Living the Fast life.

A few years ago, Todd and I decided that we didn't want fast food in our lives.  At first it was rough because fast food restaurants are so convienent, quick and cheap.  But after an occaisional craving we learned to live without it and never really even gave McDonald's or it's counterparts a second glance. We were not watching our finances as closely then as we are now, so I don't really recall the switch being a big shock for us financially (plus we never ate exclusively at fast food joints...it was occasional). 

I have read the articles about fast food and it's relation to obesity.  I've also seen the articles that correlate fast food to the rise of obesity.  Fast food driven obesity you may call it I guess.  I always agreed, but it wasn't until yesterday that I realized exactly how much.  I went to hang out with my family yesterday.  My brother and his wife give in to the kids and they eat at McDonalds every Sunday...it's their tradition.  So I tagged along.  I ordered a McChicken sandwich, a small fry and a large drink.    I blew  over 600 calories on that meal.  Almost half of my daily budget for calories (I aim for 1300 calories).  Doable, but throws things out of whack and you have to be near PERFECT with your eating the rest of the day.

But the lesson to be learned is not how many calories I ate.  I feel as if I actually chose well and was actually ok with my calorie expenditure.   No, lets look at the financial expenditure.

The drink....$1......the sandwich, $1....and the small fry, $1.19.   I spend $3.19 for my meal. (true dollar menu items....it's actually cheaper to order off the dollar menu in that case apparently)   Really?   Where else can I eat for that little?   $3.19???????    It is tempting to go back....I can't eat anywhere...except the soup kitchen for that little.  True there is little or no nutritional value  but hell, a full belly for $3.19.  No wonder people continue to flock to the place (ok so the food is also a bit addicting)...it's affordable in our economically depressed age.   The cheap prices draw people in.......and they are eating WAY TOO MANY Calories.  Becuase lets face it.....how many people go in and actually order the McChicken Sandwich and a SMALL fry?????

mf

Read an interesting article today about a moretorium on fast food locations in a low economic area that has very high obese rates. This article basically said that they are holding off on building any new fast food restaurants to try to give some restaurants with some more healthy options to come to the area. Great idea. I give them two thumbs up for trying! However, fast food is so cheap.....can the healthy options even compete with the fast food prices??? Does this area even want a change? And of course last but not least......this area already probably has 5 million fast food joints....will not building any for one year really make a difference?

I didn't weigh myself today. I've decided to wait a day or two. Optimally I'd like to wait until Saturday or Sunday. However, I know me and I'm thinking that I may give in and weigh myself tomorrow. We'll have to see.

However I did get up early and ride that exercise bike. I pushed up the resistance today quite a bit. I'm still suffering a bit of soreness but nothing terribly bad. I need to get myself to the gym to get my strength training in. I should go tomorrow. But that's going to be a hard one for me. I work from 10Am until 6PM. I could get up early and go in the morning. I know that after work I will probably not go. Yes, I guess tomorrow morning should be it. Maybe I should go this afternoon? I shouldn't because I need to give it a day between strength training workouts. I guess it's tomorrow morning.

Nothing else to post about thus far today. I'm working to eat clean and within my plan. I had oatmeal for breakfast. Lunch is a sandwich (2 points...tis a good thing that I love butter/jelly sandwhiches), an apple, grapes and some raw carrots. Dinner will be corn on the cob and chicken. I'm not sure how the chicken will be prepared yet..but I'll figure something out. Oh yeah, and I have a serving of leftover sauerkraut that I'll have with my meal. So I'll be well within my points range. :-)