BOOM!
And just like that....it's time again for my weekly weight assessment.
I actually have no witty, random comments going into my weigh in. Actually, I totally FORGOT to hop on the scale this morning. Ha! I was guzzling my o.j. and fixing a spinach salad, ready to head out the door when it just HIT ME...whoops.
Sooooooooo....without further ado....
BAM!
189.7 lbs.
I've DESTROYED the 190 pound threshold...just like I promised!! Another HUGE wall has been kicked down.
Yeah, yeah, I know...barely, right?
I'm down .5 pounds this week, bringing my 20+ week total to 30.3 TOTAL POUNDS EXPUNGED!!! Hoooooraaaay!
Not the mammoth weight loss I was hoping for....but every bit counts, especially in the summer! These happy hours, travels, BBQ's, and other sunshine driven plans are KILLING me! I just need to get to my 185 lb. goal already so I can just cut loose a bit.
My goal for this upcoming week again hovers in that "maintaining" category. Now that I've gotten below 190....it would be an absolute shame to climb above it.
I'm expecting another decent week from myself, and plan on doing WHATEVER IT TAKES* to succeed.
* - Aaaaand it all starts with Taco Tuesday at the Lincoln Park Pub after my Kickball League beings tonight!! eating greasy, sloppy, yummy $1.25 tacos should really "kick" off the week properly!
Until Thursday...enjoy your week and keep striving toward your goals!
BK out!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Boy v. Scale - Weekly Weigh In #20
Have you ever had the feeling that you did reeeeally well at something, like a test, or some project at work....and it ends up blowing up right in your face??
That's exactly how I feel right now! I was TOTALLY convinced I killed it this week. totally. convinced.
Outside of the Tribe game last Wednesday, and the debauchery that was my yearly Wine Run, I stuck to it. In theory, I was READY for the scale.
No more drama. Here we go. Weigh-In numero veinte:
190.2
No. You're not seeing things, and this blog is not set on repeat. I weighed in at the same level....TO THE TENTH OF A POUND. I mean, essentially to the OUNCE!
Weird, huh? (maybe i don't understand my new scale, haha? hmmmmm)
Sooooo, no huge deal. It's rare in this world that you can do NOTHING and still be a success.
I'm still down a total of 29.8 pounds, and my goal STILL REMAINS firmly rooted at 185. I'll get there, no worries. I'm a well oiled machine.
------------------------------------------------------------------
I've been a good boy this week. Healthy salads and fruit for lunch, mixing up varying versions of both. I purchased a stalk of celery over the weekend, so BK's had some veggie dipper action this week as well.
Nothing is going to trip me up this week. This is the week I FINALLY break into the 180's....aren't you excited for me loyal readers?? Haha, I'm fishing....
I do have another Tribe game to attend Thursday night. The M-E-T-S are in town, and I had a Tribe team shop voucher to redeem. Oh well, if the weather holds out, my date and I should have a blast....(and sneak down real close!)
Oh, oh, I almost forgot. I'm running my 2nd 5K this Saturday evening in Ohio City!! I'm nervous! My hammy has been acting up on me at the gym, so I'm resting it the rest of the week. I slipped in a great run on Monday....and then Tuesday...not so much. I'm scared, hold me.
Does anyone have any advice for this hammy cramp I've been getting?? Also, what the hell am I supposed to eat on race day?? I've been doing a little research...I dunno, should I just put my face in a plate of lasagna or something??
Help me out...and WISH me luck!!
Until the weekend, yours truly,
BK out
That's exactly how I feel right now! I was TOTALLY convinced I killed it this week. totally. convinced.
Outside of the Tribe game last Wednesday, and the debauchery that was my yearly Wine Run, I stuck to it. In theory, I was READY for the scale.
No more drama. Here we go. Weigh-In numero veinte:
190.2
No. You're not seeing things, and this blog is not set on repeat. I weighed in at the same level....TO THE TENTH OF A POUND. I mean, essentially to the OUNCE!
Weird, huh? (maybe i don't understand my new scale, haha? hmmmmm)
Sooooo, no huge deal. It's rare in this world that you can do NOTHING and still be a success.
I'm still down a total of 29.8 pounds, and my goal STILL REMAINS firmly rooted at 185. I'll get there, no worries. I'm a well oiled machine.
------------------------------------------------------------------
I've been a good boy this week. Healthy salads and fruit for lunch, mixing up varying versions of both. I purchased a stalk of celery over the weekend, so BK's had some veggie dipper action this week as well.
Nothing is going to trip me up this week. This is the week I FINALLY break into the 180's....aren't you excited for me loyal readers?? Haha, I'm fishing....
I do have another Tribe game to attend Thursday night. The M-E-T-S are in town, and I had a Tribe team shop voucher to redeem. Oh well, if the weather holds out, my date and I should have a blast....(and sneak down real close!)
Oh, oh, I almost forgot. I'm running my 2nd 5K this Saturday evening in Ohio City!! I'm nervous! My hammy has been acting up on me at the gym, so I'm resting it the rest of the week. I slipped in a great run on Monday....and then Tuesday...not so much. I'm scared, hold me.
Does anyone have any advice for this hammy cramp I've been getting?? Also, what the hell am I supposed to eat on race day?? I've been doing a little research...I dunno, should I just put my face in a plate of lasagna or something??
Help me out...and WISH me luck!!
Until the weekend, yours truly,
BK out
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Man v. Scale - weigh in # 19
If you could define ITCHING to write a blog, the letters B and K would probably be involved.
I wanted to get this post out SOOOOOO much earlier, but alas, here it is. I started this at 9:00 am, and I'm wrapping it up at 9:00 pm (that's eastern standard time people).
So, like I commented last night, I felt CONFIDENT coming into my meeting with the scale this week. Oh, ooooh, I have a new scale too!! (damn thing took me 10 minutes to figure out....and I'm an I.T. guy).
So anyway, once I figured this contraption out, the fun ensued. And on to my new Taylor Lithium's inaugural reading:
In case you didn't just hear my second wind of elation, that reading says 190.2!! Beautiful first reading, sir!
So 190.2. That brings my TOTAL weight loss up to a mind blowing 29.8 pounds....just a shade under 30 TOTAL American pounds lost!!
Let me provide you a few examples of things that weigh 30 pounds...just for perspective:
A flat tire. Cue the spare tire jokes. Haha, I'm a proficient comedian.
How about this: roughly $500,000 worth of GOLD (46 of these bad boys). Yes, I'll take 1, thank you.
And finally, another example of 30 pounds:
Weeeeee!! So yes. I'm horsing around a bit. I'm having a little fun with this post today. But you know what?? I kinda deserve a little levity, right? Despite my flippant attitude today, these past 6 months have been QUITE the challenge. My unorthodox weight loss methods really seem to be working.
5.2 pounds to go friends!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In other news, I treated myself to a solid, semi-healthy quesadilla this evening. I grated up garlic cheese and pepper jack cheese that were purchased at the Tremont Farmer's Market last Tuesday.
There I go again, supporting the fine locals of Cleveland.
This week should be fairly tame, so I look forward to continued success!! Woo woo!!
The only thing that stands in my way, which I am gladly looking forward to, is the 2010 Second Annual Northeast Ohio Wine Run. My 4 friends and I are getting together to celebrate my buddy B.A.'s securing of an MBA. We're heading out to 8 Ohio wineries on Saturday....driving up the coast and ending at Mon Ami in Port Clinton!! haha.
And, no. I won't be drinking any Merlot.
Cheers.
I wanted to get this post out SOOOOOO much earlier, but alas, here it is. I started this at 9:00 am, and I'm wrapping it up at 9:00 pm (that's eastern standard time people).
So, like I commented last night, I felt CONFIDENT coming into my meeting with the scale this week. Oh, ooooh, I have a new scale too!! (damn thing took me 10 minutes to figure out....and I'm an I.T. guy).
So anyway, once I figured this contraption out, the fun ensued. And on to my new Taylor Lithium's inaugural reading:
In case you didn't just hear my second wind of elation, that reading says 190.2!! Beautiful first reading, sir!
So 190.2. That brings my TOTAL weight loss up to a mind blowing 29.8 pounds....just a shade under 30 TOTAL American pounds lost!!
Let me provide you a few examples of things that weigh 30 pounds...just for perspective:
A flat tire. Cue the spare tire jokes. Haha, I'm a proficient comedian.
How about this: roughly $500,000 worth of GOLD (46 of these bad boys). Yes, I'll take 1, thank you.
And finally, another example of 30 pounds:
Weeeeee!! So yes. I'm horsing around a bit. I'm having a little fun with this post today. But you know what?? I kinda deserve a little levity, right? Despite my flippant attitude today, these past 6 months have been QUITE the challenge. My unorthodox weight loss methods really seem to be working.
5.2 pounds to go friends!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In other news, I treated myself to a solid, semi-healthy quesadilla this evening. I grated up garlic cheese and pepper jack cheese that were purchased at the Tremont Farmer's Market last Tuesday.
There I go again, supporting the fine locals of Cleveland.
This week should be fairly tame, so I look forward to continued success!! Woo woo!!
The only thing that stands in my way, which I am gladly looking forward to, is the 2010 Second Annual Northeast Ohio Wine Run. My 4 friends and I are getting together to celebrate my buddy B.A.'s securing of an MBA. We're heading out to 8 Ohio wineries on Saturday....driving up the coast and ending at Mon Ami in Port Clinton!! haha.
And, no. I won't be drinking any Merlot.
Cheers.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Man v. Scale - Weigh In #17
When I started this whole blogging initiative 5 months ago, I promised myself a few things. I swore that I would keep track of absolutely everything that I ate, and I promised that I would hop on the scale on a weekly basis.
From time to time, especially in recent weeks, I've neglected my food journal. I don't even have legit excuses. I mean, it's always with me. I've carried it around in my man bag religiously since day 1. Heck, I've actually run out of pages!! I've flipped it over and have started keeping track going in reverse.
DIGRESSION ALERT: Anyway, so the second promise. Weekly endeavors with the scale. Besides a single 2 week stretch for travel back in February, I've succumbed my emotional psyche to weekly weigh ins. Not all have been great, but not all have been horrible.
The point is, NO MATTER how much of a failure I act like each week, I still owe it to us to track my progress. We'll never get anywhere by cheating ourselves.
So again, as promised, a Tuesday morning date with the scale. I was prepared for ANYTHING....ANYTHING....but this:
192.6
I absolutely cannot believe it, but I am down another 1.2 pounds this week!!! My 17 week total is now up to 27.4. I'm really making progress. The grin on my face right now, even half a day later, is ear to ear.
I'm not too sure what this success can be attributed to. Everything that I've described to you in my last two posts is true. I had a challenging week, I swear!!
Our bodies are truly magnificent. It's truly amazing to watch them work. The first few weeks of a diet are KILLER. It's as if our bodies DON'T want us to lose weight. It wants to be FED!!! And now look....I've been on such a great roll lately that its almost as if my body is now working in my favor. 17 weeks in now, and I feel as if it's finally on my side....
Motivation, drive, honesty, determination....all of these things have to come from within. Weight loss doesn't magically happen. But I'll tell you what....external factors like clothes fitting better, and positive 'meet and greets' with the scale sure GO A LONG WAY!!
I really wish that I could share with all of you...how I feel...RIGHT NOW.
BK out
From time to time, especially in recent weeks, I've neglected my food journal. I don't even have legit excuses. I mean, it's always with me. I've carried it around in my man bag religiously since day 1. Heck, I've actually run out of pages!! I've flipped it over and have started keeping track going in reverse.
DIGRESSION ALERT: Anyway, so the second promise. Weekly endeavors with the scale. Besides a single 2 week stretch for travel back in February, I've succumbed my emotional psyche to weekly weigh ins. Not all have been great, but not all have been horrible.
The point is, NO MATTER how much of a failure I act like each week, I still owe it to us to track my progress. We'll never get anywhere by cheating ourselves.
So again, as promised, a Tuesday morning date with the scale. I was prepared for ANYTHING....ANYTHING....but this:
192.6
I absolutely cannot believe it, but I am down another 1.2 pounds this week!!! My 17 week total is now up to 27.4. I'm really making progress. The grin on my face right now, even half a day later, is ear to ear.
I'm not too sure what this success can be attributed to. Everything that I've described to you in my last two posts is true. I had a challenging week, I swear!!
Our bodies are truly magnificent. It's truly amazing to watch them work. The first few weeks of a diet are KILLER. It's as if our bodies DON'T want us to lose weight. It wants to be FED!!! And now look....I've been on such a great roll lately that its almost as if my body is now working in my favor. 17 weeks in now, and I feel as if it's finally on my side....
Motivation, drive, honesty, determination....all of these things have to come from within. Weight loss doesn't magically happen. But I'll tell you what....external factors like clothes fitting better, and positive 'meet and greets' with the scale sure GO A LONG WAY!!
I really wish that I could share with all of you...how I feel...RIGHT NOW.
BK out
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
The Scale is Always Right?? - Weigh in #16
There's really no OFF button on the Genius machine.
My brain is constantly churning with possible topics, ideas, and fun information for my blog.
Last night and into this morning, I was preparing myself mentally to either maintain, or rise slightly in critical mass. Ideas, sentences, and paragraph structure were being mulled. How should BK explain a weight gain, AND try to incorporate a positive spin?
I'll tell ya, I had some good stuff planned!! I'm talking deep, soul searching, tree hugging, 'everything's gonna be alright' type stuff. I was actually looking forward to it!
I'm going to sound like a broken record here, I know it. So I nervously stepped up onto the scale this morning, and this was the fine, fine number that was smiling back at me:
193.8
I'm down another 2.3 pounds! 26.2 total pounds lost! You HAVE GOT to be kidding me! Impossible. I swear the scale is lying to me. It can't be right. Lies!
On Monday evening (while catching up on Gossip Girl) I flipped through the pages of my food journal. Last week was a disaster, friends. I honestly feel like I've let myself down. Gloom and doom!
I didn't even record a single entry for Friday and Saturday! What a jerk!
The only logical explanation that comes to mind is that over these 4 months, my body and mind have just carved out healthy eating habits. That is the only possible explanation for this. My body is conditioned to win!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lots 'o stuff going on this week! Plenty of opportunities to falter. I'm really going to have to make the best of my downtime to eat well and sneak in a workout.
Wednesday I'm attending a rock and roll show at the local House of Blues, Friday is my boy DG's 30th birthday blowout extravaganza, and Saturday I have a playoff football game to participate in, as well as the Tribe v. the Reds at night!!! Whew!!
There is no way I make it out of this week alive. No chance at weight loss this week. I'm going to set all of our expectations right now. My goal is to maintain...
Ooooh, oooooh. If I haven't already mentioned it, my freakin Health Club is CLOSED ALL WEEK! What the hell am I supposed to do now? It's been gloomy in CLE since Sunday, and the outlook for the week is more of the same!! I had to run in the rain last night! Yuck.
Anyway, so this is my latest in a series of challenges. Wish me luck.
BK out
My brain is constantly churning with possible topics, ideas, and fun information for my blog.
Last night and into this morning, I was preparing myself mentally to either maintain, or rise slightly in critical mass. Ideas, sentences, and paragraph structure were being mulled. How should BK explain a weight gain, AND try to incorporate a positive spin?
I'll tell ya, I had some good stuff planned!! I'm talking deep, soul searching, tree hugging, 'everything's gonna be alright' type stuff. I was actually looking forward to it!
I'm going to sound like a broken record here, I know it. So I nervously stepped up onto the scale this morning, and this was the fine, fine number that was smiling back at me:
193.8
I'm down another 2.3 pounds! 26.2 total pounds lost! You HAVE GOT to be kidding me! Impossible. I swear the scale is lying to me. It can't be right. Lies!
On Monday evening (while catching up on Gossip Girl) I flipped through the pages of my food journal. Last week was a disaster, friends. I honestly feel like I've let myself down. Gloom and doom!
I didn't even record a single entry for Friday and Saturday! What a jerk!
The only logical explanation that comes to mind is that over these 4 months, my body and mind have just carved out healthy eating habits. That is the only possible explanation for this. My body is conditioned to win!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lots 'o stuff going on this week! Plenty of opportunities to falter. I'm really going to have to make the best of my downtime to eat well and sneak in a workout.
Wednesday I'm attending a rock and roll show at the local House of Blues, Friday is my boy DG's 30th birthday blowout extravaganza, and Saturday I have a playoff football game to participate in, as well as the Tribe v. the Reds at night!!! Whew!!
There is no way I make it out of this week alive. No chance at weight loss this week. I'm going to set all of our expectations right now. My goal is to maintain...
Ooooh, oooooh. If I haven't already mentioned it, my freakin Health Club is CLOSED ALL WEEK! What the hell am I supposed to do now? It's been gloomy in CLE since Sunday, and the outlook for the week is more of the same!! I had to run in the rain last night! Yuck.
Anyway, so this is my latest in a series of challenges. Wish me luck.
BK out
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Do You Believe in Miracles? - Weigh In #15
I don't want to start sounding like a broken record. That is truly my fear.
