Who needs fast food?

As one who has lived a good majority of his life on food handed to me through a window in a building I can say kicking this habit has surprisingly not been as bad as I thought it would be.  I am currently at almost 2 weeks with no fast food with the exception of  two trips to Subway for a turkey sub.  I actually feel great bout this and plan to continue making this change in my life. 

At first I had to literally convince myself that I really wasnt hungry when I was out and about and many times I drove past by the golden arches with my car wanting to pull into the drive through lane.  I assumed what I was feeling was nearly what a drug addict or alcoholic would feel when looking for their next fix because in so many ways food was my fix.  Convincing myself I didnt need that food fix was a bit of a struggle at first but now that I have settled into a routine it has become easier to resist the temptations of Wendy and her friend the Ronald.  I wont lie, there are times it has been tough but the important thing is that I succeeded!  Now to put this all together and use the no fast food rule with a exercise routine to help lose the weight I need to lose.  More on that next week!!

How many new beginnings does one person get??

Anyone who has read this blog knows that it seems every 4 months or so I have an epiphany and declare a new beginning for myself.  Well at the risk of turning people off to what I have written (including myself) I have avoided this blog because it would be of the same old thing just a different month.  This week has been different for me.  I found myself eating more and more fast food and less healthy meals at home and I knew this had to stop.  I was gaining weight again and I knew before long I would spiral out of control and be back to where I was before my surgery.  So like an alchoholic, I need to make a mental change as well as a physical change and that change has started this week.

I know many people who have substance abuse issues find that they do have a physical need for their drug of choice but alot of their issue is also a mental issue.  While my body certainly wasnt starving and creating a need for food I found my mind was constantly thinking about its next score!  A bagel from Dunkin Donuts for breakfast, a candy bar at lunch and of course a McChicken from McDonalds on the way home from work.  I wasnt hungry but I just had to have this stuff.  Wouldnt a frozen pizza e great for dinner or maybe some chicken from KFC!!  I reasoned it it my head that I wasnt eating alot and since these items were usually from the dollar menu it really wasnt all that bad.  I have now realized that, like the old song says, I am now a junk food junky!!  I crave it, I need it and I have to stop it or it will kill me.  I know I have said this before but I need to keep that in my head to help me kick the drive though habit!

I am not saying the habit is kicked but this week I have not stopped for fast food with the exception of Subway while heading to school after work. Since I ate healthy at Subway and didnt get chips or anything else to go with my turkey sub I felt that this really didnt break my fast food embargo.  I mean besides, I had to get out of the car and go in to get my sandwich.  How could this be fast food if someone wasnt handing it to me through a window! This has been a mental battle all week with me.  I have wanted to stop many times but I have talked myself out of going through the drive through each time.  I know the good lord above is also helping me with this battle because I know he does not want to see me destroy myself through overeating.  So, as of today I would say I am happier than last week at this time.  There is still much work that needs to be done but winning the mental battle is huge for me!!  Now I need to make sure the items I am actually eating are healthier foods and I need to add exercise into the mix.  One step at a time but the mental battle that used to kick my butt is now showing some signs of life! 

Avoiding fast food will be huge for me as I have stopped drinking pop almost 2 years ago.  If I can eliminate this food from my life I will have eliminated 2 of the largest sources of my weight gain, pop and fast food.  That leaves only the battle with my sweet tooth to conquer!!

I recently started a membership at a local work out center and I need to get in there and use it on a consistant basis.  That is my second goal for this week, use the workout center and not worry about what others think of me when I am there!

well time to go but I will make sure to update this blog next week, if for no othe rreason that to keep me honest!