I tossed and turned all night last night from the heat and I had restless legs, so I got very little sleep. I had 1/2 a mind to skip the gym this morning because I was so tired, but that is just not me, so I sucked it up and got up.
Had a protein drink and biked there. Really nice morning, actually! Fairly standard routine today:
| Exercise | Set/rep/weight | Muscle worked |
| Barbell Deadlifts | 3 sets of 10 at 55# | Lower body |
| Chin ups | 2 set of 2, 3 sets of 1 | Upper body |
| Wide grip lat pulldown | 3 sets of 15 at 50# | Back |
| Pushups | 3 sets of 10 | Chest |
| Decline sit ups | 3 sets of 10 | Abs |
| Dumbbell Squats | 3 sets of 10 with 12# DBs (24# total) | Lower body |
| Arnold Press | 3 sets of 12 with 12# DBs (24# total) | Shoulders |
| Bench dips | 3 sets of 10 with body weight | Triceps |
One of the guys that is usually in the gym when I work out actually said to me that I looked tired today. I have never cared for that comment, really, because someone usually says that when I feel chipper, but it was truthful today.
Then I got on the treadmill and jogged for a mile. Speed at 4.5 mph. Speed walkers would be passing me, that’s for sure….
On with the no refined sugar thing, so I decided on custard cream of wheat for breakfast made with a banana. Of course, that is nothing new, and a great way to sweeten the bowl without adding sugar. However, I normally top with jam, which I didn’t today. Just toasted pecans.
Quite tasty!
Work started out completely dead, which is not uncommon for a Monday, so I got out and roasted coffee and did a little weeding and cooked up some brown rice. Temps of mid 80s today, so getting that done early helped a lot.
The scale showed a big bump up today, which is kind of funny. Normally I see that the day after a long bike ride from water retention, but I did not – so I think I must have been pretty dehydrated, which is why the gain is here today. It’s frustrating, though. Funny how it can drift down for weeks and then in one day pop back up again. Sometimes I feel like I will never get this last bit of weight off. I don’t suppose it matters much in the long run as I feel in pretty good shape, but it would be nice.
Lunch time:Â 1 egg and 2 egg white omelet with a wedge of laughing cow tucked in there.
I think I am done with kiwis for a while. They have had a funny texture as of late. Maybe out of season?
The afternoon latte minus any honey or chocolate drizzle on top.
Still pretty tasty because I know the coffee roaster 
Plus a date square.
Did you see the post with the recipe?
I also ate about an ounce of peanuts, which are not pictured. That was good because the fat kept me full.
I worked later because of the late start. I had visions of making a stuffed pepper with brown rice and ground beef for dinner, but it was too late to start that. So, I fell back on my standby trifecta of clean eating!
I haven’t missed any sugar yet, but that is because I had fruit today and the date balls. I also made some prune puree to use if I want it on oats or something.
Evening snack:
This is the strawberry protein powder mixed with water and cinnamon. And a couple blackberries. I stuck it in the freezer for 20 minutes to get it really chilled, which makes it better. This protein powder is sweetened with Ace K, which doesn’t thrill me, but we have a ton of it left.
So far so good and pretty clean eats today for me. Will see how soon I start to miss the chocolate 
I can’t wait to see how you do with this, because I am slowly eliminating things from my diet as well. I started with caffeine and artificial sweeteners. Maybe I’ll get as brave as you someday!
.-= Pam´s last blog ..Pick Yourself Up…Dust Yourself Off =-.
No caffeine? You are a braver woman than I LOL!
That stuffed pepper sounds good, but your standby looks good too. It’s a good thing I’ve just eaten, because otherwise I’d be tempted to go check out how the fridge is doing. . . .
.-= Tish´s last blog ..25 Minutes–News Flash =-.
You’re doing great today! I can’t believe I’ve made it a week so far. The beginning was tough, but now I’m craving more fruits instead of sugar!
.-= Marisa (Loser for Life)´s last blog ..Lost =-.
That date recipe you posted looks amazing! Can’t wait to try. How’s the injury going? Sounds like you are cruising again. So glad.
.-= Ishmael´s last blog ..Developing My Long Game =-.
Still recovering, but doing better. I did an update post yesterday here:
http://findingradiance.com/2010/05/23/bagels-and-longer-injury-update/
Great food day. And you know Lori, you look and feel great– I know it would be satisfying to lose that last bit of weight, but if you never do, I wouldn’t give it a thought.
