1/12th...

...of the way down! I cannot believe that it is a whole month in to 2010. It has been an amazing month free of a habit that was burdening me. I didn't even have any drinks (slushes, shakes, smoothies) from a fast food place which is allowed during the fast. I did a whole month without even being tempted to break my fast. And I'm elated! Go me! Lol.

Dreaming of You

This is extremely weird, but I had a dream last night that I ate some KFC, or taco bell, I really don't remember. The crazy part is that I don't even like KFC like that. Even in my dreams there is this struggle, when or if I eat out, with having to decide if the restaraunt falls into the fast food category. It would suck to accidentally break my fast due to a technicality that I wasn't aware of at the time. But this is not even the first dream of the sort that I have had in the past week. Maybe I didn't eat much yesterday, or maybe I am not eating enough in general, but I feel like the fattest fat kid ever when I have a dream about food.

When I did a month only drinking water back in September, I had dreams that I drank juice of various sorts over the course of that month. So maybe it's just my subconscious mind worrying about breaking my commitment. Or since there has been no time at all during my day to even think about picking up a burger from somewhere, I am just indulging in a place that will allow me to enjoy without becoming a failure....idk.

I'm not at all worried about breaking my commitment, because failure is not an option. It would be so lame to fail at something as controllable as what I choose to put in my mouth.

The Pit

Now I know that I should not eat food from the pit that often, but I get so tired of eating sandwiches...the frozen dinners are gone and I'm tired of buying more and I'm tired of eating them also. It is too expensive to buy for only one person. You only get deals when you buy in bulk, but buying pre-cooked meals add up too quick. Since I don't have to pay for food on Tuesday and Thursday nights if I go to the pit, it's a very tempting offer, however, I know that is not the type of food I need to be eating that regularly. So, I really don't know what I'm going to do because it is only January still. I am not even 1/12th of the way through. 339 days.

Dang. I shouldn't have put it in days cause that seems like forever.

Update

So yesterday, a few of my friends and I went to Pentacle Mountain. Let me just say that I was deceived. I was told is was practically a hill it was so small, so I suggested to go. Once we got there we could only find one trail and it happened to be very difficult. So we start climbing and it was okay but too many rocks for my taste since I thought there would be a smoother trail and I was wearing walmart sneakers, bad idea. Then, we got to a point where it was 100% boulders. We actually climbed a mountain- I definitely hadn't planned on it since I have never hiked, camped-or anything of the sort. But, it was definitely worth the climb. We only went up 80% of the way up since we were all novices and were concerned about how we were going to get back down. I love being on the top of a mountain. That has always been my favorite place to be and it's so calming and humbling. The absolute perfect place to be. I really want to go back and go all the way to the top. And hopefully I won't hurt my ankle like I did yesterday. Or get lost like we did on the way down...but thats another story completely.

I know that has nothing to do with food but when you focus on things other than the thing that typically takes all your attention, that's when you can find some clarity. However, I am on day four of my financial fast and I'm really feeling it...well I miss not spending money whenever I feel like it but the book is really enlightening. It's a good read, but in addition to that, I really think every chapter kind of convicts you in a different area of spending...I recommend it to everyone. For real...

So needless to say, I definitely have not eaten fast food in the past few days, since I can't spend basically any money that is not on necessities. I'm definitely over the appeal of fast food. I just wish I had a kitchen because I get tired of eating sandwiches and frozen dinners...and my milk is still frozen solid in my dumb fridge.

I need a real meal...ugh after this year I may end up hating lunch meat and noodles altogether. That would be bad since I still have another year of school left.

I eat because I'm empty...

Sometimes it just feels like I'm not doing enough, but there's no way I can fix it. I can't afford a car. I hate borrowing and driving other people's cars. I'm so busy and so tired all the time, but at night I have to make myself stay awake so I won't wake up super early or just lay in bed staring at the wall.

Food really does nothing for me. I know it's wierd, but I really never get hungry. Ever. I say I'm hungry-cause it seems appropriate, like when I haven't eaten all day or something. I don't eat often either. It's really strange. But, I'll find myself snacking when I can't figure out anything better to do, especially at night. I really wish I could do more, but I don't know how or when....maybe my problem is much bigger than just not eating fast food and saving cash...

