My Fitness Pal – A FREE App that really works??
I recently found out about a free app called My Fitness Pal. It is basically a fun and easy way to keep track of your daily calorie intake as well as your daily exercises.
As many of you know, I’m doing a full-Ironman triathlon this May in St. George, Utah. I have heard that St. George is one of the hardest Ironman courses in the world due to all of the hills on the bike and run. So, naturally I want to drop my holiday weight and lean up the best that I can.
I began using this app a little over a week ago, and I’ve already lost 7 lbs. Several of my family and friends are using it as well, and they’ve all lost weight. Here’s how it works: You set up your profile with your basic info, height, weight, how active is your job, etc. It will then ask you how many lbs per week you want to lose. The max allowed is 2 lbs per week (but most lose more than that, at least initially). A word of advice, be honest when you answer how active is your job, otherwise it might give you too many calories per day which will defeat your weight loss goals.
It will calculate how may calories per day you are allowed to eat in order to obtain your weight loss goal. You simply input everything that goes into your mouth during the day, along with any exercise you do. It does the rest, and the weight comes off. Of course, that is based on the assumption that you are staying within your suggested calorie intake numbers on a regular basis. 
One of the reasons it’s so simple to use is its enormous database of foods (over a million, I think) you can look up to find out the nutrition information. It also has a scanner feature which allows you to scan and look up any food with a bar code on the package.
Another feature which makes it very effective is that you can add friends who are following the program, and it will keep you all informed of each other’s progress. It’s much like a FaceBook interface in that you can message each other for encouragement as well as following each other’s progress in the automatic posts it puts in for you each day. Nothing like a little friendly accountability to keep you on track, eh?
As with any other weight loss product, you have to use it correctly and faithfully for it to work. If you “forget” to input what you’re actually eating, or lie about the portion size, it will not work for you. For those who want to use it but don’t have a smartphone. You can also do the same thing via their webstite: www.myfitnesspal.com
Give it a try, and let me know how it’s working for you. After all, it’s FREE. You have nothing to lose in trying it (except the weight).
Published by: David A. Bailey on January 24th, 2012 | Filed under Uncategorized
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Arsenic in your fruit juice?
I saw on the Today show this morning a segment warning people about arsenic in grape and apple juice. Although they didn’t mention any brands by name (fear of a defamation suit, I suppose), they did hint that it was “major brands.”
Apparently Dr. Oz hired a lab to do some research a few months ago, and they found higher than expected levels of arsenic in commercially prepared grape and apple juice. The segment said that Dr. Oz took a little heat for it. Now Consumer Reports has also done research on the issue and found the same results. That is, inorganic arsenic, a known carcinogen was present in higher levels than the law allows for drinking water.
The FDA, however, says we shouldn’t worry though because anything lower than 23 parts per billion is okay in juices. However, in drinking water, the level must be lower than 10 parts per billion. Why the difference in “tolerable” levels, you ask? The FDA says that it is because people drink less juice than water. Could it also be that the FDA is getting money from the juice industry?
My suggestion to all of you is to stop buying juice from the store and start making it yourself. About a year ago, I bought the Jack LaLanne Power Juicer for $100. The apple juice I make is WAY better than store bought. The juice I make is not as clear looking as what you get in the store, but that’s a good thing. The reason why the juice in the store is clear is because it is pasteurized. That kills off most of the vitamins and good stuff in the juice. Not to mention that my apple juice tastes way better.
Do yourself and your family a favor and invest in a juicer and start juicing your own fruits and vegetables (preferably organic). Or, you can trust the FDA to protect you when it tells you that a little bit of arsenic is okay in your juice.
Published by: David A. Bailey on November 30th, 2011 | Filed under Uncategorized
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Are corporations evil?
Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak to the Small Business Alliance of the Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce on the topic of “Incorporating: Benefits and Disadvantages.” Since it was Halloween, I couldn’t resist the urge to pose the question, “Are corporations evil?”
