Weight Watchers has flexed its legal muscle and killed WWCalc for the Palm. I can honestly say that if it weren't for this software, I may not have stuck to the program. What a shame... and SHAME ON WEIGHT WATCHERS for taking such harsh action on a developer that provided a great tool to their membership. Bob Withers has invested a great deal of time and effort without ever profiting for himself, and provided this tool for free to WW members.

The least that Weight Watchers could do is to purchase the rights to this software from Mr. Withers, and distribute it to its members.

Trying out the YACCS commenting thingy - click on the comment link below.

I know its the middle of January, but thoughts have turned to Baseball. I pulled out some paperwork from my last years fantasy baseball league, and sifted through the rosters, reports, draft day work sheets, etc. Then on the drive home, I turned on WFAN, and it was NY Mets day. I heard them interview Johnny BeGood Franco, Manager Bobby V and Al Lieter. They were all excited about all the great player acquisitions during the off season, and what it means for the teams chances. Tonite, I went to the library and borrowed For the Love of the Game with Kevin Costner. Great Baseball movie... Well, its nearly the last week in January, and spring training camps open in Fla. in February, so its not all that far away. Meanwhile, I can look at these pics, and dream away. Whoopie!

Evening Post- Huskie hoops, ladies beat Notre Dame 80-53. Great seats, right at ground level behind basket, next to pep band. Fun. Thanks Diana!

WW-Lost another 3, 25+ lbs. total, 7 to go.

Took today off work for a long weekend. Been real full of myself with my diet and excersize. Can't help it. I feel physically great... light on my feet, active and and upbeat.

Seen lots of movies. Gosford Park ... a bore. The Gift... a great suspensful flick. What Woman Want... some good yucks, but schlocky ending. Read my entire reviews of these films here.

This afternoon goin to Ladies Huskies Basketball at the Hartford CC, then another Weight Watchers weigh-in, so I'm going to excersize and shower now, then basically starve myself today.

Hey, its snowing like crazy again.

Nothin like a good weigh-in at WW to lift your spirits. Lost another 4 lbs this week. A total of 23 lbs., made 10 percent goal. Need to drop another 10 to get to the BMI. Cool.

New iMac...Sweet!

Feel like crap. Damn cold and sorethroat have plagued me all week. Agravated, grumpy, sick....grrrrrr!

Mac Stuff
Macworld Expo SF - Lots of exciting anticipation surrounding this one. Flat panel iMacs, iWalk, Gigahertz and much much more. I'll try to get to Apple Store in W. Hartford to see the keynote on the big screen. At very least, will try to watch it on the web.

Vacation
Booked flights for spring vacation with sis Barb in Fla. Thanks Barb... it's 3 months away, but I am really looking forward to it! I need a vacation.

Weight Watchers
Still obsessed with diet. I've done much research on the web at several diet and weight watchers sites (official and unofficial). I've tried to reverse engineer the points calculator to better understand the WW system. I ended up at the US Patent office web site and found Patent number 6,040,531. If you dig through the text and image pages you will find the formula:
p = (c/50) + (f/12) - (r/5)
p=points, c=calories, f=fat grams, r=fiber grams (cap the fiber at no more than 4 grams)

There it is. WW has asked several sites to remove on and offline calculators from various web sites, but with the above information (in the public record) and any simple spread sheet, you can easily make a Points Calculator.

Basically the system is based on points of low values which makes it easy to calculate and track. Simply divide the number of calories by 50, add 1/2 point for 6 fat grams and deduct .5 point for 3 fiber grams. The result is the number of points (round to the next number if .5 or greater). Keep within a range of points per day (22- 27 for me at 180 lbs), and you have the program.

What I have found from all this research, is that any diet is simply a function of calories in vrs. calories out. WW points is just another way of controlling calorie intake. The other half of the equation is to increase your activity level to burn more calories. So, I have been pretty good about "kickin' it up a notch" with excersizing on the bike, long walks on the trail, and just trying not to spend too much time sittin on my ass in front of the TV.

Well, its New Years. Partied last night at our house, went to dinner, then back to the house. Good friends, good food, good champaign. Chilled today, worked on the web site, lounged around the house, took a power walk in the woods, listened to tunes, cut a Kieth Jarret CD, read some book, generally just relaxed. Tomorrow... back to work.