.-= Elaine´s last blog ..Book Review: The End of Overeating =-.
Wow Lori good job on the sugar. I’ve never tried to eliminate sugar but I probably should. You are so dedicated to healthy eating.
.-= Diane Fit to the Finish´s last blog ..Subway Gift Card Giveaway! =-.
I have been doing plain awful at avoiding refined sugar. I did however pick up some chocolate made with raw cane sugar. It wasn’t as good
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Cottage Country =-.
I feel much better when I don’t eat sugar, but that doesn’t keep me away. I also get bad headaches every time I decide to eliminate it again. You think that would deter me, but it doesn’t.
Congratulations on doing so well today!
.-= Kimberley´s last blog ..The Pool is Open! =-.
This is my first time to your blog and I am so impressed with your success. Wow, you look like a different person!
The recipe for your date squares looks amazing. I like to bike ride but have not been out yet this Spring. Last year on my first ride of the season I went with my daughter and after about 12 miles I was dying! The next day I a serious case of bike butt!
Awesome challenge to get the sugar out of the diet. It sure can make a difference.
Hmmm, I wrote a comment at work. Wonder where it went? Good for you on the no refined sugar day. Today was a particularly ‘challenging’ day in the breakroom at work…
You could still add some cocoa powder to a few things to get a chocolate fix.
.-= debby´s last blog ..Everything Takes Time =-.
Good luck with no sugar. Your first day looks great. I want to try those date bars!
.-= Kat´s last blog ..Spring Challenge and other updates =-.
I seriously have NO IDEA WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT ME that I read the no refined sugar and think “OK SURE. I could do this!!” but when peeps say no CAFFEINE I shudder.
which prolly (as the kids never really said
is a vast indicator I need to surrender my morning cup.
but Im not.
yet.
.-= Miz´s last blog ..Raising a child (or spousepartnerfriend) who likes to exercise. =-.
You and Josie.. so brave for the no sugar thing. I know I should try BUT I work out the way I do so I can enjoy some of the things i eat & just to eat a bit more of my healthy foods too. I don’t eat a ton of it anyway.. but I am too weak to try this unless somebody offers up big money to do it!
Glad you got your workout in even though you were tired!
I have to try that protein mix in the freezer thing. I make that but did not think of putting it in the freezer!
.-= Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..More Gym Rants & Some HELP too! =-.
Good for you!!! I really need to do this same thing (no refined sugar) but haven’t done so yet…no time like the present though, right???
.-= Destination:Athlete´s last blog ..mental Monday =-.
Lori,
Well done! I have not drank wine since Friday and I am proud too-we can keep it up I know it!
xoxox
kalli
.-= kalli@fitandfortysomething´s last blog ..Monday Funday =-.
Oh no! I hope the kiwis are ok in South Carolina because my mother picked out a salad she wants me to make that uses kiwi. AH!
.-= Joanne´s last blog ..What a trip =-.
I try not to eat too much refined sugar and you are so right – - fruit really helps you to not miss it!
.-= Beth @ Beth’s Journey to Thin´s last blog ..Leisurely Morning =-.
I wish you the best of luck in your sugar challenge. I did a no sweets week in December- and it was quite rough! But you can do it!
.-= Amy B @ Second City Ranomness´s last blog ..Ode to my favorite workout shirt… =-.
Your protein powder dessert looks pretty good. I will have to give it a try. You sure have a lot of interesting recipes/ideas.
http://fitnessroadtrip.wordpress.com/2010/05/25/okay-with-it/
I’m impressed Lori, if I’m very tired I definitely don’t workout, too lazy for that
so I’m impressed that you went!
I like kiwi’s only when they are not too soft, I hate that and don’t eat them. I don’t like any to soft fruits.
.-= Fran´s last blog ..A day in my life: Monday May 24, 2010 =-.
Great job on the no refined sugar thing!
Also on soldiering on to the gym! I know how you feel about the tired comment. I get it all the time. I also get told I look peaked a lot. I don’t even know what that means, but it doesn’t sound like a compliment!
.-= Ang´s last blog ..Fiesta chicken! =-.
Good on ya for getting up and going to the gym even though you were tired – no excuses is my motto…unless I’m really tired, um, I mean sick or hurt.
.-= Shelley B´s last blog ..A Little Bragging… =-.