July 2

FUEL:
700: Optimum Rebound Cereal w/ Skim Milk
930: Emerald's Smoked Almonds
1100: Kashi Go-Lean & BBQ Corn Chips
100: Salmon; "Raw Pasta" from last night; WW Walnut Bread; Peach
330: BBQ Corn Chips
600: Garlicy Spinach; Sauteed Zucchini; Egg; Rebound Cereal & Skim Milk; Wheat Thin Crisps
945: Banana & PB; 75% Light Sharp Cheddar; Egg; Rebound Cereal; Peach

Fueling Philosophy-

Books like the Abs Diet and Body for Life have built into their diet plans a "cheat meal." I used to think, "why wreck your perfect week like that? If you're dedicated enough to follow through the rest of the week, why not just go all the way? You probably learn to enjoy eating healthily anyways." But I've come to see that, well, never actually make it through the "perfect" week, since I usually screw up within 4 days because I let myself get too hungry and the body tries to compensate later, or because I gave into stress/boredom traps. It's the principle of delayed gratification that's necessary to promote difficult but good-for-ya behavior in the present, and you need something to look forward to when stress/boredom hits. So I think I'm going to think of some treat- it doesn't have to be a "cheat meal," even. I like the idea of treating myself to a wholesome but more expensive than I would usually allow myself treat from Wholefoods. They have some exotic (relative to regular-people fare), healthy foods that would be fun to try.

Another habit I've discovered is that I tend to finish off whatever bag or box of snack I purchased. Perhaps the best thing to do would be to avoid these traps in the first place. But sometimes, I feel like I need it (that's bad, I know). So I've realized that if I'm going to do it anyways, go for not the bulk package that's cheaper per ounce- so difficult for pragmatic, efficiency-driven me (most of the time) to do- but to spend that extra money to get a smaller, pre-portioned package. When it comes to the $3.50 package of the 1-lb chips vs. the $2.00 package of 7oz Soy Crisps, go for the smaller thing, because 1) I'm going to finish a bag either way, 2) If I go with the chips, I'll have paid more to feel more sick by the end than I would have with the crisps, and I will have downed twice the calories. And lastly, go with what's at least partially good for you. Soy Crisps contain 7g of protein per serving. Protein is a wonderful thing- half of the calories from protein get used up to digest that very protein! And it's more filling, and it aids in muscle-building. A lot of times, when I get into these things, it's because I have a salt craving. I think I'd be content with a load of salt or strong seasoning topping anything. That's where veggies come in.

FIT:
30min Elliptical (HR 150-160-170-180 bell-curvish, max at 190)
1hr Abs like crazy (shoulders hurt most of all, though, maybe b/c of arm work in the elliptical)
2-mi walk round-trip to and from gym