Come in, hang out, be inspired (hopefully).

Welcome one and all to The Diary of a Chunky White Guy. I hope this blog will keep me inspired in my weight loss goals, but I also hope to help others who are struggling with their weight, whether they're ten pounds or two hundred overweight. I'm not a doctor, and I'm not a psychologist, but perhaps by posting my struggles, victories and viewpoints, I can make a difference in someone's life.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Did Popeye's Always Smell That Good? or No, I Don't Want Any Of Your Chicken

So I lied. I said yesterday that a new blog would be coming this morning, but I didn't have time to get to it. So, it's now afternoon, and I've taken a lunch break and figured I'd get a blog in now because tonight I have a feeling I'm going to be pooped.

"Why?" You may be asking.

Tonight is a three hour rehearsal. A three hour DANCE rehearsal. I'm going prepared tonight though. No jeans this time, just my loose (and getting looser) fitting Marvel pajama pants, a loose fitting shirt and plenty of water. It's ON. So, no gym today. I'll be hitting up Body Pump tomorrow morning, however, then a DANCE rehearsal from 10-4! It's gonna be...poop.

But that's not the reason for this blog entry.

Cigarette smokers or former cigarette smokers, I need to ask you guys a question. Rather, I need to present a scenario and I'd like some responses on if what I'm experiencing is similar to cigarette withdrawal.

Why does all fast food smell SO GOOD to me right now? I swear, it's like I've gone mutant and gained a dog's sense of smell. Every time I pass by a McD's, BK, Wendy's, and especially Popeye's, my nostrils are filled with the delectable aroma of meat. Greasy, greasy meat. And it smells sooo good. I thought abstaining from fast food would get easier the longer I went with out it. Nuh-uh. It's gotten to the point where I have to make sure I'm on the opposite side of a drive thru entrance so I'm not tempted to cross traffic and get a big ol hunk of fast food badness.

It's even worse on Thursdays, specifically yesterday.

On Thursdays, I take my aging grandmother (Maw-Maw) to her hair appointment, and also take her around town to run various errands for her. She likes to get lunch when we are in town. Yesterday she wanted Popeye's. She's 87, so I didn't want to go "NO! DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT'S GONNA BE LIKE FOR ME? IT'S GOING TO SUCK SO MUCH!" so I obliged her request. For the entire ride home, I had to fight the urge to rip open her back of chicken and take a bite out of the leg. Seriously. I had delusions of pieces of tasty chicken eating other pieces of tasty chicken covered in gravy. I think I started developing an twitch. When we got home, I had to carry it into the house for her (along with her purse, but never mind that).

I threw the bag on the counter and immediately started preparing my boneless, skinless chicken breast for grilling. Little black pepper, white pepper, Tony's, garlic powder and into the Foreman Grill it went.

Best. Chicken. Ever.

But, I must confess. I'm only human.

She gave me her biscuit. She didn't want it. I took it.

It was delicious. And awful.

Did you know that Popeye's biscuits have 250 calories in them? I do now. That one freaking biscuit had more calories in it than my breakfast that morning. I won't be doing that again. I needed a reminder, apparently, that you pay for what you put into your body. I had a lapse, a momentary loss of sanity. It shan't occur again!

So, is what I'm going through similar to cigarette withdrawal? If so, all you quitters out there have my respect. You guys rock.

Today's moral? Forgive me, for I have sinned. My penance? DANCE!

Until next time, dragon slayers.

8 comments:

  1. That's exactly what its like...for sugar abstainers too...your body will eventually regulate itself...when it does its great. Because one day you will give in to a craving and it will physically repel you...what smells so delicious will turn into barbed wire in your stomach. Lesson learned!

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  2. 95% of the time, cigarette smoke smells incredibly strong and unappealing to me now (2 months since I quit)

    But, there are those rare instances when I have a craving and the smell of one is pretty nice. I wouldn't say mouth-watering; but lighting, inhaling, getting that slight buzz....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

    But it passes pretty quickly and I go back to being happy that I no longer spend a crap load of money on cigs, (think of all the money you are saving on not buying fast food); and happy that I am gonna live longer to enjoy my family and life.

    Stick with it; eventually you will be accustomed to not eating it and when you do, it will probably make you a bit sick.

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  3. Quitting nicotine was prolly the hardest thing I have ever done. I still find myself craving a cigerette or a dip every once in awhile but I resist 99.9% of the time. Congrats on all you have accomplished thus far Casey and keep it up, man. You have inspired me to lose some weight.

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  4. It smells good, but it isn't.

    Exactly what the first anon poster said, Casey. I used to love Pizza Hut. Like, a lot. And now when I have to eat it, it really just makes me sick. Not only physically most of the time, but just knowing what I'm eating. It's so greasy. It doesn't taste nearly as good now. Not even a fraction. Sure, I miss what Pizza Hut "used" to taste like to me. But I'm so glad I don't like it anymore. It's just bad.

    I definitely think you'll get to that point with fast food. Eventually you will HAVE to eat, say, a burger from McD's or something. When you do, you'll know. Once your body is no longer accustomed to eating that junk, it just tastes foul. Eating from McDs after avoiding it for a while makes me feel oily and ew. All for the better, that way we'll leave it alone!

    Anyway, one biscuit isn't going to hurt you. It's okay to splurge sometimes. But there are probably much tastier things you could waste 250 calories on. At least in my opinion, but those biscuits are too buttery for me. :P

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  5. I remember when I had gone a very long time without fast food, Jay and I traveled somewhere where they have Jack in the Box and I was so excited to get some. It used to be my favorite place to eat. Well, we ate and I was sick for days! My digestive system was furious with me for eating that greasy crap. I think it took me a couple weeks for my body to completely settle down after that one day of fast food. I haven't eaten there since and never will again. Now if only the rest of the fast food places would make me sick like that...

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  6. Hey Casey!!
    I gave up sodas and most sweets this summer for health reasons and it was SOOOO hard at first. But it's been three months tomorrow and although I've "sinned" a few times too, it doesn't really bother me anymore. I used to have withdrawals every time I heard the pop of the can opening. Now I drink my 50 ounces of water and it's all good again!!!

    Bridget

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  7. Still to this day I have cigarette cravings. And it has been 10+ years since I quit. But I resist the urge and move forward. Fast food on the other, to me, is harder. It is so easily accessible! Every where you turn. And I have to admit, I fail ALOT! But I always get back up and start over.....we have to! Love you Casey....be strong! You are doing a great job! Very proud of you!

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  8. Wow! I love your blog Casey. Try quitting smoking and losing weight at the same time. It's not working out so well. Ya know, once you get into the habbit of eating those healthier foods, you begin to crave healthy foods and despise grease! But cheating here and there keeps me from binging... Ya know, once every blue moon. Don't beat yourself up about the bisquit. Good luck my friend...

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