My Unhealthy Addiction…to Chick-fil-A

I know what you’re thinking, how can anyone have an “unhealthy addiction to Chick-fil-a”? It’s the Lord’s Chicken, so I’ve heard.

This year, 2020, I decided that I was finally going to take control of my wellness, total wellness. I wanted to create healthy habits, all over my life. I wanted to base my journey on the Eight Dimensions of Wellness. This Chick-fil-a, Lord’s Chicken, soaked in pickle juice chicken, addiction hits more than one of these dimensions.

This year my journey to wellness included me giving up Chick-fil-a for 3 months. Not just for physical health, but financial help. Today (still in the 3 month process), I was really craving the chicken, and my daughter really wanted some. So I told myself that I would give myself permission to eat there today, “breaking” my goal of not eating there until April. But sometimes you have to give in to yourself and allow those pleasures, to then recognize the real reasons why you gave it up.

In January 2020 I did not have Chick-fil-a once! Not one time! I was really proud of myself. I also incorporated more exercise, still not as much as I wanted, but more. I lost 10 pounds. Not just because of these two things, but because I became more mindful of myself.

Today, as I was driving home with my food and drinks for three in tow, spending over $25 for three of us. I was munching on a warm waffle fry at a red light when I looked over to another car. There, in a brand new beautiful blue pick up truck was a man smoking his cigarette, with windows closed. Another bad habit. But what makes my bad habit better than his? Nothing. They both cost way too much money. They both are not good for our health. They both leave an odor in the vehicle.

So, I decided to look at what I was spending at this curbside pickup, pleasure serving employees, restaurant. I pulled up my bank account for 2019. Well, if you must know……..I spent, hmmm, I’m so embarrassed to say this, from my bank account, not including any cash or gift cards I received, $1,872. That’s more than my mortgage payment, that’s 5 car payments, that’s two graduate classes. That’s money I’ve taken from my family just to eat at Chick-fil-a. These were just for my meals, this does not include any time we went as a family.

I’m glad I went to Chick-fil-a today. I’m glad I saw the man smoking his cigarette. I’m glad I looked through my bank. Now I know I have to take better responsibility of myself and my finances. Every little bit adds up. Adds up in my bank, adds up on my hips. And both of these reasons are reasons to continue with my journey to stray from Chick-fil-a. This is a new year, a new me, and a new better bank account.