However, I HONESTLY thought I had a very average week. Food/drink consumption wise, I was not where I wanted to be, and I really only hit the gym like, ONCE!!! (I did have that 5K thing on Wednesday).
My date with the scale this morning was NOT highly anticipated.
So I step on the scale. As the milliseconds pass, I hear the famous sports announcer/personality Al Michaels in the back of my head. You know Al Michaels....he became infamous with his 1980 USA Olympic Ice Hockey coverage.
With only a few seconds left in the USA's semifinal match against the HIGHLY FAVORED Soviet Union, and the with US up by a goal, Al belts out one of the most familiar phrases of all time:
"Do You Believe in Miracles??? YES!!!!!"
Haha. That's how I felt this morning, circa 7:20 am EST.
After what felt like 30 seconds of processing time, the scale displayed the following:
196.1
Wheeeeeew!! Did you just hear that?? I sighed....again.
I'm down 3 more lbs from last week, bringing my total up to roughly 24 pounds lost since mid January. Truly a miracle.
How can this be? Last night I was flipping through my food journal from last week. As the pages turned, I grew more and more uncomfortable. I really did an AWFUL job of logging what I ate last week. Just disappointing.
What I CAN clue you into is this. I've become a bit of a psycho on the day before my weigh ins. It's ok though...soemtimes you just have to take things to the next level.
Don't freak out, I can't have anyone freakin out around here....but here's what I ate yesterday, Monday the 10th:
Wheeeee!! 715 Calories, aaaand a trip to the gym...
Ok, ok. I know. I don't recommend trying this at home. What I can say is this; desperate times call for desperate measures.
Maaan. I'm hungry.
BK out
However, I HONESTLY thought I had a very average week. Food/drink consumption wise, I was not where I wanted to be, and I really only hit the gym like, ONCE!!! (I did have that 5K thing on Wednesday).
My date with the scale this morning was NOT highly anticipated.
So I step on the scale. As the milliseconds pass, I hear the famous sports announcer/personality Al Michaels in the back of my head. You know Al Michaels....he became infamous with his 1980 USA Olympic Ice Hockey coverage.
With only a few seconds left in the USA's semifinal match against the HIGHLY FAVORED Soviet Union, and the with US up by a goal, Al belts out one of the most familiar phrases of all time:
"Do You Believe in Miracles??? YES!!!!!"
Haha. That's how I felt this morning, circa 7:20 am EST.
After what felt like 30 seconds of processing time, the scale displayed the following:
196.1
Wheeeeeew!! Did you just hear that?? I sighed....again.
I'm down 3 more lbs from last week, bringing my total up to roughly 24 pounds lost since mid January. Truly a miracle.
How can this be? Last night I was flipping through my food journal from last week. As the pages turned, I grew more and more uncomfortable. I really did an AWFUL job of logging what I ate last week. Just disappointing.
What I CAN clue you into is this. I've become a bit of a psycho on the day before my weigh ins. It's ok though...soemtimes you just have to take things to the next level.
Don't freak out, I can't have anyone freakin out around here....but here's what I ate yesterday, Monday the 10th:
Wheeeee!! 715 Calories, aaaand a trip to the gym...
Ok, ok. I know. I don't recommend trying this at home. What I can say is this; desperate times call for desperate measures.
Maaan. I'm hungry.
BK out
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
BK vs. Scale take, uh, 13
14 weeks. 13 weigh ins...and I've honestly never been happier to be a failure.
Yep, I said it. I failed this week.
I went out and boozed it up with the boys on 4, yes four, separate occasions this past week.
Bad BK. Bad.
I know, blog. I'm sorry.
So anyway. Would you like to hear why I'm actually HAPPY that I went up in weight?? Well, even if you don't want to hear it, it's coming at you anyways.
So I partied it up this week. I went to hop fest last Tuesday, watched the NFL Draft/Cavs game Thursday, engaged in a Prom dress themed bar crawl Saturday (don't ask), and went out to Southside in Tremont to watch the Cavs game on Sunday. Whew.
I stepped up on the scale this afternoon, knowing FULLY what to expected, and it read:
201.4
I'm up .3 lbs. this week. Up.
There is ABSOLUTELY no reason to panic here people. None.
I only gained .3 lbs. DESPITE treating my body like absolute crap.
This is why I'm excited. It could have been A LOT worse.
We all have bad days, we all make bad decisions. I had a bad week....so let's move on.
I've already started out stellar this week. I've had two boring ass lunches this week. Salad, yogurt, apple.
Yay.
I am giving you the certified official BK rubber stamp guarantee that I will lose weight this week. It's a foregone conclusion, put it on the board.
I'm at a weight of 201.4 as I type this. My goal weight, 7 days from now, is under 200.
Under 200.
Stay tuned, this is going to be an exciting week!! Can I do it? Let's find out!!
BK out
Yep, I said it. I failed this week.
I went out and boozed it up with the boys on 4, yes four, separate occasions this past week.
Bad BK. Bad.
I know, blog. I'm sorry.
So anyway. Would you like to hear why I'm actually HAPPY that I went up in weight?? Well, even if you don't want to hear it, it's coming at you anyways.
So I partied it up this week. I went to hop fest last Tuesday, watched the NFL Draft/Cavs game Thursday, engaged in a Prom dress themed bar crawl Saturday (don't ask), and went out to Southside in Tremont to watch the Cavs game on Sunday. Whew.
I stepped up on the scale this afternoon, knowing FULLY what to expected, and it read:
201.4
I'm up .3 lbs. this week. Up.
There is ABSOLUTELY no reason to panic here people. None.
I only gained .3 lbs. DESPITE treating my body like absolute crap.
This is why I'm excited. It could have been A LOT worse.
We all have bad days, we all make bad decisions. I had a bad week....so let's move on.
I've already started out stellar this week. I've had two boring ass lunches this week. Salad, yogurt, apple.
Yay.
I am giving you the certified official BK rubber stamp guarantee that I will lose weight this week. It's a foregone conclusion, put it on the board.
I'm at a weight of 201.4 as I type this. My goal weight, 7 days from now, is under 200.
Under 200.
Stay tuned, this is going to be an exciting week!! Can I do it? Let's find out!!
BK out
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
BK vs. The Scale part 12
Happy Tuesday!!
Soooo, I awoke this morning with a little spring in my step. Very odd, I know. BK is NOT a morning person.
I practically ran through my shower, chain sawed through my teeth, and grabbed the scale. I couldn't wait!
I hop on the scale, and seriously, no joke, it took an EXORBITANT amount of time to display my number. I felt like I was playing a slot machine....round and round we go...and then FINALLY:
201.1 !!!
Yay!!! I was absolutely mesmerized! I felt like this could be a good week....but to lose a smidge more than 2.5 lbs. in one week??? I'm floored.
Coooooooommme aaaaawnnnn yeeeeeaaaaaahh!!!!!
Persistence DOES indeed pay off. Do you fine people realize just how CLOSE I am to getting under 200??Wooow, the next couple of weeks should be an adventure, indeed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I really hit the finish line hard on Sunday and Monday...I brought it home for you guys.
Monday recap:
Food Grand Total = 1225 Calories
Workout: I got the most out of my feeble body on Monday. I performed 15 minutes on the elliptical, ran/powerwalk on the tready for another 15, weights for 15-20, and then finished off with a few WIND SPRINTS!!! Haha! I ran wind sprints....lol.
Anyway, I read somewhere recently that running at crazy sprint intervals, followed by walking for a bit, and then right into another sprint is an effective way to change up a workout....
Man. It hurt. I'll leave it at that. I think I almost passed out. That's good for me, right??
For supper, I took it easy. I purchased a block of AMAZING applewood smoked cheddar from the WSM, and paired that with sourdough toasts and rosemary and olive oil triscuits!! Yum.
I also reached for a Skinny Cow caramel truffle (only 100 Calories!! this is a steal!).
I deserved it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So...fresh off this unprecedented success, I'm heading right out for a night of utter INDULGENCE. The Beer Engine in Lakewood is conducting some Hop Fest food and beer event tonight.
I think I shall partake in 1 single IPA. That's it...I promise!! I've earned it, no?
BK out
Soooo, I awoke this morning with a little spring in my step. Very odd, I know. BK is NOT a morning person.
I practically ran through my shower, chain sawed through my teeth, and grabbed the scale. I couldn't wait!
I hop on the scale, and seriously, no joke, it took an EXORBITANT amount of time to display my number. I felt like I was playing a slot machine....round and round we go...and then FINALLY:
201.1 !!!
Yay!!! I was absolutely mesmerized! I felt like this could be a good week....but to lose a smidge more than 2.5 lbs. in one week??? I'm floored.
Coooooooommme aaaaawnnnn yeeeeeaaaaaahh!!!!!
Persistence DOES indeed pay off. Do you fine people realize just how CLOSE I am to getting under 200??Wooow, the next couple of weeks should be an adventure, indeed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I really hit the finish line hard on Sunday and Monday...I brought it home for you guys.
Monday recap:
Food Grand Total = 1225 Calories
Workout: I got the most out of my feeble body on Monday. I performed 15 minutes on the elliptical, ran/powerwalk on the tready for another 15, weights for 15-20, and then finished off with a few WIND SPRINTS!!! Haha! I ran wind sprints....lol.
Anyway, I read somewhere recently that running at crazy sprint intervals, followed by walking for a bit, and then right into another sprint is an effective way to change up a workout....
Man. It hurt. I'll leave it at that. I think I almost passed out. That's good for me, right??
For supper, I took it easy. I purchased a block of AMAZING applewood smoked cheddar from the WSM, and paired that with sourdough toasts and rosemary and olive oil triscuits!! Yum.
I also reached for a Skinny Cow caramel truffle (only 100 Calories!! this is a steal!).
I deserved it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So...fresh off this unprecedented success, I'm heading right out for a night of utter INDULGENCE. The Beer Engine in Lakewood is conducting some Hop Fest food and beer event tonight.
I think I shall partake in 1 single IPA. That's it...I promise!! I've earned it, no?
BK out
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Man v. Scale - Weekly Weigh #11, Lucky #11
Good day, fine people! Happy Tuesday.
So the Indians lost Opening Day...and it didn't quite make it to the low 60's downtown...oh well. I still have faith in the boys...and I have faith that the Winter weather is over.
As promised, I will be jumping on the scale every Tuesday, and I will post the results...good, bad, or ugly.
Over the course of a prolonged diet, you have to expect both good and bad results. I can speak of this first hand. I've been on this current diet for just about 3 months now. Overall, I've experienced a trend in the right direction...and it feels GOOD. But the second you start taking any of it for granted, BAM a weekly weight gain....and now that I'm an open book to the Internet World...weight gain is the ABSOLUTE worst thing that can happen to me.
We all know that I've been traveling this past week, and have not necessarily been the healthiest. I grabbed the scale and expected my world to come crashing down. I was mentally prepared for weight gain...
With the sincerest humility, I jumped up, and this is the number that smiled back at me:
203.8 !!!
Haha!! Yeeeeeeess!! Gotcha! I'm down 2.1 lbs. since last week. I guess persistence DOES pay off.
To sum up, I started at 220 lbs. midway through January, so I'm down roughly 16 pounds!! Yeeeeeee!!!
I really "brought it home" this week with smart eating Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. See, this is the beauty of weighing yourself on a weekly basis...if you have 1, or even 2 bad days, there is still time for success!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday food recap:
Target brand caramel fiber bar (these things are actually tasty? wow.) = 120 calories
hot dog w/ ketchup and mustard (at the Jake!! you've GOT to do it) = 300 ish calories I believe
ball park soft pretzel = 380 cal.
Chicken iceberg wedge = 400 cal.
beer = well. i was making the most of Opening Day, I'll put it to you this way. i scattered like 10 or so beers over 9 or so hours...let's not get into the specifics. I'm still alive.
I DID wake up and get to the CSU rec EARLY (before the game) to run a couple of miles and work on my core. The things I do for my diet! And BK is NOT a morning person.
Tuesday food highlights:
For lunch today, I kept it simple and smart. Side salad, apple, strawberries, and yogurt!! That's everything a growing boy needs...lol.
Dinner consisted of a small pork tenderloin (prepared with evoo, thyme, salt and pepper) over a nice bowl/bed of couscous. I just LOVE couscous these days. It's a snap to prepare, and you can get a little creative with it. I sauteed onions and peppers to mix in with it...and you can always add a little hot sauce if it turns out bland!!
All in all, this week turned out GREAT. I'm moving right along toward my 190 lb. goal....now I just need to work toward my 3.1 miler in May. More on that later (i believe i have picked a 5K to run, yay!)
BK out
So the Indians lost Opening Day...and it didn't quite make it to the low 60's downtown...oh well. I still have faith in the boys...and I have faith that the Winter weather is over.
As promised, I will be jumping on the scale every Tuesday, and I will post the results...good, bad, or ugly.
Over the course of a prolonged diet, you have to expect both good and bad results. I can speak of this first hand. I've been on this current diet for just about 3 months now. Overall, I've experienced a trend in the right direction...and it feels GOOD. But the second you start taking any of it for granted, BAM a weekly weight gain....and now that I'm an open book to the Internet World...weight gain is the ABSOLUTE worst thing that can happen to me.
We all know that I've been traveling this past week, and have not necessarily been the healthiest. I grabbed the scale and expected my world to come crashing down. I was mentally prepared for weight gain...
With the sincerest humility, I jumped up, and this is the number that smiled back at me:
203.8 !!!
Haha!! Yeeeeeeess!! Gotcha! I'm down 2.1 lbs. since last week. I guess persistence DOES pay off.
To sum up, I started at 220 lbs. midway through January, so I'm down roughly 16 pounds!! Yeeeeeee!!!
I really "brought it home" this week with smart eating Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. See, this is the beauty of weighing yourself on a weekly basis...if you have 1, or even 2 bad days, there is still time for success!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday food recap:
Target brand caramel fiber bar (these things are actually tasty? wow.) = 120 calories
hot dog w/ ketchup and mustard (at the Jake!! you've GOT to do it) = 300 ish calories I believe
ball park soft pretzel = 380 cal.
Chicken iceberg wedge = 400 cal.
beer = well. i was making the most of Opening Day, I'll put it to you this way. i scattered like 10 or so beers over 9 or so hours...let's not get into the specifics. I'm still alive.
I DID wake up and get to the CSU rec EARLY (before the game) to run a couple of miles and work on my core. The things I do for my diet! And BK is NOT a morning person.
Tuesday food highlights:
For lunch today, I kept it simple and smart. Side salad, apple, strawberries, and yogurt!! That's everything a growing boy needs...lol.
Dinner consisted of a small pork tenderloin (prepared with evoo, thyme, salt and pepper) over a nice bowl/bed of couscous. I just LOVE couscous these days. It's a snap to prepare, and you can get a little creative with it. I sauteed onions and peppers to mix in with it...and you can always add a little hot sauce if it turns out bland!!
All in all, this week turned out GREAT. I'm moving right along toward my 190 lb. goal....now I just need to work toward my 3.1 miler in May. More on that later (i believe i have picked a 5K to run, yay!)
BK out
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
News news news!! Weigh in #10
Helloooo!! I'm back! Washington D.C. was AMAZING. Gorgeous!
I've never really been amazed by lovely flowers, trees, or other shrubbery....but these Cherry Blossom things were pretty rad. I can understand now why people get all amped up over this Cherry Blossom festival. Those shrubbs are pretty cool.
And yes, Nada Surf freakin rocked...per the usual....though I may have had a bit too much white wine with my boy MH to remember properly.
ANYWAY......ANYWAY!!! So after yet ANOTHER weekend of travel, I'm back home to face reality. It's Tuesday, and we all know what that means:
Time to jump back up on the scale!!!
Soooooo....without further ado...this is the number that was staring up at me this morning:
205.9
Hahaha...suckas!!! Down 2 lbs!!!! Excitement. Vindication. Advancement. Vilification.
That felt like a "Clerks" moment.
So...yeeehhaaaa down another 2 pounds...GREAT stuff. You know...I again felt like even though I had my fun, I still stuck to the plan...maybe this is just what I should expect. 2 steps forward, 1 back. It's all good, folks.
AND, in addition to that (as most of you are probably now aware of) I am now going to be a featured blogger on Cleveland.com's year-long report on Fighting Fat. Kinda cool, huh??
I don't know WHERE I'm going to find the time to properly keep up on TWO blogs...lol. I'm excited for the next few months. I'm back to making positive strides. Things are TOTALLY looking up.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday food recap:
fiber cinnamon pop tart = 180 cal.
salad (cheddar, honey dijon) = 200 cal.
fruit salad (homemade! yogurt and strawberries!) = 120 cal.
pretzels = 110 cal.
salad (yes, another one, from the Winking Lizard; asian ginger sesame dress.) = 200 cal.?
boneless wings (911 sauce, a little ranch; what the heck am i supposed to eat there??) = 500 cal.
bud light 5 @ 105 = 525 cal.
Workout: I hammered out about 2 miles, then hit the elliptical for another 15 minutes or so. I'm absolutely drained from the long weekend, friends. I'm surprised I made it that far.
Monday Grand Total = 1825 Calories
So yeah....what else am I SUPPOSED to eat at the Winking Lizard?? I swear there is NOTHING healthy on that menu. It was like .40 cent wing night, so I opted for 9 boneless...
