It’s always nice when you can start the day with a non-scale win. Being the physical specimen that I am, I have a lot of clothes that I like but don’t wear because I’m not comfortable in them, they’re to tight, too short, or don’t cover up enough. This one particular t-shirt I have worn quite a bit, but always had to do the fat lad stretch. For those of you that don’t know, the fat lad stretch is when you are wearing a t-shirt that isn’t quite baggy enough, you lean forward and put the t-shirt over your knees and then lean back whilst opening your knees up a bit, stretching the t-shirt in both length and width. Sure, the t-shirt may end up looking a little out of shape, but it fits more comfortably. Today I grab the t-shirt thinking it was a different one, anyway, I put it on and it doesn’t need stretching, in fact, it is hanging pretty loose. Non-scale win.
Knowing what the meal plan is for today, I opt for some fruit for breakfast, trying to keep the ball rolling and see what else I can fit into before holiday. I’ve been coring and slicing my apple, making it easier to eat and weigh for calorie tracking, as well as making it easier for Darby to have some. Every time I get the apple corer out he thinks sharing is caring, and obviously I love my Darby so I share, but when my breakfast consists of a banana and an apple I would rather have it all to myself, I’m not trying to be so strict with calories that I want to give them away. You just know though that the day I prepare another apple all for Darby will be the day he decides he doesn’t want any. Anyway, we’ll call it 114 calories.
Lunch is the trusty mac n’, wait, no it isn’t. Lunch is the new world of Asda frozen ready meals, and their mac and cheese didn’t look too good so instead I have chicken and bacon pasta bake. I know ready meals have a bad reputation, but I’ve always figured as long as you aren’t expecting too much then they aren’t terrible. As a nice surprise this meal is actually quite tasty, and for lunch it is plenty filling enough. I mean, it could do with more chicken, and I couldn’t have even told you there was bacon, but I enjoyed it. 492 calories.
The sun is out and so am I, with Darby. The grass has been cut on the green out the front of the house, so it takes us a while to actually get to stepping, once Darby has thoroughly inspected every scent. Once we get going we go at speed, well, by my standards, because it is getting scarily close to school kicking out time, and I have no interest in being out with Darby with a bunch of kids around. Have you seen kids these days? They’re horrible! On our way back we head into the park for the first time in a few months, and fortunately it has now dried out and become a typical field again rather than the bog that it was. The grass has also been cut here so we stutter our way through. Not the most taxing of walks, but an easy 326 calories.
It wouldn’t be a day ending in Y if I didn’t have a cheestring and packet of crisps. They’re yummy, they’re a nice treat, and they are low in calories so for now I’m sticking with them. Eventually I’ll get bored, but for now let’s add those 132 calories.
Tea, much like the snacks, is one that is going to show up regularly. Taco bowls. But wait, there’s more. They’re not just taco bowls, they’re new and improved Crunchy Taco Bowls!!! Even though it is a big bowl of food, the original recipe could do with being a little more filling. As I have mentioned before, I’m limited with what I can use in terms of veg, beans, and the like. With that in mind, I increase the amount of tortilla chips being used. Yes, it adds a bunch of calories, but it also helps to make it a filling meal so it’s worth the extra calories. In addition, I add 1 red and 1 yellow bell pepper to mine, along with a dollop of sour cream, and a dollop of salsa. Everything added, it’s a big old bowl of 836 calories.
At the gym my legs seem to have decided they can’t be bothered today, so I struggle through the 10 minute warm up on the bike followed by a 5 minute interval set, getting a sweat on with that HIIT. I guess I’m a glutton for punishment though because today is leg day, sad face. I hit the abductor and adductor, I’m never going to get that Calvin Klein advert if I don’t work on my bum. Next up is the leg press, which pulls double duty as a calf raise. The leg extension and leg curl are taken so back on the bike. Luckily my legs have woken up and are ready to go. Vikki is finishing off her PT session, so I go for a 5 minute interval set. I’m done, but Vikki isn’t, they’re still doing a cool down. Another 5. Now they’re talking, 5 minutes steady pace, then another 5, and one more 5 minute spin for good measure. Yep, 5 minutes turned into 25. But it did put me well over 1000 calories burned through exercise for the day, yippee.
We’re home early enough that I can make a slush and decide to opt for Orange juice. I have about 3/4 of the bottle, which amounts to roughly 300 calories. I know it isn’t great, and is high in sugar, but it’s an orange juice slush, there aren’t many better ways to cool down after a hard session at the gym.
Total calorie intake 1906
Total calorie expenditure through exercise 1257