It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten anything from MickyD’s. And, the last thing I ate from there was probably one of their more healthy (or should I say, less UN-healthy?) options.

Not yesterday.

Nope. I went whole-hog last night. Emphasis on “hog”.

I had the #4: Angus Deluxe burger, medium fries, medium diet Coke.

Whatever possessed me, you ask?

Well, I have a few theories on that…

1. I’ve been burning over 600 calories a day the last few days, about twice my usual rate. As a result, my body has been asking for more fuel.

2. For at least 4 months now, I’ve been eating pretty clean. Not perfect, but not burgers and fries, either. In recent weeks, my taste buds have been asking for a little break from all that healthy stuff.

3. Yesterday was my volunteer day, and the woman I work with at the Laura Recovery Center was eating a burger and fries at her desk. This was in the late afternoon, getting close to my dinnertime, and the odor really got my hankerin’s for fast food going full throttle.

4. My husband is out of town, and the boys already had plans for dinner. I was on my own.

Sure, I could have gone home and made a healthy dinner. Maybe eaten the leftover shrimp stir-fry, or cooked up a burger at home (which would surely have been less harmful than the Angus burger!).

Instead, I told myself that there is nothing wrong with going a little crazy now and then, that I have certainly worked out enough lately to be able to handle the excess calories for one day, and that giving in to my craving now could prevent my binging later.

Later, as I was eating a burger that I really didn’t like all that much, I had a revelation: I could have ordered a small order of fries, made a burger at home, and my cravings would most likely have been satiated with half the calories and sodium of my Micky D’s meal.

My revelations often come just a little too late.

So, what did I learn last night?

First, I have to say that I’m not angry with myself, or even disappointed. I made a choice, mindful of the consequences, and I’m okay with that choice. Sure, I could have made a better choice, but I think it’s healthy (mentally, if not physically!) to give yourself a break now and then and do something you wouldn’t ordinarily.

Second, I really don’t like fast food anymore. A few fries taste good…beyond that, yuk. Healthy really does taste better now (remember that, taste buds!).

Finally, on my volunteer days, I need to be sure I have a really good, satisfying lunch so I’m not tempted by cookies, burgers or anything else that may show up at the office. My typical green smoothie lunch is delicious, but doesn’t hold me through the afternoon; I bring a healthy snack with me, but may want to make a different choice for lunch on Thursdays and be sure to have dinner planned out ahead of time.

As for those burgers & fries cravings? I don’t think I’ll be having them again anytime soon.




ADDENDUM:
Just saw this posted on FB -- how timely is THAT?