100 Miles and Read a Book

After stepping on the scale yesterday and seeing that number (which I am not going to share just yet), I knew I had to step up my game otherwise that number will just keep going up.

One thing lacking in my exercise routine?  Strength training.  I found this book through www.goodreads.com and ordered it off of Amazon.

I have some likes and dislikes about this book.  First of all, I can’t be one of those people who eats six meals a day.  I take an insulin shot with every meal, and the thought of adding 3 more shots in a day?  No thanks.

But I did agree with the starchy vegetable theory, in that it only is useful to your body at breakfast and after a workout.  I am going to add that one to my plan.

In one part of the book they have women’s excuses about why they can’t stick with this program.  One woman said “eating the same foods is so boring.  I’m sick of chicken and vegetables.”  The authors answer?

Eating does not, and should not, equal entertainment. . .you need to enjoy fueling your body and how the healthy food makes you feel.  Tune in to how great you feel when you’re eating those “boring” foods.  The feeling you get by being in shape should outweigh how boring the food is.

What?  Preparing food and eating food is one of the most enjoyable experiences most of us look forward to!  So while I will be using their grocery list as a guideline, I am not going to stick to it 100 percent.

There are so many ways to lose weight: Weight Watchers, Paleo, Sugar busters . . . and who’s to say one is better than another.  It finally dawned on me that I just need to keep it simple – move more, eat less.  And add strength training!

Get ready to see lots of ideas with Chobani yogurt!  The wonderful folks sent me a case of their new flavors – in 16 ounce containers!

The flavor I have been dying to try?

And I plan on trying to make super blueberry muffins using this yogurt and some of the Michigan blueberries I bought last weekend.

I did have the last of my plain Chobani in the fridge and made a strawberry and peaches.  With 1/4 cup of granola, breakfast comes in at 315 calories, 3.5 fat, 55 carbs, 5.9 fiber and 17 protein.

Only one slight problem.  I used the last of my insulin pen at breakfast, so before I could work out, I had to go to Walgreen’s to pick some up.  This cut into my workout, so I only got 2 miles done.

I was going through my pantry and found a can of Bush’s chili beans.  They had a recipe on the side of the can that sounded interesting.  The only changes I made was that I left out the onion, and added one can of chili beans and one can of black beans.

Bush’s Chili Bean Chili

Makes Six, 1.5 cups servings:  286 calories, 11 fat, 29 carbs, 7.4 fiber and 21 protein.

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb. ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 ribs celery, chopped
2 cans (16 oz.) chili beans in sauce, undrained (I used one can of black beans one can of chili beans)
2 cups water (I used 2 cups chicken broth)
1 teaspoon chili powder (or to taste)
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or hot pepper sauce

DIRECTIONS:

In a large non-stick skillet, cook beef until lightly browned. Push to one side of pan. Add onion, garlic and celery. Cook until soft. Drain excess fat. Mix in remaining ingredients. Mix well, simmer 30 to 45 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

On the side I baked up some tortilla chips from Mission’s extra thin corn tortillas.  Just 350 degrees for 10 minutes, makes the perfect dipper!  Lunch comes in at 406 calories, 12 fat, 53 carbs, 10.4 fiber and 24 protein.

When I got home from work Tony was home and enjoying a cigar while the dog was wondering our yard.  It’s been so nice without the mosquitos, but the flies are coming back, I think we’ll have to get another one of those fly catchers.

I decided to grill our steak – Bon Appetit had a recipe for Garlic Steak from a restaurant called St. Anselm in Brooklyn.  This recipe is for 2 servings, believe it or not – 1.5 pound steak, or 14 ounces trimmed.  I made this recipe 3 servings.  And its not much of a recipe, but the parsley butter sauce is to die for.

Garlic Steak

(each serving: 480 calories, 28 fat, 0 carbs, 0 fiber and 53 protein)

• 1.5 ounce pound steak (I had a sirloin)
• 1.5 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• chopped parsley
• coarse sea salt and pepper

Make sure your steak is at room temperature.  Never go from the fridge to the grill.  Season the steak liberally with salt and pepper.  I cooked ours about 4 minutes per side for medium rare.

Melt the butter.  Add the garlic and let it simmer while the steak cooks.  At the last minute, add the chopped parsley and pour evenly over the two plates.

I know it’s kind of a shitty picture, but I liked how the smoke looked.

Yep, last time you’ll see starch on my dinner plate for the month of August!

Dinner comes in at 585 calories, 31 fat, 16 carbs, 1.4 fiber and 54 protein.

August Goals

• 100 miles
• Track my Food
• Read a book

Move for at least 100 miles in August, whether its walking, running, biking or swimming.  I can no longer “eye ball” my food because when I do, over time my portion sizes just get bigger and bigger.  So my food scale and www.fatsecret.com will be utilized this month.

And read a book.  I seriously cannot remember the last time I read a book from cover to cover, and I used to be such an avid reader.  Now I just read blogs!   I have some suggestions on www.goodreads.com, but if you have a suggestion, I am all ears.

Lastly, whose with me to meet their August goals?  I know some of you told me what your goals were in yesterdays post, but if you email me, or leave a comment to this post with your goal, I’ll check back in with you at the end of the month to see if you met that goal.

Everyone that met their goal will be eligible to win a wonderful prize pack from me – not sure what it will entail yet, but it will be good!

Alright, I have to get ready for work – make it a great day!

Stats for August 1:

• 1573 calories (includes cheese and crackers I had after dinner)
• 63 fat, 146 carbs, 18 fiber and 109 protein
• 2 mile run
• 98 miles left for the month