How I ate (and exercised) today

Easy on the kielbasa, big fella...

Daily Summary Saturday Jun 15, 2013

Daily Summary for Jun 15, 2013 Export to spreadsheet

Daily Calories 600 1200 1800 2400 Daily calorie budget 2,611 Food calories consumed 2,508 Exercise calories burned 391 Net calories so far today 2,116 I can eat 495 more calories today Meal Calories Breakfast Lunch Dinner Snacks Breakfast Lunch Dinner Snacks 14.6% 18.2% 49.4% 17.7%

Today's Log Breakfast: 367 Egg, Scrambled, Large 2 Each 204 Sausage, Patty, Original, Vgtrn 2 Each 160 Coffee, Brewed 10 Fluid ounces 3 Lunch: 456 Sandwich, Pita, Falafel 1 Each 456 Dinner: 1240 Kale Chips 4 Cups 248 Kielbasa 13 Ounces 780 Potatoes, Cooked in Skin, Peeled, Diced 1 Cup 136 Butter, Unsalted 3/4 Tablespoon 76 Snacks: 445 Banana, Medium, 7" - 7 7/8" Long 1 Each 105 Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches 1 Each 90 Sausage, Patty, Original, Vgtrn 2 Each 160 Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches 1 Each 90 Exercise: 391 Elliptical Light 30 Min 391

What I ate today

Apparently a vigorous half-hour of exercise will really help alter these stats. Cool to know. Given how things went vacation week, I'm going to wait another week before weighing, but I feel like I'm back on track after that detour.

Daily Summary Friday Jun 14, 2013

Daily Summary for Jun 14, 2013 Export to spreadsheet

Daily Calories 600 1200 1800 2400 Daily calorie budget 2,611 Food calories consumed 1,905 Exercise calories burned 431 Net calories so far today 1,474 I can eat 1,137 more calories today Meal Calories Breakfast Lunch Dinner Snacks Breakfast Lunch Dinner Snacks 16.9% 23.9% 23.4% 35.7%

Today's Log Breakfast: 323 Sausage, Patty, Original, Vgtrn 4 Each 320 Coffee, Brewed 10 Fluid ounces 3 Lunch: 456 Sandwich, Pita, Falafel 1 Each 456 Dinner: 447 Lettuce, Romaine, Shredded 6 Cups 48 Chicken Breast, Skinless, Cooked 1 Each 142 Asparagus, Spears, Cooked 2 Each 7 Peppers, Bell, Yellow, Sweet, Large, 3.7in 1/2 Each 25 Dressing, Caesar 3 Tablespoons 225 Snacks: 680 Banana, Medium, 7" - 7 7/8" Long 1 Each 105 Iced Coffee, Small, With Milk 1 Each 30 Banana, Small, 6" to 6 7/8" Long 1 Each 90 Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches 2 Each 180 Popcorn, White, Oil Popped 5 Cups 275 Exercise: 431 Elliptical Light 30 Min 391 Walking 2 mph 10 Min 39

What I ate

So you may have noticed some silence here the last few days. I was traveling, to Kansas to see my parents, and, well, the best-laid eating plans of me went straight to hell. I also fell off the no-soda wagon.

So be it. That's done now.

I recommitted today. Obviously, I forgot a few things during my time away from paying attention. Things like: Beef adds up really quickly. And: Deep-fried anything is bad for you. Lessons re-learned.

There are going to be setbacks. It's the nature of the beast. It's the nature of me. The key is to not stay set back. Period. I'm grabbing this motherfucker by the horns and getting it straight. I'm not going to let myself fucking lose this battle.

Daily Report for June 12, 2013

Daily Log
Breakfast		445
Egg, Scrambled, Large	3 Each	306
Cheese, Swiss, Shredded	⅓ Cup	137
Coffee, Brewed	8 Fluid ounces	2
Lunch		299
Lettuce, Green Leaf, Shredded	6 Cups	32
Tomatoes, Fresh, Med	1 Each	22
Onion, Green, Chopped	1 Cup	19
Dressing, Caesar, Newman's Own	3 Tablespoons	225
Dinner		1,241
Beer	5 Fluid ounces	64
Ground Beef, 85% Lean	8 Ounces	567
French Fries, Frozen, Cooked w/ Salt	45 Each	302
Bacon, Cooked	2 Pieces	87
Cheese, Cheddar, Slice	1 Each	113
Buns, Hamburger, Stroehmann	1 Each	110
Snacks		399
Banana, Medium, 7" - 7 7/8" Long	1 Each	105
Blueberry Greek Yogurt, Fage	1 Serving	140
No nutrient data for: Fat, Carbs, Protein
Apple, Medium	1 Each	95
Iced Coffee, Small, Dunkin Donuts	2 Each	20
Cream, Half & Half	2 Tablespoons	39