Idk

Day 21/21 days

They say it only takes your body a week to break a habit, but it takes your mind three weeks, 21 days, to make the change complete. Well, tomorrow, I will be at day 21-when I will officially be over any tie that I had to the fast food industry. I still don't miss it and I love having more money in my pocket.

Unfortunately, I do have a problem. My fridge is freezing everything-its awful. I miss breakfast most days because my milk freezes over night even though it's on the lowest setting. You never realize how bad frozen things can be until you try to eat salad with frozen lettuce, make a sandwich with frozen lunch meat and frozen pickle chips, and drinking frozen apple juice to wash it down. Ugh.

On a more positive note. I love Bless the Mic...of course because I'm over them-but I have never missed one since I started college. Anyways, Michele Singletary came to Philander today and she was great! It was all about money management so that was cool. She was funny but delivered a solid message that is easy to implement into daily life. So I, being the crazy person I am, decided to take up her challenge-in addition to my current challenge- to not use a credit/debit card, shop at a mall, no fast food(which I was already doing of course), and only buying necessities for 21 days. I'm down. I can do it. I can do anything-plus the no fast food thing is slowly becomming a way of life so I needed something new to stir into the pot.

I was already saying that I was going to put away my cards and have a cash allowance-this makes it even better. I am good.

February 10th will be day 21.

I wasn't sure if I was going to post this because it is kind of embarrassing and extremely sad. But I think I need to in order to stay completely on track with this seemingly endless endeavor. In the last four months of last year, that is 120 days, I bought fast food 50 times! This is insanity...practically the definition of addiction. Just about every other day I purchased fast food, and this number doesn't include when I actually ate fast food that somebody else bought for me or all the times I went out for dinner-which I also did regularly. I spent so much money on food alone in the past four months that I need to start regulating my money where it is being wasted the most. The only thing is that it is hard to consider spending money on food wasteful. Somehow, I have to find a balance that I can live with.

I guess thats why this month has been a little frustrating. I have not eaten any fast food, but I have gone to a good amount of dine in restaraunts just because there is so much going on this month. From the going away dinners to two of my close friends having their birthdays just over a week apart and not to mention the DC trip. So, after tomorrow, hopefully, I will be able to stop eating out so much all together...no promises on that one though. But I will try.

I got so spoiled!

My trip to DC for a conference was a like a dream! Dream hotel with perfect furniture and showers, dream food-full meals from lebanese to chinese to italian to french-my stomach was always full...and the best part is that it was free! Well sort of-we got per diems. I was joyriding on the metro in the down time between poster sessions and presentations. In addition to getting to eat out at nice restaurants free to me, I got to snack on amazing-ness that Little Rock does not sell. While I have nothing to complain about regarding the trip, I feel awful my first full day back because I'm back to eating ramen noodles and granola bars. I like the limited foods that I can have here but it is horrible that my diet consists only entirely of carbs or starches because thats the only thing that I can make without a stove....depressing. And its only day 14....

I may have to pick up writing on this more so I don't renig on this challenge already...it's good that I finally have regular internet now

The Longest Beginning Ever

With everything starting-new year, new semester, new job-everything. It just feels like the semester has already been in for more than just nine days. I think it will be a long one. The commitment to avoid fast food is surprisingly easy. No cravings, and half the time commercials and bill boards don't even look tempting. The only slightly difficult part is when my boss is offering to buy lunch from various places and I have to continuously decline...I don't want to start sounding anorexic or anything. But other than that-im good cause it is so cold out side that I would be okay starving if it means that I can be warm inside lol.

The money part is okay. I've actually went out to a sit down restaraunt twice this year already. I wish it wasn't so much since it is only day 9 in the year, but this month is kind of difficult. I had a good bye dinner with my friend back home, a birthday celebration for a friend two days ago, my roommate's b-day is next week, and I'm going out of town tomorrow for four days-it seems nearly impossible to just eat my little frozen dinners or sandwiches cause something is always coming up-for this month at least. Everything will calm down a little after the 17th so we will see.

