BD's

Tomorrow is Amy and my second anniversary, and since I'm leaving for California tomorrow, we decided to go out for dinner tonight. We went to one of our favorite restaurants for Amy's birthday, tonight, we hit the other one. Now, I'll be the first to admit, that usually, when I go to BD's, I usually get carried away and waaaaaay overeat. Tonight, though, I think I did pretty well.

Got in my usual resistance training this morning, as well as 30 minutes on both the recumbent bike and treadmill.

Dunno when the next update will be. Probably not tomorrow, as I'll be travelling until about 11P PST. Hopefully I'll get something posted by Wednesday night.

Diet Update

Breakfast 10/31:

• South Beach bar
• 8 oz light yogurt
• 1 banana
• 16 oz milk
• 8 oz water
• 14 oz tea
• 12 oz coffee

Lunch 10/31:

• Ham (3 oz) and baby swiss (1 oz) on multigrain bread w/mustard
• 6 oz salad w/~2 tbsp raspberry vinagrette
• 3 oz mixed veggies
• 1 apple
• 32 oz water

Afternoon Snack 10/31:

• 3 oz mixed veggies
• 32 oz water

Dinner 10/31 (BD's Mongolian Barbecue):

• ~5-6 oz beef
• 3 small flour tortillas
• ~10-12 oz salad w/bleu cheese dressing on the side
• 20 oz water

And a 5.5 oz glass of CabSauv for a nightcap.

Eh...

Add a 5.5 oz glass of Cabernet Sauvignon (Kelly's Revenge). Just the way I like it, tearing the taste buds off my tongue :)

Weight Update

Weight as of 10 PM 10/16: 216.5

Visiting the In-Laws

Amy and I went to Massillon over the weekend to visit Amy's parents. She hadn't been home since her birthday, and this was the first chance we got. Oh, and her high school football team's biggest game of the year was on Saturday, and it was televised. Couldn't miss that, now, could we?

I was a slug and didn't exercise this weekend. Just didn't have my heart in it.

This week should be challenging for me. I'm going to California on business, and I haven't completely figured out how I'm going to get my regular exercise and eat right. We'll have to see...

Diet Update

Breakfast 10/29:

• South Beach bar
• 12 oz milk
• 16 oz coffee
• 8 oz water

Lunch 10/29 (McDonald's):

• Quarter Pounder w/Cheese
• 6 oz salad w/~2 tbsp ranch dressing
• 4 oz mixed fruit
• 16 oz lemonade
• 16 oz coffee
• 16 oz water

Dinner 10/29:

• Quizno's 4" Cabo Chicken Sammich
• 4 oz salad w/~2 tbsp ranch dressing
• 16 oz water

Breakfast 10/30:

• South Beach bar
• 8 oz coffee
• 8 oz water
• 20 oz coffee

Lunch 10/30:

• ~1.5c hamburger casserole
• 6 oz salad w/~2 tbsp italian dressing
• 1 small croissant
• 1 apple

Dinner 10/30:

• Ham & Colby sammich
• ~10 oz salad w/honey mustard dressing
• 1 apple
• ~2 oz grapes
• 8 oz water

Evening 10/30:

• 16 oz coffee
• 12 oz OJ

Sleep Deprivation

I think the lack of sleep is catching up with me. I've been getting up at 5A pretty much every day in order to get to the gym, so I've only been getting about 4.5-5 hours of sleep each night. Gonna call it an early night tonight, and sleep in a bit tomorrow.

Got my resistance training in this morning, as well as a full 30 minutes on both the recumbent bike and treadmill.

Diet Update

Breakfast 10/28:

• South Beach bar
• 8 oz light yogurt
• 1 apple
• 12 oz milk
• 30 oz water
• 20 oz coffee

Lunch 10/28:

• 10 oz salad w/ ~2tbsp balsamic vinagrette
• 3 oz mixed veggies
• 3 oz grapes
• 32 oz water

Afternoon Snack 10/28:

• 3 oz mixed veggies

Dinner 10/28:

• ~1 c beef stew (beef, carrots, potatoes, onion, celery, Golden Mushroom soup
• 1/4 c (precooked) rice
• 8 oz salad w/~2 tbsp italian dressing
• 3 oz fresh pineapple
• 12 oz milk

Ugh, the gym...

So, for some reason, the gym kicked my butt today. I did 30 minutes on both the recumbent bike and treadmill, and I thought I was going to pass out! Evidently walking through the neighborhood at a fast clip doesn't do as much as working out at the gym...

