The Zac Files

Dieting, McDonalds, and Journalism: My Attempt at All Three March 24, 2010

Quick backstory: Recently, I lost 25 pounds on the Atkins diet (unfortunately, I still weigh more than a man of my age should). And since you start to burn muscle after two-ish months of eating nothing but bacon and steak, I decided last week to nix the Atkins plan and start counting calories. Unfortunately, I LOVE fried foods, so it’s been a constant battle of “should I eat awesome-tasting foods” versus “do I want to feel full?”

Enter Lance Armstrong. The Livestrong organization has a cool little program called “The Daily Plate,” which allows you to calculate calorie intake per day while factoring in exercise. A friend of mine lost 90-something pounds last year using it, which was enough of a testament for me to try it out. I played around with what my daily caloric intake should be, then calculated how many calories I burn just by walking to and from work everyday. I was shocked.

That’s where this conversation (with my roommate tga2001) begins…

Zac Ross (1:12:24 PM): so
Zac Ross (1:12:41 PM): I’ve learned I burn about 400-500 calories by walking to McDonalds
tga2001 (1:12:49 PM): lol, really?
Zac Ross (1:12:49 PM): which basically means free fries in my calorie count
tga2001 (1:12:56 PM): we should do this daily
Zac Ross (1:13:27 PM): I was just going to ask if you wanted to do that this evening
Zac Ross (1:13:45 PM): because while I like the prospect of losing weight, I LOVE the prospect of being able to eat french fries every day
tga2001 (1:14:02 PM): exactly
tga2001 (1:14:12 PM): especially the mcdonalds french fries
Zac Ross (1:14:26 PM): yes
Zac Ross (1:14:28 PM): so how bout it?
tga2001 (1:14:34 PM): i’ll be ready
tga2001 (1:14:56 PM): also: willing and able
Zac Ross (1:17:25 PM): Haha
Zac Ross (1:17:42 PM): if it was a headline it’d say “Hagan Ready; Also Willing, Able”
tga2001 (1:18:16 PM): subtitle: “McDonalds Fries Not Granted Reprieve”
Zac Ross (1:18:42 PM): Hahahaha
Zac Ross (1:19:16 PM): McDonalds: Supplies May Not Sustain Ross’ Diet Plan
tga2001 (1:20:30 PM): Costs Rise As McDonalds Fry Shortage Continues
Zac Ross (1:21:50 PM): Celebrity Fundraiser To Raise Money For McDonalds Relief Efforts
Zac Ross (1:22:53 PM): McDonalds Manager: Should Have Put Extra Fry Basket Down Before Ross/Hagan Visit
tga2001 (1:23:06 PM): Fries: ARRRRRghGHhhhhh
Zac Ross (1:23:45 PM): Related: Jack-in-the-Box — Who Are You Kidding?
tga2001 (1:24:33 PM): Nancy Grace: “What kind of society do we live in that let’s 20 year olds eat french fries?!”
Zac Ross (1:25:05 PM): Maury: I Sold Myself for McNuggets
tga2001 (1:25:45 PM): Larry King: Spike in McDonlads sales related to UFO sightings?