The Summer Feast of 2010

Posted by: Jenn Latino
I signed up for the 3-Day event because I believe that with increased awareness and contributions toward research, we can find a cure for breast cancer. The greatest benefit of my participation is the feeling that I have made a difference in the fight to find this cure. But, there are some other benefits to a 24-week training program. Let’s be honest-it helps in the “calories burned” department.

During my weight loss journey, I have learned the simple formula: If you want to see a decrease in your weight, you have to burn more than you take in. This is not a new concept. The same theory applies to other things in life like your checking account (oh wait, with that you need to take in more than you take out---still working on that lesson).

Here is the skinny on how the increase in my walking activity has affected my eating activities. On average, someone my size will burn 100 calories a mile (that is walking or running). In 3-Day talk, that is 1.25 Snickers bars; 3 tablespoons of peanut butter; 1.5 cups of frozen yogurt; 45 gummy bears….per Tuesday, and that is the shortest distance of the week! A Saturday walk equals a Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity!

This week, we put this theory to the test. I went on a weekend adventure in Atlanta to visit Kim. I was thrilled to have the company of one of my teammates (Meredith was out of town) for the 7 mile Saturday and 6 mile Sunday. I was also excited to have a weekend to visit all of my favorite Atlanta eating spots! The weekend training came to about a 1300-calorie burn and, considering the heat, we probably had a couple hundred bonus burned.

It’s time for some true confessions. Note: This play by play is not for the weak or squeamish.

Friday: We kicked the weekend off with dinner at Fox Brothers. It was a full meal-appetizer to dessert! Okay, 2 appetizers. Follow that with pulled pork, baked beans, and tater tots and I was off to a great start. I washed it down with a Diet Coke—balance. Adam and Ben joined us so we split the peach pound cake with caramel drizzle 4 ways. No need to overdo it.

After taking Adam to the airport to start his 10-day trip to Europe, Kim was a little sad to say goodbye to her sweet hubby. She needed a pick me up. Dairy Queen sized! If you have never had the double chocolate chunk Blizzard, you owe it to yourself to stop reading right now and run out and get one! GO!

(Thank you for not judging me for having 2 desserts in one night. If you start judging now, you will never get through the rest of the weekend.)

Saturday: We started the day (very early) with a 7-mile trek. By the way, Decatur/Atlanta has hills that SC does not. When we arrived home, starving, but thrilled that we had completed the longest training walk yet, we hit the Chick Fil A for a yummy breakfast!! Chick Fil A biscuit and yogurt parfait please!

Next on the menu was lunch with Joe at Flip. Apparently some famous people own this burger place. I don’t know who they are but they make a pineapple upside down cake milkshake that caused me to make some publicly inappropriate noises. I had to have the milkshake to wash down the onion rings, fries, and turkey burger with avocado that I had consumed.

After lunch it was off to the pool where we worked up a hefty appetite for dinner at Kim’s favorite Mexican restaurant. Chips, cheese dip, salsa, burrito…..yes, please! *I would like to point out that I did not have a margarita. I didn't want to overdo it :)

Since Meredith was out of town, the Perlman pups weren’t getting much attention so we threw them in the car and headed to Bruester’s for some puppy ice cream! Conveniently, they also sell human ice cream so……chocolate frozen yogurt (don’t congratulate me on my healthy choice just yet), with marshmallow topping. Told you.

Sunday: Another early start and 6 miles to kick it off. And, what do you do in Decatur on a Sunday? You go to Pastries A Go Go, of course!! Kim and I shared a few items including breakfast potatoes, chocolate muffin, cranberry muffin, and homemade biscuits.

Only one meal left before I had to head home and we were with Joe again, this time at Rosebud. Rosebud is hosting a fundraising night for Meredith in the fall so, as supporters of one of our New Kids, we had to patronize them! Patronize we did! Refreshing mimosas kicked off the lunch and I continued with delicious French toast smothered in local honey. Oh yea, and there were corn muffins involved.

The 2010 Summer Feast was a great way to spend the weekend. And, we couldn’t have done it without the 3-Day!

Now, don’t get me wrong. I do not recommend binge festivals like this EVERY weekend. But, once in a while, it’s okay to cash in your walking points and enjoy some of your favorite treats!

A little dab of irony: I wrote this blog while watching Jillian Michaels “Losing It!”

Now that I have confessed about my gluttony themed weekend, I am ready to get back on the wagon. At least until this weekend when the Columbia based Latino/Andersons load up the cars and head north to spend the holiday weekend at Grandma and Grandpa’s. After all, it wouldn’t be the 4th of July without at least 1 visit (per day) to see Raz at the peach farm and enjoy some yummy homemade peach ice cream!

As my grandfather used to say, “You let a little out, you put a little in!” I hope this week you earn yourself a few extra yummies by taking a few extra steps.

Happy Holiday Weekend!
Jenn

**Afterthought: I wrote this blog on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday I had my weekly weigh in. I stayed exactly the same! Not an ounce gained...or lost. So, it’s not a perfect method but, mostly, it works!