Day 8

I got up at 8 and had a protein shake and then I went to the gym. Cost for protein shake? 86 cents.




Today was the first time I've done lower body since my accident and it went alright.

I started with 5 minutes on the stationary bicycle to warm up my hip and ankle.

My first exercise was the seated leg press. I did 15 reps with no weight on the machine and then rested for 1:15. I then added a 25lb plate to each side (total 50lbs) and did 3 sets of 8 reps with 1:15 rest in between each set.



I then moved on to seated calf raises. I did 15 reps with no weight and then rested for 1:15. I then added a 10lb plate to each side (total 20lbs) and did 3 sets of 10 reps with 1:15 rest between each set.



Next I moved to the hip abductor and did 4 sets of 10 reps at 10lbs. This was extremely difficult, but I did get through it. It's a fine, fine line between difficult and painful. You have to really listen to your body. It was hard, but I knew I could do it without injuring myself. If you think you might injure yourself, if it's even within the realm of possibility that you might be taking on too much, just stop. It's not worth it. Lower the weight, do fewer reps, do what you need to do so that you're PUSHING yourself and not PUNISHING yourself.



Finally I did 4 sets of 10 reps at 10lbs on the hip adductor.



I then did 10 minutes of stretching and physical therapy exercises for my hip and ankle.

Total time at gym? 38 minutes.

I came home and had breakfast. Three variations today. In an effort to break free from my rut, I got a new kind of chicken sausage- Spicy Italian. I still like my tomato basil ones better, but this one was pretty tasty albeit not spicy at all. I also added a handful of tomatoes to my scramble. Lastly, I had five eggs this morning instead of the usual 4.

Eggs and Sausage- Takes under 2 minutes to make this. Microwave the sausage for 30 seconds on the plate you’re going to eat off of. While that’s microwaving take five eggs (3 just whites, 2 whole) and start scrambling them over high heat in a medium sized pot. Now the sausage is done. Chop it up and mix it with the eggs while you’re scrambling them all together. Add in a handful of rinsed tomatoes and continue to scramble until the eggs are done.

Cost? Five eggs (70 cents total) and one turkey sausage ($1.00)= $1.70. (tomatoes were a negligible amount- like 10 tomatoes)

***OOPS! I've been lying to you about the dishes for the scramble. It's 5, not 4. I forgot the wooden spoon with which I scramble!***

Dirty dishes? Five. Plate, pot, wooden spoon, knife, fork.







Around 12:15 I had two handfuls of almonds as a snack. What I like to do is buy a bag of raw almonds and a bag of honey sesame and then mix them together so I get the raw goodness along with the taste honey ones. It helps give you a flavorful snack because raw almonds can be pretty bland.

Total cost? 31 cents.




For lunch Mara, Kathleen, Heather and I went to Go Burger in Hollywood. I had a burger, a few fries and onion rings, and a lemonade.

After lunch I got a coffee from Starbucks but brought it home and put almond milk and stevia in it. $2.05 for coffee, 27 cents for milk/sugar.

Around 6pm I had Trader Joe's Tandoori Chicken. I don't remember if I said this last time, but I only eat the chicken and vegetables, I leave the white rice.

Total cost? $3.99. Dirty dishes? One. Fork.



For dinner I had steak. I set my toaster oven to "Broil". I season the steaks with an all-purpose steak seasoning I have (you can get at any food store) and then I cook the steak on a cookie sheet lined with tin foil (easy cleanup!) for 8 minutes. I then flip the steak and cook for another 8 minutes. That's it!



Total cost? $4.07 for 2 steaks.

Dirty dishes? Four. Knife, fork, plate, cookie sheet.

While that's broiling, I made a Persian yogurt dish called "Musteh Khiar". It's very similar to Tzatziki.

You take a mini cucumber and chop it up. Use the same knife you're going to use to eat your steak with so you have one less dish to do. Then, using the fork you're going to eat with, scoop out 2/3 of the container of yogurt into a piece of tupperware. Then add 1/2 a teaspoon of dried dill and 1/2 a teaspoon of dried mint. Then using the fork you're going to eat your steak with, mix it all together til it's evenly blended. That's it! Cover and place in the fridge until your steaks are done. I get my dill and mint from Whole Foods in the spices/herbs section.