Diet Update

Breakfast 10/27:

• South Beach bar
• 8 oz light yogurt
• 3 oz grapes
• 12 oz milk
• 20 oz coffee
• 30 oz water

Lunch 10/27:

• Ham (3 oz) and swiss (1 oz) on multigrain bread w/mustard
• 6 oz salad w/raspberry vinagrette
• 3 oz grapes
• 4 oz mixed veggies
• 32 oz water

Afternoon Snack 10/27:

• 4 oz mized veggies
• 32 oz water

Dinner 10/27 (Max & Erma's):

• Large Third Street Salad (chicken removed)
• 6 oz fish
• ~2 oz fries
• ~2 oz cole slaw
• ~25 oz iced tea

Weekly Checkup

I had my weekly checkup today at McConnell. They were again happy with my progress (I've dropped about 5 lbs since last week). I also found out that I'm clear to drink the occasional glass of wine, so long as it doesn't affect my weight loss. In addition, I did my resistance training and 30 minutes on the recumbent bike. No walk tonight, I'm tired...

Diet Update

Breakfast 10/26:
South Beach bar
3 oz white grapes
8 oz yogurt
30 oz water
20 oz coffee

Morning Snack 10/26:
4 oz red grapes
10 oz coffee

Lunch 10/26 (Wendy's):>
Jr Cheeseburger Deluxe
Spring Mix Salad w/2 tbsp creamy ranch dressing
fruit cup
20 oz iced tea
32 oz water

Afternoon Snack 10/26:
4 oz mixed veggies
3 oz white grapes

Dinner 10/26 (Boston Market):
Meatloaf (~6 oz)
Mashed potatoes (~4 oz) w/gravy
~3 oz green beans
Caesar salad, no dressing
20 oz Minute Maid lemonade

A Clarification

A few weeks ago, I made the comment that "South Beach bars taste like ass." I'm happy to report that my initial observation was too general. The South Beach bars that I first tried, I believe they were the "meal replacement bars," did indeed taste like ass, but I've had the opportunity now to try two flavors of the "breakfast bars" and am very happy to report that they do not, in fact, taste like ass. They're remarkably good in fact. I've had the chocolate flavored bars, and now I'm mowing my way through the maple nut bars, and they're pretty darned good. A little dry for my taste, but with a glass of milk, very good.

I slept in again today, this time until 5:30A, and only had time to walk for a half hour. Amy and I walked the remaining half hour together before dinner tonight. It's cold and rainy here in Columbus, not sure why I haven't been going to the gym, it's perfect weather for it...

Diet Update

Breakfast 10/25:
South Beach bar
12 oz milk
3 oz grapes
8 oz yogurt
24 oz water
14 oz coffee

Lunch 10/25:
Roast beast (3 oz) and swiss (1 oz) on multigrain bread w/mustard
6 oz salad w/ 2 tbsp raspberry vinagrette
3 oz mixed fruit
4 oz mixed veggies
32 oz water

Afternoon Snack 10/25:
4 oz mixed veggies
32 oz water

Dinner 10/25:
3.5 oz turkey sausage
~1 cup Lipton Stroganoff Pasta Side
4 oz mixed veggies
4 oz fresh pineapple
6 oz salad w/ 2 tbsp italian dressing
12 oz milk

Doctor Visit

I had a doctor appointment today, so I didn't go to the gym. However, I still got up at 5A and did my resistance training on the Bowflex, followed by a 30 minute brisk walk. It was too cold to go any longer! The doctor was pleased with my progress. I'm down about 10-11 pounds since I last saw her.

We had an "All Hands" meeting today over lunch, with lunch provided. I elected to have my own lunch, because I figured that there wouldn't be any healthy choices. And I was right: pizza and cookies. Glad I packed...

Breakfast 10/24:
South Beach bar
8 oz yogurt
1 apple
40 oz water
20 oz coffee

Lunch 10/24:
Roast beast (3 oz) and swiss (1 oz) sammich on multigrain bread w/mustard
6 oz salad w/raspberry vinagrette
4 oz mized veggies

Afternoon Snack 10/24:
1 apple
4 oz mixed veggies
32 oz water

Dinner 10/24:
4 oz chicken breast
~ 1 cup (cooked) rice
6 oz salad w/ 2 tbsp italian dressing
4 oz mixed veggies
3 oz fresh pineapple (yum!)
12 oz milk

Oh yeah, Amy and I walked an additional 30 minutes tonight.

Weight Update

Weight as of 10 PM 10/16: 218.5

Lazier Sunday :)

If possible, today was lazier than yesterday! While there weren't naps today, I don't think we did nearly as much as we did yesterday. Again, no formal exercise, but we got out of the house. Had lunch at Camille's Sidewalk Cafe up on Polaris, went grocery shopping, and mowed the front lawn. That's about it. Watched football, and am learning to use JavaScript. How's that for lazy!

