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Mondays are tough for everyone, but mine went surprisingly well considering I had a 12 hour workday. I truly believe the key to having a good day (not just Monday, any day!) is how you start it. I used to be "last minute Tracy" in my first two years at university - how many times can I hit the snooze button before being late for class? - was the hypothesis I tested out repeatedly. (4 times usually did it) Now the hours between 6 - 8 are my favourite of the day and I can usually wake up without an alarm.

This morning I got up at 6 and went for a 30-minute run, definitely more effective than a cup of coffee. After showering, changing, and make-uping, I had breakfast at 7 on the dot (made it the night before) and caught up on my favourite blogs.



The breakfast cookie and a bowl of cantaloupe/strawberry topped with cottage cheese. Breakfast: Cookie (300) + Fruit (80) = (380)

Was out the door and on the bus by 7:40, I was a little early this morning so I stopped by London Drugs and found this little box of happiness! Kashi crackers which I had thought was only available in the states!



Stomach wanted food at 10:30 this morning which was unusual since my cookie usually keeps me full until at least 11. I think it must've been the morning run. Pulled one out of the box as a taste test, of course I ended up eating 15 more. These little fellas are dangerous! I put them in the top shelf of my pantry just out of reach so I won't be making any midnight cracker raids. Snack: Kashi Crackers (150)

Lunch was an Almond Butter and Blueberry Jelly sandwich. It's very dense in calories but not very filling. Almond Butter has a more subtle taste than Peanut Butter and was completely overpowered by the sweetness of the Jam so I had to pull apart my sandwich to eat it. Lunch: Sandwich (400)



At around 3 I had my afternoon snack, I made a salad dressing with non-fat plain yogurt and a tablespoon of lemon juice and drizzled it on top of a large chopped tomato and 1/4 of a cucumber.



I also had half of a 'Nutz over chocolate' Luna Bar. Snack: Salad (100) + 1/2 Luna Bar (90)



The other half I had on the bus ride home from my night job. Luna Bars are made by the same company as Clif Bars but are geared towards women. Instead of 65g and 250 cal they are 48g and 180cal, most Luna bars are coated with a layer of chocolate. This one was pretty good, but doesn't hold a candle to the Carrot Cake Clif Bar.

I wasn't really hungry after work but craved something sweet. As I was making tomorrow's lunch I cut up my last Haden mango and knew that that would be the perfect vehicle to satisfying my sweet tooth.



Topped with a forkful of unsweetened coconut flakes, this was a well-earned treat for a long Monday. Dinner (sort-of): 1/2 Luna Bar (90) + Mango w/ coconut flakes (180) = 270

Breakfast: 380
Snack: 150
Lunch: 400
Snack: 180
Dinner: 270

Total: 1380
Activity today: 20min run (-150) + 45min walk at lunch (-100) = (-250)

Net Calories: 1130


I used indiacurry.com to calculate my BMR. I set my activity level to sedentary which basically means I only move to perform vital functions. (walking to the washroom, kitchen etc)

My caloric expenditure is 1721.5 which means I need to net 1221.5 calories per day to lose 1 lb/week. Basically, the more calories I burn through exercise, the more I can eat! It's very difficult to eat only 1200 calories a day without starving but I function fine on 1400. This means I have to burn a minimum of around 200 calories a day. My goal is to net less than 1200 and lose 9lb by Halloween - a little over 1lb a week. :) Hopefully this blog will keep me focused and accountable!

Anyhow, I'm completely pooped and can't wait to zombie out to the food network in bed. More tomorrow!