We decided that corporations are like any other instrument or tool. They are no better or worse than the people who own and operate them.
We then discussed what corporations are and how they operate. I shared with the group the main two reasons people incorporate their business: limiting their personal liability for their business debts and liabilities and tax savings. I shared with the group some important exceptions to the liability and tax issues.
We also discussed the pros and cons for trying to form your own corporation. I openly told the group that they could do it themselves by going to the Arkansas Secretary of State website and forming it online. However, I strongly advised against it. Why? Because there is so much more to properly forming and organizing a corporation than merely filing the Articles of Incorporation online. That is merely the starting place.
In my opinion, no business should attempt to incorporate without having a good CPA on their team and a good attorney who knows this area of the law. Tax laws change all the time, and there are too may legal pitfalls for the unwary.
Yesterday afternoon, my law office handed out candy and toys to the approximately 3000 children that visited us for the annual downtown Trick or Treat. We look forward to it every year. This year, my wife Carla and I went as a Cowboy and Saloon Girl. Who says we’re too old to dress up for Halloween?
Published by: David A. Bailey on November 1st, 2011 | Filed under Uncategorized
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Does being on You Tube make me a celebrity?
As many of you know, I enjoy teaching not only law students but other lawyers as well by doing Continuing Legal Education (CLE) presentations. Later this month, I’ll be in Little Rock speaking to a group of lawyers at the Bridging the Gap CLE which is designed, primarily, to help new lawyers bridge the gap between law school and real practice.
This year, the Arkansas Bar Association asked me if I’d film a short “commercial” of sorts that they could post on You Tube to spread the word about BTG. I have to be honest, I felt a bit weird doing it, but I agreed. You see, I’m used to talking to small or even large groups of people, but just staring into a camera and talking is not what I’m used to. I’m not sure how my friend Neile Jones over at KNWA does it.
Anyway, so here it is. My first ever video on You Tube. Hopefully, it doesn’t look too dorky! Click this link if you want to check it out. BaileyCommericial
Published by: David A. Bailey on October 5th, 2011 | Filed under Uncategorized
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Ironman Branson 70.3 and Meeting a Legend
Well, I survived! Last Sunday was Ironman 70.3 Branson. It was the race that I had vowed to do no matter what this year. The reason? I had signed up to do it last year but at the last minute decided not to do it. I had a health scare in 2010 that kept me from training, which led to a lot of weight gain and loss of fitness. I knew that Branson would be a tough, hilly course so I made the wise choice to sit it out last year. Even though I knew that sitting it out was the smart choice, it still hurt. I woke up race morning in a funk, knowing that I should have been out there.
So I had a decision to make. Either I could vow to never sign up for that race again or I could sign up and get back into training. I chose the latter and last December started the process of whipping my butt back into shape. It’s been a long and slow process with lots of bumps in the road, but I’m back to doing what I enjoy.
On race morning, I was standing in the long line at the porta-potty just before the race start. I was talking to a nice guy that I had met there, and we were just passing the time talking about triathlon races we had done. He mentioned doing several Ironman races back in the 80s. I asked him when his first Ironman race was, and he said 1978. I knew that was the year that Ironman got its start. Almost in disbelief, I asked him, “You were in Hawaii in 1978?” He replied, “Yes, I won it that year. I was the first Ironman.” He had told me his name earlier, but it didn’t ring a bell with me so I asked him again, “What did you say your name is?” “Gordon Haller,” he replied.
Then it all started coming back to me. I had heard his name on TV and the Internet before. I even remembered a picture I had seen of him that was from 1978. It was definitely him. He even still has the beard. I couldn’t believe that I had been standing there chatting it up with a legend. This unpretentious man was the winner of the very first Ironman triathlon, a feat which had never been done before. What’s more? He still races and is in great shape. Needless to say, I will continue to be inspired by Gordon.
