Nicole came over yesterday to teach me a new workout routine. Every month or two she introduces two new routines. I really like the new ones this month. They are very challenging and are varied enough that I don’t get bored. I enjoy exercising much more now that I know the proper way to do things and can feel when I’m working out in the right way. My hamstrings and abs are really sore today!
I had a wonderful massage from Julie Webster yesterday…unfortunately it was BEFORE my hard workout with Nicole! I could have used another one AFTER Nicole left!
Joelle, my wellness coach, and I talked this morning. We have been working on replacing the “comfort” that I try to get from food with healthier activities. Every week Joelle helps me set small, obtainable goals. This method is already showing results after only two weeks!
I’m going on a road trip all next week, so this week’s focus is a little different. I know that I’ll be eating lots of fast food on the trip, so I need to be ready for it. Joelle suggested I go online and check out the nutrition info for some of the most common places we will probably be stopping at. Then I can make some tough decisions even before I pull up in the drive thru.
For Instance: McDonald (I’m traveling with my kids, so there is no getting around this one!)
My “usual” order:
Breakfast: 2 (Yes, 2! I’m being very honest these days, remember!) bacon egg and cheese biscuits & a large coke 1,150 calories and 54 grams of fat (And that’s just breakfast people!)
Lunch: Big Mac Value Meal (Not supersized! I’m on a diet!) 1,350 Calories and 54 grams of fat
Dinner: Caesar Salad with Crispy Chicken (Got to eat a few veggies!) & a McFlurry with Oreos 1,070 Calories and 52 grams of fat
Daily Total: 3,570 Calories and 160 grams of fat!
In my defense, I’ve never eaten this much in a day…have I?
Better Options:
Breakfast: Egg McMuffin 300 Calories and 12 grams of fat
Lunch: side salad with balsamic vinegrette dressing , fruit and yogurt parfait with granola 220 Calories, 5 grams of fat
Dinner: Hamburger Happy Meal with apple dippers 515 Calories, 20 grams of fat
Total: 1,035 Calories, 37 grams of fat
Okay, I know, that’s a lot of fat. But let’s get real here, I’m not very well going to smell my families’ wonderful cheeseburgers and eat a handful of celery sticks! Just like I know I will be drinking lots of diet soda…I need the caffeine when I’m driving! I know it’s not healthy, but I will be drinking it! That’s what has gotten me in trouble before… all or nothing…starve and deprive your self or overindulge. Having the information before hand and making the choices in advance will allow me to enjoy myself and not dread getting on the scale when I arrive home.
In other news, I’ve had great success with including my family in my workouts. My husband and sister have both jumped in to help me. My sister is even going to do a simple cleanse* with me when I return from vacation to get all that crap I’ve eaten out of my system!
While I’m out of town I’ll be posting some great articles written by my “Shrink Partners.” See you in a few days!
*We will be doing a 5-7 day cleanse called USANA Reset. You drink 3 protein shakes per day and eat fresh fruits and veggies. This way I will be eating enough calories that I can still exercise regularly and not slow down my metabolism. Just wanted you to know, I will not be starving!
Hi y’all! I’m a deep-fried Southern girl, born and raised in North Carolina. I’ve recently relocated to Boulder, Colorado and I am determined to adopt the healthy lifestyle of the people around me! It’s time for a real shift in my lifestyle – a paradigm shift that will create new habits and result in a thinner, happier, and hopefully better, Sara. A Sara 100 pounds lighter than I was when I started! Hope you decide to come along for the ride.
It’s all about better choices. Starting out doing what you can and working forward! You just cut your calories by 2/3 and your fat intake by 3/4. It still is not THE healthiest but it is better! Way to go. Baby steps are still forward movement!
On one counterpoint though…kids are resilient. I know you’re on a trip and that “gourmet” to them is McDonalds and I know the $1 options are enticing….but at what cost to your (and their health)? Going to Chick-Fil-A where you can order a grilled chix sandwich and side salad or fruit and they can still get nuggets could be better fast food option. Or, the epitome, is sitting down and eating…. it may be a pain but most of the times if I ask, I can get exactly what I want even if its not on the menu (=grilled chix breast with no oils/fats and steamed veggies and plain baked potato). Most places have a kid’s menu with nuggest, grilled cheese, burgers…..But then again, I have twin 10 year olds and know sometimes, they just HAVE to have the Arches!
Keep up the great work!
Susan is right, there are a ton of choices out there, and I whole-heartedly support Sara’s growing awareness that there are many other options, not just a McD’s, but in all the other fast-food, or convenience stores…All or nothing has gotten her into this predicament, yet as she learns greyscale, and then full spectrum of ‘color’ that is availble out there, so many possiblities could occur…One step at a time!