Diet Update

Breakfast 10/23
South Beach bar
20 oz coffee
8 oz water

Lunch 10/23 (Camille's Sidewalk Cafe):
Poblano Chicken Natu-Wrap
House Salad w/ balsamic vinagrette
24 oz iced tea

Dinner 10/23:
4 oz pork chop
~3/4 cup teriyaki rice
6 oz salad w/ 2 tbsp ranch dressing
4 oz green beans w/ onions and garlic
12 oz milk

I'll also have 4 oz pineapple later tonight, and probably some water. I never got around to the pineapple, which was good since I had a doctor appointment the next day and needed to be fasting!

Today is "weight update day," look for an update later tonight.

Lazy Saturday

Looks like I forgot to update yesterday. Oops.

Yesterday was a very lazy day. I slept in late (well, late for me), then joined Amy at Otterbein's campus for their Homecoming festivities for a while. Amy is an alumnus of Otterbein and had attended the parade. She called me for an event called "A Taste of Westerville" where a bunch of local restaurants and caterers came to sell samples of their regular wares. We looked around and settled for fish and chips from a pub called Old Bag 'o Nails. Very tasty!

The rest of the afternoon was spent watching football, napping, and playing on the computer. We had intended to have dinner at home, but somehow we forgot to take something out of the freezer. So, since I had a taste for a burger, we went to Red Robin. After dinner, off to see Corpse Bride. Not as good as I had hoped, unfortunately...

Diet Update

Breakfast 10/22:
South Beach bar
12 oz milk
8 oz water

Lunch 10/22, Part 1 (Old Bag 'o Nails):
~4 oz fish (I'm assuming cod or somesuch)
a few (3 or 4) french fries
12 oz water
Part 2 (back at home):
6 oz salad w/ ~2 tbsp raspberry vinagrette
3 oz grapes
16 oz coffee
24 oz water

Dinner 10/22 (Red Robin):
Bleu Ribbon Burger (I asked the waitress to not even bring be fries)
~6 oz salad w/ bleu cheese dressing on the side
30 oz water

Evening Snack 10/22:
12 oz coffee

Did you know that Red Robin doesn't have a dinner-sized garden salad? I went through several hoops to get a large salad. Fortunately, the waitress was a good sport and brought me what I asked for. Yes, I tipped her well.

Blackmail!

Hmmmm.... my friend, Ken has provided all the incentive I'll ever need to lose the weight and keep it off...

Mmmmmm..... Quiznos!

How do I love thee, oh Quizno's? Let me count the ways.

I love Quizno's. There, I've said it. I love Quizno's. They have the best subs, hands down. Subway can't touch them. Only thing I've had that has been close is Firehouse Subs, and that's down in South Carolina, so I won't get much of a chance to compare. But, that's OK, because I love Quizno's.

Got in a full workout today. Both resistance and cardio. I booked 30 min. on the recumbent bike, but only 15 min. on the treadmill.

Diet Update

Breakfast 10/21:
South Beach Bar
12 oz milk
8 oz light yogurt
1 apple
30 oz water
20 oz coffee

Lunch 10/21 (Quizno's):
Quizno's Cabo Chicken sammich, small (~4")
Largish garden salad, ~4 oz
16 oz iced tea
32 oz water

Afternoon Snack 10/21:
1 apple

Dinner 10/21 (Panera):
1/2 Frontega Chicken sammich
Classic Cafe salad
large fruit cup
8 oz water

Long Day

What a long day! Training til 4:30PM, then sticking around until 7:15PM working with a consultant on a customization for our test case manager. Oof! But, it was productive, we got everything ironed out, and the training should be pretty helpful in the long run.

Got a half hour in on the recumbent bike this morning, plus a half hour on the treadmill. I bumped up the incline from the beginning today, and picked up the pace for the last 15 minutes. I think I'll try the higher pace from the beginning tomorrow morning.

Diet Update

Breakfast 10/20:
South Beach Bar (Chocolate, MUCH better than the other ones!)
8 oz light yogurt
1 apple
20 oz coffee
30 oz water

Lunch 10/20:
6 oz rib-eye (left overs from from last night)
6 oz baked potato (more left overs)
6 oz salad w/2 tbsp raspberry vinagrette
3 oz mixed veggies
8 oz coffee
32 oz water

Afternoon Snack 10/20:
1 apple
4 oz coffee

Dinner 10/20:
3 oz chicken breast
3 oz rice
6 oz salad w/2 tbsp ranch dressing
3 oz cukes
10 oz OJ

Good Tom (sorta)

Today is Amy's birthday. I won't tell you how old she is, but sufficient to say she is a mere babe in the woods next to yours truly. Anyhow, she asked to go to Texas Roadhouse for her birthday dinner, with a trip to Graeter's afterward. Me being me, and Texas Roadhouse having the best rib-eye in the world, and Graeter's having the best frozen deserts anywhere, I took her where she wanted to go. Now, normally, I'd pig out, but I planned ahead and I think I did well. Of course, that's until we got to Graeter's. I hadn't planned to have anything, but they had apple cider sorbet, which sounded too good not to try. And it was better than anything I've ever had there. But again, I tried to be good, as you'll see below.

