I had an in-studio interview at 7:30 at radio station 102.7 in Las Vegas this morning. During the interview we were able to take some very positive calls from listeners. After the interview I headed for the nearest McDonald’s for my morning breakfast.

• Meal #83 – 0810 hrs: Hotcakes & Sausage [780 cal., 15 g. protein, 104 g. carbs, 33 g. total fat], Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddle [450 cal., 19 g. protein, 43 g. carbs, 23 g. total fat], Scrambled Eggs (2 orders) [320 cal., 26 g. protein, 2 g. carbs, 22 g. total fat] and a Small Black Coffee [0 Cal.].

I made my way over to a local gym in the area at 11:00 to do a quick leg workout that lasted 45 minutes. I didn’t do any cardio today.

• Meal #84 – 1226 hrs: Double Cheeseburger [480 cal., 25 g. protein, 37 g. carbs, 27 g. total fat], Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken [210 cal., 26 g. protein, 11 g. carbs, 7 g. total fat], McValue French Fries [320 cal., 5 g. protein, 40 g. carbs, 16 g. total fat] and a Snack Size Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait [160 cal., 4 g. protein, 30 g. carbs, 2 g. total fat].

With cameras following I went back to the ETA exhibit hall to see what was new in my industry. It was interesting how many people wanted to know about the McDonald’s project because of the film crew following me. As I started to tell them what these 30 day’s were all about they became more interested in the information and less interested in the camera. I then headed back to the hotel room for a phone interview with a radio station in Ireland. The main subject was in regards to the pending fat tax to be placed on fast food throughout Europe.

• Meal #85 – 1556 hrs: Quarter Pounder with Cheese [530 cal., 28 g. protein, 38 g. carbs, 30 g. total fat], Chicken McNuggets (10 piece) [510 cal., 25 g. protein, 30 g. carbs, 33 g. total fat] and a Diet Coke.

Our company was invited to several get togethers that companies were putting on for networking purposes. After making the rounds I headed out to the Las Vegas strip where I had no problem finding an open McDonald’s for my last meal of the day.

• Meal #86 – 2200 hrs: Quarter Pounder with Cheese [530 cal., 28 g. protein, 38 g. carbs, 30 g. total fat], Double Cheeseburger [480 cal., 25 g. protein, 37 g. carbs, 27 g. total fat], Baked Apple Pie [260 cal., 3 g. protein, 34 g. carbs, 13 g. total fat] and a Diet Coke.

Additional Comments: Even when I travel I’ve always been able to find a place to get my workout in whether it’s just a short one or my full training session. You can generally find a place to meet your needs.

The great thing about Las Vegas for me right now is that if I get hungry there’s always a McDonald’s open.

Total Calories: 5,030
Total Gym Time: 45 minutes

Thursday, April 22, 2004 -- Day 22

I was up early for an in-studio radio interview with the Johnson & Tofte Show on KSFN 1140. This interview seemed more exciting because it was a true talk show experience. We spent 25 minutes on McDonald’s and the project as well as overall health and fitness. After finishing the interview the camera crew and I headed over to the nearest McDonald’s for a much needed first meal of the day.

• Meal #87 – 0843 hrs: Hotcakes & Sausage [780 cal., 15 g. protein, 104 g. carbs, 33 g. total fat], Sausage Breakfast Burrito [290 cal., 13 g. protein, 24 g. carbs, 16 g. total fat] Sausage McMuffin with Egg [450 cal., 20 g. protein, 29 g. carbs, 28 g. total fat] and a Small Black Coffee [0 Cal.].

After eating I went back to the ETA conference for a few hours exploring more of the exhibits.

• Meal #88 – 1221 hrs: Hot N’ Spicy McChicken Sandwich [450 cal., 15 g. protein, 39 g. carbs, 26 g. total fat], Chicken McGrill Sandwich [400 cal., 25 g. protein, 37 g. carbs, 17 g. total fat], McValue French Fries [320 cal., 5 g. protein, 40 g. carbs, 16 g. total fat], Snack Size Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait [160 cal., 4 g. protein, 30 g. carbs, 2 g. total fat] and a Diet Coke.
• Meal #89 – 1625 hrs: Hot N’ Spicy McChicken Sandwich [450 cal., 15 g. protein, 39 g. carbs, 26 g. total fat], Big Mac [590 cal., 24 g. protein, 47 g. carbs, 34 g. total fat] and a Medium Vanilla Shake [570 cal., 14 g. protein, 89 g. carbs, 16 g. total fat].

