Day 27 - 30: Biking and Baking

Continuing onward in the 100 day challenge...one day at a time! Some good days here recently. Always better when I'm not traveling...

Day 27 - Thursday

Another day sitting at the desk for work - but ended with a good hour working out with my trainer! Followed by the most boring tilapia/spinach dinner you can imagine (not my night to cook.)

Day 27: Net Calories  839; steps 8,656

Day 28 - Friday

Rest Day - Getting ready for the long ride tomorrow! A tad too many calories today yet net still under target :)

Day 28: Net Calories  1160; steps 9,407

Day 9 - 26: Travel, Eating :( - Healthy Baking

Fall is here! Yeah - I love that feeling of crispness in the air, color in the trees, diving under comforters, and starting fires! Downside lately has been way too much travel for work and dealing with some stressful home front activities. As noted in the daily summaries below - not too back but not great in terms of a strong finish...


Full Irish Breakfast (Wiki)



I cannot fully share the lure and dangers of the full Irish Breakfast... this is more than 100% of my daily calorie intake. The hotel I was staying at only had buffet no other options feasible. Practically no part of it is healthy - save the stewed tomato and cup of tea. A full fry-up contains on around 1,300 calories, which is an OMG moment. What would you eat here? Not to mention that there was also a bread bar (muffins, toast, etc.) Here's the full list:

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