I went big yesterday. I went big with eats and with my workout. I went big at lunch at the salad bar. Sure, it looks innocent enough – healthy veggies, healthy dressing, and a healthy portion.
However, even quasi-healthy things add up quickly, like hummus, olives, sunflower seeds, and 2 mini muffins at 90 calories each. When I totaled up the calories after lunch, I saw the “healthy” meal came to 775, which is double what I normally eat for lunch. I didn’t fret too much (and ate mom’s meatloaf she cooked for dinner & drank a beer that evening). It was a learning experience.
Counting calories is a pain. It can be disheartening, and it isn’t for everyone. On the other hand, it can help you gauge portion sizes, learn the macros of basic foods, and highlight your weaknesses/strengths.
Speaking of strengths…
I went big at the gym by completing my first plate workout, and it wasn’t easy. Here’s the link to the original workout. It’s the ASU conditioning workout. The guys use a 45-lb plate and do 4 sets (if I remember correctly). I learned about it from Benjamin, Active Beer Geek.
I'm so hot. Haha
I am not that buff. I did 3 sets of 15 reps. I used a 25-lb plate and a 10-lb plate. Even though I switched between plates and exercises quickly, I’m sure it would still be loads harder if you held the same weight the entire time.
I didn’t explain each move the link I posted has a video. I liked #3 and #9 the most. Of course, y’all already know how much I like cross-back lunges. I wrapped up with some additional leg and core work before calling it quits. By the way, I’m Matt’s featured blogger today, so go check it out on his site!
- Ever had a salad bar fail?
- Ever tried a plate workout?
December 29, 2011 at 5:35 am
YES, I’ve def had a salad bar fail before!
I’ve never tried a plate workout, but I’d like to.
December 29, 2011 at 6:21 am
Always read your blog first when I hit the gym in the early AM. Think I’m going to try some of these moves aftet I get off this horrible bike! Have a good day!
December 29, 2011 at 8:06 am
Cool! I hope you like them.
December 29, 2011 at 8:03 am
i’m here thru matt! saw the clemson photos sprinkled in and had to comment — i’m a clemson alum myself! obviously must add you to my google reader
December 29, 2011 at 8:06 am
Thanks for dropping by le blog. Go Tigers!!!
December 29, 2011 at 8:24 am
I’ve never used plate often other than on bars. Now I do use them for weighted dips though. I don’t have any at home so any workout I ever had that called for a plate, I just subbed with dumbbells.
December 29, 2011 at 8:35 am
I try and stay away from salad bars, because I usually overdo it
I love sunflower seeds and eggs too much. I did have a salad at home yesterday, lots of green and 5 baked chicken nuggets for protein, delish. Today I will add an egg to it. Is it bad that it’s only 8:30 and I am already looking forward to lunch.. sigh..
December 29, 2011 at 9:01 am
I know what you mean about hidden calories in salads. There’s this particular salad restaurant in Orlando that my mom & I love to go to, but by the time I add artichokes, olives, dressing, hummus and sundried tomatoes, I know that my salad totals at as much calories as say, a burger.
Sometimes I let myself get away with indulging though. I figure that I’d rather eat a hearty salad than a hearty pile of greas, if you catch my drift haha
December 29, 2011 at 9:02 am
grease* I promise I can spell
December 29, 2011 at 10:09 am
Very true! It wasn’t lean, but it was very nutritious.
December 29, 2011 at 9:30 am
Good to see a plate workout. I never see anyone do this anymore.
December 29, 2011 at 10:08 am
Yeah, thanks for showing it to me. I plan to share it with a buddy of mine who coaches high school football.
December 29, 2011 at 9:49 am
Such a great workout! I totally agree with the salad bars. It’s so easy to just throw everything on your plate and not realize how many calories it truly is. And the salads that are pre-made at restaurants? Forget it, most of them are usually over 1,000 calories! Crazy how a salad can be that much.
December 29, 2011 at 9:53 am
Nice job on the plate workout! That sounds so tough! You are SO strong girl!
December 29, 2011 at 9:53 am
Salad bars can be a disaster for me because I want a little of everything and it quickly adds up!!
I stopped counting calories this year but I do like to read labels and get an idea of the caloric content of certain items so I can make the best choices.
December 29, 2011 at 10:00 am
I fail any time they have buffalo tenders at a salad bar. Oh, or imitation crab meat. Not that it’s high cal, but when I add in the things that it tastes amazing with, fuhgedaboudit! It’s crazy how quickly it adds up. I use Noom on my phone with a calorie estimator to track my calories, and I find when I DON’T track, that’s when I start to have my pants feeling tight!
December 29, 2011 at 10:24 am
Oo that looks like a great workout! I’ve never really done much with plates, so I’ll have to try it!
December 29, 2011 at 10:24 am
I’ve never tried a plate workout, but it sounds pretty cool and different!
And yes, that has happened to me before with a salad! I thought it was hearty and, well, it was, just not in a good way! haha.
December 29, 2011 at 11:52 am
this workout sounds awesome. definitely trying it! but i don’t have plates so i’ll have to make do with dumbells
December 29, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Oooooo baby, I know about the dang hidden cals in salad! If I didn’t care I would LOAD on my dressing and hummus
Your workout looks fab!! i’m going to try it and see how it is!!
xxoo
December 29, 2011 at 12:32 pm
I’ve DEFINITELY had salad bar fails! They’re the worst! And I’ve never tried a plate workout but it looks crazy good!
December 29, 2011 at 2:39 pm
I always end up going way overboard at salad bars! Plus I have a huge weakness for ranch dressing – which can turn a healthy salad into a calorie bomb in no time flat! I loathe calorie counting as well but think it’s going to be a necessary evil if I want to get myself back on track!
December 29, 2011 at 3:26 pm
775 calories of healthy food is by no means a fail in my book!
December 29, 2011 at 3:26 pm
I usually have eyes too big for my stomach at salad bars… One time at WF my husband was like – I think thats a 16 dollar salad and sure enough – weighed was almost 16 dollars… Now I try and remember the calorie count…its so necessary.
xoxo from Trinidad
December 29, 2011 at 4:41 pm
This workout seems intense and definitely something I am going to try to incorporate. Also, your post on Matt’s page was great. I’m right there with you — life should be about fun, which definitely includes a beer
Hence why I have become a faithful reader of yours since i found your blog a few weeks ago!
December 30, 2011 at 6:18 am
Thanks!
Matt was too awesome to feature me.
December 29, 2011 at 7:38 pm
Just remember that it’s 775 calories of healthy food. Remember life is too short to worry all the time!
December 29, 2011 at 8:42 pm
Thanks for the workout ideas with the plates! I’ve never used one because I have no idea what to use, haha. Counting calories can for sure be stressful, but at least it was 700 calories of nutritious stuff! I go way overboard if I can pick whatever I want from a salad bar, which is why I can’t go to the Whole Foods hot bar- that place is way too expensive!!
December 29, 2011 at 8:49 pm
Wow what a workout!!
December 29, 2011 at 9:21 pm
I always fail at the salad bars… ha ha.
Went out to eat a few nights ago with friends in St. Louis when I really didn’t want to. Got a BBQ chicken salad. It was definitely full of ranch and everything goooood. But my friend made her point that she’s made before- at least that ranch and bbq is on top of TONS of greens and good stuff. It makes it not so bad. Promise.
December 30, 2011 at 12:54 am
Those are some wonderfully healthy and yummy calories! I wouldn’t feel bad about it. But I know what you mean, salads always totally sneak up on you!!!!!
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