I can’t remember the last time I had a Cinnabon. It was definitely before I started CrossFitting, so it had to have been at least 3 years ago. Every time I would walk through a mall food court, the smell alone would sweep me off my feet. Cinnamon, sugar, freshly baked bread. Goodness. I don’t know how I resisted. Fast forward to today. I had just finished wrapping up a fantastic meeting in the city with two phenomenal women in the fitness industry. The weather was perfect – 75 degrees, no humidity – and there was time to kill. I decided to have lunch with my mom and bask in the beauty of the day. Earlier this week I had asked my fellow Facebook friends what their favorite breakfast spot in Baltimore was, and Miss Shirley’s Café came up multiple times.
Voted Baltimore Magazine’s “Best of Baltimore 2013” winner, we were both excited to try out the food. Miss Shirley’s is known for it’s southern home cooking – offering everything from funky monkey bread (if you haven’t tried this before..ohmygawd) to the Eastern Shore ‘Po Boy.
As an athlete, I typically use Thursday’s and Sunday’s as my rest days and cheat days but because of the holiday earlier this week, I decided to make Friday my cheat day. And boy, did I cheat.
I ordered the Cinnamon Roll French Toast with banana slices on top. Three (massive) cinnamon rolls dipped in an almond scented egg mix, drizzled with cream cheese Icing, dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar.
Death
How can you say no to that?
The first 15 bites or so, just enough to finish one out of the three rolls, were divine. Then I got incredibly full, but was disappointed that there was still so much left on the plate. So I paused for a couple minutes, drank some water, and decided to eat just a little bit more (mistake #1) and drew the line when I was a third way finished with the second roll.
I never want to deprive myself of food that makes my feeds my soul (a.k.a. not-so-healthy) so I always allow myself a day or two out of the week to eat whatever I want to stay sane. I also don’t often go overboard on cheat days, but today was just different. The combination of the bread (wheat) and a crap ton of sugar (mistake #2) literally took over my body. I felt sick and uncomfortable and was thinking twice about my decision. We finished our meals, made our way home in which I was trying to stay awake, and when we got home – I crashed. My body ached, I was incredibly tired and felt motionless. My body was literally going through shock. I have never experienced this type of reaction before and I never want to go through this again. Even while I’m writing this – 9 hours later – I don’t feel 100%.
Was it worth it? Yes. Will I eat this again? No.
Note to self: Don’t over-indulge. Stay away from sugar.
Tomorrow I go back to training, and I’m afraid.