Following the path: Daily Update 8-4-09
photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brunocorrea/3787515104/
There is a path I need to follow. Both literally (on a walking trail) and metaphorically.
I am familiar enough with both of the paths I need to take. I’ve traveled them, though I’ve yet to arrive at my destination. I have always gotten sidetracked by that enemy of us all, time. Today was no exception.
Today was not only the first day of my new commitment to eating better and exercising, it was also Day One of our potty training adventure. If you’re unfamiliar with the process, I can only compare it to locking yourself in a room with a rabid wolverine and attempting to get said wolverine to use proper utensils when eating.
My wife’s and my nerves were worn and raw by nightfall, as our son is proving to be more defiant than I would have guessed.
Soon, the entire day was down the drain and I didn’t have make time to exercise. Both my wife and I were frustrated beyond our normal limits and I found myself desperately craving something sweet at 10 p.m. I felt like a drug addict craving my next fix, eying the door, anticipating the moment I could break free and get to my connection.
While I had kept my calorie count fairly low during the day, it was all undone in five minutes at the McDonald’s drive-thru.
So, Day One was not a success. However, this blog is to keep me in check, and I need to update the post with exactly what I ate, so I can see where I went wrong. It’s not hard to figure out…
What I ate today:
- Breakfast: Turkey sandwich, two slices of white bread, mayo – 310 calories
- Lunch – Bowl of pasta w/ cheese sauce – 340 calories
- Snacks – 3 granola bars – 300
- 1 Large McDonald’s milkshake – 1,160 HOLY CRAP!
- Dinner – 2 turkey hot dogs, bread, mustard – 225 calories
- Total – 2,335 (1175 without the shake!)
Okay, now let’s analyze…
First, all of this food is quick-to-eat and surprisingly high in sodium. Lots of empty calories, leaving me unfulfilled and still craving more food at the end of the day. Secondly, NONE of it is healthy.
So, what will I do differently tomorrow?
Eat some fruit, eat a more complete meal, and no milk shakes!
And exercise. I MUST exercise.
So what did you do today? What will you do tomorrow?
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7 Responses to “Following the path: Daily Update 8-4-09”
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Holy cow my man, that is a bad diet!
No fruit, no veggies and no ‘real’ protein.
You’ve actually made me feel a lot better now – I’m a health food saint by comparison.
How’s that for a motivational speech? …
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Hey David,
Tara said it pretty well — no fruit, no veggies and no real protein.
As for exercise, here’s my suggestion. Schedule it. Write in your Day Timer today exactly what time you will exercise tomorrow and what you will do. It should be a planned appointment.
In fact, if possible, make it one of the very first action items of the day. That way it can’t be omitted when you simply get busy. Tell yourself that it’s non-negotiable. Make it part of your daily routine, as necessary as brushing your teeth and checking your email. Even just a 20-minute walk with your son in the stroller will do for starters. You can play “I Spy” with him as you walk. He’ll love it.
Exercise is very doable. So no excuses. And that includes potty training.
Just do it!
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I’d guess-timate my calorie intake today at 1500 to 1800 calories, but, since I’m NOT dieting (yet), it doesn’t matter.
Some of the BAD things that I don’t do anymore include:
…. stopping at convenience store on way to work and buying junk food (candy/cookies)
…. stopping at convenience store on way home and buying junk food (candy, cookies, ice cream bars)
…. stopping at fast food places and buying LARGE CHOCOLATE SHAKES
…. stopping at and buying anything at fast foot places
…. eating out several times a week — we may go out to eat once or twice a month.
…. buying anything from the junk food vending machine across the hall from my office
…. buying anything from the junk food machine on the first floor when I’m working late in the simulator
I made it to the gym today. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring a pair of socks with my change of work clothes, so I walked instead of doing a heavy workout so my socks would be relatively dry and I could wear them to work. The gym is ten minutes from work. It would take me a half hour to get to work if I were go back home to get a pair of socks.
I was very pleased with my weight today. Hopefully I will have as good a result tomorrow for Weigh-In Wednesday.
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I wholly sympathise with your sweet craving in the evening. I have it in the afternoon and the evening. And this is what destroys any exercise/healthy eating regime I have.
My solution: nothing in the house, if craving gets really bad, go out and buy the smallest chocolate thingy available which will do the job but not have the same calorie count as others.
I’m shocked at the calorie count of a milkshake, where did you get that from? Can this be true? That’s definitely NOT worth it, they’re not that nice!
All of the above is to be thrown out of the window if hubby makes tablet and mother in law shortbread which are both lying about in vast quantities in the kitchen.
On the veggie front – it takes time to get used to and enjoy the different tast of veggies if you’re not used to eating them. Try substituting one meal with just vegetables – e.g. a salad with a nice but low calorie vinegrette – add beans to the salad that will keep you feeling full. That way you can get 3 portions of veg in one meal.
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Tara – I am not proud of my diet. You should have seen it back in the day. About 4 times the calories and even LESS healthy items.
Susan – Thank you. I’m going to do just that! My son enjoys walking with me and we go out when I am inspired enough to do so.
Mike – Eating out and buying fast food has been my biggest sin for the past 20 years!
cartside – That milk shake stat came from the McDonald’s web site.My biggest problem with veggies is that I’ve yet to learn to like any of them. I have only recently started eating beans – which for the longest time were one of my most dreaded foods. Hate the texture. I am experimenting a bit more, though.
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Another place where DW hangs out…finally paying attention after checking in on your potty training experience. You know your post on fear came at the right time for me, and how much credit I give to you for posting it. I have continued to walk each day since then, and plan to up that to twice a day next week (short walks what I can manage)
I am not a joiner by trait, perhaps a detriment, not sure, but I have done other things on my own like quit smoking (waaaaayy back) and just couldnt quite get a grasp on wanting to excercise again, until I read that particular poat. I reread it when I need to recharge.
I thought about my ‘island’ mentality as it relates to what you are working through here. Though I will likely be sporadic in checking in here, do know that I applaud you for acting on being accountable right down to your carb rich diet. I encourage you to be proud of any step you take. I hope you reread your own post on fear as you need to.
To Tara, though I have not ‘met’ you before I applaud you for stepping up and being a champion with David. Good on ya, and enjoy your journey.
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Putting together a healthy menu is a lot of work. But it gets easier with more practice.
You need to find healthy food that you like. Start searching the web for recipes and meals. There has to be something out there you can live with.
And you have to do the exercise, you need to work up a good sweat.
It is all hard work and will take up a lot of your time.
I’m sure you know all of this already.
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