I have both Shelley and Tony to thank for making me an honest woman. Here I was saying it had been 8 days since I last had cheese. Well, they both pointed out that a mere 5 days ago I had a cup of Panera’s broccoli CHEDDAR soup. So it hasn’t been a full 8 days since I had cheese. . . I lied. BUT I have to say going from having cheese at nearly every meal to ONCE in 8 days, I think that is still amazing to me I’ve lasted that long.
It was another rise and shine day to hit the gym before work! I love that my food and workout bag is packed and ready to go – I woke up at 6:30 (snoozed a bit after the alarm!) and was in the car at 6:44!
On tap was arms/abs/cardio. The strength portion took me 35 minutes and I ended up doing 8 miles on the bike in 35 minutes. Nice!
It wasn’t until I was ready to shower that I realized my bag that has my hairbrush, shampoo, etc. was still sitting on the floor NEXT to my packed bag at home – it never made it in the bag! So my fingers actually “combed” my hair when I put it back in a pony tail, and I have a spare deodorant in my car – whew! Thank goodness I don’t give a shit what I look like at work!
My pre-workout meal – un-photographed high fiber English muffin with a tablespoon of peanut butter. I am shocked at how full that keeps me – I didn’t eat my “real” breakfast until 10:30! More crustless, cheeseless zucchini quiche with grapes and Chobani.
I had planned on hitting up the pool at lunch again, but the little kids were testing in the pool to see if they could graduate to the next level – lots of parents around, so I ended up walking on the treadmill, watching the Chew at a 3.8 mph pace on a 7.0 incline.
Remember the whole chicken Tony grilled last Friday night – and made me my “cleanse approved” side dish of sweet potatoes, corn and carrots? I ended up making a chicken vegetable soup with the leftovers – no real recipe, just picked off the chicken and added the cooked veggies with some chicken brother – easy peasy.
On my second to third bite of my soup it had a nice layer of heat to it, and I couldn’t remember adding any crushed red pepper or anything – doh! I forgot Tony added jalapeno to my veggies – just the right amount of spice.
I ended up buying Tony some gyro meat to make for lunches during the week, only to remember that I didn’t have any pita bread! If you haven’t tried making pita bread, it’s so easy. Just mix the dough, let it rest, and then cook a couple minutes a side in a hot cast iron skillet. I used halfbakedharvest’s recipe – only I halved it to only make 4 pita breads. Each pita bread comes in at 160 calories, 2.2 fat, 30 carbs, 1.3 fiber and 4.4 protein. I asked Tony how the pita bread turned out and he said “it was softer than I thought it would be.” Ah, perfection!
So, I did sneak in a little “white” during my cleanse – I made a roast beef and spinach panini to go with my soup. Holy cow this sammie was delicious! Even without the cheese.
The afternoon flew by at work. Dinner was done the night before – my best beef stew – although without the beer! I always think that beef stew tastes better after it sits a day or two. I may have had two tiny biscuits on the side. I counted the calories though!
Nothing more comforting than a bowl of beef stew. I actually like the added cinnamon and brown sugar to the beef – it’s subtle but really rounds out the flavors. And since I didn’t use beer or wine in the stew, I added 6 ounces of mushrooms to the base – they kind of dissolved in the gravy, but seemed to give this an extra beefy flavor.
Stats for the Day:
- 1699 calories, 189 carbs, 96 protein, 62 fat and 17.2 fiber
- 32% of calories from fat, 22% of calories from protein and 44% from carbs
- 35 minute arms/abs for strength
- 35 minute 8 mile bike ride
- 40 minute 2.5 mile small hill climb at lunch
I have legs on tap for strength today with cardio. I rescheduled one of my doctors appointments from Monday to today – I am ashamed to admit it, but it’s been SIX YEARS since I’ve been to the gynecologist – gah! I guess I am too busy making sure I am taking care of my diabetes, that I kicked the gyno to the curb! They actually had to pull my file out of storage for my appointment (hanging head!).
Alright, time to get the show on the road – make it a great day!
One time cheese in 8 days is very good! Especially since you love it so much.
I have an invitation for a swab for uturus cancer for 6 months at my home (they do that every 5 years here) and it wasn’t till Tuesday that I had it done. I have IBS problems for over 3 years now and finally tomorrow I have a doctor’s appointment about it to see if I can do something about it :blush: so I’m terrible at these things too.
I so need to make some beef stew SOON!! That sounds soo dang good.
I understand the nature of your challenge, but I think what’s important in doing these things is stretching your culinary vocabulary, so to speak. I’ve really tried to make this my ongoing goal this year–I see it not as eliminating foods/food groups, but giving myself more foods to love and enjoy. That way I enjoy my favorite foods when I have them, but I don’t have to rely on them. So dipping into the “oh-no-no” foods once during this time period still reads as a win in my book. 🙂
that chicken veggie soup. FEED ME!
