Unintended Self-Sabotage (aka the time Costa Vida burned me)

Dear Jillian Michaels:

...we are fighting and, also, I might be in love with you.

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How is it possible to love and hate someone so much?  I'm not sure, but that's how I feel about Jillian Michaels.  I love her workout because it truly gets my heart rate up and keeps things interesting, but I HATE her because when I am in the middle of one of her grueling workouts it hurts so bad that I am literally swearing at her in my head.  And yet I keep going back for more.

I'm in week 3 of the 30 Day Challenge and so far it's going great.  I've been consistent in my workouts and have been tracking my calories.

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Speaking of...

HOLY CRAP.  I had myself a rage meltdown yesterday as I was logging calories.  I think I've figured out one of the reasons I've been not losing and/or gaining weight over the last...um...forever.  One of my very favorite meals to eat is the Costa Vida Sweet Pork Salad (small).  I seriously eat it at least twice a week.  There is a Costa Vida close to my work, and it is seriously delicious.  And healthy.  Well, as healthy as a fast food option can be...

Anyway, it's my go-to meal when I don't have something prepared beforehand.  I've been using My Fitness Pal (username: sugar4becky--add me!) to track my calories on this bad boy :

I felt pretty good about the 746 calories for lunch because I typically have a small breakfast and a smaller dinner.  Anyway, yesterday I decided that I should double check that number to make sure it was accurate. Unfortunately, Costa Vida doesn't list all of the calorie contents for their menu items.  They have some, but not the meal that I eat.  However, Costa Vida has a competitor her in Utah called Cafe Rio which is pretty much identical.  Seriously.  And Cafe Rio is nice enough to have very detailed nutritional info on their website, so they get big points from me on that.  After perusing the calorie contents, I added up my salad and came up with this:

• 6" Tortilla:  150
• Rice:  130
• Pinto Beans:  150
• Sweet Pork: 120
• Lettuce: 5
• Tortilla Strips: 150
• Cheese: 30
• Pico: 20
• Guac: 50
• Dressing: 130 

TOTAL:  935 calories.  

Now, I realize this is only a 200 calorie difference between what I've been tracking and what I've been eating, but considering that I have been relying on that difference to add up to weight loss, I was kinda pissed!  Also, I was seriously shocked at how many calories those blasted tortilla strips they put on top have in them.  I will be ordering without in the future!

My new salad order is going to be no tortilla, no tortilla strips/cheese, and no pico and guac (simply because I don't like onions).  That will bring the new calorie content to 535 calories which I feel really good about.

Eesh.  Learn from me and double check the calorie counts on user submitted uploads!

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There is lots of talk surrounding plans for Thanksgiving and how to properly prepare for it this year.  My plan is simple: one long run in the morning (hoping for 10 miles but depends on the knee) that will offset the extra calories I plan to consume.  I don't want to go overboard eating (no one likes that feeling of near-vomit), but I do want to enjoy the tasty eats that come only once a year.  So that's my battle plan.  Hubster is also going to join me for part of that run, so I'll have some great company!

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Note to Michelle (from Michelle Does Germany): I already miss your blog and it's only been private one day!  If you read this and haven't limited your blog to just family, I'd love an invite: bringingbeckyback [at] gmail.com.  I hope everything is okay!