YMCA TOUR OF AMERICA CONTINUES...

Today I am headed to Madison, Wisconsin for an overnight trip.  I have secured my hotel and mapped out the closest YMCA which I intend to visit.  Of course, 'mapped out' is just an expression these days - I have not used an actual map in nearly 10 years.  I guess I could be more precise by writing that I have entered the address into my Garmin GPS device.  This seems like a good time to list the various YMCA facilities that I have visited so far.

YMCA Marshfield Avenue Chicago (This is my 'home' YMCA)
YMCA Danville, Illinois
YMCA Indianapolis Indiana (Baxter location)
YMCA Ann Arbor, Michigan
YMCA Jacksonville, Illinois
YMCA Maumee, Ohio
YMCA Onalaska, Wisconsin
YMCA Royal Oak, Michigan (This is the only one that charges guests $5 per visit)
YMCA Marquette, Michigan
YMCA Lyndhurst, Ohio (Hillcrest location)
YMCA New Hope, Minnesota
YMCA St Paul, Minnesota

It does appear that I am making good use of my membership fees since I (re)joined the YMCA in February.   Each facility is different and some have been superior.  In every case, without exception, the people that work at the YMCA have been terrific.  It is wonderful and amazing that so many employees that I have come in contact with have been so friendly, warm and helpful.

Some of these facilities have steam rooms, some have whirlpool hot tubs.   All have adequate lockers with access to great showers with hot water and soap.   It has become quite fun to visit one of these facilities for the first time and see how different they are.   So far, the absolute nicest one has been in Onalaska, Wisconsin.   The facility is very new, having been constructed within the past 10 years.  In contrast, my home YMCA was constructed within the past century - and just barely!  The pool at the Onalaska YMCA looked like the pool one might see at a recently constructed water park.  I think that without exception, each of these facilities opens in the morning no later than 5:30AM - so they really cater to those that need to get a workout and shower in before heading off to work.  As you can see, I have really become a fan of the YMCA.

MONDAY MENU

breakfast three eggs, three slices turkey 'bacon'   cup oatmeal                    460 calories
lunch       spinach salad w/hearts of palm, tomato, mushroom, beets
                bay scallops, one giant sea scallop, 3 ounces shrimp,  asparagus
                Costco Chicken Tortilla Soup                                                        459 calories
dinner     spinach salad w/hearts of palm, tomato, mushroom, beets
                Trader Joe's Turkey burger, 28 almonds, 100 grams cucumber salad   479 calories

TOTAL CALORIC CONSUMPTION  1399 CALORIES

calories burned
6PM elliptical 32 minutes 442 calories

MONDAY NET CALORIES   957 CALORIES

SHEIK YERBOUTI

In 1979, Frank Zappa unleashed upon the world his best selling album, Sheik Yerbouti.  (He appeared looking like an Arab Sheik, the album title was pronounced SHAKE YOUR BOOTY, which was the title of a 1976 disco hit from KC and the Sunshine Band)  I couldn't resist taking a 'selfie' while enjoying a sauna at the YMCA.  A good way to get punched in the face is whipping out a camera phone in a public sauna - as I was alone - it seemed OK.

Sheik Yerbouti, 1979

The photo on the left is Frank Zappa, as Sheik Yerbouti, 1979.   The photo on the right, is my version of Sheik Yerbouti, 2015.   This trip to the Detroit area was the first time that I had the opportunity to take advantage of my new YMCA membership.   The facility in Royal Oak, Michigan is very modern.   I had the chance to visit three times this week.   I went the first time after my work day had concluded on Tuesday. On Wednesday and Thursday I started my day at the YMCA. OK, I admit it.  It is a great feeling to work out, use a sauna, take a shower and get dressed and then start the day.  I can get used to this lifestyle.  

I finally figured out how best to use the elliptical machine on my third day. This time I set the controls for an 'interval' workout. I completed a 1 hour workout.  I was able to make more than 8000 strides in one hour on that machine with the 'resistance' set to '10' and the 'incline' set to '10.' It seems somewhat ironic that I had so much difficulty walking up one flight of stairs to the locker room afterwards.

YMCA ELLIPTICAL MACHINE AFTER A FULL ONE HOUR WORKOUT

THURSDAY MENU

breakfast   STARBUCKS Bacon & Gouda Breakfast Sandwich                     350 CALORIES

lunch         PANERA Soba Noodle Bowl w/Chicken                                       390 CALORIES

dinner        JIMMY JOHN'S Bootlegger Club Unwich w/Provolone              280 CALORIES

total calories consumed    1020 CALORIES

CALORIES BURNED

9AM    YMCA Elliptical 60 minutes                    735 CALORIES

9PM     home elliptical machine  31 minutes        400 CALORIES

total calories burned   1135 CALORIES

CALORIC DEFICIT     -115 CALORIES

STARBUCKS

I am not a big coffee drinker. Starbucks was not a place that I visited too often. Until now. In my continuing quest to find places that serve healthy low calorie food - Starbucks has now become a new favorite place.

Two days ago, I ordered, for the first time, a Blueberry Whole-Grain Oatmeal which is only 220 calories. Yesterday, I returned and ordered a Spinach & Feta Breakfast Wrap which is only 290 calories.

This morning, Thursday, I tried the Bacon & Gouda Breakfast Sandwich (350 calories)
I will continue to not drink Starbucks Coffee - but Starbucks is now one of my favorite breakfast stops when I am on the road.

Starbucks Blueberry Whole-Grain Oatmeal 220 CALORIES

WEDNESDAY MENU

breakfast   Starbuck Spinach & Feta Breakfast Wrap                        290 CALORIES

lunch         Jimmy John's Bootlegger Club Unwich w/Provolone      280 CALORIES

dinner       Applebee's Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad & an Apple     450 CALORIES

total calories consumed   1020 CALORIES

CALORIES BURNED
9AM YMCA Royal Oak, Michigan Elliptical 880 CALORIES
9PM  Days Inn Stairmaster 40 minutes            400 CALORIES

total calories burned  1380 calories

CALORIC DEFICIT -260 CALORIES

Starbucks Bacon & Gouda Breakfast Sandwich 350 CALORIES

Starbucks Spinach & Feta Breakfast Wrap 290 CALORIES