Day 508 Busy Thursday and Groceries Without Ingredients

Day 508

Busy Thursday and Groceries Without Ingredients

I really think it's time to reevaluate the early Thursday training session with Melissa. I had to cancel again this morning, and that's not fair to her---and it's not doing me any good not to be there. My crazy schedule just isn't designed for getting up before 4am, especially now. I had very little sleep and needed to be at the studio earlier than normal this morning because of the snow fall. I'll be talking with Melissa soon and hopefully we can work out a schedule I can keep. I seriously value her guidance and expertise, and I'm really looking forward to her guest post coming soon right here!

I knew that today was going to be one of those days that just wouldn't quit, and it was. We're temporarily a little shorthanded at the studio, and when that happens for whatever reason, we all have to pitch in and do a little extra to get things done. It's actually a good thing in a way. When we're down a person, it makes everyone realize what all that person does everyday. It was a super long day at work, no time for lunch---but I still had to eat something. If I would have realized the load today, I would have packed something...but once again I found myself completely unprepared. A couple of co-workers decided to order some baked sandwiches from a local pizza place. I worked out a deal to split one with a co-worker and we were set. I declined the potato chips. That half a sandwich was still 340 calories and honestly lacked in the filling department. It wasn't the best calorie value, but it was what it was---something to eat and keep me working toward the end of the afternoon.

I made a Wal-Mart grocery trip before heading home. A friend of mine asked “Did you read the labels?” and then I realized something good. I didn't get anything with an ingredients list. Yeah, no labels to read at all. I picked up skinless boneless chicken breast, fresh mushrooms, shrimp, mozzarella, and bananas. The best shopping trips are the ones like this. Real food, real good food.

I arrived back at the apartment more than twelve hours after I left and I was ready for a nap! But it was 6pm and as much as I wanted to rest, I knew it wasn't a good idea. I talked to a friend who encouraged me to eat dinner, workout, then go to bed at a decent hour. Yeah yeah, I know what's right, but sometimes you just want to crash! Even after my friends words of wisdom, I still thought about laying down for 'an hour.' Yeah right! When I'm this tired, there's no such thing as an hour nap. I knew that if I hit the pillow then, I might as well set the alarm for 4am---I would be done for the night! So, I talked myself into doing the right thing. Sometimes we have to talk ourselves into the right moves, you know? I do this by simply thinking about how good I would feel if I did exactly like my friend suggested. Eat, workout, to bed. I would feel accomplished! So that's what I did.

I prepared two, that's right, TWO pita pizzas for dinner. And get this, together---they still struggled to hit 400 calories. I put extra cheese on one just to boost the calories a little. I made them with the wonderful Joseph's 60 calorie oat bran, flax seed, and whole wheat pita bread---added a tablespoon of tomato sauce, some green and red peppers, mushrooms, shrimp, and thinly sliced low-fat part-skim mozzarella. I threw them in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes and there you have it---dinner was served! If lunch was a horrible calorie value, this made up for it! I love the calorie value in these tasty little personal pizzas, just perfect really.

After enjoying my dinner, I suited up and laced up for a trip to the YMCA. I hit the weight room for some strength training and the fitness room for a treadmill 5K walk/jog. The weights gave me a pretty good idea about the healing of my recently injured left arm. It's good, about 98%. There wasn't a movement I couldn't do, so I'm very happy. The treadmill 5K was pretty routine for me. I mostly walk at a 4.0 pace with intermittent burst of running as high as 5.8mph (ok—it's running to me!). I must increase my endurance at the higher speeds! But I'd settle for just making it all the way through a 5K without walking. I've agreed to do a 5K leg of a relay marathon in April, and I need to be there by then. I don't want to let the team down!

A friend and fellow blogger sent me another book today! I sincerely appreciate that! Thank you! So now I have two new books to read! “Food Rules,” and the book that arrived today: “The New Rules of Lifting” by Lou Shuler and Alwyn Cosgrove have some amazing information packed inside. I have some serious reading to do!

I'm headed for a busy Friday, I just know it. I'm packing some extra food tomorrow for sure! Thank you for reading. Below you'll find a couple of photos. My dinner tonight and a picture of me in the kitchen trying to look all cool. Notice I said trying, yeah---I should smile more, because this journey has been and continues to be something to seriously smile about. Goodnight and...

Good Choices,
Sean


Shrimp, green and red peppers, fresh mushrooms, and mozzarella atop a 60 calorie pita X's 2!


I like being able to identify my cheek bones. I didn't even realize I had any of those before! 269 baby!


Before shot with my youngest daughter Courtney. Just threw this in there for contrast.