Total cost? $1.32 for yogurt + 42 cents for cucumber = $1.75. Negligible amounts of mint and dill.

Dirty dishes? 1. Tupperware (we already counted the plate you're chopping on and the knife and fork with our steak dishes).

While that's chilling I made a veggie juice and a soda. Veggie Juice- Mix 8 ounces of Essential Greens Vegetable Juice (1/2 a bottle) with 4 ounces of Carrot Juice (1/8 of a bottle).

Cost? Vegetable juice ($1.85), carrot juice (44 cents) = $2.29

Dirty dishes? One. A cup.





For the soda I used 1/2 a bottle of sparkling water and 1/3 a bottle of Passion Mango juice.

Cost? 20 cents for sparkling water, 25 cents for soda = 45 cents.

Dirty dishes? One. A cup.





Lastly, I ate my musteh khiar on eight Everything Crackers. They are amazingly tasty. I just dipped the crackers into the tupperware to scoop up the yogurt and when I done eating I'm able to cover the yogurt and refrigerate it in the same piece of tupperware I made it in and served it out of. I already had them so I don't know how much they cost but will track it next time I purchase them.



Before bed I'll have another protein shake and that will be the end of day 8.

Total cost for eating right today? $18.60 and that includes a steak dinner and a Starbucks run!

Day 7

Today went a little better.

Anthony and I got up around 11am and went to Basix for brunch. I had a breakfast burrito and coffee (I brought my own stevia) and got my burrito easy on the cheese.

After brunch I had a protein shake. The recipe is in earlier posts. 86 cents.

For your protein shakes I suggest you buy a vanilla container and a chocolate container (two common flavors for protein powder). That way you can alternate between chocolate and vanilla and can also do one scoop of vanilla and one scoop of chocolate so you end up with three different styles of protein shake to mix and match from.

For lunch I had the low carb Turkey Pesto Sandwich from Trader Joe's. Normally I don't like doing "diet/sugar free/low carb" alternatives. I think it's better to just avoid those things than to try to find substitutes. But, when in a pinch it's always nice to have items like this in your arsenal. I spent the morning brunching with Anthony and the early afternoon cleaning and doing laundry, so I wanted to grab a quick but healthy bite and chose this sandwich as said bite. I also had a veggie juice with my sandwich. Cost? Sandwich = $3.99. Juice = $2.79






After lunch I unfortunately did not eat again until dinner. Luke took us all to Katsuya for a full spread of edamame, sushi, and mochi balls. And sake. Lots and lots of sake. I swear I've had more alcohol in the past three days than I have in the past 6 months! (I say six because the last 3 have been relatively sober due to the whole smooshed-by-a-car thing, but even prior to that, I was NEVER consuming this amount of booze) but I guess it's been a while since we've had a legit three day weekend (Labor Day?) so I guess it's been all about playing with my buddies.

I'm now going to have another protein shake and then off to bed. Tomorrow is Monday and even though I'm not working, it's back to the gym and the diet.

Total cost of eating right today? $7.64

Day 6

Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit show of a day. Shit show fo sho.

Janet, Aida, and I slept until 12:30pm. Ya. I have not slept that late since I was bartending in NYC and that was only because by the time we closed the bar and I got home it was 5am. (FYI, I would hope it's obvious since I was recently run over by a car, but we were not driving last night, we cabbed it to Weho and back- if you're drinking like that, please do the same.)

At 1:30pm I had a Fatburger combo. Small Fatburger, Skinny fries (they are cut skinny, there's nothing "skinny" about them), and a Coke. I think Fatburger has the best fast food burger- way better than In-N-Out.

At 2:30pm I had a coffee with almond milk and stevia.

Around 4pm I had a purple Gatorade (left over from when I was hit. I think Gatorade is horrid and poison, but I don't like throwing things out so I kept them and will drink them until they are gone).

At 5:30pm I had a bowl of Kashi cereal.

At 6:30pm I had a protein shake.

At 7:45pm I did my hip/ankle exercises.

At 9pm I went to dinner with Anthony at Loteria. We then went to Akbar where I thought it wise to re-enact the previous night, but substitute tequila for vodka.

At 3am we had a Bossa Nova Big Party Platter Appetizer delivered.

The above post is why I don't drink a lot. Compare my diet and accomplishments for the day (i.e. nothing) with my prior days. Alcohol is the great derailer. But damnit why is it so fun????