And now, just when I think all of my recent travels are behind me....I'm off to Montreal. That's Montreal, Canada....I fairly excited. 1 big day of work, and then a little BK time in the Queen City. Yeehaaaa!!!
BK out
I've never really been amazed by lovely flowers, trees, or other shrubbery....but these Cherry Blossom things were pretty rad. I can understand now why people get all amped up over this Cherry Blossom festival. Those shrubbs are pretty cool.
And yes, Nada Surf freakin rocked...per the usual....though I may have had a bit too much white wine with my boy MH to remember properly.
ANYWAY......ANYWAY!!! So after yet ANOTHER weekend of travel, I'm back home to face reality. It's Tuesday, and we all know what that means:
Time to jump back up on the scale!!!
Soooooo....without further ado...this is the number that was staring up at me this morning:
205.9
Hahaha...suckas!!! Down 2 lbs!!!! Excitement. Vindication. Advancement. Vilification.
That felt like a "Clerks" moment.
So...yeeehhaaaa down another 2 pounds...GREAT stuff. You know...I again felt like even though I had my fun, I still stuck to the plan...maybe this is just what I should expect. 2 steps forward, 1 back. It's all good, folks.
AND, in addition to that (as most of you are probably now aware of) I am now going to be a featured blogger on Cleveland.com's year-long report on Fighting Fat. Kinda cool, huh??
I don't know WHERE I'm going to find the time to properly keep up on TWO blogs...lol. I'm excited for the next few months. I'm back to making positive strides. Things are TOTALLY looking up.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday food recap:
fiber cinnamon pop tart = 180 cal.
salad (cheddar, honey dijon) = 200 cal.
fruit salad (homemade! yogurt and strawberries!) = 120 cal.
pretzels = 110 cal.
salad (yes, another one, from the Winking Lizard; asian ginger sesame dress.) = 200 cal.?
boneless wings (911 sauce, a little ranch; what the heck am i supposed to eat there??) = 500 cal.
bud light 5 @ 105 = 525 cal.
Workout: I hammered out about 2 miles, then hit the elliptical for another 15 minutes or so. I'm absolutely drained from the long weekend, friends. I'm surprised I made it that far.
Monday Grand Total = 1825 Calories
So yeah....what else am I SUPPOSED to eat at the Winking Lizard?? I swear there is NOTHING healthy on that menu. It was like .40 cent wing night, so I opted for 9 boneless...
And now, just when I think all of my recent travels are behind me....I'm off to Montreal. That's Montreal, Canada....I fairly excited. 1 big day of work, and then a little BK time in the Queen City. Yeehaaaa!!!
BK out
Thursday, April 1, 2010
My Mom says I'm a catch....I'm popular.
Cheers. It's Thursday night and 80 degrees in beautiful Cleveland, Ohio. I'm mentally preparing myself for a 6 hour drive to the District of Columbia in the morning.
On the horizon: A super awesome rock and roll show at the fabled 9:30 Club in D.C. to see one of my Top Ten fave bands....Nada Surf.
And YES....they have more songs than "Popular". Trust me, they have 40 better songs (check out "Let Go" and "The Weight is a Gift"...and, hell, they don't even play "Popular" live...well at least at the other 4 times I've seen them.
Anyway, so that is that....a 6 hour drive at the crack of dawn, and then two nights in D.C. I can't wait.
The only downside to all of this is, frankly, my diet. I honestly take this seriously. I need some sort of continuity in my life, man. Anytime you take a trip, it just BREEDS bad behavior. It's just SO EASY to give up for a few days, you know...just eat and drink like an idiot with no filter or restraint....ugh.
So...I suppose we'll see how I do, huh?? I am REALLY going to try this time. I'm packing a few healthy snacks: beef jerkey for the late night crave, a few pieces of fruit, and a few nutrigrain bars.
I'm all set! No worries!! lol
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 3/31/10
* - editors note: I had a great F'n night of sleep coming into Wednesday....a rare treat
blueberry fiber pop tart = 180 cal.
can of albacore tuna = 140 cal.
side salad, sun dried tom. dress. (Ken's I think, it was actually pretty awful) = 225 cal.
strawberries (3) = 25 cal.?
pear = 75 cal.
tortilla chips = 300 cal.
queso dip (a homemade effort that fell flat, boo) = 200 cal.
salsa verde (another BK special, actually decent!!) = 50 cal.
skinny cow ice cream sandwich = 140 cal.
Workout: I ran until my hammy made me pull up lame, moved around a few weights, and then labored through like maybe 12 minutes on the elliptical....ugh, I was hurtin'.
Grand Total for Wednesday = 1330 Calories
Thursday 4/1/10:
blueberry fiber pop tart = 180 cal.
salad, asiago vinagarette = 275 cal.
fruit salad (strawberries and fiber yogurt stuff, activa? whatever, its tasty) = 200 cal.
1 serving of bootleg giant eagle sun chips = 100 cal.
homemade veggie burrito (sauteed veggies, cheese, yesterdays leftover salsa, sirichia sauce) = maybe 300 cal.
tortilla chips = 150 cal.
1 Michelob Ultra = 95 cal.
glass of Redwood Creek cab sauv. (THE BEST cheap red wine) = 100 cal.
Workout: I again ran on the tready until my hammy gave out...though a little farther today. I hit the circuit for 20 minutes, and then came back to the elliptical for another 12 or so minutes....moderate success.
Grand total for Thursday = 1400 Calories
Well, wish me luck this weekend, I'm gonna need it!!
I'll be back on Monday with an extra special surprise treat!!
BK out
On the horizon: A super awesome rock and roll show at the fabled 9:30 Club in D.C. to see one of my Top Ten fave bands....Nada Surf.
And YES....they have more songs than "Popular". Trust me, they have 40 better songs (check out "Let Go" and "The Weight is a Gift"...and, hell, they don't even play "Popular" live...well at least at the other 4 times I've seen them.
Anyway, so that is that....a 6 hour drive at the crack of dawn, and then two nights in D.C. I can't wait.
The only downside to all of this is, frankly, my diet. I honestly take this seriously. I need some sort of continuity in my life, man. Anytime you take a trip, it just BREEDS bad behavior. It's just SO EASY to give up for a few days, you know...just eat and drink like an idiot with no filter or restraint....ugh.
So...I suppose we'll see how I do, huh?? I am REALLY going to try this time. I'm packing a few healthy snacks: beef jerkey for the late night crave, a few pieces of fruit, and a few nutrigrain bars.
I'm all set! No worries!! lol
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 3/31/10
* - editors note: I had a great F'n night of sleep coming into Wednesday....a rare treat
blueberry fiber pop tart = 180 cal.
can of albacore tuna = 140 cal.
side salad, sun dried tom. dress. (Ken's I think, it was actually pretty awful) = 225 cal.
strawberries (3) = 25 cal.?
pear = 75 cal.
tortilla chips = 300 cal.
queso dip (a homemade effort that fell flat, boo) = 200 cal.
salsa verde (another BK special, actually decent!!) = 50 cal.
skinny cow ice cream sandwich = 140 cal.
Workout: I ran until my hammy made me pull up lame, moved around a few weights, and then labored through like maybe 12 minutes on the elliptical....ugh, I was hurtin'.
Grand Total for Wednesday = 1330 Calories
Thursday 4/1/10:
blueberry fiber pop tart = 180 cal.
salad, asiago vinagarette = 275 cal.
fruit salad (strawberries and fiber yogurt stuff, activa? whatever, its tasty) = 200 cal.
1 serving of bootleg giant eagle sun chips = 100 cal.
homemade veggie burrito (sauteed veggies, cheese, yesterdays leftover salsa, sirichia sauce) = maybe 300 cal.
tortilla chips = 150 cal.
1 Michelob Ultra = 95 cal.
glass of Redwood Creek cab sauv. (THE BEST cheap red wine) = 100 cal.
Workout: I again ran on the tready until my hammy gave out...though a little farther today. I hit the circuit for 20 minutes, and then came back to the elliptical for another 12 or so minutes....moderate success.
Grand total for Thursday = 1400 Calories
Well, wish me luck this weekend, I'm gonna need it!!
I'll be back on Monday with an extra special surprise treat!!
BK out
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Man v. Scale, Weigh-in #9
Ok, so BK is officially defeated.
According to my trusty food journal, I had a successful week. I worked out a ton in between weigh ins, and I HONESTLY have cut down on my unnecessary alcohol consumption.
I'm livin' a better life, man!
On 5 out of 7 days, my daily Calories are under 1500!! I'm 6' 207 lbs....shouldn't this be enough??
So what gives, man??
My scale reading this week was abysmal. My current weight is a depressing 207.9 lbs. This leaves me essentially in the same spot I was in 2 weeks ago. No positive movement.
I won't lie. I'm a bit depressed. I'm really rethinking my life right now.
I'm not ready to give up on my strategy and plan(s) of attack. I guess I just have to continue doing what I'm doing, and just push through. This sucks.
People are counting on me...I'M counting on me...lol. How the hell am I supposed to inspire...or prove people (or myself) wrong if I can't lose weight??
Eh, well, whatev. I can come up with 10 different excuses...I really can. I mean, I have!
I'm just going to look forward to another potential success this week, though I am going out of town...AGAIN!! Traveling, haning out with friends, HH's, seeing shows...all of these things are AMAZING....but I think this lifestyle is just not conducive to losing weight. (Duh.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday the 29th food journal:
apple nutrigrain bar = 140 calories
can of albacore tuna = 140 cal.
side salad, sun dried tomato dress. = 200 cal.
1 red delicious apple = 70 cal.
sweet potato gnocchi = 350 cal.
red sauce = 150 cal.
bread/oil = 150 cal.
fruit salad = 100 cal.
runts (lol, yeah, uhhh) = 75 cal.
Workout: I was really still laboring from my weekend football game, honest. My legs didn't have it in them to maximize my run. I think I barely hammered out 15 minutes on the treadmill, then did 10 minutes each on the stationary bike and elliptical thingy. Not awful, but I've really not had the greatest workouts lately.
Grand Total for Monday = 1390 Calories
Tuesday the 30th:
rice crackers = 110 Calories
side salad, low fat vinagarette dress. = 225 cal.
1 red delicious apple = 70 cal.
pretzels = 80 cal.
Triscuits = 200 cal.
cheese cubes, cheddar and smoked gouda = 200 cal.
turkey pepperoni = 40 cal.
skinny cow truffle treat = 100 cal.
Workout: I just couldn't fit it in on Tuesday. As per a previous blog effort, I noted that I had some WalMarting to do, as well as get a haircut...in preparation for my weekend trip to D.C.!!! I did have a short walk around the neighborhood before dusk...it was nice, walked about 1.7 miles.
Better than nothing I suppose.
Grand Total for Tuesday = 1030 Calories; not too damn bad!!
BK out
According to my trusty food journal, I had a successful week. I worked out a ton in between weigh ins, and I HONESTLY have cut down on my unnecessary alcohol consumption.
I'm livin' a better life, man!
On 5 out of 7 days, my daily Calories are under 1500!! I'm 6' 207 lbs....shouldn't this be enough??
So what gives, man??
My scale reading this week was abysmal. My current weight is a depressing 207.9 lbs. This leaves me essentially in the same spot I was in 2 weeks ago. No positive movement.
I won't lie. I'm a bit depressed. I'm really rethinking my life right now.
I'm not ready to give up on my strategy and plan(s) of attack. I guess I just have to continue doing what I'm doing, and just push through. This sucks.
People are counting on me...I'M counting on me...lol. How the hell am I supposed to inspire...or prove people (or myself) wrong if I can't lose weight??
Eh, well, whatev. I can come up with 10 different excuses...I really can. I mean, I have!
I'm just going to look forward to another potential success this week, though I am going out of town...AGAIN!! Traveling, haning out with friends, HH's, seeing shows...all of these things are AMAZING....but I think this lifestyle is just not conducive to losing weight. (Duh.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday the 29th food journal:
apple nutrigrain bar = 140 calories
can of albacore tuna = 140 cal.
side salad, sun dried tomato dress. = 200 cal.
1 red delicious apple = 70 cal.
sweet potato gnocchi = 350 cal.
red sauce = 150 cal.
bread/oil = 150 cal.
fruit salad = 100 cal.
runts (lol, yeah, uhhh) = 75 cal.
Workout: I was really still laboring from my weekend football game, honest. My legs didn't have it in them to maximize my run. I think I barely hammered out 15 minutes on the treadmill, then did 10 minutes each on the stationary bike and elliptical thingy. Not awful, but I've really not had the greatest workouts lately.
Grand Total for Monday = 1390 Calories
Tuesday the 30th:
rice crackers = 110 Calories
side salad, low fat vinagarette dress. = 225 cal.
1 red delicious apple = 70 cal.
pretzels = 80 cal.
Triscuits = 200 cal.
cheese cubes, cheddar and smoked gouda = 200 cal.
turkey pepperoni = 40 cal.
skinny cow truffle treat = 100 cal.
Workout: I just couldn't fit it in on Tuesday. As per a previous blog effort, I noted that I had some WalMarting to do, as well as get a haircut...in preparation for my weekend trip to D.C.!!! I did have a short walk around the neighborhood before dusk...it was nice, walked about 1.7 miles.
Better than nothing I suppose.
Grand Total for Tuesday = 1030 Calories; not too damn bad!!
BK out
Monday, March 29, 2010
Day...like 70, food recap
Monday, Monday. I wish it was Sunday.*
* - i think ive used that line before...
I'm going to make a concerted effort to forget that today (Monday) ever existed. A man can only get beat up soooooo much at his job. EVERYONE has their breaking point. Ugh.
Tuesday, get yer ass over here. I don't care that I have a scheduled weigh in....Tuesday can't come any sooner.
Tuesday = work. workout. haircut. Wal-Mart. weigh-in. Not necessarily in that order.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday food recap:
1/2 of a chorizo/egg/bac-y breakfast burrito = 285 Calories
1 small/medium red potato = 100 cal.
bacon wrapped asparagus bundle = 100 cal.
pan seared scallops (4) = 100 cal.
bread = 150 cal.
goat cheese and sun dried tomato pesto crostini = 200 cal.
1 glass of cheap cabernet sauvignon = 75 cal.
Workout: I wanted to. I swear!! It rained like an s.o.b. and I was crazy busy with work activities and shopping to make it out during CSU's normal hours. The rain prevented me from walking around the 'hood.
Grand Total for Sunday = 1015 Calories
I'm looking forward to getting on the scale tomorrow. It will be two weeks in between weigh ins....a lot can happen to a person in two weeks.
I think I've done alright this week. All in all my food journal was decent...I got a little sloppy Friday night, but I was able to get to the gym 4 times...and my muscles are screaming at me right now.
BRING IT ON, Tuesday!!!
BK out
* - i think ive used that line before...
I'm going to make a concerted effort to forget that today (Monday) ever existed. A man can only get beat up soooooo much at his job. EVERYONE has their breaking point. Ugh.
Tuesday, get yer ass over here. I don't care that I have a scheduled weigh in....Tuesday can't come any sooner.
Tuesday = work. workout. haircut. Wal-Mart. weigh-in. Not necessarily in that order.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday food recap:
1/2 of a chorizo/egg/bac-y breakfast burrito = 285 Calories
1 small/medium red potato = 100 cal.
bacon wrapped asparagus bundle = 100 cal.
pan seared scallops (4) = 100 cal.
bread = 150 cal.
goat cheese and sun dried tomato pesto crostini = 200 cal.
1 glass of cheap cabernet sauvignon = 75 cal.
Workout: I wanted to. I swear!! It rained like an s.o.b. and I was crazy busy with work activities and shopping to make it out during CSU's normal hours. The rain prevented me from walking around the 'hood.
Grand Total for Sunday = 1015 Calories
I'm looking forward to getting on the scale tomorrow. It will be two weeks in between weigh ins....a lot can happen to a person in two weeks.
I think I've done alright this week. All in all my food journal was decent...I got a little sloppy Friday night, but I was able to get to the gym 4 times...and my muscles are screaming at me right now.
BRING IT ON, Tuesday!!!
BK out
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Oh, what a Squirrelly weekend indeed...!!
Well....my weekend is over, and up until about an hour ago, I really had no theme or story for today's blog.
Then, a mere two hours ago, I had a second run in with my new best friend, a random, chubby ass squirrel.
Let's dive into this.
Occurrence #1 - The setting is Saturday morning, 9:00 am. I oozed out of bed, essentially hung over, threw on a hoodie, and stepped foot outside to make my way to the west side market. I stepped down from my porch, hit the side walk, looked to my right, and this is what I see....staring back at me blankly:
This fat ass squirrel just sat there, looking at me. It was WEIRD.
My past experience dealing with squirrels is fairly rudimentary....you walk up to them, and they run away like scared little bastards. Ohhhhh, but not this day. He just STARED AT ME, for like 20 seconds.
It is important to note that I was staring back at him, just as blankly. I had no clue what to do.
I took 5 or so steps down the side walk towards my car, and then turned around...ya know, just have another peek at that silly son of a bitch, and what do you know?? It had followed me!! He was about 3 feet behind me....just staring blankly at me, AGAIN.
