The good choice

Like most normal, hard-working professionals, I adore Fridays. And Saturdays. And let’s not forget Sundays. Basically any day is a favorite of mine that I don't have to get up at 6 a.m. and perform my usual 8-4:30 routine. It's not that I don't like my job, or that I'm not appreciative of it (especially in this economy), but like the song goes, isn’t “everybody working for the weekend?”

The weekly two-day break is also the toughest time for me to stay focused on my food and fitness plan. Maybe it is all the out-to-eat invites from friends and family, feeling more relaxed, having more quality time to spend with the husband, wanting to veg out on the couch and numb my brain with stupid TV shows for a minimum of oh, six hours -- who knows.

So last night, my friend, Jessica, and I decided to have another girl’s night in, get some food and watch “Sunshine Cleaning.” She was having some electrical troubles at her house, so she didn’t think she’d be able to make it. That left me to make the decision about what I wanted for dinner. Uh oh! The healthy girl on my right shoulder was telling me to go in the kitchen and make the veggies and turkey I already had in the fridge. The rebel on my left was pleading for Thai food or pizza. What to do?! Well, I did listen, just a little, to the left and look up the menu online for my favorite Asian eatery. But then, it was like the healthy girl gave me a swift slap in the face, banned me from the Internet and sent me in the kitchen to make turkey burgers and stir-fry cabbage, green beans, broccoli and onions. Jessica ended up getting to come by, and not being a big turkey burger fan, actually really liked mine! (I think it was the feta cheese I sprinkled in the meat.) I stayed in my Weight Watcher points and had a delicious meal to boot!

Now choosing the healthy meal may not seem like much of a feat to everyone else, but for me, it was a huge leap in the right direction. I give in too much when it comes to not-so-good-for-you food, and this time, I stuck with my goals, instead of filling up on food that would stick to my stomach! Proud can’t even describe it.

I hope today will be just as successful. I will be heading outdoors (again, I don’t know who this woman is here lately with all the wilderness activities -- see Outstanding Ocoee and Back to Civilization) to go fishing with two of my favorite ladies – Lori and Jessica – on Lori’s family’s 28-acre land. While it may not burn that many calories, all the laughing we tend to do will! More on our fishing excursion tomorrow!

Have a healthy weekend!