Day 7-8/105 Days - Rolling HIlls

Day 7 - Friday

Rest Day - every body needs one! Today was mine. Had a meeting in the office in the early AM and then worked the rest of the day at home. Made some big decisions on things around the house - and then putz around getting ready for my ride in the morning. Eating on Track! Great Day!

Day 7 Summary: Net Calories  762; steps 12,773

Day 8 - Saturday

Bike Ride Views - Aug 2016, Illinois

The day of the big ride! My new bike buddy Holly and I took off at dawn to partake in the Tour Of Scenic Ogle County bike ride.  It's 2 hours west of Chicago - and wow what a different it makes in topography. I indulged in a Vente Soy Latte knowing there was a big workout ahead of me!

When I initially looked at the route I thought that there were not many steep bits so it would be OK. Now having ridden it - I notice that the first 4.5 miles are all uphill and the uphill has hills! Then even when it is downhill the downhill has hills. This went on for 3 hours! The never ending Spin Class! Everyone seemed to really be enjoying that - Not! My buddy was exceptional at keeping me motivated!  The blue line at the bottom of the photo is my speed over time... up hill aka 3-6 mph, downhill aka 18-32 mph, flat aka 10-15 mph...

It was an awesome energy burner! Plus we biked past the Naschua Grasslands Tall Grass Prairie complete with Bison - so you know I loved that.  You can barely make out the bison dots in the middle photo above.  I definitely burned off the cookies I ate at those rest stops...

Day 8 Summary: Net Calories  829; steps 30,883



Day 5 - 6/105: Opening up the Club

Wake Up Sleepy Head...

Day 4 -

Start the day before the sun comes up. Get to the club for a 5:30A session with my trainer. I am turning on the lights at the gym.

Feels like my private place. Sweat but no tears :) Although we used the dreaded TRX (which after last time my knee was out of sorts for a month or so - no direct cause  / effect noted perhaps just timing) it was all good!

Day 4 summary: Net Calories  947; steps 8,2182

Day 5 - Again start the day off working out at the club - a late start today, 6AM. Tonight was going out with my girlfriend to workout - however we did end up at the bar, but this after a brisk walk. Even with the martinis - maintained calorie intake for the day! At work a girlfriend gave me a Paleo Cookbook - she swears by it. So this can be some weekend reading.

Day 5 summary: Net Calories 1,010; steps 9,647



OK Back to work and sadly planning another business trip....


Take it away Willie: On the Road Again, Just can't wait to get on the road again.... (Not!)

Days 3-4/105: Work out and Reward

Onward...


Day 3 - I took off to the Club (aka Five Seasons in Northbrook) and enjoyed one of the group classes. This was toning - and standing in front of the mirrors was a bit tough to take. Bypassed the pasta my daughter made for dinner. Hydrated and cleaned house. Checked off for the day complete. Also made plans for a 30 mile ride this weekend. So all good.

Day 3 summary: Net Calories 607; steps 10,415

Low Fat Low Sugar Apple/Pear Cake w/ recipe below

Day 4 - Today I just had to use up those pears and apples picked over the weekend. Created the low-fat, low-sugar cake recipe below. Reward! Turned out rather well - super moist. Looks yummy right? Next time will reduce the milk if using pears because they are much moister than apples. I had a totally veggie dinner to allow for a piece of this cake.

Workout today included going for a long walk outside; just love the fall crispness :) Food on track.

Changed up a girls night out date that was wine/dine - but is now working out and sauna :)

Day 4 Summary: Net Calories 760; Steps 12,210



Teresa's Low-Fat Apple/Pear Cake Recipe 

• 1.5 pounds firm apples or pears sliced thin
• 1 egg and 1 egg white
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar or lower cal option use sugar substitute with 1 Tbl Molasses
• lemon zest
• salt
• 1 cup wheat flour
• 1/4 cup no-sugar almond milk
• 3 tsp baking powder
• Nutmeg and Cinnamon to taste
• Optional Raw sugar to sprinkle on top
• Bake - 350 F for 30-40 minutes
• Nutrition estimate: Should be ~115-135 Cal/Piece

Day 2/105 - Bike Wisconsin

For Day 2 of my run to the end of the year I went to Wisconsin. 

Apple Holler - Asian Pears :)



The first part of the day was a walk through the orchards at Apple Holler - wow this pace was crowded! none the less a nice opportunity for real time apple tasting and testing. I really like the Honey Crisp. Also fell in love with Asian Pears - later this week time to make some pear tart of pear/apple sauce.

After that, met up with my new bike pal, Holly, and we biked the Pike Trail and County Line Trail. Super weather and nice time biking along the lake and the marina was beautiful. Sadly fell a few times - at one point breaking the seat stem on the bike! Luckily found an open bike shop only 5 miles off the route. In total we biked just over 22 miles. All good.

Daily summary: Net Calories - 400, Steps 15,200 :)

Another good day!

Finishing the Year Strong - 100 Days of Fitness

Did you know that there are about 100 days left until the end of 2016? OMG this year has gone by so fast. I started the year wanting to break through 100 pound loss - and I still haven't made it. In fact with traveling 25% of the time, dealing with loss, other stress eating - I've actually gone backwards and gained weight.


So - I'm going to finish the year strong. 100 Days of Fitness.


Day One -
- Eat right
- Spent 2 hours kayaking in nearby park
- 1 hour cleaning house :)


Day summary: Net Calories 1004 :)

Day 1 - Kayaking Skokie Lagoon

Yeah - one down, 104 to go!