When I decided to eat low carb for a while, I was surprised by a) how good it felt to follow that diet plan and b) how well it worked for weight loss. In just a few weeks, I lost 10 pounds.
Then my brother-in-law died. And I started a new job. Life just got crazy in general, and I haven’t exactly been coping well. I have, however, been coping with food. Like I do.
But a couple weeks ago, I woke up on a Friday morning and decided that I’d had enough. I ate a healthy breakfast of oatmeal (I said healthy, not low-carb) and when it came time for lunch, I racked my brain for a fast, convenient solution. Preferably one that didn’t require me to get out of my car.
I decided on SONIC and pulled into the drive-thru. I ordered three chicken strips (Not the five that I really wanted. What? I was hungry!) with honey mustard and apple slices. The speaker next to the lighted menu squawked my order back to me correctly, and I pulled up to the window to pay.
After swiping and returning my debit card, the girl in the window handed me a brown SONIC bag. I said “thanks” and drove away. As I was heading back to my office, I thought that the bag looked extremely full for what it was supposed to contain. But I’d glanced at the receipt, and it had my order listed right, so I didn’t worry.
When I pulled into the parking lot, I peeked into my brown bag that was smelling suspiciously of fried goodness and saw a box of fries! What on earth? I didn’t order those! WHY would they give me fries? I DON’T NEED FRIES and FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE, I didn’t want fries.
*sigh*
For a split second ( . . . or two) I considered eating them anyway. Then I remembered SONIC’s stingy practice of including one measly ketchup packet in their bags, and I decided it wasn’t worth it. So I walked directly to the dumpster outside our building and threw the fries in the trash.
Yes, I did. Feel free to applaud. Because, SERIOUSLY. I threw away fries, people! This is big!
I walked up to my office, feeling pretty darned proud of myself and pretty darn annoyed at SONIC. And then I opened my bag.
I had ordered three chicken strips, honey mustard and apples. I got five chicken strips, ranch dressing, the trashed fries and cheddar bites. Cheddar bites! They gave me pieces of deep-fried cheese!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THIS?!
You might not be surprised to hear that I wasn’t quite as strong with the cheddar bites as I was with the fries. Because I honestly thought at first that they were sweet potato tater tots, I tried one. Then I realized I had no idea what I’d just eaten, and I ate another one. Once I realized what they were, though, I immediately threw them in an trash can across the room only ate a couple more before throwing them away.
And I didn’t eat all the chicken. What was the point? I didn’t have any honey mustard to dip it in!
While some people might be tempted by SONIC’s daily happy hour drink special (mmmmm . . . cherry limeades . . .) or last week’s National Shake Day (mmmm . . . shakes . . .), not me. Apparently temptation will find me on a regular day at lunch when I TRY MY HARDEST TO EAT DECENTLY.
Have you ever been ambushed while trying to eat healthy?
{Photo by scaredykat}
After finding out I am type 2 Diabetic in May of this year I have been working hard to lose weight & eat healthy….that was till last week. We had bible school at our church and they feed us supper. ugh!!! Sloppy joes, chicken nuggets, pizza, grilled cheese, all with chips, dip & cookies. Yes I could have taken something from home but I just couldnt seem to find the time after work to fix something before bible school. I am in no way blaming bible school just saying how easy it is for me to make excuses. So today starts a new week & a new attitude :) Its all on me my decisions & my choices :) I don’t think I could have thrown those fries away :( Yay for you!!!
It is definitely hard when you’re at the mercy of being fed by other people. That happened to me earlier this week at our staff retreat. Although…nobody forced me to eat the M&Ms on the table during meetings…
I feel like every single day there is something trying to sabotage me. Like the Chuck e Cheese birthday party today. I thought about packing a salad, but i thought it would be too embarassing. How’s that for caring too much about what other people think? Ugh.
You’re right. Every day brings a challenge or potential sabotage. Our world is just filled with too much tempting food! (Or too much convenient food, as the case may have been at Chuck e Cheese!)
I’ve heard that if you struggle with food to never go to a restaurant that has a drive thru because it’s too much like a drug deal. You hand your money to the person, and they hand you your drug in a paper bag.
I’m not saying that I abide by this completely, but it is something I am working on. I’m not perfect, either :)
Oh my gosh, that is so funny! Totally like a drug deal!
I SOoo would have eaten those fries…and been made I hadn’t seen the cheddar bites first. Good for you!!
Thanks. And I’ll admit: if it had been mozzarella sticks instead of cheddar bites, they’d have all been gone!
One time I ordered a grilled chicken wrap at McDonald’s and they gave me a crispy one by mistake. I kept ordering the grilled wraps after that, but always secretly hoped they’d make the same mistake again. ;)
Good job throwing away the fries! It’s like those commercials where you make a good choice and hear applause. :) I forget what they’re for, haha. But anyway, you can blame Sonic for that one for sure. And next time check the bag before you leave. :)
I don’t know what those commercials are for either, but I wouldn’t argue with applause following me around in real life. ;)
Oh I will be back again soon. I have laughed so hard tonight reading your posts and comments :D
Yay! Do come back soon! :)
Way to go Mary! I am clapping for you and kicking my heels in the air for you! I love the comment about the drug deal. Definately a new way at looking at going throgh the drive thru.
What’s up, I read your new stuff regularly.
Your writing style is witty, keep it up!