What Counts as Fast Food?

It's about a week into the challenge and so far I've managed to avoid all the fast food traps like Wendy's, McDonald's, In-N-Out, and Taco Bell (ew). However, we have done our fair share of eating out recently so that's made me reconsider what could fall under the label of "fast-food." For the most part, I've tried to make better choices. For instance, when Spencer took me Olive Garden for lunch last Monday I ordered a lower calorie entire and saved most of it for dinner. When we went to Disneyland with my brother-in-law and his girlfriend I had the lobster Cobb and skipped most of the dressing. However, I've also had a burger at Buffalo Wild Wings and part of burrito at our favorite sit-down Mexican place. The amount of eating out this past weekend was unusual--we eat out more when we're playing the part of tourists on vacation showing our family around--but it did make me stop to consider just how much junk is out there to eat. The foods that sound most appetizing are laden with fats or processed carbs and while most places have low calorie fare now, a lot of it just doesn't sound good. So, while nothing I technically ate since the challenge started counts as fast food, I still need to work on bettering the food choices I make in general.

Exercise Bust and a New Challenge

The day after I posted that I would be doing the 30 day exercise challenge I busted. I got majorly sick (it's allergy season and I ran out meds) so instead of running or doing an exercise tape like I'd planned to do, I was curled on the couch in a fetal position clutching my head filled with swollen sinuses. No fun! Also within the last couple weeks I've had to work extra at work, had lots of evening obligations, and just generally have been bad at fitting it into my schedule. It would seem that the only sure-fire way to plan exercise in my day is to get it in before work which would require me to wake at 5AM and that's just not happening right now. At any rate, due to the events above and the fact that I know the next few weeks aren't going to be getting any easier, I've decide to start a new challenge.

The 30 Day Challenge I'm starting today is to not eat fast food for the next 30 days. That means no fries, no burgers, and no deep fried chicken sandwiches. Now, I suppose I can see an instance where we are out with family and really have no other choice, but in those cases I will keep myself to the fare on the menu that's the freshest (i.e. the salads sans dressings, grilled chicken no bun, or fresh fruit). Fast food is so easy to grab on the way home or at lunch so I think this challenge will help me focus on eating healthier and in turn helping Spencer eat healthier, too (since we will be forced to eat more at home or make better choices when we go out). The last day of this challenge will be April 16. Wish me luck!

Oh, and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

No Soda Day 30 and 30 Days of Exercise

It seems I started a post about half way through this challenge but never published it, so here it is now:

"Well, I've reached the half way point and I'm proud to say while I've been tempted to quit several times, I've never actually given in. I find the temptations are strongest in the mornings and when I'm out to eat because that's when I would normally indulge."

It's now day 30. I successfully completed the challenge! I'm proud to say that I remained strong and won't be going back to my daily habit any day soon. I plan on continuing to limit my soda intake because I felt healthier overall while I was abstaining. Now, onto the next challenge.

My next 30 day challenge is to get 30 minutes of exercise a day. Today is actually day 3. I started Monday with dog agility, Tuesday was a 30 minute jog, and tonight I'm doing the Jillian Michaels ripped in 30 tape. I'll try to keep the blog more up to date for this challenge since its going to take more planning and effort to meet this goal. Sundays I will be limiting myself to dog walks though.

Here's to gettin' fit!