Wednesday, 1/6/2010

BREAKFAST
1 slice of cinnamon raisin bread: 100 Cal
Coffee, cream and splenda: 100 Cal
LUNCH
2 cups Vegetarian Chili: 250 Cal
1/2 Jalapeno cornbread muffin: 150 Cal
Salad with roasted fall veggies and 2 pieces of bacon: 300 Cal
DINNER
1/2 cup Tortelini: 100 Cal
Carrots: 50 Cal
SNACK:
???

Gym: elliptical 30 min, + walking warmup and cooldown = 478 Cal

I was pretty proud that I got to the gym today.  I also went out for lunch with a friend.I made some pretty good choices at lunch.  700 Calories while eating out RIGHT AFTER A WORKOUT is not a bad thing.  Especially when there were  2 pieces of bacon involved not a lot of fat or processed carbs in there.  In fact, I am so full from lunch that I had an especially small dinner.

I did not have a ton of time at the gym today, so I was able to push myself pretty hard.  It was like 7/10 on the ol' Dr. J Intensity Scale for People Who Measure Things on Scales from 1 to 10.  I had my podcast on and pushed through it.  I am going to try for another short workout tomorrow before I have to go into work. 

Today's theme is progress.  Getting 3 days of food records in the blog, as well as exercise records, is progress for me.  Every day I DO think about 'what am I going to write today?'  I FEEL the pressure to do something productive with my day.  I have other real life responsibilities that I need to better incorporate into my routine, and if I can apply the same level of pressure to myself I think it can work really well.  Essentially I need a fancy 'To Do' list with consequences for missing.  I used to put 30 things on my list, get my favorite 20 done and be happy that I did 20 things.  Now, I need to make a real list of the MOST IMPORTANT things that need to get done, and do ALL OF THEM.  This week feels like I'm getting closer to that.

However, that is all kinda wishy-washy stuff, IMO.  What I really NEED is to have some metrics.  Some measurable items to track my progress.  I'm going to add PUSHUPS, CRUNCHES and SQUATS to my daily routine.  I'm simply going to do as many as I can, without taking any kind of break.  I will do this every day before bed, and save the results.  That is a great way to add something that takes hardly any time out of my day.  My starting numbers will be pretty low, no doubt.  It's fairly embarrassing putting down some numbers that look weak.  But, 'admitting you have a problem' is always the first step.  Watching The Biggest Loser yesterday was a pretty big inspiration.  All of the contestants had to do their first weigh in in front of a huge crowd.  THAT would be tough.  Writing down my push ups on a blog in front of, well, nobody . . . not as tough, but the sentiment is there!