First, an update about the first day of the Plank Challenge...OUCH. I posted what I could and couldn't do under the post's comments. If I were giving myself an elementary grade, I'd get an "NI" for "Needs Improvement". I figured that all ready. That's why I put out the challenge. How did you all do? If you need pics or video, google the names of the exercise like "spiderman plank exercise"...you'll get some visuals that way.
On to other things. I try to avoid fast food restaurants, well, except for Subway. For several reasons really, but the biggest being that I don't like paying for food that isn't that good and isn't that healthy (referring to the healthier options that they give.) For example, McDonald's has salads, but I don't like paying $5 for iceberg lettuce (low nutritional value), a salty chicken breast reheated (high sodium and preservatives), and a packet of salad dressing. Sure, the calories might be low, but the price is high for the low quality that you get. I'd rather eat the kids' cheeseburger. So, I just try to steer clear of those places.
But eating out at sit down restaurants and an occasional fast food place can be SO convenient. Last night, I had all three of my boys and my husband was working. I had just taught class and was hungry. It was 7pm and no one had eaten. The two older boys really needed to get in bed by 8pm and the baby needed to be fed. So, when the boys begged to stop by Arby's which is right across the parking lot of the gym, the convenience called to me. Last night, I was willing to pay for the "fast" in fast food.
I bet you want to know what I ate huh? I'll get to that. Realistically, I know we'll eat out at least one time per week. Instead of letting that meal ruin my good habits, I have learned to use a valuable resource. It's a website called calorieking.com. If you type in the restaurant of choice, they list the nutritional value of many menu items that they offer. That way, you can make your educated order and not feel guilty. I have typed in Arby's several times. You'd be surprised! Sometimes, the seemingly healthier options are not so healthy. Don't be fooled! Arby's market fresh sandwiches have way more calories than their beef and cheddar sandwiches. Yep! Not lieing! The turkey market fresh has 710 calories, 28 g of fat and 41 g of protein. Last night, I had a beef and cheddar. Like I said, if I'm going to pay for it, it better taste good (and keep me in the right calorie range. I had 800-1000 left for the day by 7pm). A beef and cheddar has 430 calories, 19 g of fat and 23 g of protein. Not a great dinner, but not bad for fast food.
Check out that website. Type in a few of your favorites and see what you come up with! Check out a whopper at Burger King and the ice cream at Cold Stone...might make you think twice about eating some items. I always weigh out my options. If I really want to eat out for convenience (ahhh...no dishes) or for social reasons (I told you I like to eat and be social) then I think about what I can eat and where that will taste good, but not take me too far off track. Knowing ahead of time also helps when you're really hungry and everything on the menu looks good. The 600 calorie cornbread at Famous Dave's isn't worth it to me, but sometimes, the 430 calorie beef and cheddar is.
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