Diet Update

Breakfast 10/19:
South Beach bar
8 oz light yogurt
1 apple
8 oz water
16 oz coffee

Lunch 10/19:
Roast beast (3 oz) and swiss (1 oz) on multigrain bread w/mustard
6 oz salad w/ ~2 tbsp raspberry vinagrette
3 oz mixed veggies
32 oz water

Afternoon Snack 10/19:
3 oz grapes
6 oz mixed veggies

Dinner 10/19 (Texas Roadhouse):
Side salad (~4 oz) w/ bleu cheese dressing on the side
~1/2 cup green beans
~6 oz rib-eye steak (about half of the steak)
~6 oz baked potato w/ butter (about half the potato)
~20 oz water

Dessert (Graeter's):
1/2 scoop apple cider sorbet (I'm guessing ~2 oz?)

You'll notice that I only ate half my steak, half my potato, and half my sorbet. The steak and potato will be lunch or dinner later on, the sorbet had to go bye-bye. BTW, if you live near a Graeter's, try their apple cider sorbet. It's awesome!

Check-Up

I had a check-up today at the McConnell center. Both Michelle (exercise physiologist) and Cheryl (dietician) told me that I'm doing well. Cheryl was happy with my meal choices, especially during vacation. Makes a guy feel pretty good :)

Went to the gym this morning at my usual 5:30AM time. Did my resistance training, walked a treadmill for 30 minutes and rode the recumbent bike for 20.

Stressful Day

Today was a pretty stressful one. There were layoffs today, and there were issues with one of the projects on which I am working. But, I'm happy to say, I didn't lapse into any "stress eating".

I had an appointment with a vampire this morning, so I didn't go to the gym. Instead, I took a very brisk hour long walk, which made up for it.

Diet Update

Breakfast 10/18:
South Beach Bar
8 oz light yogurt
3 oz mixed veggies
32 oz water
16 oz coffee

I also sucked down 32 oz water during my morning work hours

Lunch 10/18:
Roast beast (3 oz) and swiss (1 oz) on multigrain bread w/mustard
6 oz romaine lettuce w/ 2 tbsp raspberry vinagrette
3 oz carrots

Afternoon Snack 10/18:
32 oz water
4 oz apple sauce

Dinner 10/18:
1 Johnsonville brat
~1 cup Lipton Pasta Sides, Buttered Noodles
6 oz romaine salad w/ ~2 tbsp ranch dressing
3 oz mixed veggies
12 oz milk

Visit with Ray

As part of the program at McConnell, I will have visits with Ray, who will help me get to the emotional roots of my eating, and possibly exercise, habits. The cool thing about McConnell is that in addition to helping me understand the hows of healthy living, they'll help me understand the whys of where I've been going wrong. Good stuff.

Diet Update

Breakfast 10/17:
South Beach Bar
12 oz milk
30 oz water

Morning Snack 10/17:
8 oz light yogurt
1 apple
20 oz coffee
32 oz water

Lunch 10/17:
Roast beast (3 oz) and swiss (1 oz) on multigrain bread w/mustard
3 oz carrots
6 oz romaine lettuce w/2 tbsp raspberry vinagrette
32 oz water

Afternoon Snack 10/17:
3 oz mixed veggies

Dinner 10/17:
Shrimp (4 oz), veggies (~2 oz) and ramen noodles (1 pack)
6 oz salad
12 oz OJ

Back to the Gym

Quick update during lunch today. The back feels better today, I guess I needed a good night's sleep. I got up and went to the gym this morning. It wasn't as hard as I thought it might be. I got in my resistance training routine this morning, as well as 30 minutes on the treadmill and 20 on the recumbent bike. I'm not saying that I'm a morning person by any means, but I kind of like getting it out of the way first thing, it frees up my evenings.

Diet update to come at the end of the day today.

Weight Update

Weight as of 10 PM 10/16: 223.0

Last Day of Vacation

Today was the last day for vacation. I ended up hurting my back uprooting some tomatoes, so I didn't walk today, but tomorrow morning, bright and early, I'll be hitting the gym once again.

Diet Update

Breakfast 10/16:
South Beach bar (yup, still tastes like ass)
20 oz coffee
8 oz water

Lunch 10/16 (the local Chinese restaurant):
1 cup wonton soup
Kung Pao Chicken (I had a lunch-sized portion, and ate about 3/4 of it)
fried rice (about 1/4 cup, I left most of it on my plate)
1 crab rangoon
12 oz can Minute Maid Lemonade

Snack 10/16:
12 oz milk
a few slices of cucumber

Dinner 10/16:
2 ham slices, about 2 oz
~ 1 cup Lipton Pasta Sides, Parmesan
6 oz salad w/ ~ 2 tbsp raspberry vinagrette
3 oz grapes
3 oz carrots
12 oz milk
8 oz water

Tomorrow is back to work day, which means that my meals ought to become more routine (well, except dinner, that is).

