On Veterans Day I set out to see how many meals I could eat
for free in a single day.
Disclaimer: I did not do this out of being a freebie hunter, it was more of a challenge: Someone said to me once “I bet you can’t” and I set
out to prove them wrong. At each location I tipped heavily, donated to
a cause, or made a purchase. This was
purely for fun and is not meant to take advantage of my status as a
veteran.
Timeline:
November 10th,
2014
8:30 pm - Weigh In: 221 lbs (normal weight
that needs to go down)
November 11th,
2014
8:00 am - Meal 1: Denny’s 2 egg scramble,
2 slices of bacon, 1 chicken sausage patty, and hash-browns. (Calories: 640)
8:30 am - Starbucks Tall Coffee with cream (Calories: 45)
10:45 am - Meal 2: Panera Asiago steak sandwich
with cheese, cup of French Bistro Soup, Small Coffee, and an apple (Calories: 715)
11:05 am - Meal 3: Bob Evans 4 Hotcakes
with syrup and butter (Calories: 704)
3:00 pm - Meal 4: PJ’s Deli 2 Stuffed
Cabbages and ½ cup of mashed potatoes (Calories: 493)
8:45 pm - Meal 5: Olive Garden bowl of
wedding soup and pasta primavera (Calories: 1471)
9:30 pm - Meal 6: Primanti’s Pastrami
Sandwich and a 23oz Blue Moon (Calories:958)
10:30 pm - Weigh in: 227 lbs (officially
the heaviest I have ever been)
Metrics:
Total
Calories: 5026
Total Carbs: 504 Grams
Total Fat: 204 Grams
Total
Protein: 211 Grams
Total Fiber: 26 Grams
Total
Sodium: 11,351 mg !!!
Macro
Percentage of Daily Recommended Intake:
Carbs: 43%
Fat: 39%
Protein: 18%
What I find
interesting is that I did not hit the required amount of fiber intake for the
day (38g). Also if you go by the 1 gram
per desired body weight theory (215) I fell 4 grams short.
To maintain
my current weight I should consume 3100 to 3500 calories per day. On this particular day my activity level was
low. I would estimate a 2000 calorie surplus.
Amount of work to work it off: 5000 calories
Disclaimer: These are all estimates from various websites. It is hard to estimate since each individual
uses different levels of intensity.
KB Swings: 4 hours and 15 minutes 24kg bell
Running: 3 hours 50 minutes (31 miles at a 7.5 minute
mile pace or my 5k pace)
Circuit Training: 6 hours
Psychological Damage:
I started to hit the guilt stage at Bob Evans and at that
point I made up my mind about never doing this again. I realized how horrible our food choices are
and how our culture of eating is all messed up.
Our culture is not going to change overnight and it is ultimately up to
the individual to make that choice. I
attempted to fit in some sort of exercise, but the rumbling in my tummy said no
way. I realize I am an odd ball who
actually likes moving around and being active just to be active. The inability
to move frustrated me. So I am more
motivated to make better food choices in life to fuel my activity.
Lessons:
We eat way too much crap! I went to 5 popular restaurants
and 1 local restaurant. Healthy choices
were very limited. Vegetables were
nonexistent. The sodium content was
through the roof.
Most of the food was mediocre at best. I appreciate what the establishments were
doing, but I rarely eat at any of them (I do love PJ’s deli and the food was real. I eat there every other week.).
It is worth the effort to make your own meals. You know exactly what is going in them. You will be on your feet to make it. Most of us sit for work so standing will do
you good.
You have time to make your own food. By the time you drive somewhere, get in, sit
down, order, wait, pay, and drive back you could cut up a handful of veggies
and a piece of meat. Add a piece of
fruit and a water.
With this kind of caloric intake spread over a week you will
really need to work your ass off.
Staying busy is vital to staying busy on a cellular level.
The answer is simple - be mindful of your diet decision and what you are putting in your body every day. It makes a big difference on your health and happiness.
Justin Thomas
Instinct Fitness
