Veeg-Log - Day 3

Weight: 284.7

Entry One - 3:35pm

I saw something interesting (disturbing?) on my drive to work today. While cruising down Clairemont; my windows down and my music blaring, I was amazed to find that the vehicle  making such horrendous noise as it passed was not, in fact, a jumbo jet – rather a rusted out, jacked up, mufflerless pick-up truck. The aurally offensive vehicle was being piloted by a fairly… rotund young man in a dirty sleeveless flannel shirt and worn out trucker’s hat. Riding shotgun was a jabba-esque fellow dressed much the same. Between them on the bench seat, a chocolate lab was being fed a cheeseburger from an over-sized McDonald’s bag flapping in the wind on the dashboard. My thoughts on this scene were many. First, of course, I laughed. Then I thought to myself how grateful I am that I chose to do this little experiment now, at a measly 285lbs – as opposed to allowing myself to attain anywhere near the girth boasted by these two (undoubtedly fine) gentlemen. Then I swore off fast food forever, while pondering the likely fee of a vehicular noise violation citation. Lastly (and I’m not proud of this) I was jealous of the dog. (Don’t you judge me!)

Later, I found myself thinking back to “The Clairemont Experience”. Looking around, it’s painfully obvious that the McHicks are not alone. More than that, they’re not even the minority! There are so very many overweight people (and I count myself among them) in this area, it’s no wonder that Americans are as unhealthy as we are. The biggest part of the problem (in my opinion) is that it’s so incredibly EASY to make poor eating choices. Why go home for lunch when you can swing through the drive-through? Why spend an hour or more cooking dinner when you can toss a frozen something-or-other in the oven and feed the fam in 20 minutes? Chicken nuggets are a helluva lot easier than chicken breasts. Fresh veggies out, processed frozen veggies in.  We’re basically poisoning ourselves in the name of time efficiency – and the worst part?? They make it CHEAP!! I’ve spent the last 11 years of my life buying just enough food for a meal or two at a time, and filling my cart with cheap, easy, foodstuffs; not concerned in the slightest about what I was actually putting into my body. Well no more. I owe it to myself to, at the very least, start paying attention to what I’m doing to myself. [And you do too!] We can blame the food industry all we want for our obesity, our health problems – but ultimately WE’RE the ones deciding what to put in our mouth.

Keep in mind – I’m not berating anybody for their eating habits. I count myself among the lazy, the careless, the busy, and the hefty. I’m not saying that veganism is the answer, either. The answer to the “food epidemic” running rampant through this country is simple. The answer is responsibility. Take responsibility for what you’ve done to yourself so far, and make responsible choices from here on out. It doesn’t have to be difficult, but it could very well change your life. I hope this month changes mine.

Veeg-D, out.

Entry Two – 8:59pm

So the third day of veeg eating is drawing to an end. So far I haven’t had any major break downs, serious cravings, meatless maladies, or the like. Kelly likens this experiment to a cleanse. She’s kind of a body wellness nut (said in all manner of love and respect, of course!) so she’s done all the fasts and cleanses and yogas and whatnot. She tells me that in any type of cleanse, the body goes through a period where it begins to expel all the built up toxins and mcnasties that are trapped in your body. (Apparently turkey sandwiches are toxins which must be eliminated! I like to think that there are a bunch of tiny pot roasts floating around in me that will now be flushed out.) ANYWAY, she warns that soon I will more than likely start to feel super crappy as my body does what it takes to get used to this new diet. So, y’know, I’m looking forward to that...

Today’s menu consisted of the following:

Breakfast – ProBar and an Apple

Lunch 1 – 2 slices of left-over veegza

Lunch 2 – A bowl of cereal with soy milk and peanut butter toast

Dinner – Noodles with olive oil, garlic, dill and garlic toast

And now I’m heading out for a walk. I’m not a runner - in any sense of the word – but I figure I can handle walking around the neighborhood; especially on a night as beautiful as tonight! And walking has got to be better than sitting, right? (Then again, I am so VERY good at sitting…) Night, all!!

Veeg-D, out!

P.S.- Oh yeah, I almost forgot! Today, one of my food reps stopped in the store to show off some new product samples. Among the goodies (most of which I can't eat anymore.. grumble grumble..) was a new vegetarian burger patty. As Bill put it, "Finally, they made one of those fake burger-things that's actually worth eating!" So I turn the package over, check the ingredients (as is my habit already after dating a vegan for almost a year) and low and behold - these new patties are veeg-tastic! [insert shocked gasp followed by thunderous applause here] So I'm excited to throw these babies on the bbq and see what the fuss is about! Perhaps, if they're as awesome as Bill claims, I will order a case of them to keep in the freezer here at the house for this summer's impromptu grilling sessions! (I love summer!!)