A Second Reception

There was a second reception for the wedding we went to last weekend. This one was held near Cleveland, OH. The reason for the second reception is that many of the wedding couple's family and friends are located in OH and couldn't make the main event. More good food to be had!

Diet Update

Breakfast 10/15:
South Beach Bar (still tastes like ass, sorry all you SB folk...)
20 oz coffee

Lunch 10/15 (Cracker Barrel):
Apple Harvest Grilled Chicken Salad (told you I'd get another one)
1/2 cup green beans
20 oz iced tea

Dinner 10/15 (wedding reception):
more veggies than I ever thought I could eat in one sitting, about 16 oz
small salad, about 4 oz
3 oz chicken
1 cabbage roll (about 2 oz meat)
about 1/2 cup long grain brown rice
1 roll w/ butter
30 oz soda water
24 oz coffee

Snack:
about 20 flour tortilla chips w/ a sprinkle of cheese
12 oz water

That salad from Cracker Barrel ROCKS!!! I'm gonna write to them to encourage them to continue to make good stuff...

Home Again

Finally made it home from out adventures about 7PM tonight. What a trip! We left Va Beach late Thursday morning, made it through DC just at the beginning of rush hour, and spent Thursday night with friends of ours in Maryland. Today, we made the long trip home. It took us about 11.5 hours, but we stopped for meals along the way, and bagged a few caches, too.

More good food was ours for the munching Thursday morning and evening. Steve and Marie Louise cooked up a great breakfast at the cottage, and Ken made some veggie quesedillas that'd make the most hardcore carnivore salivate.

Diet Update

Breakfast 10/13 (Barclay Cottage):
Mixed fruit (melons and berries), about 3 oz total
Pumpkin bread, one medium slice, with 1 tsp butter
1-1/2 LARGE banana nut pancakes, topped with bananas, and about 1 tbsp maple syrup (no butter)
3 rashers bacon
20 oz coffee
8 oz water

additional 20 oz coffee while driving

Lunch 10/13 (Cracker Barrel):
Apple Harvest Grilled Chicken Salad (see below)
1/2 cup apple sauce
1/2 cup green beans
20 oz iced tea

Dinner 10/13:
1 spinach & bean quesedilla
~ 10 corn chips w/ mango salsa
1 brownie, w/ ~2 oz Starbucks low fat latte (yum, yum and double yum!)

Breakfast 10/14 (McDonalds):
Sausage biscuit w/ cheese
Hash brown
16 oz coffee
8 oz water

Snack (McDonalds):
1/2 Apple-Walnut salad
16 oz coffee

Lunch 10/14 (Burger King, yeah, we ate well, didn't we...):
Spicy Chicken sammich
Large garden salad w/ ~1 tbsp light italian dressing
16 oz iced tea

Dinner 10/14 (Max & Erma's):
Side tossed salad w/ bleu cheese dressing on the side
Fish & chips (I ate two of the three fillets, and less than half the fries)
~ 1/2 cup cole slaw
36 oz iced tea

I certainly didn't eat the best I could have, but I'm pretty happy that I ate better than I normally would have. Weigh in on Sunday night will tell the tale.

By the way, if you go to Cracker Barrel, try their Apple Harvest Grilled Chicken Salad. Wow, was that good! It had a grilled chicken breast, about 3 oz of meat, a whole apple, grapes colby cheese and about 8 oz of lettuce, and it comes with an apple cider/raspberry vinagrette dressing. Way killer! I may have to convince Amy do have lunch or dinner there this weekend, just so I can have another. It's seasonal, so get it while you can!

Virginia Beach - Day 2

We spent a full day in Virginia Beach today. We had a latish breakfast with the proprietors of Barclay Cottage, Marie Louise and Steve, then read a bit, walked to the shore, and then cached most of the rest of the day. This evening, we went out and saw the Wallace and Grommit movie. I'm looking forward to seeing it again on DVD, when I can pause the movie and catch a lot of the in-jokes. Good movie, go see it.

I wasn't so good with the diet today. There was way too much good food. I wasn't too bad, though, not nearly as bad as I could have been.

