Cheat Meal One

Weeks ago, I planned for today, August 24th, to be the day I had my first cheat meal after 5 weeks of only eating what I myself had cooked.  Halfway through this week, I had second thoughts, thinking I wasn't ready for my first cheat meal. Then, self-pity got the best of me when Zach went off on a day-trip to NYC.  As happy as I was for him to go and enjoy himself, I was equally sad that my travel and wanderlust days are numbered, nearly non-existent. Therefore, I self-medicated the best way I know... with food.

After work today, I had every intention to go to the gym.  With gym bag in hand, I went to my car, got off the exit to the gym and my gas light went on.  My quest to find fuel led me further and further away from the gym, and closer to the idea of a cheat meal. Yes, that is how quickly I can change.. gym to cheat meal in the blink of an eye. 

After fueling up a long, traffic filled ways from the gym, I figured I might as well order a pizza, enjoy my cheat meal from the comfort of my own little apartment. One small, pepperoni, mushroom and green pepper pizza. I sped home so excited, Oh how I had waited for this moment. Got everything situated. Slowly opened the box, letting the cheesy smell waft over me, pulling a very greasy piece towards my salivating gob and proceeded to eat the entire small pizza... probably within 15 minutes... Alone.  The first bites were nice... tasty, good. Not quite as incredible as I expected.  After the first piece, I'm not sure what was driving me to continue. It became a mindless chore that I must stuff myself with this pizza. 

After gobbling down the whole thing myself in one sitting, I promised I would go to the gym later. As the food settled into my stomach, I became more and more lethargic and felt worse and worse.  I drank two cups of coffee and a cup of black tea to battle the fatigue.  I felt terrible, gross and just down right sick.

I ate this pizza right around 1pm and at 7:45pm when I headed to the gym, I still felt full and like I had a lump of pizza in my throat. I wasn't hungry for anything and still felt slightly ill from it.  I did a 45 minute cardio and had a great work-out but I could feel the pizza creeping up the back of my throat. For the first time in 5 weeks, (minus one night when I used entirely too much chili pepper flakes and hot sauce) I desperately needed an anti-acid pill. It is nearly 10pm, over 9 hours since I consumed the damn thing and I still am having indigestion/acid reflux from it. 

All of this to ask, was it worth it??? The reality is, NO! I think I would have been fine with half the pizza. I probably wouldn't feel so poorly. It all goes back to moderation. The good news is, I don't think I will crave pizza for a while and I am looking forward to eating some bland, oil-free fish and veggies tomorrow.