Jesus. Who IS this guy??
So I took literally 5 more steps, turned around again, and THERE HE WAS!!! Just looking at me. At this point, it got strange. HE made the next move.
The lil' guy walked right up to my Pumas. He came up to within 6 inches of me. I could see the blacks of his eyes. I smiled down at him, completely nervous, yet inquizative. We shared a moment.
I eased over to my car, and drove away.
Occurrence #2 - The setting was this....a rainy, dreary Sunday afternoon. I went in to work for 3 hours, and visited 3 open houses, unceremoniously. While I was out on the west side, I stopped in to the dirty bird (the giant eagle on Bunts) and scooped up a plethora of necessary, and unnecessary, consumables.
Being a guy, I had to grab all 11 bags of groceries, and make one difficult trip from the car to the kitchen. I'm struggling. I managed to close my hatch, and set out for my front door.
Guess what? My little friend was BACK!!! As soon as I set foot on my porch....there he was....sitting on my short porch wall....starting at me...blankly.
Again, I have 11 bags of groceries in my hands. I had to stop. I just stared at the little dude, for what seemed like another 30 seconds...and then, out of nowhere....he smiled back at me, and ran away. Well played, sir.
Oh, by the way, this post has absolutely NOTHING to do with my diet, or my weekend food consumption.
Good day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday food recap:
caramel rice cakes = 120 Calories.
chicken caesar salad (the Ari power lunch caesar salad, for those Entourage fans out there; actually this was for my lunch year review at work. ahhhhh!!!!) = 400 Calories
bread/oil = 150 cal.
runts = 100 cal.
Korean sliders (1 and 1/2 of an appetizer from Touch Supper Club) = 300 cal.
Veal Ragout with shallots and sweet potato gnocchi = 700 cal.
2 glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon = 150 cal.
4 Amstel Lights = 380 cal.
Workout: I went against all odds, and hit the gym...on a Friday night. Good stuff?? You bet.
Friday grand total = 2300 Calories
Saturday food recap:
pretzels = 120 calories
Miller Lite, 6 or so cups (at the Treehouse after our touch football debacle) = 570 cal.
Chicken Tender Salad (take out from the local BW3; Wild hot sauce and a wee bit of ranch dressing) = 750 cal.
20 oz Michelob Ultra tall boy = 175 cal.
2 glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon = 150 cal.
Workout: Well, since my anscillary muscles are still firing, 32 hours later, I consider my football game Saturday morning quite the little workout.
Grand Total Saturday = 1775 Calories ( i think; it got a little hazey at the Treehouse Saturday morning)
BK out
Then, a mere two hours ago, I had a second run in with my new best friend, a random, chubby ass squirrel.
Let's dive into this.
Occurrence #1 - The setting is Saturday morning, 9:00 am. I oozed out of bed, essentially hung over, threw on a hoodie, and stepped foot outside to make my way to the west side market. I stepped down from my porch, hit the side walk, looked to my right, and this is what I see....staring back at me blankly:
This fat ass squirrel just sat there, looking at me. It was WEIRD.
My past experience dealing with squirrels is fairly rudimentary....you walk up to them, and they run away like scared little bastards. Ohhhhh, but not this day. He just STARED AT ME, for like 20 seconds.
It is important to note that I was staring back at him, just as blankly. I had no clue what to do.
I took 5 or so steps down the side walk towards my car, and then turned around...ya know, just have another peek at that silly son of a bitch, and what do you know?? It had followed me!! He was about 3 feet behind me....just staring blankly at me, AGAIN.
Jesus. Who IS this guy??
So I took literally 5 more steps, turned around again, and THERE HE WAS!!! Just looking at me. At this point, it got strange. HE made the next move.
The lil' guy walked right up to my Pumas. He came up to within 6 inches of me. I could see the blacks of his eyes. I smiled down at him, completely nervous, yet inquizative. We shared a moment.
I eased over to my car, and drove away.
Occurrence #2 - The setting was this....a rainy, dreary Sunday afternoon. I went in to work for 3 hours, and visited 3 open houses, unceremoniously. While I was out on the west side, I stopped in to the dirty bird (the giant eagle on Bunts) and scooped up a plethora of necessary, and unnecessary, consumables.
Being a guy, I had to grab all 11 bags of groceries, and make one difficult trip from the car to the kitchen. I'm struggling. I managed to close my hatch, and set out for my front door.
Guess what? My little friend was BACK!!! As soon as I set foot on my porch....there he was....sitting on my short porch wall....starting at me...blankly.
Again, I have 11 bags of groceries in my hands. I had to stop. I just stared at the little dude, for what seemed like another 30 seconds...and then, out of nowhere....he smiled back at me, and ran away. Well played, sir.
Oh, by the way, this post has absolutely NOTHING to do with my diet, or my weekend food consumption.
Good day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday food recap:
caramel rice cakes = 120 Calories.
chicken caesar salad (the Ari power lunch caesar salad, for those Entourage fans out there; actually this was for my lunch year review at work. ahhhhh!!!!) = 400 Calories
bread/oil = 150 cal.
runts = 100 cal.
Korean sliders (1 and 1/2 of an appetizer from Touch Supper Club) = 300 cal.
Veal Ragout with shallots and sweet potato gnocchi = 700 cal.
2 glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon = 150 cal.
4 Amstel Lights = 380 cal.
Workout: I went against all odds, and hit the gym...on a Friday night. Good stuff?? You bet.
Friday grand total = 2300 Calories
Saturday food recap:
pretzels = 120 calories
Miller Lite, 6 or so cups (at the Treehouse after our touch football debacle) = 570 cal.
Chicken Tender Salad (take out from the local BW3; Wild hot sauce and a wee bit of ranch dressing) = 750 cal.
20 oz Michelob Ultra tall boy = 175 cal.
2 glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon = 150 cal.
Workout: Well, since my anscillary muscles are still firing, 32 hours later, I consider my football game Saturday morning quite the little workout.
Grand Total Saturday = 1775 Calories ( i think; it got a little hazey at the Treehouse Saturday morning)
BK out
Friday, March 26, 2010
Busy Week! Days 67 and 68....(you know what comes next)...
Hello hello!
It freaking SNOWED last night. What the F ?? I love ya Cleveland...but did you really have to snow the day AFTER I tossed my snow brush into the trunk..?
It's going to be a low key weekend. I'll prolly have to head into work this weekend. Meh.
Gotta keep it short and snappy.
Heading out right now for a nice Friday meal at Touch Supper Club in Ohio City. I was oddly hesitant to go there at first....not really sure why. But I stopped in there before a festivus party earlier this year and was BLOWN AWAY.
I can't wait to try the food again!!! I'm confident that the experience will again be pleasant...but if not, I'll let you know ALL ABOUT IT.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday food recap:
caramel rice cakes = 120 Calories
Quizno's side salad = 200 cal.
sun chips = 150 cal.
Amstel Light 3 @ 95 = 285 cal.
glass of cab. sauv. = 80 cal.
calamari = 200 cal.
hummus/pita = 250 cal.
tapenade/baguette = 200 cal.
Workout: Nope. Had to pass due to a happy hour for a co-worker of mine. I don't normally get into HH's with my work people, but my it was my friend MP's final day. sigh. he was a good guy, RIP.
Wednesday Grand Total = 1475 Calories
Thursday food recap:
1/2 Panera cheddar and jalapeno bagel w/ cream cheese = 175 Calories
2 squares of Rascal House veggie pizza = 400 cal.
caramel rice cakes = 60 cal.
2/3 of a Chipotle fajita burrito bowl (black beans, light cheese, light sour cream) = 400 Cal.
1/2 of a Chipotle chips and green tomatillo salsa = 300 cal.
Workout: Yes, please. It felt good, i needed it. Nothing too spectacular...though the old codger that was on the eliptical before me left a freaking MESS of sweat! Sloppy bastard...i see him in there all the time, checkin people out, watching, judging.
After that HH, I grabbed food at Lava Lounge, which has like THE BEST happy hour food and prices in Tremont, if not all of CLEVELAND!!!! Raaaaaaaaaaaaave!!!
Thursday Grand Total = 1335 Calories
ON TO THE WEEKEND!!! Spring touch football league starts Saturday morning...and I need to go to the STORE!!
BK out
It freaking SNOWED last night. What the F ?? I love ya Cleveland...but did you really have to snow the day AFTER I tossed my snow brush into the trunk..?
It's going to be a low key weekend. I'll prolly have to head into work this weekend. Meh.
Gotta keep it short and snappy.
Heading out right now for a nice Friday meal at Touch Supper Club in Ohio City. I was oddly hesitant to go there at first....not really sure why. But I stopped in there before a festivus party earlier this year and was BLOWN AWAY.
I can't wait to try the food again!!! I'm confident that the experience will again be pleasant...but if not, I'll let you know ALL ABOUT IT.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday food recap:
caramel rice cakes = 120 Calories
Quizno's side salad = 200 cal.
sun chips = 150 cal.
Amstel Light 3 @ 95 = 285 cal.
glass of cab. sauv. = 80 cal.
calamari = 200 cal.
hummus/pita = 250 cal.
tapenade/baguette = 200 cal.
Workout: Nope. Had to pass due to a happy hour for a co-worker of mine. I don't normally get into HH's with my work people, but my it was my friend MP's final day. sigh. he was a good guy, RIP.
Wednesday Grand Total = 1475 Calories
Thursday food recap:
1/2 Panera cheddar and jalapeno bagel w/ cream cheese = 175 Calories
2 squares of Rascal House veggie pizza = 400 cal.
caramel rice cakes = 60 cal.
2/3 of a Chipotle fajita burrito bowl (black beans, light cheese, light sour cream) = 400 Cal.
1/2 of a Chipotle chips and green tomatillo salsa = 300 cal.
Workout: Yes, please. It felt good, i needed it. Nothing too spectacular...though the old codger that was on the eliptical before me left a freaking MESS of sweat! Sloppy bastard...i see him in there all the time, checkin people out, watching, judging.
After that HH, I grabbed food at Lava Lounge, which has like THE BEST happy hour food and prices in Tremont, if not all of CLEVELAND!!!! Raaaaaaaaaaaaave!!!
Thursday Grand Total = 1335 Calories
ON TO THE WEEKEND!!! Spring touch football league starts Saturday morning...and I need to go to the STORE!!
BK out
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Monsoon Monday and Taco Tuesday
Hello there!
I'm in a jovial mood, I must say. As I sit here at lunch, munching on a side salad and satchel of cheddar Sun Chips, I'm warmly reflecting on the past two days.
I've stuck to my guns, and had successfully food and workout days to start the week. Cheers to me.
Monday was DEFINITELY a catch up day, and I'm not talking about that silky smooth tomato based condiment that I sooo love. I'm talking about sitting on the couch like a vegetable 'catch up'. I once again blew off my fave show on the WB (gossip girl, you knew that) to just sit on the couch staring blankly at a computer screen...and then went to sleep early (9:30).
THHEEEEEEEEEEEEN the true fun began. A friggin major-ass thunderstorm ripped through Cleveland, leaving Tremont's fragile infrastrucure in ruin. My power went out about a half hour after hitting the pillow.
NOT GOOD.
My upstairs neighbors (that never sleep) are like Wildebeasts. They trample around upstairs like they're migrating across the Alaskan wilderness. On a normal night, I could have any of three devices running to create the necessary white noise that allows the BK to sleep...but with NOOOOOOOO POWER, I just laid there in misery.
STOMP STOMP, CLOMP CLOMP CLOMP
Ohhhhh, and I almost forgot. They have a fat ass poodle pug combo* of a dog too. The son of a bitch is locked up all day, so when they get home at midnight to release it....it goes buck wild....like it's on its first night in Vegas or something.
* - no offense to any dog lovers out there. i'm a huge advocate of the small dog....but these new Pug/Poodle mixes are UGLY as sin.
Ehhhh, whatever. Shitty sleep is the norm with noisy upstairs neighbors.
So Tuesday came...ushering in a Taco Tuesday Happy Hour....which are usually the absolute best!!! The Lincoln Park Pub in Tremont does like $1.25 yummy tacos and $2 Mexicano beers. I mean, come on. I challenge anyone to beat this deal!!! You can't turn down this kind of deal!!! It's not allowed.
I was a good boy. I only consumed two of these aforementioned bad boys (beans, no meat; with their 2nd hottest sauce, entitled "The Morning After"...lol), and two Corona lights. I'm not sure of the Caloric count, so I'm just planning on using a filthy Taco Bell taco as the template.
Good times.
See...? As long as one uses moderation and portion control on a diet, life can STILL be good, and you can STILL attend Happy Hours.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday:
Grand Total Consumed: 1220 Calories
No real slip ups, just all of the normal stuff. I also pounded out a nice 2 mile run. My feet thank me.
Tuesday:
Grand Total Consumed: 1325 Calories
Again, no MAJOR slip ups, outside of a teeny tiny happy hour effort. But again, I had a small salad and rice crackers for lunch, so I was ok with a small hiccup!!
Bring on the rest of the week.
BK out
I'm in a jovial mood, I must say. As I sit here at lunch, munching on a side salad and satchel of cheddar Sun Chips, I'm warmly reflecting on the past two days.
I've stuck to my guns, and had successfully food and workout days to start the week. Cheers to me.
Monday was DEFINITELY a catch up day, and I'm not talking about that silky smooth tomato based condiment that I sooo love. I'm talking about sitting on the couch like a vegetable 'catch up'. I once again blew off my fave show on the WB (gossip girl, you knew that) to just sit on the couch staring blankly at a computer screen...and then went to sleep early (9:30).
THHEEEEEEEEEEEEN the true fun began. A friggin major-ass thunderstorm ripped through Cleveland, leaving Tremont's fragile infrastrucure in ruin. My power went out about a half hour after hitting the pillow.
NOT GOOD.
My upstairs neighbors (that never sleep) are like Wildebeasts. They trample around upstairs like they're migrating across the Alaskan wilderness. On a normal night, I could have any of three devices running to create the necessary white noise that allows the BK to sleep...but with NOOOOOOOO POWER, I just laid there in misery.
STOMP STOMP, CLOMP CLOMP CLOMP
Ohhhhh, and I almost forgot. They have a fat ass poodle pug combo* of a dog too. The son of a bitch is locked up all day, so when they get home at midnight to release it....it goes buck wild....like it's on its first night in Vegas or something.
* - no offense to any dog lovers out there. i'm a huge advocate of the small dog....but these new Pug/Poodle mixes are UGLY as sin.
Ehhhh, whatever. Shitty sleep is the norm with noisy upstairs neighbors.
So Tuesday came...ushering in a Taco Tuesday Happy Hour....which are usually the absolute best!!! The Lincoln Park Pub in Tremont does like $1.25 yummy tacos and $2 Mexicano beers. I mean, come on. I challenge anyone to beat this deal!!! You can't turn down this kind of deal!!! It's not allowed.
I was a good boy. I only consumed two of these aforementioned bad boys (beans, no meat; with their 2nd hottest sauce, entitled "The Morning After"...lol), and two Corona lights. I'm not sure of the Caloric count, so I'm just planning on using a filthy Taco Bell taco as the template.
Good times.
See...? As long as one uses moderation and portion control on a diet, life can STILL be good, and you can STILL attend Happy Hours.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday:
Grand Total Consumed: 1220 Calories
No real slip ups, just all of the normal stuff. I also pounded out a nice 2 mile run. My feet thank me.
Tuesday:
Grand Total Consumed: 1325 Calories
Again, no MAJOR slip ups, outside of a teeny tiny happy hour effort. But again, I had a small salad and rice crackers for lunch, so I was ok with a small hiccup!!
Bring on the rest of the week.
BK out
Monday, March 22, 2010
Someone PLEASE Hit the Reset Button on this Week
Oh boy.
Soooo, yeah. There's been a lot that I haven't done this week. I haven't blogged about my shenanigans in forever, and I'm absolutely sorry for that. I'm downright ashamed that I put down my ball point pen and food log this week while away on vacay.
This past week was an excessive amount of fun, though also an EPIC FAIL. My actions this past week can be comparable to a star exploding (a supernova, for the lay person).
I won't go into all of my exploits from this past week....but let's just say that this word may apply:
binge (bnj)
n.
1. A drunken spree or revel.
2. a. A period of unrestrained, immoderate self-indulgence.
b. A period of excessive or uncontrolled indulgence in food or drink
That "period" was 4 days...to be exact. There was an abundance of the following items involved:
1. beer (dirty, filthy, nasty beer. damn you)
2. Red Bull (sugar free....i think)
3. Jaeger
4. the combination of the previous two items
5. Patron
6. four idiot friends that see each other like twice a year
7. Chicken caesar salads (at least 3 or so at the casino; they were scrumptious)
8. unhealthy, awful, unethical snack foods
9. blood, sweat, tears
10. a freaking ton of college basketball games
11. a foreign country that is probably sad to see us leave
Anyway. Yeah, I get it. I'm a foolish, drunk, Idiot. I think I slipped into a coma last night....I don't remember ANYTHING after 6:00 pm.
