So I've been dieting for about six weeks now, trying to drop 20 pounds or so. I've already got nine down, so that's 11 to go. It's not an issue of being fat, it's just that damn beer trophy. It doesn't match my legs, which have always been fairly cut from my cycling days. It's not about being vain though as much as it is about just being more healthy. Even 20 extra pounds can be detrimental to your health.
In these six weeks, and two weeks before, I haven't had any beef. That wasn't so much a conscious decision as much as it was the idea that the cholesterol isn't so good and the body just doesn't digest it as efficiently as other things. I have been eating a lot of meat-like soy-based stuff, partly because of the low calorie/fat hit and partly because a lot of it is convenience food. I still eat chicken two or three times a week.
But now I'm starting to wonder... do I need beef at all? Clearly I don't, because I haven't had any in two months. I'm in no hurry to have a burger, and I never crave steak. I'm sure as hell not eating any cow lips-and-assholes sausage or wieners. I can't in good conscience put that shit into my body anymore.
Then Steph brings up the issues of things like mad cow and the general inefficiencies and environmental impact of beef production, and since I don't feel I need it, now I'm actually hearing her for the first time. It is an interesting thing to consider for an important personal choice.
I'm going to have to think about it because that's kind of a strong conviction. I mean, I'm already doing it, technically, but it's still a big deal. I'm not ready to go vegetarian yet, because I still don't eat enough vegetables (in terms of variety), but that might be a logical step some day. Funny thing about being married to a vegetarian dietitian is that the influence starts to eventually rub off on you whether you like it or not.
The only thing holding me back is Arby's, which I haven't been to anyway since... wow, I don't even know. It's not even like I really eat there ever.