Breakfast 10/12 (Barclay Cottage):
Large waffle with fruit and fresh whipped cream
2 sausage links (about 1 oz total)
24 oz coffee
8 oz water
8 oz OJ

Lunch 10/12 (Subway):
6" Chicken Bacon sub on Parmesan Oregan bread w/ lettuce, onion, tomato, cheese and mustard
8 oz salad w/ ranch dressing
16 oz iced tea

Dinner 10/12 (Purple Cow Diner, recommended by Steve):
Bleu Cheese Burger (about 1/4 lb), with lettuce, onion and tomato
about 6 oz fries (I left over half on my plate, thank you)
16 oz iced tea

It should be noted that both Marie Louise and Steve were spot-on with their food recommendations. They picked two wikkid good restaurants!

Virginia Beach, VA

Amy and I are staying at the Barclay Cottage in Virgina Beach, VA. It's a nice little place about 2 blocks from the beach, which appears to be completely public access, at least as far as we could see in the admittedly dim twilight. We did some more caching today, and got more exercise than yesterday doing so. But, there's not a lot of exercise you can do and still drive about 4.5 hours. Some very good food here in Virginia Beach. We ate at a place called Watermans, recommended by Marie Louise, one of the proprietors here at the B&B, for the She Crab Soup. We gave it a try, and it was pretty tasty. Actually, it was all pretty tasty.

Breakfast 10/11 (continental breakfast at Wingate Hotel):
Sausage patty on a toasted english muffin
1 apple
8 oz milk
6 oz yogurt
20 oz coffee

Lunch 10/11 (Wendy's):
Wendy's Jr. Cheeseburger
Wendy's Spring Mix Salad
Fruit Cup (~6 oz)
16 oz iced tea

Dinner 10/11 (Watermans):
Side salad
1/2 cup She Crab soup
~4 oz blackened mahi mahi
~1 cup garlic mashed potatoes
~1 cup snow peas

Greensboro, NC

Sitting in a Wingate hotel in Greensboro, NC, and have internet access for the evening. Woo-hoo! Don't have to go scrambling around town looking for wireless.

Got some exercise today, did a little caching. Probably not as much as I needed to do, but we got out of the car. I think I did better with my food today, too. Yesterday was as controlled as I could be, considering we went to a wedding and reception.

Diet Update

Lunch 10/9 (Wendy's):
Wendy's Jr. Cheeseburger
Wendy's Spring Mix Salad
Fruit Cup (~6 oz)
16 oz iced tea

Dinner 10/9 (Mutt's Restaurant, Wedding Reception):
~ 3 oz roast beef
2 pork ribs
~ .5 oz chicken fingers
fried mac & cheese (maybe .5 oz)
fried corn nuggets (maybe .5 oz)
9 oz mixed veggies
1 small roll
1 small slice of cake

Breakfast 10/10 (continental breakfast at Days Inn):
1 raisin bagel w/ 1 oz cream cheese
8 oz apple juice
8 oz milk
12 oz coffee

Lunch 10/10 (Sonic):
Tuscan Chicken Sammich
4 onion rings
Side salad w/popcorn chicken (no dressing)
16 oz strawberry limeade

Dinner 10/10 (Cheddars):
1 cup baked potato soup
3 oz charbroiled tilapia w/ mango salsa
1/4 cup white rice
1/2 cup cole slaw
1/2 cup green beans
1 chocolate chip cookie
20 oz iced tea

Clemson, SC

I found an WiFi hot spot in, of all things, a Starbucks in a BiLo grocery store in Clemson, SC. Amy and I are in nearby Seneca for a wedding of one if her college roomies (she's the Matron of Honor). Amy is getting all gussied up, so I've got some time to kill. I thought I'd update the blog while I have the time.

Only one day into my vacation, and I've been bad already. Sigh. I just don't have will power. If there isn't food around, I'm OK not going out to find any. But if it's sitting on the table in front of me, it's tough to not just keep shovelling it in.

Diet Update

Dinner 10/7 (Wendy's):
Spicy Chicken Sammich
side salad with as little light ranch dressing as I could stand, about 1 tbsp
20 oz iced tea

Breakfast 10/8 (continental breakfast at the Days Inn in Jellico, TN):
1 english muffin with 1 tbsp margarine
4 oz peaches
8 oz milk
6 oz yogurt
8 oz coffee
16 oz water

Lunch 10/8 (Firehouse Subs in Easley, SC):
8" sub w/roast beaf (~3 oz), chicken (~3 oz), lettuce, onion and tomato (~2 oz total) and ~ 2 tbsp mayo
4-5 Baked Lays chips
40 oz iced tea

Dinner 10/8 (Rehearsal dinner for the wedding at a mexican restaurant):
20-30 tortilla chips w/ salsa
fajitas (beef & chicken, ~3 oz each) w/ onion & pepper (~2 oz total)
2 flour tortillas
~1/4 cup refried beans
~1/4 cup mexican rice
30 oz iced tea

Looking back, I could have been a lot worse. The big problem is the same one I've had all along, very little in the way of fruits and veggies.