Let's get on to the UPLIFTING portion of this post. I AM A FOCUSED MAN. I am RENEWED. I am rejuvenated and re-motivated. Et al. I can't wait to get this train back on the tracks.
I'm looking forward to some much needed BK time this week. I've got an intense, detailed plan of hitting the gym 5 times this week, and eating RIGHT. Trust me, the blog recaps will show it.
Hell...it's all begun with today (Monday). The food recap will come later, but I'll let you know that I was successful today. And GOSH did that run hit the spot tonight.
I will also let you know that I will indeed be skipping my Tuesday weigh in. (Pause)
I know. Nobody wants to see that number....it would probably make this grown man cry...I could seriously weigh 240 right now.
I've got next Tuesday, the 30th, in my cross hairs. I'm giving myself these 8 days to shine.
Nobody's perfect.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday food explosion:
TGIFriday's bagged tater skins = 500 Calories
hot dog (slathered in ballpark mustard and chili; i was at a fantasy baseball draft!! it was the only thing available to me!!! ahhh!! i'm an a**hole) = 500 cal.
Miller Lite 4 @ 96 = 384 cal.
doritos = 300 cal.
pretzels = 120 cal.
buffalo chicken dip (yeah, like, whats up with this stuff?? everyone has been making this shizz lately) = 500 cal.?
apple nutrigrain bar = 140 cal.
powerade = 150 cal.
Sunday Calorie Total = 2590
No workout, I literally could only manage 15 hours of sleep in 3 nights on my Canada Guy's Weekend...15, yeah. Try sleeping in the same room with 3 hyenas for 3 days. I think I drank 2.3 Gallons of Red Bull these past 4 days to compensate.
BK out, and freshly MOTIVATED
Just you watch!! Yeah, YOU!
Soooo, yeah. There's been a lot that I haven't done this week. I haven't blogged about my shenanigans in forever, and I'm absolutely sorry for that. I'm downright ashamed that I put down my ball point pen and food log this week while away on vacay.
This past week was an excessive amount of fun, though also an EPIC FAIL. My actions this past week can be comparable to a star exploding (a supernova, for the lay person).
I won't go into all of my exploits from this past week....but let's just say that this word may apply:
binge (bnj)
n.
1. A drunken spree or revel.
2. a. A period of unrestrained, immoderate self-indulgence.
b. A period of excessive or uncontrolled indulgence in food or drink
That "period" was 4 days...to be exact. There was an abundance of the following items involved:
1. beer (dirty, filthy, nasty beer. damn you)
2. Red Bull (sugar free....i think)
3. Jaeger
4. the combination of the previous two items
5. Patron
6. four idiot friends that see each other like twice a year
7. Chicken caesar salads (at least 3 or so at the casino; they were scrumptious)
8. unhealthy, awful, unethical snack foods
9. blood, sweat, tears
10. a freaking ton of college basketball games
11. a foreign country that is probably sad to see us leave
Anyway. Yeah, I get it. I'm a foolish, drunk, Idiot. I think I slipped into a coma last night....I don't remember ANYTHING after 6:00 pm.
Let's get on to the UPLIFTING portion of this post. I AM A FOCUSED MAN. I am RENEWED. I am rejuvenated and re-motivated. Et al. I can't wait to get this train back on the tracks.
I'm looking forward to some much needed BK time this week. I've got an intense, detailed plan of hitting the gym 5 times this week, and eating RIGHT. Trust me, the blog recaps will show it.
Hell...it's all begun with today (Monday). The food recap will come later, but I'll let you know that I was successful today. And GOSH did that run hit the spot tonight.
I will also let you know that I will indeed be skipping my Tuesday weigh in. (Pause)
I know. Nobody wants to see that number....it would probably make this grown man cry...I could seriously weigh 240 right now.
I've got next Tuesday, the 30th, in my cross hairs. I'm giving myself these 8 days to shine.
Nobody's perfect.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday food explosion:
TGIFriday's bagged tater skins = 500 Calories
hot dog (slathered in ballpark mustard and chili; i was at a fantasy baseball draft!! it was the only thing available to me!!! ahhh!! i'm an a**hole) = 500 cal.
Miller Lite 4 @ 96 = 384 cal.
doritos = 300 cal.
pretzels = 120 cal.
buffalo chicken dip (yeah, like, whats up with this stuff?? everyone has been making this shizz lately) = 500 cal.?
apple nutrigrain bar = 140 cal.
powerade = 150 cal.
Sunday Calorie Total = 2590
No workout, I literally could only manage 15 hours of sleep in 3 nights on my Canada Guy's Weekend...15, yeah. Try sleeping in the same room with 3 hyenas for 3 days. I think I drank 2.3 Gallons of Red Bull these past 4 days to compensate.
BK out, and freshly MOTIVATED
Just you watch!! Yeah, YOU!
Monday, March 15, 2010
A rainy, dreary weekend recap - Days 58 and 59
Could the weather this past weekend in Cleveland get any more dull and mind numbing??
I got back into town Saturday night. It was raining....and continued to rain pretty much the whole night. My foot was in the Pacific Ocean earlier that day....
It was kind of a pisser to come back to this DREARY, sad sappy weather, man!! Sunday was no upgarde either!! I had a fine plan to have a run around Tremont (after going in to work for 3 hours, yuck!), but it was just bone chilling cold....so i opted against it. I haven't worked out since Tuesday!!! I feel like a fat idiot!
Needless to say, this Tuesday's weigh in is NOT looking promising. I know I might sound like a broken record here, but I really AM nervous. I'm going to put this out there right now:
I'm probably going to go UP. It's almost a forgone conclusion. My food habits while out of town this past week were liberal...."when in Rome", right??
The thing about this week is....it's ok. I think I'll be fine with a small gain...albeit, SMALL (fingers crossed). And the continuing kicker is this:
Wednesday = ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!! Bleimy, oy, am I gonna be sloppy! I may set the Guiness record book for Michelob Ultra's consumed in a 24 hour period....no joke. The key, really, is going to be limiting my Irish Car Bomb intake....
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday food recap:
grande skinny vanilla latte = 200 cal.
turkey hot dog (thanks for this slop, Continental) = 270 cal.
small caesar side salad = 75 cal.
kit kat mini = 100 cal.?
beef jerkey = 100 cal.
Michelob Ultra 7 @ 95 = 665 cal.
shot of Patron (the boss) = 75 cal.
chips (late night snacking!!) = 125 cal.
Grand Total for Saturday = 1610 Calories
Workout: Negative. TRAVEL!! All damn day.
Sunday food recap:
Egg sandwich
egg = 75 cal.
thomas' english muffin = 100 cal.
cheddar cheese = 100 cal.
1/2 Duck pizza = 300 cal.
spinach cobb salad w/ grilled chicken = 500 cal.
2 glasses of Sauvignon Blanc = 150 cal.
Grand Total for Sunday = 1225 Calories
Workout: Unfortunately not, again. UGH!!!! GO AWAY RAIN!
There was a bright spot on Sunday. With no food in my apartment, I threw up my hands and decided to have supper at Southside in Tremont. I'm ok with Southside....on a Sunday. On Friday's and Saturday's the Southside is just waaaay too inundated with cool, hip, trendy wannabe's from the suburbs, so I stay away.
The bad thing about me staying away is missing out on their truly above average menu!! I ended up having 1/2 of a duck pizza as a starter, and then a Spinach Chicken Cobb Salad with a Spicy Caesar/Vinagarette dress. IT WAS ALL SUPER TASTY. Enough said.
And now....I'm on to another weigh in tomorrow...wish me luck!!
BK out
I got back into town Saturday night. It was raining....and continued to rain pretty much the whole night. My foot was in the Pacific Ocean earlier that day....
It was kind of a pisser to come back to this DREARY, sad sappy weather, man!! Sunday was no upgarde either!! I had a fine plan to have a run around Tremont (after going in to work for 3 hours, yuck!), but it was just bone chilling cold....so i opted against it. I haven't worked out since Tuesday!!! I feel like a fat idiot!
Needless to say, this Tuesday's weigh in is NOT looking promising. I know I might sound like a broken record here, but I really AM nervous. I'm going to put this out there right now:
I'm probably going to go UP. It's almost a forgone conclusion. My food habits while out of town this past week were liberal...."when in Rome", right??
The thing about this week is....it's ok. I think I'll be fine with a small gain...albeit, SMALL (fingers crossed). And the continuing kicker is this:
Wednesday = ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!! Bleimy, oy, am I gonna be sloppy! I may set the Guiness record book for Michelob Ultra's consumed in a 24 hour period....no joke. The key, really, is going to be limiting my Irish Car Bomb intake....
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday food recap:
grande skinny vanilla latte = 200 cal.
turkey hot dog (thanks for this slop, Continental) = 270 cal.
small caesar side salad = 75 cal.
kit kat mini = 100 cal.?
beef jerkey = 100 cal.
Michelob Ultra 7 @ 95 = 665 cal.
shot of Patron (the boss) = 75 cal.
chips (late night snacking!!) = 125 cal.
Grand Total for Saturday = 1610 Calories
Workout: Negative. TRAVEL!! All damn day.
Sunday food recap:
Egg sandwich
egg = 75 cal.
thomas' english muffin = 100 cal.
cheddar cheese = 100 cal.
1/2 Duck pizza = 300 cal.
spinach cobb salad w/ grilled chicken = 500 cal.
2 glasses of Sauvignon Blanc = 150 cal.
Grand Total for Sunday = 1225 Calories
Workout: Unfortunately not, again. UGH!!!! GO AWAY RAIN!
There was a bright spot on Sunday. With no food in my apartment, I threw up my hands and decided to have supper at Southside in Tremont. I'm ok with Southside....on a Sunday. On Friday's and Saturday's the Southside is just waaaay too inundated with cool, hip, trendy wannabe's from the suburbs, so I stay away.
The bad thing about me staying away is missing out on their truly above average menu!! I ended up having 1/2 of a duck pizza as a starter, and then a Spinach Chicken Cobb Salad with a Spicy Caesar/Vinagarette dress. IT WAS ALL SUPER TASTY. Enough said.
And now....I'm on to another weigh in tomorrow...wish me luck!!
BK out
Sunday, March 14, 2010
I'm going going, back back, to Cali Cali.
I think I'm totally going to move to Cali, bro....maybe even Orange City, brah.
Yeah, what a whirlwind week this had been!! I apologize whole heartedly to my 4 readers for not blogging while in California. I was just waaay too busy soaking in the sun, and living the dream.
But anyway, now I totally want to move to Cali.* It was soooooo refreshing and laid back out there. There's soooo much to do. There's a different beach for every day of the week, and there's a neighborhood and area for everyone!!
* - DISCLAIMER: Everytime I've visited a major city for the first time, I've come home ready to make the move. This is true for San Diego, NYC, Boston, Toronto, Chicago, and even Columbus....so there's really not much credibility to my claim. Ehh.
I ended a fast, but worthwhile trip to the L.A. area with a MARATHON day of expedition Friday. I woke up in Rancho Santa Margarita, and ended the day on Sunset.
While my buddy Pete was busy contributing to the economy, I utilized the Orange County public transit to the max. My first stop was Laguna Beach. Oh my. In short summation, Laguna Beach LIVED UP to the hype. Gorgeous! Picturesque views, well manicured beach, beautiful weather, fun shops, and a plethora of beautiful people.
I stopped into the Ocean Avenue brewery for lunch. Not surprising, everywhere out there carried extensive seafood options. I had a Prawn BLT, that was absolutely fantastic! I paired that with their signature Ocean Ave. Pale Ale (which was, coincidentally, the only draught brew available). I think I ate fairly well there. The BLT was actually light, but still very tasty.
I dined on their outside patio, which was pretty much across the street from the beach. It was essentiually perfect. Great food, great service, and a great view!! Be jealous!
After a quick walk around, I boarded another bus line and headed north to Newport Beach and Huntington Beach. It's noteworthy to mention that I pretty much felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb everywhere I went. This was paramount in Huntington Beach, which is the prototypical surfer beach hangout. Let's just say that there were a lot of Brah's. I couldn't muster the motivation to go into the original Billabong, Quicksilver, and Hurley stores...though it would have been gnarly to buy a t-shirt...
My buddy Pete picked me up there after work, and we quickly dressed to head to L.A.
We took in a film at the fabled Arc Light theaters on Sunset Blvd. and had dinner at a nice mod cuisine type place called Magnolia (great movie, btw.). The food was actually very clean, and very fresh (the place reminded me a little of Southside in Tremont). We shared hummus, and I had a marinated flank steak I believe, which came with garlicky mash, and asparagus. Everything there went off very well. Again, great atmosphere, good food, and good service. I suppose the only down side was the creme brulee that the 3 of us shared. It was topped with obnoxious sized slices of banana that clearly overpowered the custard. You can't win 'em all.
We saw The Ghost Writer over at Arc Light. TGW is Roman Polanski's new film. Apparently he has the time to finish up post production on a film despite facing international criminal chages and extradition. The movie was decent. It was a bit slow, but Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan showed why they are amazing actors.
All of the aforementioned fun almost made me forget that I WAS out there for business. I condcted all of THAT in Ontario, Ca. Ontario is like an hour or so due east of Los Angelas, right next to an apparant mountain range (Big Bear, etc.). Funny enough....since I got in late, and worked all day in a conference room, I didn't notice THIS view from the parkin lot of the Ontario Double Tree.
AMAZING!!! A freakin snow capped mountain. You just don't see this in Ohio. I was literally taken aback, and had to grab my camera.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Anyways...I could ramble on an on of my fun findings in Cali. Here's how the past few days have gone down, from a food consumption standpoint:
Wednesday:
Lots of travel. IU was delayed for 2+ hours in the Goerge H.W. Bush airport in Houston, so I grabbed a nice hanger steak wedge salad from the Double Tree bar. It was actually freakin amazing.
Wednesday Grand Total: 1560 Calories. Not too bad, considering all of the travel.
Thursday:
Thursday was a work day. Very stressful, and very fast. Lunch was provided by the hotel....your garden variety booo-ffett of food. I don't even really remember what I had, but there was chicken, beef, pasta salad, bread roll, and diet cola thrown in there somewhere.
For dinner, we checked out a local Rancho Santa Marg. Mexican joint. This place makes their own high end tequla...how the F cool is THAT?? I had a house margarita, and then chased it with this house resposado (tequila, for the lay person).
Thursday Grand Total = 2030 ish Calories
Friday:
I've pretty much already detailed my food conquests. I did stray from the plan with some 'in between meal' chips and salsa. I stopped into a Cantina on Huntington Beach to await my buddy, and the Brah behind the bar INSISTED that I try their salsa du jour. It was spicy, and WELL WORTH my brief diet betrayal.
Friday Grand Total (you may want to sit down for this): 2300 or so big Calories. Yowzers.
See, the worst part of this week was that I just couldn't squeeze in a workout. I'm really bummed, but I just couldn't seem to shake the east coast time. I was up each morning at 4:00 am pst. ready to hit the shower...lol.
I basically slept like crap all week, and just didn't have a workout in me.
I PROMISE that I'll be getting after it Monday.
All in all...not too horrible. I have to give a huge shout out to my boy Pete, and his g/f-bff Marie for putting me up at their place. Thanks, brah! I flew back Saturday (all day it seemed)...but I'll leave that for a weekend recap tomorrow!! I know, you can't wait!!
BK out
Yeah, what a whirlwind week this had been!! I apologize whole heartedly to my 4 readers for not blogging while in California. I was just waaay too busy soaking in the sun, and living the dream.
But anyway, now I totally want to move to Cali.* It was soooooo refreshing and laid back out there. There's soooo much to do. There's a different beach for every day of the week, and there's a neighborhood and area for everyone!!
* - DISCLAIMER: Everytime I've visited a major city for the first time, I've come home ready to make the move. This is true for San Diego, NYC, Boston, Toronto, Chicago, and even Columbus....so there's really not much credibility to my claim. Ehh.
I ended a fast, but worthwhile trip to the L.A. area with a MARATHON day of expedition Friday. I woke up in Rancho Santa Margarita, and ended the day on Sunset.
While my buddy Pete was busy contributing to the economy, I utilized the Orange County public transit to the max. My first stop was Laguna Beach. Oh my. In short summation, Laguna Beach LIVED UP to the hype. Gorgeous! Picturesque views, well manicured beach, beautiful weather, fun shops, and a plethora of beautiful people.
I stopped into the Ocean Avenue brewery for lunch. Not surprising, everywhere out there carried extensive seafood options. I had a Prawn BLT, that was absolutely fantastic! I paired that with their signature Ocean Ave. Pale Ale (which was, coincidentally, the only draught brew available). I think I ate fairly well there. The BLT was actually light, but still very tasty.
I dined on their outside patio, which was pretty much across the street from the beach. It was essentiually perfect. Great food, great service, and a great view!! Be jealous!
After a quick walk around, I boarded another bus line and headed north to Newport Beach and Huntington Beach. It's noteworthy to mention that I pretty much felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb everywhere I went. This was paramount in Huntington Beach, which is the prototypical surfer beach hangout. Let's just say that there were a lot of Brah's. I couldn't muster the motivation to go into the original Billabong, Quicksilver, and Hurley stores...though it would have been gnarly to buy a t-shirt...