Day 5

*This blog entry is late because I was super drunk when I got home last night and insanely hungover until about 15 minutes ago. The below entry is for Friday.

Last night (Thursday) after I posted I managed to squeeze in a little more food after dinner. I had a bowl of Kashi Honey Almond cereal, a fig bar, and a yogurt. The first two of those three I recommend only as an OCCASIONAL snack but I was hungry and they were there. I don't know how much they cost because I already had them, but suffice it to say, as I have demonstrated, buying your own food is cheap in comparison to eating out.







I got up a little earlier than usual today because I wanted to do both triceps and shoulders (to make up for missing the gym yesterday). I don't think it's necessary to "double up" if you miss a day. In fact, I think it's good to miss a day here and there and let your body rest, but I had the energy and wanted to stay on track, so I got up at 7:00 and started my day.

7:00am- Protein Shake- Takes 30 seconds. Pour 8oz vanilla almond milk (43 cents) and protein powder into a Magic Bullet mug. Screw on the blade and blend for 10 seconds.

Cost? Vanilla almond milk (43 cents) and protein powder (43 cents) = $0.86

Dirty dishes? Two. Magic Bullet mug and blade.





I started with 5 minutes on the bike because I was going to do my hip and ankle exercises and wanted to warm them up a bit.

I then moved on to triceps. First I did cable tricep pushdowns. 1 set of 15 reps at 20lbs. 1:15 rest. 1 set of 8 reps at 30lbs. 1:15 rest. 1 set of 8 at 35lbs. 1:15 rest. 1 set of 8 at 35lbs. (both this exercise and the next are demonstrated in one image- the last one under this exercise portion of the post)

I'd like to take this opportunity to suggest something. During your rest time...stretch. You don't have to stretch the muscles you're working. In fact, I almost always stretch my hips and/or hamstrings during rest times. Why? Because men have notoriously tight hips and hamstrings. As an added bonus, if you're a heterosexual male or a gay man who is a top, a versatile top, versatile, a versatile bottom, or a bossy bottom, it helps you in bed to have loose hips and hamstrings. The only people who don't need to have loose hips and hamstrings for good sex are passive bottoms, but even you boys could benefit. How else are you gonna get your ankles behind your ears?

Next I did overhead cable tricep extensions. As the image demonstrates, you do these in a lunging position. I recommend that you switch which leg you have in front with each set. I did 15 reps at 20lbs. 7 at 30lbs. 6 at 30lbs. 7 at 30lbs. 1:15 rest between each set.

(I'm going to start shorthanding a lot more in my posts because it can get repetitive and you can always reference back to older posts for a more full explanation including references to rest times, recipes, etc.)

Lastly for triceps I did lying barbell tricep extensions on a flat bench. 12 reps at 30lbs. 6 reps at 40lbs. 5.5 reps at 40lbs. And 5 reps at 50lbs. My form was faltering and I was getting sloppy on the last few on my last two sets so I just stopped at 5. If you find your form is getting sloppy, just stop. It's ok. Either lower the weight or do fewer reps, but again, the goal right now is 6-8 reps so if you're falling too far below 6, time to lower the weight.

Then I started in on shoulders. Started with dumbbell upright rows. 15 reps at 20lbs. 8 reps at 40lbs. 9 reps at 40lbs (lost count). 8 reps at 40lbs. 1:15 rest between each set.

Then lateral raises. 15 reps at 10lbs. 6 reps at 20lbs. 5 reps at 20lbs. 7 reps at 20lbs. 1:15 rest between.

Lastly, shoulder shrugs. 15 reps at 30lbs. 8 reps at 50lbs for last three sets. 1:15 rest.

At this point, I'd like to make a note about crazy screamers/grunters at the gym. I too have been known to make a sound or two in my time, both at the gym and elsewhere, but if you find yourself screaming like a viking or shouting profanities...it's time to lower the weight. The gym is a hyper douche-y, exceedingly testosterone-y place already, keep it down mister. I don't know what it is about the environment, but it does tend to bring out the worst in people (myself included). I'm a lot less smiley, a lot less chatty, and bit more scowly than usual. (Yes, I like to add -y to a lot of words). Nonetheless, do as I say and not as I do. It's ok to smile and be friendly. I have to remind myself of that often at the gym. Don't respond to other people's negativity or their closed off nature. Be your own shining beam of light.