Breakfast 10/9 (continental breakfast at Days Inn in Seneca, SC):
1 english muffin with 1 tbsp butter
24 oz coffee
8 oz OJ
8 oz water

And I'm sucking down a 16 oz coffee here at the Starbucks.

Diet Update

Lunch:
Turkey (2 oz) and colby (1 oz) on multi-grain bread w/1 tbsp mustard
3 oz carrots
32 oz water

Snack:
3 oz red seedless grapes
32 oz water

South Beach Bars

My apologies to any one who did a search for "South Beach" and ended up here. Please move along...

South Beach bars taste like ass. Well, not exactly like ass. Mine tasted like peanut-buttery, chocolaty ass. However, the dietician at McConnell assured me that they "taste good" and would make me feel more full than the more tasty but evidently less healthy chewy granola bar. Well, it did make me feel more full, I'll give her that much. Maybe the full-on chocolate bars won't taste as much like ass. I doubt it, though.

Mexican went over pretty well last night, with the exception that I got sort of carried away with the iced tea. I didn't think I'd be able to sleep after as much as I had, but within 10 minutes of going to bed, I was sawing logs.

Worked out again this morning. Did my resistance training, plus about 45 minutes of cardio stuff. I would have gone longer, but I forgot my water bottle, and I felt and dehydrated and didn't want to hurt myself by pushing. Incidently, it occurs to me that I haven't disclosed my resistance training. All exercises listed below are done in one set of 10 - 15 reps:

• Leg Press
• Leg Curl
• Chest Press
• Shoulder Press
• Lat Pull Down
• Seated Row
• Bicep Curl
• Tricep Press

I'm not going to embarass myself by listing the weights I'm using. Suffice to say, I'm a girly man, at least right now.

Diet Update

Dinner 10/6
Chicken fajitas (about 6 oz meat, 1 oz veggies, 3 smallish fajita tortillas)
~ 1/3 cup Mexican rice
~ 1/3 cup refried beans with < 1 oz cheese as a garnish
10-15 tortilla chips
~ 2 tbsp guacamole
~ 60 oz iced tea (told you I drank a lot of iced tea)

Breakfast 10/7:
South Beach bar (peanut butter and chocolate flavor)
8 oz milk
20 oz water
8 oz light yogurt
1 apple

Incidently, updates will be sporadic. The wife and I are going on vacation. I'll have internet access from time to time, but not consistently.

First Real Test - Mexican

I'm going out to dinner tonight with some co-workers and the visitors that have been in at work all week. We're going to a great Mexican place down the street. This should be a pretty good test of my willpower. Little or no cheese, small numbers of tortilla chips (a personal weakness) and no guacamole or sour cream. I'd imagine that I should also be careful of the amount of rice I eat, which will be difficult because I'm not a fan of refried beans. Well, we'll see how I do.

Lunch:
Turkey (2 oz) & Colby (1 oz) sammich on multi-grain bread
3 oz green pepper
32 oz water

Snack:
1 apple
32 oz iced tea

Busy day yesterday

Yesterday was quite busy, and when I finally got a chance to update, I couldn't connect to blogger. Hmmm... Oh, well.

I had my first check-in yesterday. It went pretty well. I found out that I'm not eating enough! The dietician estimated that I was eating around 1400 calories instead of the 1800-2000 that I was supposed to be. She gave be a sample daily diet, plus information on substituting foods, proper portion sizes, and eating out. Good stuff!

Diet Updates

Breakfast 10/5:
1 apple
8 oz light yogurt
20 oz water
16 oz coffee

Lunch 10/5:
Turkey (2 oz) & Colby (1 oz) sammich on multi-grain bread
3 oz carrots
32 oz water
12 oz coffee

Snack:
3 oz grapes

Dinner 10/5:
3 oz ham
2/3 cup mac and cheese
6 oz salad w/ 1 tbsp italian dressing
8 oz milk
26 oz water

Breakfast 10/6:
1 chewy granola bar
8 oz milk
1 apple
8 oz yogurt

Gotta run, I'm late for doing real work...

Tuesday Night Update

I skipped the gym tonight, we were supposed to have the siding guy out to the house, but he never showed. Grrrrrrr.... But, I got a very brisk hour long walk this evening to make up for it.

Dinner and Snack:
~ 1 c beef stew
3 oz egg noodles
3 oz carrots
6 oz salad mix
1 tbsp italian dressing
8 oz OJ
24 oz water
6 whole wheat crackers (Ritz)
1 oz cheese (Hoffman's cheddar)
24 oz water

Diet Update

Lunch:
Turkey (2 oz) and colby (1oz) sammich on whole grain bread w/1 tbsp mustard
2 oz green pepper
32 oz water

Snack:
1 apple
16 oz chamomile tea

Boing, Boing, Boing....