Nutrients
Fat	126g	49%
Carbohydrates	169g	29%
Protein	122g	21%

Summary
Food Calories	2,383
Exercise Calories	-
Net Calories	2,383
+/- Calories	-227
Weight	-

What I ate

Lunch was an abomination. The salad I list here isn't the actual "salad" I had, but it's the closest approximation I could find in the app. The restaurant itself (in Olathe, Kan.) didn't provide nutritional information. (Literally: The chimichanga my wife ordered had at least three times the lettuce my salad did.)

We're traveling. It's going to be difficult. Trying my best.

Daily Report for June 8, 2013

Daily Log
Breakfast		408
Egg, Scrambled, Large	2 Each	204
Peppers, Bell, Yellow, Sweet, Large, 3.7in	⅛ Each	6
Onion, White, Chopped	⅛ Cup	8
Tomatoes, Fresh, Med	¼ Each	6
Cheese, American, Yellow, Slice	½ Slice	40
Pineapple, Chunks	½ Cup	41
Melon, Cantaloupe, Cubes	½ Cup	27
Melon, Honeydew, Balls	½ Cup	32
Oranges, Sections	½ Cup	42
Coffee, Brewed	6 Fluid ounces	2
Lunch		1,300
Salad, Quesadilla Explosion, Chili's Grill & Bar	1 Each	1,300
Dinner		185
Lettuce, Romaine, Shredded	2 Cups	16
Chicken Breast, Skinless, Cooked	½ Each	71
Peppers, Bell, Yellow, Sweet, Large, 3.7in	¼ Each	13
Cucumber, Sliced	6 Slices	5
Dressing, Poppyseed, Creamy, Salad Dressing	1 Tablespoon	80
Snacks		445
Granola Bar Trail Mix Dark Choc & Nut, Nature Valley	1 Serving	140
Banana, Medium, 7" - 7 7/8" Long	1 Each	105
Cookies, Fig, 100% Whl Grain, Nabisco Newtons	4 Pieces	200

Nutrients
Fat	122g	46%
Carbohydrates	223g	37%
Protein	101g	17%

Summary
Food Calories	2,337
Exercise Calories	-
Net Calories	2,337
+/- Calories	-273

What I ate today

Coupla thoughts:

• At my weight, I'm allowed 2,600 calories a day on my plan to lose a pound a week. I feel like I can do closer to 2,000, if I'm smart about how I'm eating. Today: Not as smart. But still under the budget.

And progress is being made: There's more fruit and vegetables in my diet than six weeks ago, far less bad stuff. No soda that entire time. I've greatly reduced my lattes. I'm eating a crapton of bananas. The habits aren't changing overnight, but they're changing.

• We'll be traveling the next four days. This is when it's hardest to eat the way you want, if you're trying to eat well and aren't practiced at it. I'm gonna try. But, you know: No guarantees.

• When I get back: Time to ramp up the exercise. Fer serious.

Daily Report for June 7, 2013

Daily Log
Breakfast		452
Sausage, Patty, Original, Vgtrn, Morningstar Farms	2 Each	160
Coffee, Brewed	8 Fluid ounces	2
Veggie Egg And Cheese On Whole Grain Toast, Saxbys	1 Serving	290
No nutrient data for: Fat, Carbs, Protein
Lunch		237
Lettuce, Romaine, Shredded	4 Cups	32
Tomatoes, Fresh, Med	½ Each	11
Chicken Breast, Skinless, Cooked	½ Each	71
Peas, Green	⅔ Cup	78
Dressing, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Newman's Own	1 Tablespoon	45
Dinner		811
Beef, Skirt Steak, Trimmed	6 Ounces	374
Rice, Brown, Medium Grain, Cooked	2 Cups	437
Sauce, Siracha, Hot Chili, Dynasty	3 Tablespoons	0
No nutrient data for: Carbs
Snacks		1,065
Banana, Small, 6" to 6 7/8" Long	2 Each	180
Espresso, 2oz, Starbucks	2 Each	20
Dark Chocolate & Nut, Nature Valley	1 Serving	140
Banana, Small, 6" to 6 7/8" Long	1 Each	90
Crackers, White Cheddar, Baked, Cheez-It	⅔ Ounce	98
Milk, Whole, 3.25%	2 Cups	298
Coconut Macaroons, Two Bites	3 Each	240
Exercise		78
Walking	20 min	78

Nutrients
Fat	75g	29%
Carbohydrates	280g	49%
Protein	123g	21%

Summary
Food Calories	2,566
Exercise Calories	78
Net Calories	2,488
+/- Calories	-123
Weight	-

What I ate today

Really need to be more intentional about getting exercise.