Published by: David A. Bailey on September 20th, 2011 | Filed under Uncategorized
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Bailey Law Firm celebrates 15 years today
Well, it’s hard to believe that it all started 15 years ago today. The day after Labor Day in 1996 is the day that the Bailey Law Firm officially opened its doors. As I wasn’t even in the local phone book then, it was a pretty quiet day as I recall.
Thankfully, the practice has grown quite nicely over the past 15 years. God has blessed me, and I am thankful to Him.
I also wanted to thank all of my past and present clients which have supported me during all these years. I couldn’t have done it without them. I’m inviting the public to my Open House this Thursday, September 8th, from 10:00 to 2:00 to officially celebrate my anniversary as well as my return to practice after a two-year hiatus teaching.
Come join us if you can!
Published by: David A. Bailey on September 6th, 2011 | Filed under Uncategorized
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Ask the Law Professor column debuts
My new column called “Ask the Law Professor” made its debut recently in the Siloam Springs Herald Leader. For anyone who missed it, I’m posting it here.
I began my practice of law in Siloam Springs in September, 1996. In May of 2002, I became the City Prosecutor for Siloam Springs. Also in 2002, I began teaching as an Adjunct Law Professor for the University of Arkansas School of Law. In August 2009, I had the opportunity to teach full-time at the law school as a Visiting Professor. This summer I am completing my term as a full-time law professor and returning to my law firm here in Siloam Springs. Beginning this fall, I will resume teaching law school part-time as an Adjunct Law Professor.
Over the past two years, I have had the opportunity to engage in some scholarly writing, mostly aimed at other attorneys or law students. Now that I’m returning to the real practice of law, I thought it would be good to write a column from time to time to educate the public on things in the law which might be of help or interest.
I decided that because school will be resuming very soon, my first column should address the issue of passing a stopped school (or church) bus. Arkansas Code Annotated §27-51-1004 tells us what to do when we approach a stopped school bus. It says that “when a school bus stops and displays its alternating red warning lights for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers, every operator of a motor vehicle or motorcycle meeting or overtaking the school bus from any direction shall bring the motor vehicle or motorcycle to a complete stop before reaching the school bus.” That means that we as motorists must stop completely when we see a bus stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers. This applies regardless of whether we are approaching the bus from the front or the rear.
The statute also goes on to state that “the operator of the motor vehicle or motorcycle shall not start up or attempt to pass in any direction until the school bus vehicle has finished receiving or discharging its passengers and is in motion again.” This means that we cannot put our vehicles in motion until the flashing lights go out and the bus resumes its motion first.
As the City Prosecutor, I see far too many violations of this law. I know that most, if not all, violators of this law don’t intend to violate it. It’s almost always caused by inattentiveness or other distractions. I myself have almost violated it. However, the law is clear that a person can be guilty of this crime without having any malicious intent. It is what the law refers to as a “strict liability crime” meaning that if you do the act involved, you’re guilty regardless of your intent.
There is one exception to the requirement to stop when you see a stopped school bus. Arkansas Code Annotated §27-51-1005 states that if the bus is stopped on a “multiple lane highway” which is defined as having at least 4 lanes and at least 2 lanes in each direction, and the highway is divided by a parkway or dividing strip at least 20 feet in width, and if the bus is stopped on the other side of the dividing strip, then the driver of the approaching vehicle does not have to stop but must “proceed with due caution for the safety of children.”
The penalty for a violation of this law is pretty serious. Arkansas Code Annotated §27-51-1001 provides for a fine of at least $250 up to $1000 and/or up to 90 days in the county jail. The statute goes on to say that the court can also order up to 400 hours of community service and shall suspended your driver’s license for at least 21 days up to one year.
Owners of motor vehicles should also use caution when letting others drive their cars. The statute says that there is a rebuttable presumption that the registered owner of the vehicle which passed the stopped school bus was the driver at the time the violation occurred.
