This is not my salad, but it kind of looks like.
Exercise is only half the equation when trying to get back in shape. Diet also plays a huge role in your weight loss, your energy levels and overall fitness performance. This is not news. You don’t need me, or a dietitian for that matter, to tell you that.
However, there are many fad diets out there that claim to do everything but run on the treadmill for you. I’ve tried several of them. The basic tenet of any key fitness plan is to eat fewer calories than you burn, maintain a healthy mix of carbs/fat/protein and try not to over do it at the wrong times of the day.
I’m presently in a long-distance marriage so I’m cooking for one, which has helped me eat the right kind of meal to lose weight. I bore only myself with my meals. So what do I eat most days?
Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs w/ guacamole and pepper. 8 oz. orange juice. 1 cup coffee
Lunch: Salad – Mixed greens w/ grilled chicken and honey mustard dressing, Fage yogurt 0% or 2%
Mid-Afternoon Snack: Almonds, unsalted
Dinner: Varies – Usually a protein mixed with vegetables w/ red wine or ONE beer
Desert: 1 or 2 pieces dark chocolate.
I drink at least two liters of water during the day and have recently switched to green tea over coffee.
As you can see the meals are all very simple and east to prepare. They won’t win any culinary awards, but until my wife joins me in Alabama, but they’ll do. I recently made the decision to cut out a lot of my carb intake by ditching Subway for dinner and turkey sandwiches for lunch. The results thus far have been positive. I probably get more protein than I need, but I’m trying my best to burn it.
The key is not to bleed calories. I pay attention to portion and serving sizes and make sure not to overeat on healthy foods. A salad can turn unhealthy quickly when you pile on the cheese and ranch dressing.
I’ll stick with this meal plan for at least this week and the next before I try to switch it up. That way I avoid a week-long break down with binge eating at lunch and dinner.
