McDonald's under 200 Calories

I've figured out a little meal at Mickey D's that'll get you satisfied both in the tummy and on the scale!

Keep this in mind as you read through. A cheeseburger from the golden arches is 300 calories, and mcchicken is 360 calories, 3 chocolate chip cookies is 480 calories! just three little cookies! holy cow!

alright, here's the meal:

Order a side salad (20 calories) with lowfat balsamic vinegarette (40 calories, but I use half the package so 20 calories there). Then order a snack wrap grilled with no sauce. Take the snack wrap apart and cut the chicken (60 calories) and throw the chicken pieces with the cheese and shred into the side salad (the cheese is 40 calories and the shred is 0 calories). Don't use the flour tortilla because that's 140 calories right there. Mix up the salad and with a side of apple dippers without the carmel (35 calories and 70 calories respectively) and water to drink you'll only rack up 175 calories with this meal!

It's light and and fresh (you might want to make sure the side salad is fresh, it is McDonald's afterall) and it won't tip the scale. Since this will be less than 4 bucks it won't tip your wallet either.

That's all for now. Enjoy your fast food responsibly.

Running is hot.

This song was originally meant to push runners and encourage them right? I think it is...the lyrics are:

Lovely Is The Feelin' Now
Fever, Temperatures Risin' Now
Power (Ah Power) Is The Force The Vow That Makes It Happen It Asks No Questions Why (Ooh)
So Get Closer (Closer Now) To My Body Now Just Love Me 'Til You Don't Know How (Ooh)

Keep On With The Force Don't Stop
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

I do feel quite 'lovely' while I'm running. The temperature WAS rising outside, as you'll read shortly. I get power everytime I run and the force of my talking scale is what pushes me and I can't ask questions. Fitness is getting closer to my body and I will love my body again. This is the only meaning that I could think of that these words could mean. What else could it mean?

I went running today but I woke up late. Therefore I did not run at my usual time of 5:15 AM (yes dad, I DO actually get up in time for that!....except for today) I went running around 1:15 PM...on a clear day in June in southern california...it's 82 degrees F (28 C). There's a breeze going and a category 5 speed of 7 MPH...it must've constantly been behind me because I didn't feel anything. 42 % humidity and the visibility range is 10 miles (phew, vision IS a concern when it comes to running). Since it was warm I obviously didn't wear my sweatshirt like usual, I wore a tank top...black. Now, let's just see what the UV index is...hmm..oh...it's 10 very high. You're thinking, 'well surely you put sunscreen on didn't you?'

..."didn't you?!?"

"uh"

"you're an idiot!"

"yes. yes I am"

Hopefully I won't burn TOO bad, I'm only translucent skin deep. I actually dimmed out the sun a little in comparison to my lack of melanin. However dumb I may be, it is a good idea to put sunscreen on and it's fairly easy nowadays. They even have those sunscreen sprays so you don't have to have someone rub your back for you anymore....wait, how is that a good thing? oh wait, where was I?

Yes, you should consider wearing light colored objects (shoes, hat, shirt, shorts, etc.) since white will reflect the light and dark colors will only obsorb it and warm you up so nicely. Here I am with a black tank top and navy blue shorts...now the shorts are very breathable so they don't really bother me, and the tank top is loose. Don't you love me trying to justify myself?

There was even a yard sale...no, it wasn't called that, it had signs saying 'estate sale'. I guess that'd be more accurate since they're not saleing their yard nor their garage, and the property is considered estate, I suppose. A woman who must've organized the 'estate sale' hollered something at me.

"It's too hot to be running!"

"oh, I know" I responded as I continued running...my 4 minutes weren't up yet! "but it's not too bad"

"Do you have your water?"

"uh...it's at my house"

"oohh"

"it's ok though, I can just ringout my cap when I'm done and drink that."

I ran out of earshot at this point. It's interesting how people look at you and respond to you while running, but the general publics' reaction is a topic for another time.

Be sure to listen steve runner's podcast, it's a great podcast that discusses running basics and has stories to motivate you to lace up and get going. This is all from the point of view of a middle of the pack marathon runner, last I've heard his PR (personal record) was 4 hours 22 minutes. You can find it at www.steverunner.com.

Take care and have fun out there!...oh yea, don't forget you're sunscreen.

Almost 5K distance today!

"Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself." - William Faulkner

An interesting note about running is that the mornings I go running I'll feel good throughout the day and I'll have more energy. I've heard this before but never really believed it, but it's actually true. huh, howabout that!

Currently I am in week 2 of my couch to 5K program and already I'm able to run 2.5 miles. A 5K distance is 3.1 miles so I was almost there. Even though I know how long three miles is I don't know what the miles feels like on my legs. So, I mapped out the distance using an online distance calculator ( click here to use the google map I used. Very helpful!) and was curious to see how far I'd get. Today is Friday of the second week in my program so I have to run for 4 minutes and then walk for 1. Repeat 6x for a total workout time of 30 minutes. According to this map I ran/walked 2.6 miles! In week two! There are eight weeks total in this program, speaking of which, let me tell you about this program!

