The Art of Balance – 2 Weeks Burger Free

I love burgers. I also love steak, hot wings, pizza, BBQ, burritos, bacon, french fries, beer, alcohol and just about every other type of food that is “bad for you.” While I would love to eat like that all the time and I am sure my public persona appears to do just that, it simply isn’t the case. I do eat a fair amount of healthier foods like salads, vegetables, fruits and nutrition bars (at least compared to my 16 year old who lived on a diet of fast food and microwaveable frozen foods.) I also spend a fair amount of time at the gym working out while attempting to do as much walking as possible. It’s all peaks and valleys but kept together with an attempt to stay balanced.

So with that, I thought it might be interesting to show you just how I do it. Since returning from SXSW, I have kept a list of foods eaten and exercise achieved. While this list began on Sunday March 21st, 2010, I have actually been BURGER FREE now for 2 full weeks! My last burger was at Dirty Martin’s on March 15th, 2010. It should also be noted that I have lost 12 pounds since the year began and dropped my lipid panel 40 points! Neither of which is easy to achieve without diet and exercise. It’s been difficult but I am really proud of myself.

Now before you take a look remember this post isn’t a statement about how healthy I live, it’s meant to show you that I attempt to maintain some level of good health.

Enjoy.

Sunday March 21st:
30 minutes walking
Dinner – whole wheat burrito with grilled chicken, black beans, soy cheese, tofu sour cream and a salad with balsamic dressing

Monday March 22nd:
30 minutes walking
Breakfast – Zone bar
Snack – almonds
Lunch – mixed greens salad with pears, grapes, pistachios, dried cranberries a dash of Gorgonzola and light sherry shallot vinaigrette.
Dinner – split appetizer or cured meats and cheeses. Split orichette with arugula and bolognaise
Snack – Odwalla Superfood

Tuesday March 23rd:
45 mins walking
1 hour at gym
Breakfast – Myoplex lite bar
Snack – Apple
Lunch – romaine salad with carrots, broccoli, edamame, walnuts, dried cranberries, smoked turkey, a little bit of Parmesan cheese and lo fat dijon dressing.
Dinner – Mongolian chicken (grilled w onions and black pepper) with a couple table spoons of brown rice. 1 steamed veggie dumpling.

Wednesday March 24th:
45 mins walking
1 hour at gym
Breakfast – Myoplex lite bar
Snack – Grilled turkey breakfast sausage w low fat cheese
Lunch – 2 short ribs, pulled pork (no sauce), half-rasher of bacon
Snack – peanuts
Dinner – 1 slice of cheese pizza

Thursday March 25th:
30 mins walking
Breakfast – Kashi protein and fiber bar
Lunch – soy burger on wheat with side salad
Dinner – turkey with a little gravy, green beans and a small portion of mac and cheese

Friday March 26th:
40 mins walking
1 hour at gym
Breakfast – Myoplex lite bar
Lunch – salad with pears, grapes, pistachios, dried cranberries, low-fat dressing and a small scoop of Gorgonzola cheese
Dinner – 1 slice pepperoni pizza
Late night snack – half meat ball parm hero

Saturday March 27th:
30 mins walking
Lunch – half meat ball parm hero. Half dish of stuffed shells
Snack – popcorn
Dinner – grilled Asian chick salad
Late night snack – chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, angel hair pasta with olive oil and garlic

Sunday March 28th:
30 mins walking
1 hour at gym
Brunch – whole wheat bagel with peperoni, salami, ham, mozzarella and scrambled eggs
Snack – Naked Juice – Blue Machine
Dinner – grilled chicken burrito in whole wheat wrap with black beans, tofu sour cream, soy cheese and avocado. Side salad with balsamic dressing

Monday March 29th:
40 mins walking
1 hour at gym
Breakfast –Myoplex lite bar
Snack – mixed nuts
Lunch – mixed greens salad with pears, grapes, pistachios, dried cranberries a dash of Gorgonzola and light sherry shallot vinaigrette.
Snack – Laughing Cow Light Baybel cheese
Dinner – Salad with feta, scallions and dill. cup of chicken and rice soup with lemon & grilled chicken kebob with onions and peppers

Tuesday March 30th:
40 mins walking
30 mins gym
Breakfast –Myoplex lite bar
Snack – Odwalla Supefood

This blog post has been brought to you with music by Shadows Fall and is dedicated to my pal White Balance.
“The Art of Balance”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNYMlfsge8k]