10 minutes of abs.

Total time at gym? 5:45 per exercise + abs and biking = 49 min 30 seconds







Got home and had Eggs and Sausage- Takes under 2 minutes to make this. Microwave the sausage for 30 seconds on the plate you’re going to eat off of. While that’s microwaving take four eggs (2 just whites, 2 whole) and start scrambling them over high heat in a medium sized pot. Now the sausage is done. Chop it up and mix it with the eggs while you’re scrambling them all together and continue to scramble until the eggs are done.

Cost? Four eggs (56 cents total) and one turkey sausage (80 Cents)= $1.36.

Dirty dishes? Four. Plate, pot, knife, fork.





Got to work and had oatmeal.

Oatmeal- Takes 1 minute. Mix 1/2 a serving of vanilla almond milk and an oatmeal packet in a microwaveable bowl. Sprinkle a little cinnamon in there if you’d like.

Cost? Oatmeal (41 cents) and vanilla almond milk (22 cents)= $0.63

Dirty dishes? Two. Bowl and spoon.





I had a coffee at work with a stevia packet (6 cents) and almond milk (21 cents).

Jonathan came to visit me for lunch and we had rosemary garlic chicken with autumn vegetables ($9 something, I lost my receipt)



Around 3pm I had a snack: Snapea Crips and gummi bears- The Snapea Crips are like healthy Cheetos. They have the same crunch and texture and are a little salty, but you can eat 1/2 a bag of them and not have to think twice about it. The Immune C plus Zinc and Echinacea Gummis- Eat 3 of them each day during cold season. It satisfies your sweet tooth and keeps you healthy.

Cost? 50 cents for Snappea Crisps, 25 cents for gummis = $0.75

Dirty dishes? None.





I then had another coffee (Stop judging me! We were planning on going out to West Hollywood!) (6 cents and 21 cents)

For dinner, Aida, Janet, Jordi and I went to Chipotle. I got a burrito bowl with no rice and a little bit of black beans. Steak, mild and hot salsa, and guacamole. I then got a soda that was 3/4 soda water (the little lever on the Sprite spigot is usually carbonated water) and 1/4 lemonade. FYI: Minute Maid is not lemonade. It's lemonade flavored drink. But, when in a pinch, what're ya gonna do?



I ended the night with about 2 or 3 too many vodka sodas (I lost count after the third or fourth one). But we did see Kelly Rowland sing "Commander" and "When Love Takes Over" at The Factory. I kind of feel bad for her. I would imagine her life consists of "So...what's Beyonce really like?" and "So...how is it going from stadiums to playing at gay bars?" That said, she was pretty fucking fly. I had a good time. I think. The photos from last night will remember better than I do.

Janet, Jordi, Aida, Michael and I went to iHop after we got home. We sat down and ordered and waited. And waited. And waited. After 30 minutes I asked the waiter how long it would be. He said "5 minutes" so I went and sat down. We waited 10 minutes then I got the manager and asked how long it would be. She then walked the other direction, AWAY from the kitchen, and then came back and said she didn't know and couldn't tell us how long it would be. I flipped my shit. I grabbed my stuff and left. I was at the corner of Sunset and La Brea when Janet called to tell me the food had arrived. I proceeded home anyway. Part of the reason I lost my shit was because I was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasted but the other part is that I have worked in the food/beverage industry since I was 16. The way the manager handled my question was ridiculous. When someone has been waiting that long, just go fucking find out how long it will be, don't tell me- after an HOUR of waiting- that it's hard to tell how long it will take to get my my appetizer sampler. Throw that shit in the deep fryer and bring it over.

Anywho, it all worked out because instead of onion rings, mozzarella sticks, and chicken tenders, I had the other half of my Trader Joe's Rosemary Chicken and Wild Rice Pilaf.



Total cost of eating right today? $7.29 (plus $9 something for lunch plus $9 something for Chipotle plus $3,000 in vodka).

Day 4

Well, today was a bit of a shit show.

I woke up at 7:30 and remembered I had a doctor's appointment at 9, so I wasn't able to go to the gym before work.

So I got up and made my breakfast and protein shake and went about my day.

Protein Shake- Takes 30 seconds. Pour 8oz vanilla almond milk (43 cents) and protein powder into a Magic Bullet mug. Screw on the blade and blend for 10 seconds.

