Day 567 A Different Easter and Deep Fried Greenbeans

Day 567

A Different Easter and Deep Fried Greenbeans

I knew today was Easter, but it didn’t feel that way. Without Irene, Amber away at school and Courtney at her mom’s place, well…it just seemed different. I felt good, I did, and I’m getting super excited about my commitment to a better workout discipline.

My tail is on the line, this is it…I have way too many friends in the blogging and close personal world that will be keeping me accountable in that regard. I should have put it out there a while back, but I was just cruising and losing, slow and steady…getting there one day at a time, and treating my workouts very plain. Yes, I’ve had tremendous success losing weight, thanks to the death grip on my Calorie Bank and Trust account, but it’s only proven that yes, you can still lose weight by giving 30% when you workout…but Oh, how I wonder where I would be if I had been giving 100% for the past six months? Probably cleaning up after the “Goal Party” and wearing size 34 jeans and, well…there’s nothing positive in beating myself up now. I need to count my blessings and proceed in a determined fashion. Lessons have been learned with a better understanding of the psychological dynamics that rule this road.

Easter, an amazing day, and traditionally a big meal holiday too. Easter dinner, yep…mine was planned for Stillwater, late afternoon. We all agreed to dine at one of our old favorites, we were there just last week actually, Charlie’s Chicken. For some reason, I had conserved my calories throughout the day…not really on purpose; I just didn’t feel like eating I guess. I started the day with three over-easy eggs, added a banana later, and by the time dinner rolled around, I had enough calories to feast. Within reason, of course.

I decided on three fried breast chunks, an order of mashed potatoes—no gravy, and mac and cheese. Yes---the mac and cheese was absolutely an indulgence, cost me 300 calories to enjoy, but I’d do it again someday, oh yes I would. It was incredible stuff. I usually say no to the bread, but I decided to split a roll with mom. I left off the butter spread. After I finished, I added my calories and realized I still had several hundred available. I didn’t want to eat too much later in the evening, so I grabbed another couple of small chicken chunks---peeled off the breading, and enjoyed the chicken breast meat. I also bought an order of deep fried green beans for everyone to share. I know, I know…it’s so wrong! A seventeen-piece order of Green Bean Fries at TGI Fridays is only 170 calories. I’d say that our order had a dozen pieces, maybe a little less. But even if we just called it 200 calories, I only enjoyed 75 calories worth. They were good! Wow, I already have a history of melting cheese into my green beans…now I’m eating them battered and fried? I may have a problem. Nah, I’ll be OK.

We took some more pictures too! Identical really to last weeks pics, well, close at least…just different clothes. It was a fantastic time, it was, and afterward I drove home in silence, reflecting on everything important to me.

This entire journey has changed my life for the better. Despite everything that has happened along the way, it’s really all good. And it keeps getting better. I’ve never felt better than I do right now. I feel like anything is possible, like all I must do is decide—and I can achieve anything. And then, oh boy…when I receive e-mails from people I’ve never met, telling me how reading my blog has impacted them for the better…well, that’s just icing on the cake. I will never stop sharing my story with people far and near.

Someone asked me the other day if I regret making this blog so personal. No, not really, although it is strange to run into a complete stranger at the grocery store who says “I’ve read every single day of your blog, look---eggs and mushrooms, I love them too!” And I realize that if they’ve read every single day, they know way more about me than maybe they should. But hey, it’s very personal and very real, this here journey. And I could have accomplished that and still maintained privacy, several of my favorite bloggers have…but it never occurred to me that my story would help too many people outside of my family and friends…so I felt fine with being extremely open, after all---if they knew me well enough, they already knew about a lot of this stuff. On second thought, some of my inner most thoughts and concerns---and even experiences I’ve shared here…I saved for me and maybe Irene until I started writing this blog….and then it all came pouring out. I certainly can’t stop now, although I’ve better defined the line I will not cross again…so I’m good.

I arrived home and immediately started thinking about my workout. Why I hadn’t done it yet, I don’t know, but it was time now. I hit the trail on a beautiful evening and finished a 5K in record time. I didn’t time it actually, but I know that I spent more time lightly jogging than I did walking. I hurried home and watched the weather. I was beat, and lucky for me Gayle, a co-worker and friend, was willing to anchor severe weather coverage in my place tonight. I had to drop in bed.

My workout goals are clearly defined this week, as stated in yesterday’s post. It’s pretty lofty, but nothing I can’t handle. It will be done. Period.

Thank you for reading! Goodnight and…

Good Choices,
Sean


Mom and Me at the restaurant this evening


Grandma and Me tonight


Kelli and Me this evening