Day 203: My Personal Impact on the Local Fast Food Economy
I think I may be personally responsible for the demise of the fast food economy in Utah County, Utah (yes our county name is the same as our state name). This morning I slept later than usual. My body is still trying to adjust to the new Tuesday, Thursday 4am wakeup time. Because I slept late I didn’t get my snacks or lunch together and basically figured I would get whatever I could on the road today. Great plan if your goal is to gain weight by the way. I went to school and hit the books for a few hours and then it was time to head to work.
I knew that I could get a protein bar from the convenience store near my job so I stopped in and walked to the back corner where there is one shelf full of semi-healthy snacks. As I was digging through the snacks and reading the nutrition labels the store manager, Ty, walked up to me and started a conversation. It went a little something like this:
Ty: Hey man where have you been? We thought something must have happened to you. We haven’t seen you in here forever!
(I literally used to go this place 4-5 times a day and when I quit drinking soda and eating candy I really didn’t have another reason to go back. When I pump gas I just pay at the pump now).
Me: Oh you know, just busy I guess.
Ty: But everything’s good, nothing happened to you right?
Me: Yeah I’m good man, better than ever.
(All of a sudden I saw his eyes get big when it hit him).
Ty: Hey, you’ve lost like…A LOT of weight haven’t you?
Me: Yeah, some.
Ty: Good for you man…maybe laying off the candy bars helped a little huh?
Me: *smiling* Yeah, you’re probably right. Have a good day Ty!
I grabbed my PowerBar and headed up toward the register. Now that I think about it I didn’t even slow down next to the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or the soda fountain (nothing short of a miracle).
As I left the store I was feeling pretty good about things. I think we all love to get compliments every now and then. Then it hit me; this guy sees hundreds of customers a day. I was in there so often that he was actually concerned for my wellbeing after I missed one day buying my 44 ounce Diet Pepsi. After not stepping foot in the store for over 6 months he probably thought I was dead, mostly likely from a heart attack or stroke.
Then, just like movie flashback, a flood of memories poured into my mind. I remembered that Del Taco only had 10 extra value meals, but if Juan, Michael, or Rosie were working, I could order a Number 11 and they’d put together my custom extra value meal that I ordered about 3 times a week. I remembered spending 10 bucks ordering strictly from the Dollar Menu at McDonalds. I remembered 130 ounces of soda EVERY SINGLE DAY like clockwork. I seriously believe that the accountants for those businesses could have made their quarterly projections based on my precise patronage and been exactly right every time.
Then one day it all stopped. It wasn’t a phasing out; it wasn’t a slowdown. From one night to the next morning I left it all behind. I said goodbye to all of it. This was definitely not something that the economic experts could have foreseen. I literally broke their algorithm. I made an unexpected change.
What unexpected change will you make today that shocks the system or the people around you? It doesn’t have to be drastic, but a change for the better will have drastic results down the road.
I love it! Quite frankly, the fast food industry could use a bit of a hit for those of us who leave them in our health-committed wake. Even though many of them have incorporated healthy options in their offerings, I’ve generally kept them out of my life permanently the past 3 years. To think that I’d go to McD’s for a “snack” of large fries! Who needs a 500 calorie snack!?
My unexpected change today will be committing to the gym, despite having to work from 8a-8p. Cardio AND weights–not some quick and dirty 30 minute workout.
What struck me earlier in my journey (and your post reminded me of) was just how EXPENSIVE being obese is. All the soda, fast food, candy, eating out – it really adds up, doesn’t it? You may have imploded your local economy, but have you seen savings in your own wallet?
I was always amazed at how much we spent on food before. Sure I’d buy some groceries to try and have good food at home, but then both my partner and I would eat out for lunch, and more often than not I didn’t feel like cooking so we’d order take-out (it’s REALLY easy in NYC). It tallied up to a LOT of money.
Now I cook almost everything – and I make most of my partner’s lunches to take to work (I work from home now, so no problem there). We’ve eaten out twice in the last 3-4 weeks. Drastic savings.
