and I would have no problem at all. The problem with me doing that is that switching to coffee would mean that I would have to drink it. Ugh. Don’t get me wrong, I love the smell of coffee in the morning, but once I put it to my mouth, I want to gag. Diet soda, even Coke Zero repulses me as well. I like tea, but only Texas/Arkansas sweet tea, which is way too much sugar for me.

The only alternative I could see was to drop caffeine altogether, so that’s what I did.

The headaches and shaking are gone, but it still feels like something’s missing. I suppose the next few days will tell.

We shall see.

July 3, 2014 by johnfrady Categories: Discipline, Health and FitnessTags: Blake Shelton, Coca-Cola, diet sodas, John J Frady, no coffee, stopping drinking soda, the more I drink, weaning myself off of Coca-Cola Leave a comment

I Blew It!

A week ago, I shared my plan with the world to wean myself off of Coca-Cola. Some of you agreed to help keep me accountable. Others of you encouraged me online or in person. Here’s my Coke consumption status update:

I BLEW IT!!!!!

My plan looked something like this:

Wednesday: 32 oz

Thursday: 28 oz

Friday: 24 oz

Saturday: 20 oz

Sunday: 16 oz

Monday: 12 oz

Tuesday: 10 oz

Wednesday: 8 oz

Thursday: 0 oz.

My actual consumption looked more like this:

Wednesday: 32 oz

Thursday: 28 oz

Friday: 978 oz

Saturday: 24 oz

Sunday: 20 oz

Monday: 20 oz

Tuesday: 20 oz

Wednesday: 16 oz

Ok, so I went a bit overboard on Friday. (I actually just lost count. I didn’t actually drink 978 oz. This disclaimer is for the extremely literal readers)

I actually meant to cut down on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, except I spent those days in a hospital waiting room because of the surgery of a family member. Unfortunately, the hospital administration had made a deal with Satan to only sell Pepsi products. If I’m weaning myself off of Coke, a Pepsi is just not going to do. A Dr. Pepper might suffice if I’m in extreme pain, but Pepsi, ugh. So, I drove down the street to a convenience store that only sold 20 oz. Coke products.

But, now, as you can see, I’m back on track. I have managed to cut my Coca-Cola consumption in half.

Here’s my revised plan for the remainder of the week:

Wednesday: 16 oz

Thursday: 12 oz

Friday: 10 oz

Saturday: 8 oz

Sunday: 0 oz

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. Please keep the communication flowing. It’s helping me so much.

June 25, 2014 by johnfrady Categories: Discipline, Health and Fitness, UncategorizedTags: Coca-Cola, Coke, I blew it, John J Frady, Pepsi Challenge, Pepsi's terrible, weaning myself off of Coca-Cola 3 Comments

My Worst Weakness

Since I restarted my blog a couple of weeks ago, people, especially those who know me well, have asked me one gut wrenching question:

“If you’re trying to lose weight again, why are you still drinking Coke?”

I understand (and somewhat appreciate) the concern. If I’m going to go to all the trouble to work out on the elliptical machine everyday (or almost everyday) for 45 to 55 minutes, why would I possibly kill much of the results by consuming so many empty calories, not to mention the impact of the carbonation on my body?

Here are my excuses, er, responses for my continued Coke consumption:

I look so much better in photos with a Coke bottle in my hand.
Drinking soda gives the fat around my midsection a sporting chance.
I can’t afford water.
None of your business.

Honestly, I know my next step in losing 45 at 45 is to stop drinking soft drinks altogether. So, over the next several days, I’ll be slowly weaning myself from my favorite beverage using the following amounts:

Today: 36 oz.

Wednesday: 32 oz.

Thursday: 28 oz.

Friday: 24 oz.

Saturday: 20 oz.

Sunday: 16 oz.

Monday: 12 oz.

Tuesday: 10 oz.

Wednesday: 8 oz.

Thursday: 0 oz!!!!!!

I invite you all to keep me accountable.

June 17, 2014 by johnfrady Categories: Discipline, Health and Fitness, UncategorizedTags: accountability, Coca-Cola, John J Frady, Physical Fitness, Why I need to stop drinking soda 5 Comments

How I’m Learning Spanish For Free

Hola, mis amigos!

My third goal for my 45^th year is to learn Spanish. After speaking to some of you, I believe it is time to clarify this goal.

I’ve discovered a free app called Duolingo, which assists individuals in learning other languages through a steady, systematic process. Several months ago, I spent about a month working through the Duolingo App and made it up to level four.

What I plan to do this year is start over at level one and work all the way through level 25. I started over yesterday and just this evening progressed to level two. I may do another level over the next couple of days since I’ve already been at this level once before, however, my plan is to simply learn at a slow and steady pace.

