Getting Right
This morning I woke up and ate Kashi cereal along with some Odwalla Superfood juice (it was on sale) for breakfast. This afternoon I attempted to eat a Kashi frozen dinner that I had a free coupon for (I told ya’ll I wrote “The Recession Diaries,” I’m not playing), but most of that ended up in the trash. The other parts of it are somewhere in the Los Angeles sewer system.
You see, the other day I went and tried on some clothes. When I took off my shirt, I didn’t want to break the mirror. I can’t remember the last time I felt that way. I believe Jade and Brownstone were still relevant at the time.
In any event, it made me feel quite good about my hard work at the gym, and inspired me to take my initiative to eat much healthier even further. Though it’s something I started doing a long time ago I want to eat even healthier.
Part of it is out of sheer practicality. I don’t have health insurance anymore. It doesn’t make sense for me to eat any and everything. Fast food is for people who can afford to have a stroke.
And to tell you the truth despite thinning out years ago I still sometimes channel my inner fat boy. That has got to stop, ya’ll. But eating healthy can be so boring sometimes. Not to mention a lot of health food looks and sometimes tastes like it belongs in a bowl for a dog named King.
Why can’t carrots taste like Chick-fil-A?
It gets worse. Do you know I’ve been trying to drink less, too? That means no catfish and Hennessy for. After a while I get to wondering, “This can’t be life, can it?”
Then I think about the alternative.
Like this heart attack wrapped in foil. This is chicken strips, mozzarella sticks, french fries, and a whole lot of grease. Eating like that can only lead you to a few places.
Here.
There.
Or in a doctor’s office for a consultation on gastric bypass.
Before you even wonder, no, this is not in the south. That’s a food truck in New York. Midtown to be exact.
Do not want.
Beyond the issue of fitness, some people are just nasty as hell.
Exhibit A. This is a picture from a Chinese carry out in D.C. I’m not sure which one, but I pray it’s not one I ever ate it. That fish is hanging next to a dumpster. While I’m thrilled to know it’s actual fish, I don’t like the fact that the D.C. rats can get dibs on it before actual customers can. And here I thought I only had to worry about whether the chicken is really chicken.
I takes a lot of self-control to stick with a healthier diet. I know myself and I know that I am greedy is hell and if I had my way I would eat all of the wrong things twice with seconds.
So I continually train myself to eat healthier. But yikes, it’s hard. Especially if you’re opting to cut back on alcohol. That helps the vegetables go down.
I want to eat healthier, get fit, but not sound like one of those crazy health nuts. I feel like I’m already headed towards that path. How do you strike a balance?
Leave your suggestions and chicken nuggets in the comments, please.
P.S. I’m not counting today in my fit plan. I had a margarita. In my defense, it’s been a very stressful day and being all one with the universe can only do so much.
But uh… Cynical Mike… Eating healthy can sure be expensive! Those Odwallas are like $3.69 for the smallest size! And that’s here in Texas, I can only imagine what they cost in CA. That’s why so many poor people are overweight. Don’t even get me started on the Kashi… I used to love those TLC Bars when Le Targe had them on sale for $2/box. But yeah..3.69=3 meals w/$1 double cheeseburgers at McDonalds. I don’t eat like that, but I’m just saying…
I agree with I Stan about the cost of eating healthy. The government and Big Pharm do not want us to be healthy. That’s why there’s more corner stores and fast food restuarants than fresh food markets in the hood. The more we are fat, sick and have chronic diseases, the more money we pump into hospitals to buy meds that will keep us addicted or ease our symptoms (not cure because cures are not financially beneficial to Big Pharm). Portion control, moderation, and exercise is the true way to be healthy and to stay that way. Have you tried eating healthy and exercising during the week and then treating yourself on the weekend?? Having a few adult beverages isn’t too bad on the weekends as long as you don’t go overboard and get shit faced.
Get Lean Cuisines. They taste so much better then Kashi. You know I know about all the best budget-healthy brands.
That chicken finger, mozarella, french fry sandwich looks sooooo good! I wouldn’t put it on that crusty bread though. Give me a wheat bun from Chick-fil-A and that would be great for the weekend. I agree with Misha too, I eat healthy Monday-Friday and Saturday and Sunday I just don’t give a f*$k!
Oprah bought the country KFC!!! Mike I hope you get this in time to download the coupon (unthinKFC.com i think). I think its two pieces of GRILLED chicken and two sides…LOL. Hope that helps buddy!
LMAO! Catfish and Hennesey
*Brown Suga*
I’ve also started a heart-healthy plan after reading a story about Black folks in their 30s having the heart health of White ppl in their 60s. True story.
I think you actually spend less money when you eat locally grown produce and meats, and eat at home as opposed to eating out.
But anyway, I’m working on the balance part too. My too vices are alcohol and sugary treats. I can’t seem to control myself AT ALL when I’m around those two things.
I cant afford to eat healthy. Fresh fruits and vegetables would cost me my entire food budget. And I always use to ask my mother why didnt God make steak taste like brocoli and vice versa?
My guilty/psychotic/suicidal pleasure????? DR. PEPPER…..dayum near a two liter a day! DON’T JUDGE ME!!!!!!
Eating healthy can be hella cheap if you know where to go, I don’t know what its called in you area, but in Cleveland we have the westside market, where vendors bring in their fresh veggies and meats, it doesn’t have hormones in it, it taste alot better, and it’s alot cheaper! I’m sure every city has these stores in your areas,
I do the healthy eating as well but I still treat myself, you love Chicken nuggets, you should make your own, buy chicken breast cut it in chunks or strips, add some Panko bread crumbs and italian bread crumbs, little season salt, blackpepper, red pepper, about two egg whites and little 2% milk, dip the chicken in the egg whites mixture then the bread crumbs, put in a baking dish that been wiped with a little olive oil and sit in the oven- voila!
healthy tasty chicken nuggets!
I’m trying to eat healthier myself, so thank you for this post. Sometimes, it’s just hard to eat healthy, even when you like the healthy food. I’m determined though, I can’t carry around this extra weight. Kashi makes these really good peanut butter granola bars. You should try them….
Mikey!
Did you sense me starting the Fat Smash diet again?! LOL. I’m in the detox phase, all fruits, veggies, brown rice and a few other “goodies”. Keep it up, it doesn’t do any good to have a hot body and an overworked/underpaid heart!
I’m proud of you, keep up the good work.
*Denae*
P.S. Don’t beat yourself up about the margarita. It was Cinco de Mayo, you had to do it! (I had one too…the blue from El Patio – delish)