I’m sure your local economy will be okay – there are plenty of people not nearly as enlightened as you all over the country.
Wow…you’ve just made me think about how much money I would spend at the convienience stores and drive thrus before I started trying to lose weight. Especially I couldn’t just order a meal, I had to order extra stuff to eat along with it. UGH!!!!
That’s such a great feeling, isn’t it?
I haven’t made an impact on the fast food economy around here in a long time, so I haven’t experienced the same. I have, however, been tracked down by a few business contacts at trade shows for the purpose of telling me I lost weight.
It’s a great feeling. I can’t wait until My change is as drastic as yours!
Ha.. Pepsi company probably wonders if I died too.. LOL I used to keep 4 cases of diet pepsi in my office and restock every 2 weeks.. not to mention what I had at home.. I didn’t phase out either.. I just STOPPED and my wallet was so thankful!
Great story! I gave up my soda’s and fast food last year too. But I like your question at the end. What can I do today that will shock my system! Drink all my water! While I stopped with the soda, I also don’t hydrate myself enough. I never really replaced it just got rid of it! HMM. Food for thought of why things are stalled!
Mrs.Fatass linked you on twitter and that’s how I found your blog! I loved this post…I used to joke that Bud Light Beer and Wal-Mart “Take and Bake” pizza took a rather large hit when I changed my life a year ago. I still believe they did.
Good luck to you and congratulations on how far you have come!!
I’m sure it’s total coincidence but the Wendys I used to buy dinner from shut down shortly after I stopped visiting!
Let them all shut down! The truth of the matter is that anyone can do exactly what you were doing and many do because it is quick and easy!
If there is one thing I would like to point out in Utah county is that fast and healthy consists of umm… Subway. Other places are starting to step up and give options but not many. Just because the calories may be low does not help the fat content and just plain bad for you anyway.
The nearest town to me has 2 pizza parlors, 5 fast food options, taco time, 2 high fat restaurants oh and 1 subway! Did you know in Arizona they have drive thru sushi?
Makes me wonder about the area you live in and the options what an impact it has on us all.
Anyway done ranting
Way to go on stopping the soda and candy right in its tracks!!
We vote with our dollars. You rock. An overnight change/choice like that is tough. I bet they don’t miss your money so much,just your smiling face!
I remember in high school when there was the Ryan Sullivan at Del Taco. I thought you were so cool, but you are so much cooler now! Just as hot, but way more cool! Love you!
I still haven’t completely stopped. But there must be drivethru lines that are shorter without me.
Hi! I followed you over here from It’s a Merry Life and am glad I did.
I admire your ability to just quit the soda and fast food.
Don’t worry about the fast food restaurants in Utah County laying anyone off too soon. I live here and am keeping them busy!
It was nice of Ty to be concerned about you!
I had something similar happen not long ago. For months I would stop at a coffee shop every morning on the way to work to get an Irish Creme latte (extra Irish Creme), along with a roll or donut or whatever they had handy for breakfast. When I decided to get healthier I stopped going completely. Cold turkey. Oh, the agony! lol
Recently I ran into the manager of the coffee shop and he had a reaction like Ty’s, asking me if something happened and if everything was okay because I stopped showing up. Before I could even answer him he noticed the change in my appearance (I’ve lost 40 pounds since then) and he started asking me about it.
It’s amazing the money I’ve saved now that I don’t go there every morning.
I think it is time that a fast food joint with correct portion sizes and healthy food opens up. I would like to have a place to grab a meal if I am in a time crunch.
Hi, just found your blog from your guest post this week.
It is nice to find a few men in a land of boys on the blogosphere! From what I have read so far, you are saying things that mean something and aren’t just a joke or whine. I like that.
I can’t think of how much cash I have spent on crap food. You can always make something that is more satisfying and better for you. It is just the ‘I want it now’ mentality that gets you through the drive-thrus and quickie marts. Kudos to you for making a guest appearance and I look forward to reading more!
Cheers,
Missa
LosingEthel
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