If you would like to join me in learning Spanish, check out Duolingo in your smart phone App store or online at www.duolingo.com.

Related Posts:

Hello 45!

Lose 45 at 45

Sit Still! No Talking

June 14, 2014June 14, 2014 by johnfrady Categories: Church and Christian Life, Difference Makers, Discipline, Health and Fitness, UncategorizedTags: Duolingo, Great App, How I Learned Spanish For Free, John J Frady, Learn Spanish For Free Leave a comment

Sit Still! No Talking!

It was 1980. My family moved to the country. I thought I was going to love it, but I didn’t. In fact, it was an incredibly hard transition for me. I was in 6^th grade, and for the first time in my life, I began to get in trouble on the school bus. Before long, I was assigned a seat and ordered not to speak to anyone.

For months, I rode the bus in silence, avoiding those around me by reading novels from the school and public library. Somehow, during those long bus rides, those stories became my companions. Often, I would continue reading during lunch, study hall and even at home. Before long, I forgot about my punishment and looked forward to my bus rides because it afforded me the opportunity to read.

I want to write a middle grade novel. Hopefully, the stories I include will help some young person out there develop a life long love of reading.

June 12, 2014 by johnfrady Categories: Difference Makers, Discipline, UncategorizedTags: John J Frady, middle grade novel 1 Comment

Lose 45 at 45

When I was in my 20, my dad described me to others as being busier than a one legged man in a butt kicking contest. It that was true then, it’s cold hard fact at 45. Therefore, I knew it was going to be hard to find time to workout. It turns out there’s plenty of time if you get to the gym at 5:30 AM.

In case you missed it yesterday, I am trying to lose 45 lbs while I’m 45. I reported to everyone yesterday that I was 220 lbs, which is high considering my height and build. However, I weighed this morning and realized that I am actually only 217! So, only 42 lbs to go.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been going to the gym at least 4 times a week, building up my time on the elliptical machine. I like the elliptical machine because it works out your arms, chest, glutes, and legs at the same time. Then, if you add an appropriate amount of resistance, you’re not just doing cardio, but building muscle as well.

My first step is to continue exercising on the elliptical for at least 45 minutes for 4 to 5 times a week, then begin adding additional weight training. This morning, I stopped at just past 48 minutes. 🙂

If you have exercise advice for me, I invite you to comment.

Related Post: Hello 45! https://johnjfrady.com/2014/06/09/hello-45/

June 10, 2014 by johnfrady Categories: Church and Christian Life, Discipline, Health and FitnessTags: 5:30 AM workout, cardio, Fitness, John J Frady, Lose 45 at 45, one legged man in a butt kicking contest, Weight Loss, workout 6 Comments

Hello 45!

Yesterday was my birthday. I turned 45. I celebrated in my usual way: moping and denial, depending on whether or not presents were involved.

However, now that I’m coming to accept my age, I need to move forward with some personal life development. You see, every strengths assessment I’ve ever taken describes me as an achiever. Therefore, it’s logical to say I need to give myself something to achieve this year.

So here are three challenges I’m giving myself.

Lose 45 lbs. (I now weigh 220 lbs)
Write and publish a middle grade novel. (I’ve actually started this, but am still learning)
Learn Spanish (I took a semester of Spanish in high school, but that was in the 1980’s)

Over the next year, I’ll be sharing my depressing lows and ecstatic highs on my blog (johnjfrady.com) as I strive to develop my subgoals and action plans for these personal challenges. I invite you to join me on my journey.

June 9, 2014 by johnfrady Categories: Discipline, Health and Fitness, UncategorizedTags: 45 years old, 45th birthday, action plans, depressed, goals, John J Frady, Learn Spanish, Lose 45 lbs, Write middle grade novel 2 Comments

Help! Mother’s Day Is Almost Here!

Ladies,

Would you help me prepare for Mother’s Day? I have attached a short survey about likes and dislikes about Mother’s Day Worship Services. I’d like to hear from ALL ladies, no matter if you are a mother or not.

Thanks so much!

Mother’s Day Worship Service Survey

May 5, 2014 by johnfrady Categories: Church and Christian Life, WorshipTags: John J Frady, Mother's Day Leave a comment

The Beauty of the Garden Spoken Word

Here’s a link to a Spoken Word written and performed by Niko Snead for the Good Friday Services at Celebration Church. The video was filmed and edited by Javier Acosta. Great job Niko and Javi.

The Beauty of the Garden

April 28, 2014 by johnfrady Categories: Church and Christian Life, WorshipTags: Adam and Eve, Celebration Church, Easter, Good Friday, Javier Acosta, Jesus prays in the garden, John J Frady, Niko Snead, Spoken Word, The Beauty of the Garden, The Garden of Gethsemane, The Garden of the Eden Leave a comment