Even with all of the unfortunate things that have happened recently, I'm still hoping for the best this year. I want things to be great-and I'm going to try my best to make the best out of every situation I'm put in.

I got back to school yesterday. All I have to say is-I'm STARVING! Working an 8 hr day and going to class reminds me why I ate fast food so much. It's so convenient. This morning I didn't even think about eating something cause I'm so used to just picking something up during the day. So 5 hours into the work day I actually realize how hungry I am, but I don't want to go all the way back to my dorm just to make a sandwich or heat up a frozen dinner-so I just go without....Until I finally get off at 5:30 only do jet back and make a sandwich before heading to my night class. 

On the bright side though, it's so cold here anyways so I would rather not go outside at all-especially to have to go drive far for school. That does make me want to keep a stocked fridge. Although it's kind of tough to keep a fridge stocked with dorm friendly foods. So basically i just have a few frozen dinner-since the freezer is small-and cereal, sandwiches, and noodles...exciting food opportunities...can you hear the sarcasm?

So Far, So Good

So...real food is amazing. Lol. I the past few days I have been experimenting with meals combinations in the kitchen and it's so cool. Makes me wish I had an apartment. But, while I have access to an oven/stovetop, I will eat great tasting food that is actually good for me. Yesterday, my brother and I made a cornish hen with broccoli and baked potato- pretty good for people that don't cook often. Before this year started, I don't think I cooked a full meal in probably almost three years.

I might tackle the honey glazed ham today. Fast food is long forgotten, and

I'm lovin' it.

1 down, 364 to go

So, I was hungry all day yesterday. Not because I was craving fast food, because we didn't have any food in the house. When we finally got the car working we went to see Avatar, and finally after that long -but great- movie we went to get groceries. The convenience of fast food is especially high when you don't already have a house with fully stocked fridges and pantries. Most fast food isn't even exceptionally good or anything. It's just good enough to make it worth the money you're spending in that moment, and it definitely leaves you full for a good while, which is what most people want.

My brother thinks that I didn't spell out the challenge and make it plain as day so there will be no wiggle room whenever I really start wanting it down the road. So here it goes,

I consider it fast food if:

1. It has a dollar menu;
2. The person taking your order asks if you want to make it a combo, or upsize the meal for 50 cents;
3. There is a kids meal with a toy;
4. It has value meals;
5. It has five dollar footlongs : ( ;
6. You expect your food within five minutes of placing the order and/or
want a complimentary dessert if you have to wait;
7. It is sold at the mall (regular malls, not the ritsy ones);
8. The fried chicken doesn't have an option of some type of soul food side;
9. It's pizza from anywhere other than Olive Garden;
10. It has a drive through.

Sadly, this includes my delicious breakfast tacos-potato/bacon/cheese...That's probably the only thing I will miss.

Happy New Year!!

Alright- and so it begins...365 days without eating fast food. Let me clarify what my challenge is. My goal is to go one calendar year with out eating any meals from a fast food joint. As of now, I can have shakes and drinks since I don't get those too often anyways. I probably wont get those either for a while, but my problem is with always going out to get a quick meal, so that's what has to change. Who knows, maybe I'll go a whole year without the shakes and drinks too, but right now thats kind of alot for me to take on.

Since I live off of scholarships and grants anyways, getting rid of this constant expense should allow me to start saving for something bigger and better. I heard a story about a man who bought a four wheeler after he quit smoking with the money he saved by not buying cigarettes over a period of time, and I've thought of doing something similar...since fast food is probably the closest thing to cigarettes that I've ever tried.

That last slice of pizza did me in. The thought of actually going through with this challenge made me go over board. I have done month long fasts from QSRs, but this year long pledge seems so much harder because I really don't like denying myself anything if I don't have to. But I think it is good, every now and then, to test your strength and will power, and what better time to start then the present. 2010 will be free of greasy, heavy, fatty, and costly fast food.


I'm raising my Coca Cola glass with Martinelli's apple cider and toasting to a new beginning.