It's simply called "Couch to 5K", I think the title is pretty self explanatory. Those of us who have allowed our bodies to waste away on the couch of doom are now able to follow this plan and get back into the groove, regardless of your age! (by the way, you should check with your doctor before doing this to make sure you are able to take on such a venture. Some people are so obese that trying to run this program would actually hurt them. Think about this, every time you take a stride of walking you are exerting 3 times your body weight on your knee, now consider this point for running. WOW! I pulled this information that was from a study discussed in the podcast by Dr. Monte entitled Fitness Rocks!)

There are a lot of variations of this program so you'll have to see which one is best for you. Some are longer and some are shorter. Some will tell you how long to run for and walk for and others will tell you how far to run and then how far to walk. Personally I use this program from www.runnersworld.com. You can find another one on www.coolrunnings.com and you can always use a search engine to find more. Further more, if you have an MP3 player you can download the 'podcast for runners' podcast that is for the couch to 5k program. You'll listen to a host cue you when to run and when to walk. Be sure to check those out if you are interested. I opted not to use that method since I like listening to podcasts or music.

Some podcasts I can suggest are: "Fitness Rocks", "Daily Breakfast with Fr. Roderick", "Phedippidations" by Steve Runner. These are awesome, informative, and sometimes humorous podcasts which makes the running more 'tolerable'. Of course when you get into it and truly dedicate yourself you'll be yearning to go out running. These podcasts are also very inspirational and have helped me to 'switch the light on' for fitness and self improvement. Like I said, I feel great the mornings I run and people at work notice. They ask why am I so hyper today....I prefer the term energetic. Because I AM! So much more energy and your mood will be much better. The benefits of getting into shape start fairly quickly and will last a lot longer than that 89 cent cheeseburger you had for lunch today.

If you are still reading, I'm shocked. I hope you are enjoying this because I'm not really typing for people to read, necessarily, this is for me. It's sort of an accountability thing. Sure I've told people about it but they usually ask me who bif is and why is he running? oh well. I usually answer it's because bif is fat! chuckle. Speaking of accountability I have to be honest, I did 'fudge' a little. I had a large soda from jack in the box with four tacos, now, the tacos ARE made from soy, so...yea, they're ok right? right? well, maybe in moderation but the soda was unnecessary, but it sure was good! plus my wife and I got a pack of oreos, man OH MAN! those were DELICIOUS!!! I felt happy and had a wonderful chocolaty cookie after taste in my mouth. Then I stepped into the bathroom and there it was...the scale. oooooo.
"what did you do Daniel" said the scale
"who? me? ...uhh..nothing, i ran!"
"you did something else Daniel"
"uh...yea, I rode my bike!"
"No Daniel, you know what I'm talking about"
"ok ok, I ate junk food, but I run so it's ok right?"
"well, why don't you step on and find out?"
"uh, I'd really rather not, it's getting late, I have to get to bed, clean the kitchen, you know"
"yes, I do know, and I don't lie"

...dang...

well, I've learned my lesson, and I think it's that I'm weak, no that's not it. I have to deal with my temptations better. I'll get there, and so will you. It's not easy, but you can thank the world for that one, with all the advertisements and conveniences for fast food and junk out there. It's no wonder 2/3 of the nation is obese!

ok I've talked enough, your eyes are probably bloodshot by now, and my fingers have had enough exercises for today.

Stay strong and get out there and RUN!

Why do you run? Because I'm Fat.

Good day to all you runners out there, beginners and maybe some experts who would like to peer into the world and experience of a novice runner, if I can even call myself a runner yet.

There are so many podcasts and blogs out there dedicated to running that I thought I'd jump aboard and share my moments with you...if any are even interested in this pitiful blog. I don't know how my format will be and I don't know if I'll continue doing this. If I can stay dedicated to this as I am now dedicated to running, then I'll be a regular blogger.

The title of this blog is, well, my answer to most questions nowadays. I'm 25 years old, male, six foot two inches and I currently weigh 250 pounds. (this morning the scale said 249 after my run). I am considered OBESE by the BMI standard, but by America's standard, I'm just a little plump, nothing a good fried chicken can't help. Joking aside, I have to get myself back into shape. Not too long ago while I was in high school I could run, jump, swim and not think twice about eating two double burgers from In 'n' Out (the double doubles animal style...mmm.). Now, the burgers have caught up with me and are attached to my gut and my rear....sticking out further than I'd like.

I'm crunched on time so I just wanted to introduce myself and next blog I will tell you about a great beginning running program that I have recently started and am enjoying. It's called Couch to 5K.

So far it's been a great workout. I look forward to hearing from you...any of you....are there any of you out there reading this lame blog? probably not.

Take care and run long!

-D