Day 9- make sure you have your oil

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Matthew 25:13

My day today made me go read the story of the 10 virgins with the lamps and oil.  It immediately came to my mind as I sat to count calories, really thinking that though I had eaten out...I didn't make that worst of choices.  Well, in Mathew 25:1-13, 5 of the 10 virgins had enough oil as they were prepared for what was to come and 5 were unprepared with not enough oil and were left behind when the bridegroom came. This may seem like a strange comparison but please, read on.

How does this relate to what I am doing?  My heart crys out that I need to be prepared for even the occassions that are unexpected and I have to eat away from home.  I need to take time to find out the cost (calories in this instance) before making a decission if I want to be successful in what I am doing.  While I find that easy in other areas of my life, this is a wise principle to apply to every area of my life.  I must be watchful of all circumstances. 

So let me tell on myself.  I had to get my kids to the Doctor today and I had a rare opportunity to take my kids to early lunch at Mc D's (you know the place).  We don't eat out very much so this was a real treat and awesome to do as I have been in the house for so long!  So, I ordered smart(so I thought)...I know it is breaded but I can treat myself a little and it is chicken so it won't be that bad.  It is loaded with lettuce and tomatoe (and bacon-he,hee,hee...another treat).  I tell myself.  This will be more calories than I have been eating but it won't be that bad!  After early lunch with my kids I kid sat for my sister in law and had Mc D's again around 2:30.  But it was just a snack size meal.  I wanted to try the new chickn bites and let me splurge again, "I'll have a sweet tea with that!  Well, look at the damage below:
Add this up! (Hold on to your wig...)
Mc D's Bacon Ranch Crispy Chicken Sandwich 540 calories
Medium Fry 380 calories
12oz.(small)Shamrock Shake 540 calories(Only took a couple of sips litterally-NASTY: over guessing 150 calories)
Total for 10:30 brunch = 1070 (Almost all my calories for the day in one meal!)

McChickn Snk bites 310 calories
Small Fry 100 calories
Sweet Tea Large 280 calories
Total for 2:30 late evening snack = 690

Grand total = 1760 calories (Is there any room for dinner?)

What does this speak to me?  Know what you are eating before you eat it.  Don't realy on instinct or what you think, KNOW what you are putting into your body. It is my job to be prepared at all times, even when I am not home to eat.  It is my job to take care of and nourish this temple that I have!  I have to take the necessary steps to assure that I am making good choices and in this case it was as simple as asking for calorie totals befor ordering! 

So, that is the downside to my day but on the upside...I have lost 3.4lbs since I began this blog 9 days ago!  Praise be to God!  So on today, my  (mc)nugget to you:).   In order to be a success you must set yourself up for it by being aware.  Don't ever guess!  Make it your business to know!   As I would tell the 10 virgins and I tell you all today, "Make sure you have your oil!"  NO MORE EXCUSES!