I haven't had any fast food for about four weeks. I don't mind it so much. I mean, I only drive by five - count them - fast food restaurants on the stretch of Carlisle Avenue that I take to and from work.
I can do this. I don't need French fries.
But I'm thinking about it a lot. I keep expecting to get a call that goes something like this:
"Hello, this is McDonald's, is Michele around"?
"Ah, yeah, hi, McDonald's. It's me."
"Hey girl! We were just calling to see how you're doing. You haven't been by for your six-piece nugget combo with a cheeseburger in a little while. We were worried about you."
"No, I'm good. Fine, actually. . . Well. . . I . . . Look, McDonald's, I can't really see you any more. . . .My life is changing; I'm trying to get healthy. You can understand that, right?"
"Oh, Michele, say it isn't so. Not you. The hateful diet people didn't get to you, and turn you against us, did they? You know they're just hatin' on the fast food industry. . . ."
"No, I mean, yes. I mean. . . I don't know."
"Michele, baby. . . we go way back - remember how your family used to eat McDonald's every Halloween after trick or treating? Or how you used to share a super-sized French fries with your friends in college because you guys were all broke? We're like . . . family. "
"Those fries are really good. . . . The salty, greasy taste. . .Mmm. . .fries. . . No, no. . . I can't do it. McDonald's, I'm sorry. I'm serious about dieting this time."
"I can't believe you would just leave us like this. This hurts, Michele. It really hurts."
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It's just that I can't fit into any of my clothes from last summer. I weigh enough to be considered for a heavyweight bout. I can't carry groceries to my second-floor apartment without breathing heavy. I mean, I'm having some problems here, McDonald's."
"Well, can't you just buy new clothes? Stay away from fight promoters? Have your groceries delivered? I mean, we've hung out for most of your life. You can't just leave us like this."
Sorry, McDonald's, I have to do this. I have to try." Then I tried something that works for most guys, and that I've even used, "It's not you, it's me."
"No you didn't," McDonald's said, furious with lame my break-up attempt. "I don't even want to hear that. It's OK, I've got some calls to other fat people to make. They won't leave us. And, you, my friend, will be back. They all come back."
"I might, but for right now, I'm leaving you, McDonald's." Then I add a line many of my girlfriends have said about old lovers and lived to regret when its thrown back in their faces, "I'm done."
"Yeah, Ok. You keep thinking that. We will see you sometime. We know how this thing goes. You'll be back." (They hang up on me with the drama of a noisy crash of the phone.)
I'm holding on to my resolve. I don't need French fries to be happy. I'm going to stay away. I like my new, healthy foods.
You believe me, right?
How do you avoid stopping for fast food when you're watching your weight? Any healthy fast-food suggestions?
Subway and Sheetz are a girls best friend when trying to eat healthy. The sandwiches can be topped with lots of healthy veggies and they aren't fried. I always ask for my fast-food sandwiches sans mayo, cheese, etc. It saves a ton of calories but I still feel like I am getting a treat. Don't ban McDonald's forever, it will only make you want it more :-) Trust me, that happens to me with peanut butter cups!