You didn’t lie if you didn’t even know it! And, yes, that is quite a feat anyway. I can’t imagine not going that long (purposefully!) without cheese. But I should probably do try it sometime.
It’s been longer than that for me. Triple shame. You are rockin’ it! And every picture of you shows the new skinny you! And the new healthy you! Cheese is a tough one but it looks like you are doing it well. And right!
Okay, if I can go to the gyno – so can you Abbe – I’ll keep at you! 😀
p.s. thanks for thinking I am skinny!
Love the idea of cinnamon and brown sugar to a beef stew!!!
It’s subtle, but delicious!
You are doing so well. I think I have had cheese every single day. Trying to use up stuff I know J wont eat, My surgery is Nov 19th. I start liquids for 2 weeks on Tuesday. Not looking forward to that.
Wow, that came quickly! I still need to message you on Facebook – hugs!
Great Job! I think you can be forgiven for your lie. I mean it’s not like you are going home to a plate of cheese and crackers…geesh!! I work out 6-7am. Alarm at 5:40am. Lets just say that at 7am I feel a whole lot better than at 540am…LOL. have a good HUMP DAY BIZ!
Me too – I was tired after working out the first couple days, but now I nearly bounce out of bed in the morning – who knew?!
That cheese, it’s sneaky! 😉
I know, right Shelley!?
Psh, no worries about the cheese my dear! It’s a hard thing to take out of your diet, I remember those days…now I don’t think twice and eat the crappy vegan stuff out there…but just so it holds everything together. and no pap in 6 years! my doctor basically hunts me down if i don’t show up on a year to date! You’re doing awesome lady!
Thanks Mel!
Cheese is a tough one to omit. You are doing great, and giving me alot to work with (and think about) on my own journey! Don’t forget that Mammogram. You are awesome!
Thanks Jan – making my appointment later today for the mammo – I have to keep Tony’s boobs healthy!
I just saw my Dr. last week and the last time I saw her was 2008 for my pap. I was overdue too. Good thing I’m healthy. I do get my yearly mammo’s though, so it’s not like I was slacking. Plus after my blood test, she said my levels were excellent! Keep up the excellent work! BTW I’ve got 12 days of Insanity left!
Wow – way to go Wendy! So proud that you stuck with Insanity!! I got my prescription for the mammo – that’s next on the list. 😀
Good luck @ that gyn appt. – gotta keep up with those…it’s all part of taking care of our whole selves:)
Your food looks great as usual – do you use a specific broth when you don’t make it yourself? Also, I once heard Rachel Ray say she likes to add a little allspice to beef in recipes (like her grandfather did) – I’ve done it (just a little) and it adds something interesting.
I use something called chicken base – it comes in a jar for $4 and is like 96 servings – each teaspoon is a cup of broth. Huh, I am usually not a fan of allspice, but I may have to give that a try to beef!
Well, since you’ve got that gyn appointment today, I sincerely hope you remembered all your stuff for showering 😉
I did indeed and even shaved my legs! How nice am I?!
“Thank goodness I don’t give a shit what I look like at work!” hahahha- I heart you. That cracks me up. Stew is definitely better after it sits!
Yep, and today my workout clothes had stains on them – I am klassy with a K!
I am really good about forgetting something I need for showering at the gym; I’ve forgotten towels, shampoo, body wash, hair dryer, etc. I will never cast stones at someone for avoiding the gyno – I’ve done the same for … well let’s see, my son is 9 so it’s been a little over eight years. Oops?!
You are doing great on your cleanse! I started a little somethin’ somethin’ over the weekend myself! Have a great day, Biz!
Alright, you have me beat so you probably still have time before the end of the year to get it done – deal?! 😀
I will try not to lecture you on the doctor front and I hope all goes well. I may have to give homemade pita bread a try. You are the QUEEN of leftovers. I love it!
Of all the breads Kym, that has to be the easiest! So fricken good!
Dang – I can’t wait for the weight in – you are doing an incredible job!!!
And, ummm, good luck (or something) at the gyno!!!
I am kind of anxious to weigh in tomorrow too – that rarely happens!
You’re doing an amazing job!
Um, pretty sure you are doing amazeballs Mara – down 25 pounds – woop!!
Well, it wasn’t a blatant lie, so I forgive you. 🙂
Thanks Heather – I am still practicing my one handed handstands – not there yet, but you’ll be the first to know!
You’re still a hero in my book!
Ha, thanks Suzi!
you know what? NO CHASTISING FROM ME.
just applause youre going back to the doc today!
xo
Thanks Miz – not every day I get fingered at lunch, but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do! 😀
LOL! You crazy woman!