Daily Report for June 6, 2013

Daily Log
Breakfast		366
Sausage, Patty, Original, Vgtrn, Morningstar Farms	2 Each	160
Egg, Scrambled, Large	2 Each	204
Coffee, Brewed	8 Fluid ounces	2
Lunch		495
Chicken Fajita, Lettuce, Pico, Whoke Wheat Tortilla, Qdoba	1 Serving	495
No nutrient data for: Carbs
Dinner		499
Lettuce, Romaine, Shredded	5 Cups	40
Tomatoes, Fresh, Med	1 ½ Each	33
Dressing, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Newman's Own	3 Tablespoons	135
Chicken Breast, Skinless, Cooked	1 ½ Each	213
Peas, Green	⅔ Cup	78
Snacks		1,050
Smoothie, Strawberry Banana	16 Fluid ounces	290
Banana, Medium, 7" - 7 7/8" Long	2 Each	210
Sausage, Patty, Original, Vgtrn, Morningstar Farms	2 Each	160
Greek Yogurt Honey, Fage	1 Serving	190
Cereal, Grape Nuts, Grape-Nuts	½ Cup	200
Exercise		78
Walking	20 min	78

Nutrients
Fat	68g	26%
Carbohydrates	246g	43%
Protein	179g	31%

Summary
Food Calories	2,410
Exercise Calories	78
Net Calories	2,332
+/- Calories	-278
Weight	-

What I ate today

In retrospect, I did something really smart with this, not entirely meaning to. I focused on how and what to eat for weeks before I shifted into thinking about calorie limits. That's made the calorie limits much easier to abide by.

I tried Lose It! once before, early this year, without that kind of preparation: Just downloaded the app and started calorie counting: But I didn't change what I was eating. Sodas, cookies, cheesesteaks at lunch were bumping me up against the calorie limit by early afternoon; I became angry and obsessed with the limit.

If you're eating one or two salads a day, like I am now, and have cut way back on the pastas, breads, sodas, and certain sweets—well, staying under the cap is easier. And that makes me less frantic about the existence of the cap. So trying (and kind of failing) Vegan Before 6 at least put me on the right road: Some plant food is better than others.

I'm bound to have setbacks. But my first taste of success has made me feel empowered. I can lose this weight. I am not merely a victim of my own bad choices; I can make a better life by making better choices going forward. And I can do it, especially, with your continued support. Thanks for the encouragement, folks.

Daily Report for June 4, 2013

Daily Log
Breakfast		579
Veggie Egg And Cheese On Whole Grain Toast, Saxbys	1 Serving	290
No nutrient data for: Fat, Carbs, Protein
Latte, Large, Iced, Saxbys	1 Serving	289
No nutrient data for: Fat, Carbs, Protein
Lunch		530
Chicken, Grilled, Taco Salad Add On, Qdoba	2 Each	380
Dressing, Fat-Free Plicate Ranch, Qdoba	1 Each	45
Lettuce, Taco Salad Add On, Qdoba	1 Each	15
Salsa, Corn & Black Bean, Taco Salad Add On, Qdoba	1 Each	80
Salsa, Pico De Gallo, Taco Salad Add On, Qdoba	1 Each	10
Dinner		277
Lettuce, Romaine, Hearts, Fresh	3 Cups	22
Tomatoes, Fresh, Med	1 Each	22
Dressing, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Newman's Own	2 Tablespoons	90
Chicken Breast, Skinless, Cooked	1 Each	142
Snacks		560
Cheese, String	1 Serving	80
Banana, Small, 6" to 6 7/8" Long	1 Each	90
2% Greek Yogurt, Fage	1 Serving	140
Banana, Small, 6" to 6 7/8" Long	1 Each	90
Sausage, Patty, Original, Vgtrn, Morningstar Farms	2 Each	160
Exercise		98
Walking	15 min	59
Walking	10 min	39

Nutrients
Fat	48g	22%
Carbohydrates	269g	53%
Protein	125g	25%

Summary
Food Calories	1,945
Exercise Calories	98
Net Calories	1,847
+/- Calories	-763
Weight	-