My buddy Pete picked me up there after work, and we quickly dressed to head to L.A.
We took in a film at the fabled Arc Light theaters on Sunset Blvd. and had dinner at a nice mod cuisine type place called Magnolia (great movie, btw.). The food was actually very clean, and very fresh (the place reminded me a little of Southside in Tremont). We shared hummus, and I had a marinated flank steak I believe, which came with garlicky mash, and asparagus. Everything there went off very well. Again, great atmosphere, good food, and good service. I suppose the only down side was the creme brulee that the 3 of us shared. It was topped with obnoxious sized slices of banana that clearly overpowered the custard. You can't win 'em all.
We saw The Ghost Writer over at Arc Light. TGW is Roman Polanski's new film. Apparently he has the time to finish up post production on a film despite facing international criminal chages and extradition. The movie was decent. It was a bit slow, but Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan showed why they are amazing actors.
All of the aforementioned fun almost made me forget that I WAS out there for business. I condcted all of THAT in Ontario, Ca. Ontario is like an hour or so due east of Los Angelas, right next to an apparant mountain range (Big Bear, etc.). Funny enough....since I got in late, and worked all day in a conference room, I didn't notice THIS view from the parkin lot of the Ontario Double Tree.
AMAZING!!! A freakin snow capped mountain. You just don't see this in Ohio. I was literally taken aback, and had to grab my camera.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Anyways...I could ramble on an on of my fun findings in Cali. Here's how the past few days have gone down, from a food consumption standpoint:
Wednesday:
Lots of travel. IU was delayed for 2+ hours in the Goerge H.W. Bush airport in Houston, so I grabbed a nice hanger steak wedge salad from the Double Tree bar. It was actually freakin amazing.
Wednesday Grand Total: 1560 Calories. Not too bad, considering all of the travel.
Thursday:
Thursday was a work day. Very stressful, and very fast. Lunch was provided by the hotel....your garden variety booo-ffett of food. I don't even really remember what I had, but there was chicken, beef, pasta salad, bread roll, and diet cola thrown in there somewhere.
For dinner, we checked out a local Rancho Santa Marg. Mexican joint. This place makes their own high end tequla...how the F cool is THAT?? I had a house margarita, and then chased it with this house resposado (tequila, for the lay person).
Thursday Grand Total = 2030 ish Calories
Friday:
I've pretty much already detailed my food conquests. I did stray from the plan with some 'in between meal' chips and salsa. I stopped into a Cantina on Huntington Beach to await my buddy, and the Brah behind the bar INSISTED that I try their salsa du jour. It was spicy, and WELL WORTH my brief diet betrayal.
Friday Grand Total (you may want to sit down for this): 2300 or so big Calories. Yowzers.
See, the worst part of this week was that I just couldn't squeeze in a workout. I'm really bummed, but I just couldn't seem to shake the east coast time. I was up each morning at 4:00 am pst. ready to hit the shower...lol.
I basically slept like crap all week, and just didn't have a workout in me.
I PROMISE that I'll be getting after it Monday.
All in all...not too horrible. I have to give a huge shout out to my boy Pete, and his g/f-bff Marie for putting me up at their place. Thanks, brah! I flew back Saturday (all day it seemed)...but I'll leave that for a weekend recap tomorrow!! I know, you can't wait!!
BK out
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Man v. Scale - Weigh in #7 - I AM the Resurrection
Did you just hear that GIGANTIC sigh??
It came from downtown Cleveland. It was ME, letting out an enormous bellow of relief.
I hopped up on the scale this afternoon, with every extremity crossed...and this is what that square little devil displayed to me:
That's right!!!!!!!! 206.8 pounds. I'm down a little over 3 effin pounds this week!!!! I've BROKEN on through (to the other side; The Doors). My two week plateau is no more. Challenge received, challenge met.
Gosh...how vindicating. Jesus, I can get on with my life again....WHEW. How fitting that one of my favorite songs, I am the Resurrection (The Stone Roses, check 'em out), popped onto the shuffle at the gym today. I just KNEW today was gonna be a good day.
Anyway...I'm finding it slightly difficult to properly convey how happy I am. Honestly, man. This feels good, I'm gonna hold this one in for a minute. I'm just plain old relieved.
My hard work this week has paid off....and I'm back to moving in the right direction. My business trip to Los Angeles just got a little easier to deal with, ya know...
I'm flying out to the city of Angels tomorrow afternoon, and I'm not returning until Saturday evening....which coincidentally, is just in time for St. Pat's in the Flats. I know, I know. Those calendar-challenged OU alums always hold their HUGE Patty's Day party the Saturday BEFORE the 17th.
Hell, not only do they not know WHEN Patty's Day is, but this year, they FORGOT WHERE the Flats are. It's at the super awesome trendy debacle of a bar on West 6th called the Barley House. Oh well.
Thankfully, I'm indeed NOT an OU alum....I graduated from The Kent State University. I celebrate the aforementioned par-tay b/c I have a gaggle of friends that matriculated Athens Ohio, I'm half Irish, and I like beer.
Go figure.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday food recap:
apple cereal bar = 140 Calories
Lean Cuisine asian chicken and rice thing = 290 cal.
strawberry yogurt (Dannon, i upgraded) = 80 cal.
low fat Pringles = 100 cal.
Cheese Plate:
Gouda, cheddar, dill havarti = 200 cal.
pepperoni = 120 cal.
crackers = 200 cal.
Monday Grand Total = 1130 Calories
I'll be back with another food recap this weekend. I plan on hitting the beach, hitting Sunset, and finding Rachel Bilson. If all 3 of these are a success, Ohio may never see me again.
Adios for now!
BK out
It came from downtown Cleveland. It was ME, letting out an enormous bellow of relief.
I hopped up on the scale this afternoon, with every extremity crossed...and this is what that square little devil displayed to me:
That's right!!!!!!!! 206.8 pounds. I'm down a little over 3 effin pounds this week!!!! I've BROKEN on through (to the other side; The Doors). My two week plateau is no more. Challenge received, challenge met.
Gosh...how vindicating. Jesus, I can get on with my life again....WHEW. How fitting that one of my favorite songs, I am the Resurrection (The Stone Roses, check 'em out), popped onto the shuffle at the gym today. I just KNEW today was gonna be a good day.
Anyway...I'm finding it slightly difficult to properly convey how happy I am. Honestly, man. This feels good, I'm gonna hold this one in for a minute. I'm just plain old relieved.
My hard work this week has paid off....and I'm back to moving in the right direction. My business trip to Los Angeles just got a little easier to deal with, ya know...
I'm flying out to the city of Angels tomorrow afternoon, and I'm not returning until Saturday evening....which coincidentally, is just in time for St. Pat's in the Flats. I know, I know. Those calendar-challenged OU alums always hold their HUGE Patty's Day party the Saturday BEFORE the 17th.
Hell, not only do they not know WHEN Patty's Day is, but this year, they FORGOT WHERE the Flats are. It's at the super awesome trendy debacle of a bar on West 6th called the Barley House. Oh well.
Thankfully, I'm indeed NOT an OU alum....I graduated from The Kent State University. I celebrate the aforementioned par-tay b/c I have a gaggle of friends that matriculated Athens Ohio, I'm half Irish, and I like beer.
Go figure.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday food recap:
apple cereal bar = 140 Calories
Lean Cuisine asian chicken and rice thing = 290 cal.
strawberry yogurt (Dannon, i upgraded) = 80 cal.
low fat Pringles = 100 cal.
Cheese Plate:
Gouda, cheddar, dill havarti = 200 cal.
pepperoni = 120 cal.
crackers = 200 cal.
Monday Grand Total = 1130 Calories
I'll be back with another food recap this weekend. I plan on hitting the beach, hitting Sunset, and finding Rachel Bilson. If all 3 of these are a success, Ohio may never see me again.
Adios for now!
BK out
Monday, March 8, 2010
Weekend Update
So yeah. It's Monday. Again. Un-escapable.
So this past weekend was nice. I was in Columbus Saturday afternoon, and ended up stumbling into a Whiskey Bar in the Short North for lunch. Odd, I know...and dingy. I half expected to see Jim Morrison stumble in.
Turns out, the food was great. I had a house specialty, which was a mammoth grilled chicken sammich with bacon, sharp cheddar, et al....with the best part being some crazy secret house sauce. Verrrrry tasty, but I have NO CLUE what it was made out of.
Saturday night was mildy successful, mainly due to BK not consuming a formal dinner. My buddy's band was playing over at Cranky's on W.25th.....and before that, I stopped by a "go away Winter" themed party at the Duck Island Club.
ASIDE: This was my first venture to the Duck Island Club, and let me tell you....I was PLEASANTLY surprised. The DIC is tucked away in an area smack dab in the middle of Tremont and Ohio City, around the corner from the trendy Velvet Tango Room. I believe this fun, hip vibe is due to being under new mgmt. Good stuff.
Anywho, Sunday was...a Sunday. I made a nice veggie omelet, and then went out to look at more houses....yay!!!!! (blah...lol). I don't think I'm ever going to be satisfied....and that April 30th deadline to take advantage of the gub'ment's money is looming...
Saturday food recap:
blueberry muffin from Tim Horton's = 200 cal.
protein bar(s) = 200 cal.
chicken sando = 500 cal.
fries (F, i know) = 250 cal.
Michelob Ultra 7 @ 95 = 665 cal.
Bell's Two Hearted ale (with lunch, mmmm) = 200 cal.
beef jerkey (late night after bar beef jerkey....ullllghlllglgll) = 100 cal.
Saturday Grand Total = 2100 Calories
Sunday food recap:
O.J. = 75 cal.
omelet:
eggs 2 @ 75 = 150 cal.
shredded gouda = 120 cal.
bacon 3 slices @ 50 = 150 cal.
bread = 75 cal.
rice crackers = 50 cal.
homemade mac and cheese (cheddar, gouda, goat) = 600 cal.
bread/oil = 125 cal.
pinot noir = 100 cal.
skinny cow ice cream truffle = 100 cal.
Sunday Grand Total = 1540 Calories
The homemade mac and cheese was made from a Bon Appetite recipe...definitely tasty, and I honestly tried to accurately count Calories!!! I think the whole she-bang was roughly 1100 ish Calories. I had half, i think.
Oh well....I could've done a little better....but all in all, I don't FEEL like I fatted it up this weekend.
Onward and upward...to another fabulous weigh in tomorrow morning.
Oh wait....Gossip girl is on!!
xoxo
BK
So this past weekend was nice. I was in Columbus Saturday afternoon, and ended up stumbling into a Whiskey Bar in the Short North for lunch. Odd, I know...and dingy. I half expected to see Jim Morrison stumble in.
Turns out, the food was great. I had a house specialty, which was a mammoth grilled chicken sammich with bacon, sharp cheddar, et al....with the best part being some crazy secret house sauce. Verrrrry tasty, but I have NO CLUE what it was made out of.
Saturday night was mildy successful, mainly due to BK not consuming a formal dinner. My buddy's band was playing over at Cranky's on W.25th.....and before that, I stopped by a "go away Winter" themed party at the Duck Island Club.
ASIDE: This was my first venture to the Duck Island Club, and let me tell you....I was PLEASANTLY surprised. The DIC is tucked away in an area smack dab in the middle of Tremont and Ohio City, around the corner from the trendy Velvet Tango Room. I believe this fun, hip vibe is due to being under new mgmt. Good stuff.
Anywho, Sunday was...a Sunday. I made a nice veggie omelet, and then went out to look at more houses....yay!!!!! (blah...lol). I don't think I'm ever going to be satisfied....and that April 30th deadline to take advantage of the gub'ment's money is looming...
Saturday food recap:
blueberry muffin from Tim Horton's = 200 cal.
protein bar(s) = 200 cal.
chicken sando = 500 cal.
fries (F, i know) = 250 cal.
Michelob Ultra 7 @ 95 = 665 cal.
Bell's Two Hearted ale (with lunch, mmmm) = 200 cal.
beef jerkey (late night after bar beef jerkey....ullllghlllglgll) = 100 cal.
Saturday Grand Total = 2100 Calories
Sunday food recap:
O.J. = 75 cal.
omelet:
eggs 2 @ 75 = 150 cal.
shredded gouda = 120 cal.
bacon 3 slices @ 50 = 150 cal.
bread = 75 cal.
rice crackers = 50 cal.
homemade mac and cheese (cheddar, gouda, goat) = 600 cal.
bread/oil = 125 cal.
pinot noir = 100 cal.
skinny cow ice cream truffle = 100 cal.
Sunday Grand Total = 1540 Calories
The homemade mac and cheese was made from a Bon Appetite recipe...definitely tasty, and I honestly tried to accurately count Calories!!! I think the whole she-bang was roughly 1100 ish Calories. I had half, i think.
Oh well....I could've done a little better....but all in all, I don't FEEL like I fatted it up this weekend.
Onward and upward...to another fabulous weigh in tomorrow morning.
Oh wait....Gossip girl is on!!
xoxo
BK
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Oh, the Week that Was. Days 47-51 of my journey.
Oh what a week this has been. This week has been semi-humbling for me....semi-lackluster...and that pisses me off man!
I haven't posted anything to the inter-webs in like 5 days!! I'm truly sorry for that. I'm better than this.
Don't get me wrong, this blog/journal of mine is still quite motivating, and I still find the joy in my daily tracker...it's just that this week did something to me. I dunno. Maybe it's the weather, you know, this time of the year in the Midwest...I just felt uncharacteristically lethargic and melancholy this week.
I felt so humbled after last week's weigh in that I almost didn't know what to talk about. It's like the theoretical giant white elephant in the room. I've sucked at this diet for the last 2 weeks, and it's making me squeamish to air all of my normal dirty laundry.
For the first time now...I think this diet has control over ME. I owned it for 5 weeks....and now it owns me. I'm scared to do anything...I'm scared to eat ANYTHING. Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!
I guess I just need to lighten up and get back to basics. Every day presents its own challenges and opportunities to succeed.
Man. I just want to lose 15 effin pounds. What's the big deal here, body?
Let's go over some of this past week's "highlights", so to speak:
Tuesday: Tuesday, you really don't stand a chance, sorry buddy. Coming on the heels of a weigh in, I truly have all the motivation I would ever need.
I consumed food properly, and had a nice little workout.
Tuesday Grand Total: 1080 Calories
Wednesday: I felt like I needed to treat myself, so I called a last minute audible and headed to Sushi Rock after my workout. No beer, and no Philly rolls. I stuck to a small carafe of tasty, tasty sake and regular 'ole sushi over rice....shiro maguro to be exact, white tuna. My absolute fave.
You know, now that i think of it, i also tried eel for the first time, and was pleasantly surprised!! You need to try it!
Wednesday Grand Total: 1260 calories
Thursday: Not much happened on Thursday...trying to remember what i did 3 days later really makes me wonder, did Thurs. even happen??
I don't remember anything about it, good thing I have a food journal. I'm sure if I would've blogged I would've had something snappy and clever to talk about...
Thursday Grand Total: about 1100 calories
Friday: Vacay day!! Holler. I took Friday off to drive down to Columbus with my boy Mitch to the 2010 Arnold Fitness Classic. Yeah, I know. I'm sure each and every person will have their own opinion on this subject. And you may also be asking yourself, "Why would that fat s.o.b. BK want to go to THAT??"
You basically pay like $10 to get into this MASSIVE expo at the Columbus Convention Center and walk around for like 6 hours eating and drinking free samples of nutrition bars, energy drinks, and various other dietary supplements. Lots and lots of free shit basically. It's actually mildly fun.
It's not as meathead-y as it sounds. There's fitness models (chicks, man), fitness celebrities, UFC fighters, boxers, major apparel companies, gymnastics and sporting competitions, strong man events, karate, etc, etc. It's quite motivating and somewhat refreshing to be surrounded by people that are in 598% better shape than I.
AND, if you're lucky enough, this guy will walk right by you and shake your hand. Great pic, huh? Ahhhhnold!!
Say what you will about the Governator, but they LOVE him in the fitness industry...and hell, he was the Terminator, and he killed the Predator. GET TOO ZEEE CHOPPAH!!
Anyway, so I was in Columbus for that, and it was decided we would go to a Jimmy Buffett Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant....I've never even heard of such a thing....but they do indeed exist. Surprisingly, they specialize in burgers. I changed it up and got a turkey burger. It was extremely average, and I come to find out turkey burgers are in no way a healthier alternative to a hamburger...meh. Lesson learned.
Friday Grand Total: 2135 Calories (i munched on a ton of energy and fitness food and drink!)
I'll be BAACK (tomorrow, with another pre-weigh in update!)
Night night.
I haven't posted anything to the inter-webs in like 5 days!! I'm truly sorry for that. I'm better than this.
Don't get me wrong, this blog/journal of mine is still quite motivating, and I still find the joy in my daily tracker...it's just that this week did something to me. I dunno. Maybe it's the weather, you know, this time of the year in the Midwest...I just felt uncharacteristically lethargic and melancholy this week.
