Day 38 Summary

Monday September 26, 2016
Total Steps For Day: 13,821  (walking only)
Total Calories:  1201    calories 
Weight Loss:  +.3 (-10 lbs loss total to date)

I'm not sure where that little weight blip came from but probably all the sitting around I did all weekend.  I've also read that your weight can stall out if you don't drink the recommended amount of water each day.  I have been remiss with my water intake. 

Today I missed my work out day.  Last Friday I had a problem with my back while working out.  After two days of rest it's still not better so I thought it would be better to lay low 2 more days.  I feel like I committed a crime by missing my work out.  I did go out for a pretty good walk and picked up my first 8600+ steps for the day. 

Diet Day 38 Breakfast

I had my higher protein Nutrisystem Turkey Sausage and Egg Muffin again given I fully intended on working out.  It never hurts to pack in the protein.  I capped off my muffin with 4 ounces of V8 juice and 2 cups of black coffee.  Nutritionally fortified I took off for my walk.

Diet Day 38 Morning Snack

I downed another Dr. Keith's Chocolate Cream protein shake.  I haven't done an analysis of the cost per drink vs the Nutrisystem shakes.  I'll add that to my to-do list.  Neither one is inexpensive.

Diet Day 38 Lunch

I still have not sat down and completed a weekly menu so each meal involves me perusing my food inventory list for something that sounds good.  I grabbed a Nutrisystem Grilled Chicken Sandwich.   I performed the usual routine, microwave then toast up the bun in the little convection oven.   As I don't relish trips to the grocery store I have to settle for any condiments I have in my refrigerator which at this point are few.  I located the very last-of-the-last of the garden lettuce and the end of the red onion.  I was able to add 1 fresh tomato to the produce pile.   I tossed a little Bolthouse Greek Yogurt Blue Cheese dressing on a couple small tomato slices to help fluff up the plate a bit but even so the plate look a little bleak.

I realize the food looks dwarfed.  I guess I should have used a smaller plate although these old "tin" plates are small in comparison to our typical dinner plates.  

Diet Day 38 Afternoon Snack

I'm totally lacking creativity today.  I still have a lot of Toscano salami in the refrigerator so I just slapped 1/2 ounce (2 slices in this case) on my slice of Dave's Killer skinny bread.  I added a little extra protein with a Frigo Mozzarella String Cheese stick.  I also read that your weight will stall out if you are not getting enough protein in your diet.  I served this with a glass of ice coffee.   

Diet Day 38 Dinner

Nothing sounded particularly interesting today for dinner so I selected the Nutrisystem Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo.  I did make the effort to go fetch fresh parsley from the garden.  This dish is pretty bland so anything will help.  I really can't stress enough that when you take all the fat and most of the salt out of cheese you are left with bland, flavorless, goop.  There has to be a better way.  I'd rather cut the small portion of pasta down and top it with a teaspoon of REAL grated Parmesan. Food with flavor is more filling than food that tastes like sawdust.  These are important lessons to learn as we transition from this controlled eating plan to the real world of daily food preparation.

Meanwhile, back to my empty refrigerator.  I assembled some celery and tomatoes and more dressing for my evening vegetables.  Somehow I forgot about my arugula.  Oh well, more for tomorrow.

Diet Day 38 Dessert/Snack

This Nutrisystem Salted Caramel Brownie looked a lot better than it tasted.  I sat the brownie out after dinner and went out for my last walk.  I already hit 11k for the day but a stroll sounded good.  It didn't turn out to the that great because it was still crazy-hot outside.  Once home I sat down to cool off, then dug into the little brownie.  Try as I might I couldn't love it.  It was "ok".  It is sweet with a pleasant chocolate flavor.  The caramel flavor comes from almost microscopic bits of caramel-flavored chips.  If there was any salt added anywhere it was lost on me.  I'd select the Nutrisystem Chocolate Cupcake over this.  I'll make sure to remove this from next month's menu.

Diet Day 38 Wrap Up

I think my lack-luster attitude towards meal prep today stems from a combination of an irritatingly sore back and the fact my weight blipped back up a little.  Food wise I had plenty to eat as usual.  A trip to the grocery store tomorrow is unavoidable.  I need more dark green vegetables and I will plan a "flex dinner" to hone my skills on preparing a correctly-portioned meal on my own.  We'll see how that all goes tomorrow.