Cost? Vanilla almond milk (43 cents) and protein powder (43 cents) = $0.86

Dirty dishes? Two. Magic Bullet mug and blade.

Eggs and Sausage- Takes under 2 minutes to make this. Microwave the sausage for 30 seconds on the plate you’re going to eat off of. While that’s microwaving take four eggs (2 just whites, 2 whole) and start scrambling them over high heat in a medium sized pot. Now the sausage is done. Chop it up and mix it with the eggs while you’re scrambling them all together and continue to scramble until the eggs are done.

Cost? Four eggs (56 cents total) and one turkey sausage (80 Cents)= $1.36.

Dirty dishes? Four. Plate, pot, knife, fork.









My doctor's appointment took forever so I didn't get to work until 10:45am. Thusly I didn't have enough time to eat my oatmeal and then not be too full for lunch with Mara and her friend Heather. They came to the studio to have lunch (afterward they attended a "Lopez Tonight" taping ) so for lunch I had a steak salad with vinaigrette dressing, no croutons from the commissary and carbonated water to drink. Total cost? $9.47. Outrageous for one meal considering that's about HALF of what I would spend on an ENTIRE DAY'S worth of food. So not only do you look and feel better when you make your own meals but you also save a lot of money. It was pretty fucking good salad though.



I then went back to work and had three gummi vitamins. Total cost? 25 cents.



At 4pm had a two hour meeting so I didn't get to squeeze my snack in either.

At 6pm (after the meeting) I had my rice and chicken, a yogurt and carrot juice (I am out of vegetable juice). I don't normally like to drink straight carrot juice because it's very carb-y. I like the taste so I mix a little of it with the vegetable juice, but I don't recommend drinking lots of straight carrot juice.

Rice and Chicken- Takes 1 minute 45 seconds. Pour 1/3 a bag of brown rice and 1/4 pack of chicken into a microwaveable dish and microwave for 1:30.

Cost? Rice (56 cents) and chicken ($1.50), yogurt (50 cents), carrot juice (44 cents) = $3.00

Dirty dishes? Two. Bowl, fork.

*The carrot juice was almost done so I finished it by drinking it right out of the jug. No dirty glass! One less dish! Hurray! Plus I used my fork to eat my yogurt. No spoon! Two less dishes! Hurray!









I left the office around 7:45 and came home. I was planning on going to the gym but am so exhausted it's just not going to happen. There's pushing your body and punishing your body. You want to push, not punish. Listen to your body when it's talking to you.

This is the reason I get up and go to the gym before work despite the fact that I hate mornings and would prefer it if the world started its day at noon. But, I have to get up because work gets so mentally, emotionally, and physically taxing that I would miss too many workouts if I tried to go after work. Plus, as my dazzling social life has demonstrated in a mere 4 days, my evenings are usually pretty booked. ;-)

Chicken and Rice Part Deux- takes 3 minutes, 45 seconds. For dinner I'm going to have Trader Joe's Roasted Rosemary Boneless Chicken Breast and Wild Rice Pilaf. Do you seriously need instructions for this? Take half the food out of the container and microwave it you idiot. As a beverage I added 1/2 a lemonade juice box to 1/2 a bottle of soda water to make a sparkling lemonade.

Despite having had chicken and brown rice earlier, this is a different kind of rice and differently flavored chicken so it won't be so repetitive. I suggest having 1 chicken breast and 1/4 of the rice. Yes you math whizzes will note that by eating only 1/4 of the rice and there only being 2 breasts in a package you will end up throwing away 1/2 the rice. That's ok. While waste is absolutely horrible and I despise it immensely, in America we are incredibly overfed and over portioned. You don't need that much rice. One of the breasts and 1/4 of the rice will be plenty. I will have my sparkling lemonade beverage and lastly will have a protein shake before bed.

Cost? Chicken and rice ($3.15), lemonade (64 cents), protein shake (86 cents) = $4.65

Dirty dishes? Six. Plate, knife, fork, cup, Magic Bullet mug, Magic Bullet blade.







Yes, today was disappointing, but I did my best and my best is the best I can do. God I love "The Four Agreements". Seriously, thank you Nick. Also, seriously, go get that book.

Here's hoping for a fabulous Friday!

Total cost of eating right today? $19.34