Monday, January 3, 2011

New Year's Resolutions 2011

Are New Year's Resolutions a waste of time? I think the whole concept is good, but most of them won't be kept. I think part of the problem is that people set goals that aren't measureable (go to the gym more, eat less sweets, etc). I've never really attempted to pick a resolution and stick to it, but I was inspired by Skyler's brother, David. For 2010 he set a goal to not drink carbonated drinks (soda) for an entire year. On December 31, David celebrated by drinking a case of Mexican Coke. I'm really impressed that he made it a whole year!

A few weeks ago Skyler started talking about what he'd like to do for his New Year's Resolutions. He was talking nonsense about cutting out all deep-fried foods. That's crazy talk! But Skyler was positive that this was what he wanted to do. Skyler loves fried food. Whenever he gets sick, he crazes fried chicken. Weird, I know.

On Christmas Day he told his family his plan and we discussed what applies under the term "deep-fried foods." Fried chicken (obviously), french fries (ouch!), potato chips, tortilla chips, donuts, most Chinese food (it's breaded), hard-shell tacos, taquitos, tempura, pretty much anything tasty. Skyler's dad tried to say that hamburgers must go under this list too, but we quickly overturned that item. We're talking deep-fried or breaded food, not grilled or pan fried.

I couldn't jump on that bandwagon because I knew I would be miserable. I just love food. And fried food happens to be super tasty. BUT I wanted to test myself with something to see if I could go a whole year. So I debated between eliminating french fries (my weakness) and soda. I don't drink soda that much, but sometimes after a long bike ride I crave it. I didn't want to give up that satisfaction. But on the other hand, I LOVE french fries, especially the ones from Del Taco. How could I not eat them for a year?

The decision was made: I will not be eating french fries for a whole year! And since I took too long to make my decision, I didn't even get a farewell snack. I'm not sure what I'm trying to accomplish by this resolution because I'll probably substitute with something else equally as tasty (bad for me), but I guess it's more of a can-I-do-it? resolution. I can. Wish us luck.

8 comments:

TOAD said...

Good Luck with that. My New years resolution is not to give up something but to increase it. I want to sure at least 100 times this year. Seeing that I only go on the weekends until summer time this is going to be hard for me when the summer comes I will have to go at least 3 times a week to get to my goal. But good luck with those fries. Ill think of you every week when I eat them.

TOAD said...

I want to SURF not sure I hate spell check.

Gilbert said...

Skyler's dad gave me a book called "Younger by next Year" that claimed french fries were the most unhealthy food on the planet. Good choice!

Bek said...

goad luck! i resolve to eat enough fried food to make up for you and skyler in 2011. the world needs balance.

Emilia said...

Oh man, that is a hard one! I love french fries!! Do you have to cut out sweet potato fries too? One of my 2010 resolutions was to grow out my bangs, I did it. So I don't think I need to make a resolution this year, I figure if you complete at least one of your resolutions then you get the next year off, right? Ha ha. Good luck!! I will keep you in my prayers, may you never crave french fries : )

TRAN! (www.thinktran.com) said...

WOW.. that's a tough one. I've tried giving up stuff before, but usually can't get beyond the 40 days of Lent. I'm with Bek on this one.. I will also eat enough fried food (and french fries) to make up for what you guys don't eat.

The only resolution I made this year was to not eat out as much (as in.. cook more). But Minh and I just got a turkey fryer.. so our fried food intake will probably increase within the year.

Stacy said...

French fries are my weakness too! I think Del Taco are my favorite! Good luck.. I don't think I could go a whole year!

Erin said...

man! good luck! I keep thinking I should do something like that, but I just LOVE food way too much!!!