I felt so humbled after last week's weigh in that I almost didn't know what to talk about. It's like the theoretical giant white elephant in the room. I've sucked at this diet for the last 2 weeks, and it's making me squeamish to air all of my normal dirty laundry.
For the first time now...I think this diet has control over ME. I owned it for 5 weeks....and now it owns me. I'm scared to do anything...I'm scared to eat ANYTHING. Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!
I guess I just need to lighten up and get back to basics. Every day presents its own challenges and opportunities to succeed.
Man. I just want to lose 15 effin pounds. What's the big deal here, body?
Let's go over some of this past week's "highlights", so to speak:
Tuesday: Tuesday, you really don't stand a chance, sorry buddy. Coming on the heels of a weigh in, I truly have all the motivation I would ever need.
I consumed food properly, and had a nice little workout.
Tuesday Grand Total: 1080 Calories
Wednesday: I felt like I needed to treat myself, so I called a last minute audible and headed to Sushi Rock after my workout. No beer, and no Philly rolls. I stuck to a small carafe of tasty, tasty sake and regular 'ole sushi over rice....shiro maguro to be exact, white tuna. My absolute fave.
You know, now that i think of it, i also tried eel for the first time, and was pleasantly surprised!! You need to try it!
Wednesday Grand Total: 1260 calories
Thursday: Not much happened on Thursday...trying to remember what i did 3 days later really makes me wonder, did Thurs. even happen??
I don't remember anything about it, good thing I have a food journal. I'm sure if I would've blogged I would've had something snappy and clever to talk about...
Thursday Grand Total: about 1100 calories
Friday: Vacay day!! Holler. I took Friday off to drive down to Columbus with my boy Mitch to the 2010 Arnold Fitness Classic. Yeah, I know. I'm sure each and every person will have their own opinion on this subject. And you may also be asking yourself, "Why would that fat s.o.b. BK want to go to THAT??"
You basically pay like $10 to get into this MASSIVE expo at the Columbus Convention Center and walk around for like 6 hours eating and drinking free samples of nutrition bars, energy drinks, and various other dietary supplements. Lots and lots of free shit basically. It's actually mildly fun.
It's not as meathead-y as it sounds. There's fitness models (chicks, man), fitness celebrities, UFC fighters, boxers, major apparel companies, gymnastics and sporting competitions, strong man events, karate, etc, etc. It's quite motivating and somewhat refreshing to be surrounded by people that are in 598% better shape than I.
AND, if you're lucky enough, this guy will walk right by you and shake your hand. Great pic, huh? Ahhhhnold!!
Say what you will about the Governator, but they LOVE him in the fitness industry...and hell, he was the Terminator, and he killed the Predator. GET TOO ZEEE CHOPPAH!!
Anyway, so I was in Columbus for that, and it was decided we would go to a Jimmy Buffett Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant....I've never even heard of such a thing....but they do indeed exist. Surprisingly, they specialize in burgers. I changed it up and got a turkey burger. It was extremely average, and I come to find out turkey burgers are in no way a healthier alternative to a hamburger...meh. Lesson learned.
Friday Grand Total: 2135 Calories (i munched on a ton of energy and fitness food and drink!)
I'll be BAACK (tomorrow, with another pre-weigh in update!)
Night night.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Boy v. Scale part uhhh 6 - Day 46 Food Recap
The picture to the right, my friends, is the geographical phenomenon known as a Plateau.
pla·teau (pl-t):
n. pl. pla·teaus or pla·teaux (-tz)
1. An elevated, comparatively level expanse of land; a tableland.
2. A relatively stable level, period, or state: Mortgage rates declined, then reached a plateau.
intr.v. pla·teaued, pla·teau·ing, pla·teaus
To reach a stable level; level off:
"To reach a stable level; or level off"
Now...I'm not just blathering on wildly. I'm getting to a point, I swear.
Nobody who is actively trying to lose weight on a weekly basis wants to reach a point of Plateau...ie. leveling off. One generally would like to continue their incremental rise or descent toward their goal.
Sadly, I seem to have leveled off.
I dug deep this morning, reached for that scale, hopped up, and it read the following:
210.0
Technically, I am down .3 pounds. Now.....look carefully, there is indeed a 'decimal point' in front of that 3. For about 15 seconds, I was disappointed. I continued to dress and prepare for my morning commute like nothing happened. I continued as if this very modest loss didn't mean anything....at least until I got to work...where I started to freak out (inside my head, of course).
I'm halfway convinced that damn scale is broke!!! There just HAS to be some logical explanation...like this scale only measures people starting with 210.0....I dunno. What the F?? What am I doing wrong?
Whatever.
It appears like I have plateaued...but oh no, friends. I've had all day to think about this post....I HONESTLY thought of 10 reasons to just skip today, or to quit altogether.
After sitting on this all day, here I am. I'm back to thinking positive, and back on track. I'm not going to let these past two weigh ins discourage me. I am....Human.
I'm going to continue to log my food in my trusty yellow steno notebook, andpretend like nothing happened accept full responsibility for this temporary Plateau. I'm HONESTLY not phased by this at all. I'm just going to continue what I'm doing. No fads, no crash diets, no quirky tricks or gimmicks.
I'm going to continue to plug away....one day at a time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday food recap:
apple nutrigrain bar = 130 calories
salad (feta cheese, balsamic dress) = 150 cal.
red seedless grapes = 100 cal.
can of chunk light tuna = 100 cal.
salmon patty (Trader Joes; not very tasty actually) = 100 cal.
hummus and pita chips = 200 cal.
cheese and crackers = 200 cal.
Workout: Yes indeed. 20 minutes on the Mill, 15 on the elliptical, and a few machines. No real highlights, the CSU rec was oddly dead.
Grand Total for Monday: about 1000 Calories
Down, but not out:
BK
pla·teau (pl-t):
n. pl. pla·teaus or pla·teaux (-tz)
1. An elevated, comparatively level expanse of land; a tableland.
2. A relatively stable level, period, or state: Mortgage rates declined, then reached a plateau.
intr.v. pla·teaued, pla·teau·ing, pla·teaus
To reach a stable level; level off:
"To reach a stable level; or level off"
Now...I'm not just blathering on wildly. I'm getting to a point, I swear.
Nobody who is actively trying to lose weight on a weekly basis wants to reach a point of Plateau...ie. leveling off. One generally would like to continue their incremental rise or descent toward their goal.
Sadly, I seem to have leveled off.
I dug deep this morning, reached for that scale, hopped up, and it read the following:
210.0
Technically, I am down .3 pounds. Now.....look carefully, there is indeed a 'decimal point' in front of that 3. For about 15 seconds, I was disappointed. I continued to dress and prepare for my morning commute like nothing happened. I continued as if this very modest loss didn't mean anything....at least until I got to work...where I started to freak out (inside my head, of course).
I'm halfway convinced that damn scale is broke!!! There just HAS to be some logical explanation...like this scale only measures people starting with 210.0....I dunno. What the F?? What am I doing wrong?
Whatever.
It appears like I have plateaued...but oh no, friends. I've had all day to think about this post....I HONESTLY thought of 10 reasons to just skip today, or to quit altogether.
After sitting on this all day, here I am. I'm back to thinking positive, and back on track. I'm not going to let these past two weigh ins discourage me. I am....Human.
I'm going to continue to log my food in my trusty yellow steno notebook, and
I'm going to continue to plug away....one day at a time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday food recap:
apple nutrigrain bar = 130 calories
salad (feta cheese, balsamic dress) = 150 cal.
red seedless grapes = 100 cal.
can of chunk light tuna = 100 cal.
salmon patty (Trader Joes; not very tasty actually) = 100 cal.
hummus and pita chips = 200 cal.
cheese and crackers = 200 cal.
Workout: Yes indeed. 20 minutes on the Mill, 15 on the elliptical, and a few machines. No real highlights, the CSU rec was oddly dead.
Grand Total for Monday: about 1000 Calories
Down, but not out:
BK
Monday, March 1, 2010
Day 45 - Manic Monday
Monday.
Manic Monday.*
Monday's are slow.
Monday is boredom.
Monday's are inevitable.
Monday's are unforgiving.
Monday's spawn writer's block.
Monday's are for the Bachelor. (barf)
Monday is my last chance at redemption.
Monday is the day furthest from the weekend.
Monday is the day BEFORE my weekly weigh in.
Monday's USED to be Gossip Girl...(12 week hiatus? what the F?)
Monday is my last chance at eating right, working out, and collecting my thoughts.
Monday is the absolute final day before Tuesday. The day I dread, the day that utterly scares me.
Monday is.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh yeah. I did eat food on Sunday. Please see below for the details (great segue, huh?)
Sunday food recap:
o.j. = 75 calories
a poached egg = 75 cal.
3 slices of bac-y = 130 cal.
english muffin = 100 cal.
trader joe's rice crackers = 110 cal.
glass of sauvignon blanc = 100 cal.
bread and oil = 150 cal.
cheese (dill havarti and extra sharp white cheddar) = 110 cal.
triscuits (i forgot to count, but roughly one serving) = 120 cal.
hummus = 100 cal.
pita chips = 120 cal.
1/2 skinny cow ice cream sandwich = 70 cal.
Workout: Negative. Hang over. Click here for explanation, skim for "Saturday" alcohol.
Grand Total for Sunday: 1275 Calories
I know, I know. It sounds like a lot...but it really wasn't. I hit up Trader Joe's and couldn't wait to try out all of my bounty....I stuck to small portions of a slew of fun treats. I swear they were small!!
After Monday comes Tuesday...my weigh in day. My day of demarcation.
My time to shine.
BK out
* - I wish it was Sunday. That's my fun day. (thanks for that gem, Prince)
Manic Monday.*
Monday's are slow.
Monday is boredom.
Monday's are inevitable.
Monday's are unforgiving.
Monday's spawn writer's block.
Monday's are for the Bachelor. (barf)
Monday is my last chance at redemption.
Monday is the day furthest from the weekend.
Monday is the day BEFORE my weekly weigh in.
Monday's USED to be Gossip Girl...(12 week hiatus? what the F?)
Monday is my last chance at eating right, working out, and collecting my thoughts.
Monday is the absolute final day before Tuesday. The day I dread, the day that utterly scares me.
Monday is.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh yeah. I did eat food on Sunday. Please see below for the details (great segue, huh?)
Sunday food recap:
o.j. = 75 calories
a poached egg = 75 cal.
3 slices of bac-y = 130 cal.
english muffin = 100 cal.
trader joe's rice crackers = 110 cal.
glass of sauvignon blanc = 100 cal.
bread and oil = 150 cal.
cheese (dill havarti and extra sharp white cheddar) = 110 cal.
triscuits (i forgot to count, but roughly one serving) = 120 cal.
hummus = 100 cal.
pita chips = 120 cal.
1/2 skinny cow ice cream sandwich = 70 cal.
Workout: Negative. Hang over. Click here for explanation, skim for "Saturday" alcohol.
Grand Total for Sunday: 1275 Calories
I know, I know. It sounds like a lot...but it really wasn't. I hit up Trader Joe's and couldn't wait to try out all of my bounty....I stuck to small portions of a slew of fun treats. I swear they were small!!
After Monday comes Tuesday...my weigh in day. My day of demarcation.
My time to shine.
BK out
* - I wish it was Sunday. That's my fun day. (thanks for that gem, Prince)
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Food update - Day 43 and 44; Reality is Setting in.
I'm going to sound like a broken record here, but the weekends ARE MY NEMESIS. I go head to head with this nasty bitch each week, and it wins. Every time.
I'm sitting around, watching the closing ceremonies, and I feel like a fat bastard. There's way too much food in ma' beh-lay. I'm presented with food based decisions each and every Friday and Saturday night, and I literally crumble under the pressure. I'm a loser.
It's like I become an orangutan on the weekend. I need someone to come hold my hand, seriously.
Oh, and why does frickin beer have so many Calories?? How is any self-respecting Man of the City supposed to go out and tie one on while still maintaing weight loss goals?? I don't get it. 5 weeks in to this thing, and I'm like WAAAAY tired of Michelob Ultra and Amstel Light.
This is getting hard.
Friday:
nutrigrain bar = 130 cal.
Subway 6" chicken breast (no cheese, friends. you won't even miss it) = 320 cal.
bag o' baked Lays = 140 cal.
1/2 Turkey wrap (Panini's, blah.) = 175 cal.
side of potato chips = 225 cal.
pretzels = 120 cal.
Frito dip = 500 cal.??
Michelob Ultra 8 @95 = 760 cal.
Friday Grand Total = 2370 Calories. Holy Jesus it hurts to type that. What a fat ass. You just can't eat anything these days.
Saturday didn't really get any better.
Saturday food:
nutrigrain bar = 130 calories
1/2 Baked Brie appetizer (it wasn't all that massive) = 200 ish cal.
Vegetable Boxty (Irish potato pancake thingy; def. had to Google this one) = 200 cal.
side of mashed potatoes = 150 cal.
Harp lager 3 @ 140 = 420 cal.
Miller Light = 95 cal.
Piraat Belgian Ale 3 @ 200 (great friggin beverage. extra tasty and 10.5% alcohol) = 600 cal.
pretzels = 150 cal.
Weekend activities: I hit the Jim on Saturday. GREAT workout. Good run, followed up by another 15 minutes on the elliptical. I did a fair amount of shovelling snow before that, and we all know that turned out to be a waste....the snow magically reappeared Sunday morning.
Saturday Grand Total = 1945 Calories
Oy vei. That's a lot of shizz. That's what eating at Sullivan's (quality Irish joint in Lakewood) and going out to Bier Markt will do for you.
This essentially translates into a Mammoth Fail on my part this weekend. I'm sorry, friends.
I'm scared for my Tuesday weigh in. I need some help here. I may have to lop off one of my arms or something...
Well, I have one more day. One more day to end this week strong, eat smart, and get in a solid workout.
BK out
I'm sitting around, watching the closing ceremonies, and I feel like a fat bastard. There's way too much food in ma' beh-lay. I'm presented with food based decisions each and every Friday and Saturday night, and I literally crumble under the pressure. I'm a loser.
It's like I become an orangutan on the weekend. I need someone to come hold my hand, seriously.
Oh, and why does frickin beer have so many Calories?? How is any self-respecting Man of the City supposed to go out and tie one on while still maintaing weight loss goals?? I don't get it. 5 weeks in to this thing, and I'm like WAAAAY tired of Michelob Ultra and Amstel Light.
This is getting hard.
Friday:
nutrigrain bar = 130 cal.
Subway 6" chicken breast (no cheese, friends. you won't even miss it) = 320 cal.
bag o' baked Lays = 140 cal.
1/2 Turkey wrap (Panini's, blah.) = 175 cal.
side of potato chips = 225 cal.
pretzels = 120 cal.
Frito dip = 500 cal.??
Michelob Ultra 8 @95 = 760 cal.
Friday Grand Total = 2370 Calories. Holy Jesus it hurts to type that. What a fat ass. You just can't eat anything these days.
Saturday didn't really get any better.
Saturday food:
nutrigrain bar = 130 calories
1/2 Baked Brie appetizer (it wasn't all that massive) = 200 ish cal.
Vegetable Boxty (Irish potato pancake thingy; def. had to Google this one) = 200 cal.
side of mashed potatoes = 150 cal.
Harp lager 3 @ 140 = 420 cal.
Miller Light = 95 cal.
Piraat Belgian Ale 3 @ 200 (great friggin beverage. extra tasty and 10.5% alcohol) = 600 cal.
pretzels = 150 cal.
Weekend activities: I hit the Jim on Saturday. GREAT workout. Good run, followed up by another 15 minutes on the elliptical. I did a fair amount of shovelling snow before that, and we all know that turned out to be a waste....the snow magically reappeared Sunday morning.
Saturday Grand Total = 1945 Calories
Oy vei. That's a lot of shizz. That's what eating at Sullivan's (quality Irish joint in Lakewood) and going out to Bier Markt will do for you.
This essentially translates into a Mammoth Fail on my part this weekend. I'm sorry, friends.
I'm scared for my Tuesday weigh in. I need some help here. I may have to lop off one of my arms or something...
Well, I have one more day. One more day to end this week strong, eat smart, and get in a solid workout.
BK out
Friday, February 26, 2010
Day 43 food recap - Great Expectations
Expectations are a curious thing. When set low enough, there is opportunity to be surprised and/or rewarded. If set too high, there is almost always disappointment.
The latter is a none too familiar scenario in BK's world.
All week, I've been as giddy as a school boy, ready to hit the town for Cleveland Restaurant Week. I setup a reservation last night at Ponte Vecchio, which resides over by the Superior Viaduct, near the West Bank of the awesome Flat's, essentially attached to that Stonebridge condo complex.
I've been looking forward to dining at Ponte Vecchio for some time now. It's just one of those places that I never quite made it out to. I mean, it's Italian food. North America has become COMPLETELY saturated with Italian food. It's almost NEVER my first choice for dining.
Alas, this particular restaurant does boast one of the best dining views in the city. In that regard, it did not disappoint. The picture to the right depicts a typical view from their parking lot. For my money, the best angle of my fine, fine city.