We must also follow the same rules regarding stopped school buses when we encounter a stopped church bus (Ark. Code Ann. §27-51-1104). I am writing this in hopes that we will all pay more attention and be on the lookout for school and church buses so we can protect our children.
If you have a legal question that you’d like to see me write about in this column, I invite you to submit it to me via my website www.baileylawfirmpa.com Click on the “Ask the lawyer” tab and fill out the form.
Published by: David A. Bailey on August 23rd, 2011 | Filed under Uncategorized
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Eureka Springs Multisport Festival
Well folks, it was a long and hilly weekend for me. Several months ago, I signed up for the 3-day Eureka Springs Multisport Festival. Friday afternoon was a short distance triathlon consisting of a 300 yard swim, 7 mile bike, and 2 mile run. Not bad. Just a nice warm up for Saturday.
6:30 a.m. Saturday began the 100 mile ride around Eureka Springs. I’ve done some long and tough rides, but this had to be the toughest bike ride I’ve ever done. There was every kind of hill you could imagine on this ride. Short steep ones, long gradual ones, false flats, you name it. I won’t lie to you. I thought about calling it a day a few times during the ride, but God pulled me through it. Case in point: around mile 85, I had a cleat malfunction on my bike shoes which meant I couldn’t get clipped in to my bike pedals and had no power to get up the last 15 miles of hills. I was standing on the side of the road pondering my dilemma when a Good Samaritan named Dennis came up with a bag of tools and the know-how to fix my cleat and get me back on the bike. Shortly before that, I had asked God to give me a sign as to whether he wanted me to pull the plug on the ride and call it a day. Well, he answered by sending me Dennis and getting me back on the bike for the last 15 miles of the ride.
Sunday morning at 7:45 (I got to sleep in a bit) was the final leg of the 3-day adventure: a 10K run on the beautiful but hilly Victorian Classic route in Eureka Springs. On tired legs, my friend Vince and I gutted it out and finished the run.
For all of us crazy enough to do all 3 days, we got HUGE medals and the recognition of being called “The Eurekan”. Now I just have to allow my legs to recover and get stronger for my Ironman 70.3 race in Branson in 5 weeks. Special thanks goes to my beautiful wife, Carla (shown in the picture with me). She has to get up just as early as I do, go to the race site with me, and then wait around for hours for me to finish. Believe me, that’s not easy. I’ve done it for others, and I’d much rather be out there on the race course. She’s a real trooper and the love of my life!
Published by: David A. Bailey on August 14th, 2011 | Filed under Uncategorized
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Will it ever rain again?
For those of us who can’t remember what clouds look like, I thought I’d include this picture with my post.
As I posted here a few months ago, I am in the process of finishing up my last semester as a full-time Visiting Law Professor at the University of Arkansas School of Law. In fact, I’ve already begun servicing my current clients and taking on new ones each week. I have to say that I have really enjoyed seeing some old familiar faces and meeting new ones.
Friends and family have asked me how I am adjusting to my return as a full-time practicing attorney and a part-time law professor. So far, it’s like the best of both worlds for me. I still get to enjoy my passion for teaching while at the same time I can help real clients with real legal needs.
I believe that God is the reason behind my recent career change. If you put your faith in Him, He will lay out the path with you are to follow. If you are obedient, He will surely meet your needs. That is not to say that you won’t have challenges along the way, but God will carry you through.
And, yes, it will rain again. Soon.
Published by: David A. Bailey on August 7th, 2011 | Filed under Uncategorized
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Under construction
What usually happens when you see one of those “under construction” icons on an Internet site?
That’s right — the site often remains under construction for an eternity (or close to one, at least).
Well, that’s not what’s going to happen here. Attorney David A. Bailey is wrapping up his last semester as a full time professor at the University of Arkansas and will rededicate his time to his practice in Siloam Springs.
He’s putting up this site in an attempt to both tell people in need of a lawyer a little bit about himself and to pass on useful information regarding what’s happening in the legal world.
Under construction? This site sure is, but check back soon for some substance. Promise.
