Smoque to feed my Soul

Week Four at the new office, and I discovered to my absolute delight, Smoque has added a new location, just a few blocks away, at Chicago's Revival Food Hall.

From the Chicago Revival Food Hall's website -  "Operated by Chicago hospitality collective 16 On Center, Revival Food Hall is an all-local dining concept spotlighting the best of Chicago's acclaimed culinary scene under one roof. The massive, 24,000 square foot marketplace is located in the heart of Chicago's central business district, on the ground floor of The National – a restoration of a historic 1907 Daniel Burnham-designed 20-story building. This cornerstone of The Loop neighborhood opened in 2016, and boasts 15 fast-casual stalls featuring many of Chicago's favorite neighborhood restaurants in a grab-and-go setting, plus a handful of all-new concepts debuting from several acclaimed Chicago chefs."

Now, in my humble opinion, the Revival Food Hall is a really neat concept, but the reality is an absolutely miserable dining experience.  Tables are few & far between, as is any seating whatsoever.  People wait & argue over standing-space with tiny counters (much more narrow than the food trays), and Lord help you if you'd like napkins or silverware.  I wasn't expecting linen tablecloths & white-gloved wait staff, but your local high school cafeteria has a better ambiance.  At least they'd have seats.

...and for those "in the know", Smoque has, hands down, the best Q in the Chicagoland region.  Real Urban is "good", don't get me wrong, but it doesn't hold a candle to Smoque!  First featured on Food Network's 'Diner's, Drive-ins & Dives' a decade ago, Smoque has been doing it 'Low & Slow' since 2006, with no slack in quality.

Back at it

It pains me to write this, but it will explain my long absence:

I have gained back EVERY pound I lost in 2013-2015, and even gained a few extra.

I feel awful, and my "new" smaller clothes no longer fit. At 450lbs, my feet, ankles & back constantly hurt. My energy is terrible, and my sleep is light, fitful, and I wake up exhausted & aching.

I'm a real joy to be around...

It all came back shockingly quickly. I don't even know the last time I posted, nor do I know the last time I went to aqua fit or rode my bike.

I got laid off at the end of August, spent most of September terribly sick (walking pneumonia), and then October was miserable & rainy...and suddenly I found myself constantly short of breath & wearing stretchy pants.

Then, I had a series of job interviews, and last week I started a new job! This job is wonderful, checking 9/10 boxes I've long thought of as designating the ideal position for me.

...but my first day, I showed up out of breath & drenched in sweat. When I found my way to the lunchroom I was pleased to find it's run by the same company I got all my fantastic lunch salads back in 2013-2014.

Right then I decided to change.

Hell, I know what to do, right? I've run this playbook before, with GREAT success! The downtown walk is fabulous for me, the lunchroom salad bar is fantastic, and I'm an old pro at prepping my simple "grab & go" breakfasts ahead of time.

My complicating factors will be:

1. Having the willpower to weekly prep breakfasts & after school snacks (but I've done it before)

2. Having the willpower to make good choices at dinner (again, I've done this before)

3. Having the willpower to resist all the "kid food" in the house (don't kid yourself, The Struggle Is Real! This was my achilles heel 2016/2017)

4. Managing my sleep, the snoring, and the A-Fib it causes

5. Moving my fat butt

If I learned nothing last time, I learned that nothing succeeds like success. In the beginning I'll drop weight & need new pants, and everything will be fun & great. But eventually the losing gets thin, and it gets tough to see progress on a week to week basis. Honestly, I'm not sure how to power through that this time, I just know I can't go on like I am - so - dammit, I have to try. I may be on the cusp of 51, but I'm too damn young to feel the way I do!

Updates to follow - but in the meantime, the picture shows that I'm getting in the groove with my food.