Went to Starbucks with our out of town guests this morning, and got myself a 20 oz cup of coffee. I'm a little strung out right now.

BTW, our guests are from the Seattle area, and tell me that Starbucks is nowhere near the best coffee in the area. Evidently the smaller shops are much better.

Bad Tom...

Slept in this morning instead of hitting the gym. No problem, except that I had forgotten that we have guests at work today, so I'll probably be working a bit late. Additionally, I have to be home by 6P to meet with the company that sided our house. Hmmm... not a lot of time for exercise. I'll have to walk the neighborhood tonight after dark. Bummer.

Diet Update

Breakfast:
1 apple
8 oz light yogurt
40 oz water
16 oz coffee

Oof

I did another full hour of exercising this afternoon. Only 10 minutes on the elliptical (still can't get comfortable on that machine), 30 minutes on the treadmill, and 20 on the stationary bike (all of the recumbants were booked, and my butt was falling asleep).

Dinner:
3 oz chicken breast
3 oz carrots
2/3 cup Lipton Pasta Sides, Chicken flavor
6 oz salad mix
1 tbsp ranch dressing
12 oz apple cider

Odds are good I'll drink 12 oz milk before bed.

Diet Update

Lunch:

Turkey (2oz) and Colby (1oz) on multi-grain bread, w/ 1 tbsp mustard (Guldens)
3 oz carrots
32 oz water

I'll log my afternoon snacking, as well, as long as I'm here:

1 apple
3 oz mixed veggies (carrots and green pepper)
16 oz water

Well, that didn't last long

16 oz coffee
32 oz water

Weight Update

I've been told that I should weigh myself at the same time of day whenever I choose to do so, and that I shouldn't weigh myself often. So, I'm choosing 10PM on Sunday nights. I don't have a baseline yet, since I've only been weighed fully clothed with all of my gear on my person. So, this first weigh-in serves as my baseline.

Weight as of 10PM 10/2: 225.5

Diet and Exercise Updates

Breakfast:
1 apple
8 0z yogurt
22 oz water

(I'm going to see how the day goes without coffee.)

Exercise:
This morning, I did my resistance circuit, plus 30 mins on the recombinant bike (hr ~145).

Got up at 5AM to start the day. Gonna try it again tomorrow, the gym doesn't seem so busy that early in the morning.

Daily Meal Guidelines

Here's what the Health Center wants me to eat each day. They said I should be following either a 1800 or 2000 cal diet, so I'll post both:

Calories	1800	2000
Grains and starchy vegetables	7 servings	7 servings
Fruit	4 servings	4 servings
Vegetables	4 servings	5 servings
Dairy	3 servings	3 servings
Lean meat and meat alternatives	6 oz	8 oz
Fats	3 servings	3 servings

Of course, this begs the question, "What's a serving?" Well, that's something I'm still trying to figure out. Depends on the food. What I'm bummed about is the paltry amount of meat allowed. Only 8 oz!? Well, there goes a good steak! Plus, get this, green beans are a "meat alternative" (yep, they're a legume). Hmmmm.... am I going to eat a hunk of beef or some green beans? Lemme think about that....

Sheesh!

I have been completely unable to log in for the last 24 hours or so. What gives?

Diet Update:

Dinner 10/1

• Beef fajita w/onions and peppers
• 8 oz apple juice
• 2/3 cup mexican-style rice
• 24 oz water

Breakfast 10/2

• 1 apple
• 24 oz coffee
• 20 oz water

Lunch 10/2

• Grilled tomato & cheese sammich (colby jack cheese, mmmmmmm)
• 3 oz pepper
• 3 oz carrots
• 8 oz apple cider

Snack 10/2

• 3 oz red seedless grapes
• 2 oz stale popcorn (I was hungry, dammit!)
• 36 oz water

Dinner 10/2

• 1 Johnsonville brat w/ 1 tbsp mustard
• 2 cups salad, 1 tbsp italian dressing
• 1 c Lipton Pasta Sides, Stroganoff

Did some more caching today. We found 11 in all, all of which were placed by our pals, the dreamer'sspykids. They're a great family we met "in the wild" earlier this summer.

Exercise, sort of...

Not planning on going the the gym today, but Amy and I got some exercise anyway. We went caching today, picked up a fairly easy four caches. The ones we picked up didn't require as much walking as usual, so we will probably need to go out and walk the neighborhood tonight to get the blood pumping.

Diet Update

Breakfast:
1 apple
~ 24 oz coffee
8 oz water

Yeah, I could probably have eaten more this morning (I'll have to publish my daily diet plan at some point), but I'm thinking I might need the extra portions later in the day (we're not always the best eaters on the weekends).

Lunch:
Ham and swiss sammich
2 cups salad with about 2 tsp italian dressing
36 oz water
8 oz milk