We went over to a friends house that lives in Henderson to visit and catch up. While visiting my friend has a business acquaintance interested in interviewing me for his radio show called The Game. The interview was set up for the next day.

• Meal #90 – 2047 hrs: Hot N’ Spicy McChicken Sandwich [450 cal., 15 g. protein, 39 g. carbs, 26 g. total fat], Bacon Ranch Salad with Grilled Chicken [270 cal., 28 g. protein, 11 g. carbs, 13 g. total fat] and a Medium Strawberry Shake [560 cal., 14 g. protein, 89 g. carbs, 16 g. total fat].

Additional Comments: With everything going on I decided to take the day off from the gym. I want to stress that at my level of fitness I can afford to take a day off once in a while. However, someone just starting out must understand that in order to reach their fitness goals there needs to be a level of commitment before contemplating taking time off.

Total Calories: 5,740
Total Gym Time: None

The ETA conference was over and with all the hustle and bustle related to the project I decided to go to the gym a little later than usual. I picked up my business partner who wanted to workout before leaving Las Vegas so we headed over to the gym for a short routine. I put in 20 minutes of cardio and trained my Calves and Triceps for another 30 minutes. I dropped off my partner at the MGM Grand and headed back to the Monte Carlo to see my new friends at the McDonald’s there.

• Meal #91 – 1026 hrs: Hotcakes & Sausage [780 cal., 15 g. protein, 104 g. carbs, 33 g. total fat], Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit [480 cal., 20 g. protein, 31 g. carbs, 31 g. total fat], Scrambled Eggs (2 orders) [320 cal., 26 g. protein, 2 g. carbs, 22 g. total fat] and a Large Black Coffee [0 Cal.].

After eating I took a quick shower and went out to do a little gift shopping. We went over to the M&M store to see all of the cute little characters represented on clothing, luggage, dishes and other knicknacks. I do enjoy eating M&M’s but while strolling through the store I started to think that there are far more calories and fat and less nutritional value in M&M’s for the same volume of a McDonald’s meal. Yet, we look at these cute little characters and make no reference to the part that they play in the obesity level in children. How many times have you seen an overweight child holding a bag of M&M’s?

• Meal #92 – 1333 hrs: Hot N’ Spicy McChicken Sandwich [450 cal., 15 g. protein, 39 g. carbs, 26 g. total fat], Double Cheeseburger [480 cal., 25 g. protein, 37 g. carbs, 27 g. total fat], Snack Size Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait [160 cal., 4 g. protein, 30 g. carbs, 2 g. total fat] and a Diet Coke.

I was scheduled for an impromptu radio interview with a different show on 1140 KSFN called “The Game” in Las Vegas. The Game puts an in-depth psychological twist to interviews making it different and more interesting than the typical radio talk shows.

• Meal #93 – 1713 hrs: Hot N’ Spicy McChicken Sandwich [450 cal., 15 g. protein, 39 g. carbs, 26 g. total fat], McValue French Fries [320 cal., 5 g. protein, 40 g. carbs, 16 g. total fat] and a California Cobb Salad with Grilled Chicken [280 cal., 30 g. protein, 11 g. carbs, 14 g. total fat].

We went to visit some friends who live in Las Vegas that we didn’t have a chance to meet with earlier in the week. After an hour of visiting I headed for a McDonald’s for a to go meal. Back at my friends house it was funny to watch them watch me eat with a video camera rolling.

• Meal #94 – 2032 hrs: Hot N’ Spicy McChicken Sandwich [450 cal., 15 g. protein, 39 g. carbs, 26 g. total fat], Big N’ Tasty with Cheese [580 cal., 26 g. protein, 37 g. carbs, 37 g. total fat], McValue French Fries [320 cal., 5 g. protein, 40 g. carbs, 16 g. total fat], 2 Baked Apple Pie’s [520 cal., 6 g. protein, 68 g. carbs, 26 g. total fat] and a Diet Coke.

Additional Comments: In California we don’t have the Hot N’ Spicy McChicken Sandwiches so I thought I’d take advantage of eating them while in Las Vegas. At first I was glad we didn’t have these in California because I’m not a real spice lover (a real rarity for someone who is half Mexican). To my surprise they had a mild spiciness that I really enjoyed. As you can see by how many I’ve ordered while being in Vegas.

