Part 9 - Keep It CRISPY!

     In my humble opinion, the first bite of a fresh apple is the best.  You know what I am talking about.  That crispy, juicy bite that each apple promises when you pick it up and decide, "hmm you look tasty".  Assuming that you, the reader, likes apples.  I mean, if you don't, what is wrong with you? LOL...Just a little apple humor folks, just play along.  Honestly, if you think about it, if that first bite was pithy, rotten, too sour, or just plain nasty, would you be enticed to eat more?  Allow me to answer for you...and pardon my crude language but...HECK NO I WOULD NOT!  
     So, now is the part where I find myself needing to say once again, "I have not lost my mind!"  By the end of this posting it will all make perfect sense...well...sense...ok let's just say I might be a little closer to proving my sanity, I hope.  I will start with an apology.  I apologize to all who have supported me on this journey that I have mislead this week.  I posted this on Facebook late Friday night:

"As I lay my head down to go to sleep I am making this announcement with a heavy heart. I am calling it, I quit! My journey is done for any number of reasons. Please voice your complaints and concerns in writing in the comments and I will address them as I feel I can. Thanks for the support. The fat guy."

     Let me reassure you all, I am not quitting and I never was going to.  I posted that because I needed to get true, raw emotional responses from people.  The only way to get them was to do this without people knowing my true motive.  I will say, that you all did not disappoint me.  I received dozens of responses in a very short amount of time.  So you may wonder what motivated me to "need" these responses, here it is.  Throughout this week, I have noticed a rather depressing trend popping up among those that I have spoken with.  I have heard "I quit" or "I can't" or "it is too hard" or "why don't people understand me and what I am going through?"  Please, please, don't misunderstand me.  I have heard all of these from inside my own head as well this week.  I have family members going through terrible times and it stresses me out so I say to myself "I can't" and I find some "comfort" food.  I learned this week that there is a good chance I may be unemployed by April, so what happened?  I said, "I quit", why bother if I won't have any future income or insurance.  Who would hire me with my issues?  Again, please forgive my harsh, sailor-like language, but that negative; go-nowhere thinking is a warm ball of POPPYCOCK!!  Yep, I said it.  Cover the kids' ears and send the old folks out of the room because I am spitting truth bombs!

     I wished that I could say it was only I thinking this, but I am hearing it from others.  Others that I look to for inspiration and support.  If they are giving up on themselves then what about me?  I want all of you that read my post to think back, think of exactly the raw emotion and hurt and disappointment that you felt.  You, who have been my strength and my support, were basically watching me choose death.  I want you to remember the raw nerves that were touched by my announcement.  Remember that when you say, "I quit" or "I can't" or "it is too hard" or "why don't people understand me and what I am going through?" because that is how not only I, but all who love and support you feel when we hear it.  I believe the term I saw in many comments to me was, "tough love".  If we are truly going to support each other then we all need a little "tough love".  I have made two items to help remind me of this.  One is a copy of all of the responses to my post so if I ever need a little boost out of the negative zone I can look to those and be reminded of all of the love and support I have.

     My second reminder I have actually printed out for myself and I am using it as a daily positive affirmation.  I call it...Keep It C.R.I.S.P.Y.:

- KEEP IT C.R.I.S.P.Y. -

·      C – COMMITMENT:

- Go All In and Don’t Look Back.  The Past is the Past. -

·      R – Reality:

- Do Not Sugar Coat the Reality.  There Is No “Easy” or “Quick” Fix, You Have To Work For It and Work Hard -

·      I – INSPIRATION:

- Find One, Then Become One -

·      S – SUPPORT:

- You Are NOT Alone.  Look Around and You Will See -

·      P – PERSEVERANCE:

- You Will Stumble and Fall Accept That and Dust Yourself Off.  Keep Moving Forward -

·      Y – YOU:

- Succeed For YOU!  In The End, The Choice Is Ultimately Yours To Win or Lose -

So there it is folks.  I know acronyms can be a bit silly but it works for me.  As for the bunnies, well, bunnies just love CRISPY treats!  Besides, just look how adorable they are.  If you still need a positive boost just look at them!

     Changing your lifestyle and eating habits can become dull and boring.  When we find this happening we start to become negative and we cut corners.  Cutting corners can lead to bad habits.  So I say, KEEP IT CRISPY!  If you try to make each day as appetizing as that first bite of a fresh, juicy apple you will find it gets easier.  It will be hard, but that is why we have each other to lean on.  I know, it is an odd place in my head but it works for me.  I hope that those of you that are going through troubles can find this a little helpful.  Think of those that depend on you to succeed because you inspire them as much as they inspire you.  KEEP IT CRISPY!

     Ah, I guess it is time to toss out the numbers for this week.  I will be honest, as I said above, I did turn to some "comfort foods" this week so I was dreading stepping on the scale.  Nonetheless, I did climb upon the digital slab of doom and I saw this...(itty bitty drum roll please)...

 Uhh.....what? Wait?

Dang bunnies...they breed like...well you know...sorry.

TA DAAAAA!!!!

     There it is people.  That my good friends is 2 more lbs for a total of 116 lbs. go, going, gone!  I seem to be in a rut of little losses but they are still losses.  I will take it.  I just wonder "what if?"  Therein lies the rub folks, the past is the past and "what ifs?" don't matter.  I am going forward no matter what.

      So I will end the week with a recipe for an awesome Greek salad that my sister found.  So good!  Give it a try and make it your own if you want.  Let me know what you think.  Here it is...

Good For Your Greek Salad –

3 – Large Ripe Tomatoes Chopped – 0 points – WWPF

2 – Cucumbers Peeled and Chopped – 0 points – WWPF

1 – Small Red Onion Chopped - 0 points – WWPF

¼ - Cup Olive Oil – 14 points

4 – Teaspoons Lemon Juice – 0 points

1 ½ - Teaspoons Dried Oregano – 0 points

Salt and Pepper To Taste – 0 points

1 – Cup Crumbled Feta Cheese – 11 points

6 – Black Greek Olives Pitted and Sliced – 2 points

*WWPF - Weight Watchers Power Food

            In a shallow salad bowl, or on serving platter, combine tomatoes, cucumber, and onion.  Sprinkle with oil, lemon juice, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste.  Sprinkle feta cheese and olives over salad.  Serve.  Serves 6.  Much better if you allow a day to marry.

Total Weight Watchers Points – 27 for the whole bowl, 4.5 WW points per serving.

     That is all I have for this week my friends.  As always, thank you all for you support and love.  I would ask that you share this blog with as many people as you can.  On your facebooks, twitters, word of mouth, or just tell random people.  It doesn't matter how the word gets out, just the fact that it gets out and that it is touching lives.  Stay positive this week and keep it C.R.I.S.P.Y.!  I am here if you need a push.  I love you and may God bless you all.  VIVE LA FAT REVOLUTION!!!  To be continued...