Anyway, on to the grubbing experience. PV offered a 4 course prix fixe menu. My dining partner and I chose to order all different, and share in the goodness. Here is a down and dirty list of the good, the bad, and the ugly:
The GOOD:
1. the bread and oil
2. the view of Cleveland
The BAD/UGLY:
1. everything else
I mean....out of 9 total food offerings, the bread and olive oil stood out on top. Sad, really. I don't want to go through EVERY SINGLE course and tell you what failed. In a nutshell, everything just felt like it was prepared at 2:00 that afternoon (just sitting around)....and everything was DRAMATICALLY underseasoned.
I'm no Iron Chef (though I guarantee i could beat Cat Cora), but COME ON. Salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, lemon, lime....SOMETHING.....ANYTHING.
Needless to say, I/we were very disappointed. I haven't even mentioned the service, which was absolutely awful as well. Nice guy, but TOTALLY over matched, and in the weeds.
I walked away salty (pun!), and I'm still kind of pissed while typing this out. I work hard for my moneeey...sooo haaard for ma' money!
In conclusion, don't go there. Go to the parking lot, take a few picures, hop back in your car, and drive over to Lola. I really should've known better....it's restaurant week, and all of these chefs/cooks are just trying to stay ahead of the potential crowds....bleh.
The silver lining here is that I didn't really stuff my face. My daily food intake was moderated.
Daytime:
apple nutrigrain cereal bar = 130 calories
strawberry yogurt (damn giant eagle and their bush league fat free yogurt) = 80 cal.
fat free Pringles = 75 cal.
quizno's side salad w/ caesar dressing = 150 cal.
Dinner at Ponte Vecchio:
bread and oil (the best part of the entire experience) = 150 cal.
Kobe Beef carpaccio (beef pierogi, essentially) = 150 cal.
house salad (soooo horrible that i had one bite, and then mumbled several Hail Mary's) = 0
zucchini crusted Cod over orzo (yeah, i know, bad choice; i hate half) = 150 cal.?
pumpkin filled ravioli w/ chicken chunks/shanks (i had like 1 piece of each) = 125 cal.
creme brulee (actually not bad, but served room temperature??) = 200 cal.?
2 glasses pinot noir = 150 calories
Amstel Light = 96 cal.
Thursday Grand Total = 1450 calories
Not too bad, considering I didn't have a chance to workout. Hell, I was hitting it hard earlier this week and needed a day off.
* - I also want to note, for the record, that BK is NOT a picky eater. He eats everything, and gives all food its' equal opportunity. This meal was just BAD.
out
The latter is a none too familiar scenario in BK's world.
All week, I've been as giddy as a school boy, ready to hit the town for Cleveland Restaurant Week. I setup a reservation last night at Ponte Vecchio, which resides over by the Superior Viaduct, near the West Bank of the awesome Flat's, essentially attached to that Stonebridge condo complex.
I've been looking forward to dining at Ponte Vecchio for some time now. It's just one of those places that I never quite made it out to. I mean, it's Italian food. North America has become COMPLETELY saturated with Italian food. It's almost NEVER my first choice for dining.
Alas, this particular restaurant does boast one of the best dining views in the city. In that regard, it did not disappoint. The picture to the right depicts a typical view from their parking lot. For my money, the best angle of my fine, fine city.
Anyway, on to the grubbing experience. PV offered a 4 course prix fixe menu. My dining partner and I chose to order all different, and share in the goodness. Here is a down and dirty list of the good, the bad, and the ugly:
The GOOD:
1. the bread and oil
2. the view of Cleveland
The BAD/UGLY:
1. everything else
I mean....out of 9 total food offerings, the bread and olive oil stood out on top. Sad, really. I don't want to go through EVERY SINGLE course and tell you what failed. In a nutshell, everything just felt like it was prepared at 2:00 that afternoon (just sitting around)....and everything was DRAMATICALLY underseasoned.
I'm no Iron Chef (though I guarantee i could beat Cat Cora), but COME ON. Salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, lemon, lime....SOMETHING.....ANYTHING.
Needless to say, I/we were very disappointed. I haven't even mentioned the service, which was absolutely awful as well. Nice guy, but TOTALLY over matched, and in the weeds.
I walked away salty (pun!), and I'm still kind of pissed while typing this out. I work hard for my moneeey...sooo haaard for ma' money!
In conclusion, don't go there. Go to the parking lot, take a few picures, hop back in your car, and drive over to Lola. I really should've known better....it's restaurant week, and all of these chefs/cooks are just trying to stay ahead of the potential crowds....bleh.
The silver lining here is that I didn't really stuff my face. My daily food intake was moderated.
Daytime:
apple nutrigrain cereal bar = 130 calories
strawberry yogurt (damn giant eagle and their bush league fat free yogurt) = 80 cal.
fat free Pringles = 75 cal.
quizno's side salad w/ caesar dressing = 150 cal.
Dinner at Ponte Vecchio:
bread and oil (the best part of the entire experience) = 150 cal.
Kobe Beef carpaccio (beef pierogi, essentially) = 150 cal.
house salad (soooo horrible that i had one bite, and then mumbled several Hail Mary's) = 0
zucchini crusted Cod over orzo (yeah, i know, bad choice; i hate half) = 150 cal.?
pumpkin filled ravioli w/ chicken chunks/shanks (i had like 1 piece of each) = 125 cal.
creme brulee (actually not bad, but served room temperature??) = 200 cal.?
2 glasses pinot noir = 150 calories
Amstel Light = 96 cal.
Thursday Grand Total = 1450 calories
Not too bad, considering I didn't have a chance to workout. Hell, I was hitting it hard earlier this week and needed a day off.
* - I also want to note, for the record, that BK is NOT a picky eater. He eats everything, and gives all food its' equal opportunity. This meal was just BAD.
out
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Hump Day food recap - Day 41
Damn, 41 days...??? Dude, seriously, it feels like yesterday that I sat down and decided to do, "all of this".
Somehow, it is still both pleasing and liberating for me to write down all of the food that I eat. And honestly, not knowing if anyone (besides my Mom) actually reads this thing is not all that concerning to me. I'm finding it quite helpful to clearly see what it is that I had been feeding my mouth. I can definitely say that I almost NEVER snack in between meals. This is such a novel concept, eh?
I won't lie. This hasn't been easy. I still get cravings for chocolate, white russians, double IPA's, Snyder's ranch pretzel pieces, etc. Hell, if losing and maintain a perfect body weight WAS easy, we'd all be hot....and honestly, we can't have that. What the hell fun is THAT??
Hump Day treated me alright. Had a good day behind my monitor and keyboard, had a nice workout, ordered some Thai take-out....sh*t...can it get much better? Eh? I think not.
Daylight:
box of sun maid raisins = 130 calories
Lean Cuisine ravioli (NOT ohio city pasta, btw) = 220 cal.
apple = 80 cal.
fat free Ruffles (i see absolutely no problem with Olestra, none. oh wait, i have to hit the john real quick) = 75 cal.
Supper:
fried Wonton 4 @ 50ish = 200 ish calories
chicken something stir fry = 225 cal.
2/3 ish cup of steamed rice = 150 cal.
1/2 glass of pinot noir = 50 cal.
1/2 skinny cow ice cream sando = 70 cal.
Grand Total for Wednesday = 1200 calories
Workout: 30 minutes of cardio sandwiched around 20 or so minutes of a circuit routine.
iPod randomness: "Lookin Out My Back Door" by Creedence. Maaaaan, everytime I hear this song i'm instantly transported to the Big Lebowski and the Dude, in his car, pounding on the roof to this song, etc. I just LOVE that movie.
BK out
Somehow, it is still both pleasing and liberating for me to write down all of the food that I eat. And honestly, not knowing if anyone (besides my Mom) actually reads this thing is not all that concerning to me. I'm finding it quite helpful to clearly see what it is that I had been feeding my mouth. I can definitely say that I almost NEVER snack in between meals. This is such a novel concept, eh?
I won't lie. This hasn't been easy. I still get cravings for chocolate, white russians, double IPA's, Snyder's ranch pretzel pieces, etc. Hell, if losing and maintain a perfect body weight WAS easy, we'd all be hot....and honestly, we can't have that. What the hell fun is THAT??
Hump Day treated me alright. Had a good day behind my monitor and keyboard, had a nice workout, ordered some Thai take-out....sh*t...can it get much better? Eh? I think not.
Daylight:
box of sun maid raisins = 130 calories
Lean Cuisine ravioli (NOT ohio city pasta, btw) = 220 cal.
apple = 80 cal.
fat free Ruffles (i see absolutely no problem with Olestra, none. oh wait, i have to hit the john real quick) = 75 cal.
Supper:
fried Wonton 4 @ 50ish = 200 ish calories
chicken something stir fry = 225 cal.
2/3 ish cup of steamed rice = 150 cal.
1/2 glass of pinot noir = 50 cal.
1/2 skinny cow ice cream sando = 70 cal.
Grand Total for Wednesday = 1200 calories
Workout: 30 minutes of cardio sandwiched around 20 or so minutes of a circuit routine.
iPod randomness: "Lookin Out My Back Door" by Creedence. Maaaaan, everytime I hear this song i'm instantly transported to the Big Lebowski and the Dude, in his car, pounding on the roof to this song, etc. I just LOVE that movie.
BK out
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Day 40 Food Recap
Tuesday didn't have a chance.
With renewed motiviation by my side, I stuck to my guns yesterday. I consumed food with razor sharp focus and hit the CSU gym with a racer's determination.
One day at a time.
Daylight:
apple nutrigrain bar = 130 calories
weight watcher's smart one; angel hair marinara = 230 cal.
strawberry yogurt = 100 cal.
pretzels = 110 cal.
Nighty night:
Chicken Parm
1/2 chicken breast = 125 cal.
pasta sauce = 75 cal.
angel hair (i know, pete or repeat? you can never have too much angel hair) = 125 cal.
garlic bread (small pieces of baguette) = 100 cal.
skinny cow ice cream treat = 70 cal.
Done and done. Grand Total = 1065 Calories
Workout: Hammered out 25 minutes of cardio before my Hammy started to fail, and then 25 minutes of weights.
Songs of note to appear on my iPod: "Lump" by POTUSA...an oldie but a goodie. I just love shuffle mode, you really NEVER KNOW what's going to come on.
BK out
With renewed motiviation by my side, I stuck to my guns yesterday. I consumed food with razor sharp focus and hit the CSU gym with a racer's determination.
One day at a time.
Daylight:
apple nutrigrain bar = 130 calories
weight watcher's smart one; angel hair marinara = 230 cal.
strawberry yogurt = 100 cal.
pretzels = 110 cal.
Nighty night:
Chicken Parm
1/2 chicken breast = 125 cal.
pasta sauce = 75 cal.
angel hair (i know, pete or repeat? you can never have too much angel hair) = 125 cal.
garlic bread (small pieces of baguette) = 100 cal.
skinny cow ice cream treat = 70 cal.
Done and done. Grand Total = 1065 Calories
Workout: Hammered out 25 minutes of cardio before my Hammy started to fail, and then 25 minutes of weights.
Songs of note to appear on my iPod: "Lump" by POTUSA...an oldie but a goodie. I just love shuffle mode, you really NEVER KNOW what's going to come on.
BK out
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Boy v. Scale - The Inevitable Fail
I've prepared myself for this. No one is perfect. Sadly, not only have I let myself down, but in some odd, twisted way, I feel like I've let you down, my reader(s).
I hopped up on the scale, actually feeling positive about this, and was instantly disamayed. In the matter of 3.643 seconds, my life was put back into perspective. Serves me right...
My weight this week checks in at:
210.3 lbs.
I weigh basically the same as I did one week ago....and if you want to get technical, I'm UP .1 pounds.
I know this is not the end of the world. I'm perfectly aware that I was NOT going to continue to lose 2-3 pounds each and every week....but it still hurts. I won't lie, I'm a bit disappointed.
I don't want to make excuses here, but I feel like I owe it to 'us' to make an attempt at explaing this. This week was odd. I just didn't feel like I was in the zone. The system that I had been following for the past 5 weeks fell out of sync....and here's why:
1. Last Tuesday - on the heels of a GREAT weigh in last week, I immediately sprinted out to bottle my beer that night. we drank a bunch as we bottled, and feasted on a mountain of BBQ. no excuse. I know I haven't seen these friends in years...but still...i could have been better.
2. Illness - I know, i know. Everyone gets sick, everyone copes. i thought i was handling it just fine, but all in all, I clearly DID NOT workout as frequent, nor as efficient.
3. Ego - I needed a check. i'm probably cheating myself by not reporting EVERYTHING properly, ie. last Saturday. i hosted a game night, where i crossed paths with many fun appetizers and many beers. not only did i not eat in moderation, but i probably didn't track my consumption close enough.
After having mild success, it's easy to get overconfident. It really is. Even after a short 5 week period, you start taking small things for granted. It's human nature...and sadly, I'm only human.
MY PROMISE IS THIS:
No more cheating. I promise that I will come back STRONG this week...as strong as ever. I have the motiviation, and a renewed faith. Hell, this week could be a blessing in disguise.* This is my opportunity to show my true colors, and rise above this mild failure.
* - as you can see, i'm trying to fit in as many cliches as possible this week. ive got a few more, keep reading!!
All cliches aside, I actually COULDN'T WAIT to get in to work to write this latest installment. I literally sprinted across St. Clair to get to the door of my building (well, there many have been a few cars barrelling towards me; semantics).
I would normally feel completely disgusted with myself...but no. After my confrontation with the scale, i think i paced my kitchen for like 3 minutes....just walking back and forth with a sh*t grin on my face. I was plotting how i was going to break this news to the Internet, and I was brainstorming how NOT to let this happen next week.
Again, this is not the end of the world. It's ok. Life is still good.
Not to trivilaize my Monday food logging, but today clearly has a more important message. I'm not going to type everything out. I did fairly well yesterday. I had a nice workout, and came home to make a pork burrito and fresh salsa. I didn't have a late night snack, and I didn't snack at work...
Monday Grand Total = 1410 Calories
ASIDE: I heard a new Spoon song this morning on my drive in, "I Saw the Light". Cool song, and very timely. I HAVE seen the light. I know that sounds hella cheesy, but I'm ready to get back after this, with a fresh, clear outlook.
Next Tuesday can't come soon enough.
BK out
I hopped up on the scale, actually feeling positive about this, and was instantly disamayed. In the matter of 3.643 seconds, my life was put back into perspective. Serves me right...
My weight this week checks in at:
210.3 lbs.
I weigh basically the same as I did one week ago....and if you want to get technical, I'm UP .1 pounds.
I know this is not the end of the world. I'm perfectly aware that I was NOT going to continue to lose 2-3 pounds each and every week....but it still hurts. I won't lie, I'm a bit disappointed.
I don't want to make excuses here, but I feel like I owe it to 'us' to make an attempt at explaing this. This week was odd. I just didn't feel like I was in the zone. The system that I had been following for the past 5 weeks fell out of sync....and here's why:
1. Last Tuesday - on the heels of a GREAT weigh in last week, I immediately sprinted out to bottle my beer that night. we drank a bunch as we bottled, and feasted on a mountain of BBQ. no excuse. I know I haven't seen these friends in years...but still...i could have been better.
2. Illness - I know, i know. Everyone gets sick, everyone copes. i thought i was handling it just fine, but all in all, I clearly DID NOT workout as frequent, nor as efficient.
3. Ego - I needed a check. i'm probably cheating myself by not reporting EVERYTHING properly, ie. last Saturday. i hosted a game night, where i crossed paths with many fun appetizers and many beers. not only did i not eat in moderation, but i probably didn't track my consumption close enough.
After having mild success, it's easy to get overconfident. It really is. Even after a short 5 week period, you start taking small things for granted. It's human nature...and sadly, I'm only human.
MY PROMISE IS THIS:
No more cheating. I promise that I will come back STRONG this week...as strong as ever. I have the motiviation, and a renewed faith. Hell, this week could be a blessing in disguise.* This is my opportunity to show my true colors, and rise above this mild failure.
* - as you can see, i'm trying to fit in as many cliches as possible this week. ive got a few more, keep reading!!
All cliches aside, I actually COULDN'T WAIT to get in to work to write this latest installment. I literally sprinted across St. Clair to get to the door of my building (well, there many have been a few cars barrelling towards me; semantics).
I would normally feel completely disgusted with myself...but no. After my confrontation with the scale, i think i paced my kitchen for like 3 minutes....just walking back and forth with a sh*t grin on my face. I was plotting how i was going to break this news to the Internet, and I was brainstorming how NOT to let this happen next week.
Again, this is not the end of the world. It's ok. Life is still good.
Not to trivilaize my Monday food logging, but today clearly has a more important message. I'm not going to type everything out. I did fairly well yesterday. I had a nice workout, and came home to make a pork burrito and fresh salsa. I didn't have a late night snack, and I didn't snack at work...
Monday Grand Total = 1410 Calories
ASIDE: I heard a new Spoon song this morning on my drive in, "I Saw the Light". Cool song, and very timely. I HAVE seen the light. I know that sounds hella cheesy, but I'm ready to get back after this, with a fresh, clear outlook.
Next Tuesday can't come soon enough.
BK out
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