Total Calories: 5,590
Total Gym Time: 50 minutes

Last day in Vegas and it was hard to get up this morning. We visited friends that live in Las Vegas until 1:30 a.m. I put in 30 minutes on the Life Cycle and trained my Arms for 30 minutes. I’ll start my normal routine back up on Monday.

• Meal #95 – 0840 hrs: Hotcakes & Sausage [780 cal., 15 g. protein, 104 g. carbs, 33 g. total fat], Egg McMuffin [300 cal., 18 g. protein, 29 g. carbs, 12 g. total fat], Scrambled Eggs (2 orders) [320 cal., 26 g. protein, 2 g. carbs, 22 g. total fat] and a Small Black Coffee [0 Cal.].

After my first meal and a stroll on the strip we loaded up the car and headed for home. I had my next meal in Barstow. The McDonald’s there was uniquely different. They have three separate seating areas that are actually made out of old box cars.

• Meal #96 – 1408 hrs: Double Cheeseburger [480 cal., 25 g. protein, 37 g. carbs, 27 g. total fat], Small French Fries [210 cal., 3 g. protein, 26 g. carbs, 10 g. total fat], Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken [210 cal., 26 g. protein, 11 g. carbs, 7 g. total fat], Chocolate Chip Cookie (1) [170 cal., 2 g. protein, 23 g. carbs, 9 g. total fat], Oatmeal Raisin Cookie (1) [150 cal., 2 g. protein, 23 g. carbs, 6 g. total fat], Sugar Cookie (1) [140 cal., 2 g. protein, 20 g. carbs, 6 g. total fat] and a Diet Coke.

We arrived home safely after a 5 hour journey where I soon discovered that I had packed far too many clothes for my time in Las Vegas. After unpacking I went over to my local McDonald’s for my next meal.

• Meal #97 – 1818 hrs: Chicken McNuggets (6 piece) [310 cal., 15 g. protein, 18 g. carbs, 20 g. total fat], California Cobb Salad with Grilled Chicken [280 cal., 30 g. protein, 11 g. carbs, 14 g. total fat], and a Snack Size Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait [160 cal., 4 g. protein, 30 g. carbs, 2 g. total fat].
• Meal #98 – 2101 hrs: Whole Wheat Grilled Chicken Sandwich [320 cal., 25 g. protein, 42 g. carbs, 6 g. total fat] and a Small Chocolate Shake [430 cal., 11 g. protein, 70 g. carbs, 12 g. total fat].

Additional Comments: I realize that I haven’t had the ice cream cone yet. One regular and one dipped in chocolate, “oh, yummy!”

Total Calories: 4,260
Total Gym Time: 60 minutes

After missing a couple of days of training in Las Vegas I decided to get up and head for the gym to get in 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of Arm and Calf training. I took a drive down by the beach before heading for McDonald’s for my first meal.

• Meal #99 - 0854 hrs: Hotcakes & Sausage [780 cal., 15 g. protein, 104 g. carbs, 33 g. total fat], Sausage McGriddle [420 cal., 11 g. protein, 42 g. carbs, 23 g. total fat] and a Large Black Coffee [0 Cal.].
• Meal #100 - 1253 hrs: McVeggie Burger [360 cal., 22 g. protein, 49 g. carbs, 8 g. total fat], Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken [210 cal., 26 g. protein, 11 g. carbs, 7 g. total fat] and a Snack Size Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait [160 cal., 4 g. protein, 30 g. carbs, 2 g. total fat].
• Meal #101 - 1630 hrs: Double Cheeseburger [480 cal., 25 g. protein, 37 g. carbs, 27 g. total fat], Bacon Ranch Salad with Grilled Chicken [270 cal., 28 g. protein, 11 g. carbs, 13 g. total fat] and 2 Baked Apple Pie’s [520 cal., 6 g. protein, 68 g. carbs, 26 g. total fat].
• Meal #102 - 2045 hrs: Double Cheeseburger [480 cal., 25 g. protein, 37 g. carbs, 27 g. total fat], McChicken Sandwich [430 cal., 14 g. protein, 41 g. carbs, 23 g. total fat], Small French Fries [210 cal., 3 g. protein, 26 g. carbs, 10 g. total fat] and a Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream Cone [150 cal., 4 g. protein, 23 g. carbs, 4.5 g. total fat]

Additional Comments: I spent most of the day relaxing at home and catching up on a few personal items and work. I have to say that I do miss the Hot N’ Spicy McChicken Sandwich that they have available at the Las Vegas McDonald’s.

Total Calories: 4,470
Total Gym Time: 60 minutes