Yesterday, as I ran to pick up lunch, I had a flashback to me, a few years ago.
I started my first job in the city in June 2008, and I actually worked just around the corner from where I’m working now.
I walked into Tasty Cafe yesterday, and I realized I’d been there before–after an interview for that job nearly four years ago. I remembered getting a roll with butter and a coffee (and a banana, obviously) and thinking I was “so New York.”
Back then, a buttered roll for breakfast was the norm, followed by a chicken parm sandwich for lunch. I’d lug gym clothes to work…but they’d collect dust in my desk drawer.
Yesterday, I got a piece of chicken there with some sweet potatoes and broccoli on the side.
(So maybe the sauce on the chicken is not quite as healthy as I realized.)
But yesterday, as I looked for the healthiest thing on the menu that wasn’t salad, I realized how much my life had changed since then. How there’s this whole healthy NYC–with more fitness classes and healthy restaurants than I could ever try–that I never knew about. That I don’t blink twice at the idea of walking a mile or so at lunch to grab something to eat.  (Total, not each way.) That I walk a mile to and from work every day–and work out on top of that. That even if I’m not vegan or paleo or whatever, I’m still far healthier than I used to be, and my coworkers consider me the “one who eats all those healthy things.”
What reminds you of the “old” you?
I remember when we moved from Long Island to VA (outside of DC), my mom would ask for a hot buttered roll with her coffee. People looked at her like she was silly 🙂
Reminders of the old me… seeing a chubby young girl. And seeing how far I’ve come and how far I need to go. Also, when I have kids– how I want to be a fit mama and practice better portion control. I understand that whole Italian- whole plate of pasta. But, I’ll have to disagree with you… my mom makes the best sauce 😉 hehe
@Victoria: My mom will fight your mom.
🙂 a sauce off!?! hehe
The old me would be the one driving round and round the parking lot at the mall for a close spot for shopping, taking the elevator and escalator and eating several pieces of pizza for lunch because I’d “burned them off” walking the mall.
This year during the after Christmas sales I parked at the first spot I found far away and didn’t mind the walk, took the stairs, and enjoyed my water and some tea while realizing I’d rather sit down to eat and found something good to eat when I was hungry.
It was strange and fantastic to have the change in how I saw even the little things.
The old me was ordering the Rattlesnake Pasta w/ an appetizer of mozzarella sticks w/ ranch dressing from Pizzeria Uno’s. I would pick it up on my way home from work and eat it in it’s entirety in my room. Although there are a million situations like that I can recall, more than anything the old me was clearly not happy. I have learned that being in shape and eating healthy makes me a happier person. Because I’m happier, I’m kinder and I make better decisions. I even have accomplished more. It’s crazy to think that the old me even existed. I’m so thankful that I was able to change my life for the better! 🙂
Every time I see pizza stuffed pretzels, I have a flashback to college. I worked at the school’s bookstore – many times closing the store at 7PM. That was the same time our dining hall stopped serving full meals and went to a la carte options. The best option ended up being those hot pretzels filled with gooey cheese and marinara sauce. So so so good, but I hate to think what I was really putting into my body back then. That said, I’d kill for one right now!!
@Alicia from Poise in Parma: Those do sound pretty good 🙂
I have never been a super unhealthy eater, just a quantity out of control one. Last night as I divided up a box of pasta into the recommended 7 servings, which are pretty little, I was reminded of how much I used to require for lunch to stay full (at least 3 of those “tiny” servings). When I ate my new, smaller serving today, it felt just right.
It’s interesting because so often it’s the small choices we make on a daily basis which end up making a big change. I feature a lot of wonderful, decadent and unhealthy things on my blog, but often I balance it out with really healthy choices too. I love, love, love cream based soups – while traveling back home a few days ago I had the option of eating a cream based baked potato soup or a vegetarian veggie soup. The “old” me would have gone right ahead and eaten the potato soup (even after totally indulging at Christmas) but instead I opted for the veggie packed soup with some cheesy pop chips on the side. I still got my cheese fix, just not all the calories!
I am SO glad that I found your blog and on THIS post! I can remember when I was at my heaviest and eating dinner and then going out with friends and eat again without blinking an eye. Thinking back on it now makes me appreciate the changes that I have made to get to where I am at now. Every once in a while I will look in the mirror and see that girl and freak out, but then I snap back into reality and put one foot in front of the other.
Great post!
@Brandi @ Faith Fitness and Laughter: Yay! I’m glad you found my blog, too.
And OMG, I used to do that too. In high school, my friends and I would go to Wendy’s after school and then I’d still go home and eat dinner. Ew.
This is such a great post! I had a similar moment a few weeks ago. I ran a 5K with my friend who had never run one before (in the snow much less! says the girl who would use any excuse not to run) and after we stopped at the grocery store I used to frequent in 2008 after I moved to Chicago. Then, I could barely run a few blocks and a 5K was a goal to be accomplished. That was the year I started running and this fall I ran my first full marathon! The bloody mary I drank after that grocery store trip (we went for mix and olives) definitely tasted great! I secretly cheersed myself and thought about how far I have come! 🙂
@Katie @ Livehalffull: woo hoo! Congrats on your marathon. And bloody mary!
What a cool flashback! I just think back to the huge portions I use to have and how much fast food I use to. Eat.
This is a really great post! For me — every time I eat a muffin I am reminded of the warm, buttery, chocolate chip muffins they made at my high school. I think I had one every school day for all four years of high school. Yikes!
Very cool post.
I can’t believe that I used to eat frozen dinners and 100-calorie packs back in the day. Wtf?
@Anne P: I still eat frozen dinners (although Kashi and Amy’s) sometimes in a pinch 🙂 But not the 100-cal packs!
Went to Chilis yesterday (lame I know) but I got a salad with dressing on the side. The old me got a 1000 calorie+ burger, fries, and unlimited soft drinks. Times have changed. So thankful!
Love this post! It is so weird to think about how much you’ve changed overtime since a lot of the changes themselves happen rather slowly, but looking back, it feels so drastic! It’s funny how different the things I gravitate towards on menus are now compared to my old self.. your old diet sounds very similar to how I used to eat.. but fries with the chicken parm sandwich of course!! 🙂
@Beth @ Beth’s Journey: I think I skipped the fries so I could feel “healthy.”
That chicken looked yum !