How I did it: Mainly, I got to Dublin after reading a bit in Let's Go Ireland and Rick Steve's Ireland, and then followed the wind. It was wonderful to not plan too far ahead, but to go where things led, which helped us to get a more intimate view of many things along with a local that me met up with who drove us around 1/2 the island, and then took us home for a couple of days. Hostels all the way.Dublin - 2 days - greatDoolin - 2 days - g… Read how I did it…
How I did it: My wife has always wanted to do this, and I've always been curious enough to want to do it, but I've long had a fear of heights that concerned me. Last year a friend with a strong phobia went skydiving after her husband shared his experience, letting her know he didn't think it would actually activate her phobias, and she had a great time!I was inspired by her story, so I was now willing, and it was our 19th wedding anniversary, so … Read how I did it…
How I did it: I started training semi-intensely in January, doing my first 40-mile ride at the end of the month, but overall I didn't do nearly as much as many folks did to prep. I did do a 70-mile ride, and it was great how hellacious it was, so it made the 100-mile and the 80-mile days seem easy by comparison. Read how I did it…
How I did it: years of semi-success and various diets that held out for a bit, but didn't stick. (I withhold my judgment about the lasting power of this one for a year... so I'll have to get back to you.) Read how I did it…
How I did it: Made a big switch when I hit 185 and got stuck on a long-term plateau. Switched over to an hcg-based approach and lost 22 pounds in 42 days. I feel much better at 164 and have hit the lowest weight of my adult life.I feel like I need to maintain this for a year before I would say that this metabolism reset really works. But for now, hot damn! Read how I did it…
How I did it: It's not DONE, but I've made enough progress that I'll give myself a win on this one. I've gotten far more active in pursuing some of my biggest goals, and it has helped me to say no to the things that are not as directly in line with those. Read how I did it…
How I did it: read the 175 goal--continuing the hcg homeopathic diet, being strict, and holding steady. I was at 170 one other time in my adult life when I was working like mad to get there, and I couldn't keep it up at that extreme level. I joke that I hit 170 for about an hour... but now I'm comfortably there. Wow. I've probably got 5-10 pounds to go to get to my ideal weight. Read how I did it…
How I did it: I got stuck at 180 and even went back up to 186. I followed the advice of a couple of friends who did the hcg diet, though my wife and I both did it with a homeopathic version instead of the injections, and it's been miraculous so far. I will reserve my judgment until I've been able to maintain the weight, but it's dropping rapidly. Read how I did it…
How I did it: Purely focused on diet. I've stayed almost completely away from simple carbs, such as bread, and trying to eat things that are lower on the glycemic level. I've also been mostly eating until I'm not hungry rather than until I'm full, and grazing more throughout the day. I eat a decent bit of salads, meat, cashews, almonds, and some Snickers as my main treat. I haven't been focused on low-fat at all.Pant waist size is dow… Read how I did it…
How I did it: I focused on limiting my diet--more proteins at night, minimal simple carbs, items low on the glycemic charts, fewer food choices (any limitation usually causes weight loss). Lots of cashews and almonds, Snickers and diet soda as my treats, salads without frightening dressings, lots of protein. Next goal is 180 pounds. Read how I did it…
How I did it: Slowly over time I've kept shedding what wasn't right or wasn't quite what I wanted, replacing with the appropriate piece or simply doing without. Read how I did it…
How I did it: Finally scored an audition, and prepped well for a bunch of characters. They liked me overall, and I scored two smaller roles. After meetings and readings, I just got into the studio today and did my lines--went great! And they all seemed pleased as well, so I'll chalk it up to a great experience so far.I'll likely have to do a follow-up round of re-recordings, and then I'll be anxious to see what comes of it. They… Read how I did it…
How I did it: A friend invited us at the last minute to join him and his crew on their Rubber Chicken float! It was a blast seeing it all from that perspective, and especially fun spotting a few friends and students in the throngs! I especially loved seeing my son ride along on the chicken's neck--a bold move for him! Read how I did it…
How I did it: I'd been contemplating taking my dialect work to the next level for a while, and finally it occurred to me to take it to a website. I had some very basic knowledge of building a site, but nothing like what I needed... Google is my best friend!I learned a lot about graphics and building the site through Google and within Dreamweaver (essential). I also had to figure out how to offer secure, automatic downloads online, and… Read how I did it…
How I did it: I knew I wanted to improve my gas mileage; I also needed something cheap; I hoped to also have something that was fun. After considering hybrids, smart cars and the like, I finally stumbled across a bunch of information about Geo Metro convertibles. They were only made for three years (91-93) and in very limited numbers, so I don't know that I'd ever seen one before. I did a LOT of reading and research on them, and set m… Read how I did it…
How I did it: We decided about two months out to take it on (it was my wife's first race of any kind ever) and we took that time to get at least somewhat in shape for it. We completely know that we were undertrained going into it, but not absurdly so. We were also smart enough to set our goals low: to have a good time and to finish. No wild plans about winning or pushing at all! Neither of us pushed the other, except for c… Read how I did it…
How I did it: I've been thinking about a triathlon for a little while, and finally signed up for a sprint triathlon on a whim about a month and a half before it started: The Lone Star Triathlon in Galveston Texas. .33 mile swim, 12.5 mile bike, 3.1 mile run. It went just as I expected and as well as I could have hoped! The swim went surprisingly well. (I purposefully started at the back of the pack--next to last--but I was… Read how I did it…
How I did it: I'd always had it as a goal, so I finally signed up for it and starting getting serious about my running. I've always been a non-jock, at least a little overweight, but I wanted to do it. My wife and son were supportive, and with my insane schedule I'd have to slip a run in wherever I could: I'd run to my son's daycare six miles away and have my wife pick us both up; I'd run home from work five miles; I'd explore the neighborh… Read how I did it…
How I did it: Listening and training your mouth and ear to coordinate are the most essential thing. The first new accent is always the hardest. Now I coach a variety of accents and formed http://www.accenthelp.com/ with a couple of other professional coaches. You can hear native speakers and there are recordings and booklets that teach a wide variety of accents and dialects. The intro on the site should help you to understand th… Read how I did it…
