French Toast on a Workout Day? Sure, as long as the goals are in sight.

When I was skating, in season, I would put on the inline skates and go 100 miles in a week.  That is a lot of distance, and a lot of calories to burn.  

Back and forth between Philadelphia, and past Valley Forge.  Schuylkill River Trail.  Pretty country for somewhere both near and in one of the larger cities in the US.

I had a routine.  Actually quite a few routines.  Pack plenty of water.  Pack plenty of snacks.  Load the iPod (remember those) with some tracks and audio books.  Get out to Oaks, PA and sit down on the bridge over the Perkiomen Creek and enjoy the sun.  Allow the heart rate to come down to a normal level. 

Then eventually return to the car and go home.

When I got home, I would have a meal to re-balance the blood sugar.  We figured that I would burn about 100 calories per mile of skating and a good long workout was three hours and 33 miles.  3300 calories burned.  

During Season, April to early November, dietary restraints went away.  It did not matter, and I had a Runner's High for Spring, Summer and Fall.  Off season, I had to aggressively adjust that intake.  Cutting your diet back by half is not an easy thing to do.

If I was not skating, I had a full weightlifting regimen along with miles of walking.  

That meal was typically some French Toast on the weekend.  Richard Hammond of Top Gear and The Grand Tour called it "Eggy Bread" and I suspect that fits just as well.

Today, I didn't skate.  I did, however, go to the park for a cycling workout.  The conditions here are still Summer Hot, so I cut the workout short at 20.23 miles.  32.5 km.  Ok, so I was an elite inline skater, but now an intermediate cyclist.

Came home and remembered that there was a loaf of Raisin Bread.  Cinnamon, Raisin, and Pecans.  Made up the typical custard of two eggs, two tablespoons of milk, and a dusting of Cinnamon, because, of course, I would.  

A rose by any other name. Raisin bread soaked in egg custard, pan fried in butter, coated in Maple Syrup, tastes just as sweet.  Real Maple Syrup.  None of that artificial pole syrup nonsense that is made by squeezing a telephone pole.  Tap a Maple Tree and distill the sap.  

It is what the doctor ordered.  Had that plate of one slice of French Toast for lunch about a half hour ago and I'm sitting here thinking that it should be enough.

It was that and more.  6.5 ounces of very heavy bread soaked until it absorbed all that custard, then cooked in the skillet until it tied together.  I'm thinking maybe 1000 calories.

No, it isn't a light meal.

I workout to eat, eat to workout.

I had a nutrition discussion with a restaurateur once.  She knew that I worked out heavily, typically 50 miles on inline skates on a weekend.  Ordering a piece of Chocolate Cake that is best described as a slab, I joked "Just One this time".

Massive Slab of Chocolatey goodness aside, I did say that once that was done, I was still hungry.  Resting Metabolism is still about a 3000 calorie burn plus the 3300 calories on the workout.

I get that Get Out Of Jail Free Card when I workout.  I do watch what I eat, but it is more from the standpoint of making sure I get enough fuel so that the afternoon nap is caused by a sugar crash and not a lack of enough to do. 

Find your ideal weight for age and conditions.  That ideal weight will tell you how many grams of protein you need per day.  For me that's 90 grams.  For you, your mileage may vary.  My own theory is to load the protein, evenly through the day, and fill with fat and carbs as needed.

Remember, Cardio is Your Friend.  Having a resting heart rate due to exercise that is low enough that the doctor is surprised is a goal.  Sitting on the bench, coach, is something to do once in a while, not because you require a stent.  Years of inactivity and bad nutrition is going to catch up with you eventually.

Years of doing crazy-long workouts will result in your getting to retirement with a resting heart rate in the low 50s and a doctor who is confused as to why you don't need more meds.

So, you!  Off the couch and move.  You won't see a difference today, you will eventually.