Starting Off October 5, 2007

So I’m starting off again.

I weighed in around 136-137 yesterday. More than every, ugh ugh - but I’ll get back on track soon and get the weight off. I suppose my goal weight is the same as it was previously 128-130lbs. That 6-9lbs is going to be work and definitely take time - a full month at least of hard work. Anything, anything to get rid of the newly appeared cellulite on my thighs. I finally get IT now, because I have IT now, and eh eh cellulite be gone!

I ate completely raw yesterday and plan on just eating light today. I used to be very preoccupied with working out, but I think the best route for me this time around is to just eat less. The New York Magazine article in my last post talked all about how exercising doesn’t make you lose weight (the author was obviously trying to make a strong point - I have no doubt that exercising helps your body stay healthy and go through the transition of losing weight better) and it made me realize that I cannot just try to exercise those slices of pie. (My new boyfriend works at a restaurant famous for its pies. Off course as his lady, I get free and unlimited pie - so bad, but oh soo good… a la mode s’il vous plait) I think I might have better success trying to limit my calories a little more rather than obsessively go to the gym. Considering how I’m so busy, I think if get gym-crazy again, I will 1) Have no free time ever 2) Get stressed out and eat more 3) Get overwhelmed and give up on my diet.

It’s always good to use moderation in hopes of a gradual change, then get all crazy-like trying to turn into Jane Fonda in a week. Wish me luck!

Back to Black (or perhaps back to RAW?) October 4, 2007

So my first post in months, hurray. Been so busy, that it didn’t seem like I had any time to post. Priorities= school, job#1, job#2, boyfriend, getting ass to gym… seemed like posting got lost!Anyways, my weight loss goals have gone gone gone. I am around the same-ish weight, but I think possibly even more fat ehh. Posting (as fellow bloggers know) is so great because it increases my consciousness of how much I eat, what I’m eating, how much exercise I’m getting etc. So, I tried out a full week and a half of raw foods a few months ago and it truly truly felt great. I am actually giving a persuasion speech all about raw foods today (wish me luck). For this speech, I did in depth research about the raw foods movement and actual studies contrasting raw foods with cooked etc. What I found is that there really isn’t much pro-raw foods research. There are a few studies who say that raw food diet isn’t necessarily more nutritious. From my own experience, I felt SO amazing eating raw, but I don’t think I am ready to attempt a full raw diet (The transition is supposed to be gradual). I would like to do at least a 50% raw diet, however. I have never digested food as well as when I was eating raw (even for the short period of time). Oh and as far as my measurements go, I don’t even want to think about it. I have really lost my waist. Back to the gym. Eating less. So simple, but damn, it’s hard. Also check out this article from New York Magazine!     

The Scientist and the StairMaster

Why most of us believe that exercise makes us thinner—and why we’re wrong. http://nymag.com/news/sports/38001/ 

Fiesta Time! May 23, 2007

Sorry I have been absent from my posts… I have just started up a new job. Nothing fancy, I am working at an upscale Mexican restaurant down in Soho and tonight. Tonight was my first night. I work part-time during the day and take a summer course so this will just be 3 nights a week. I had a really great first day though. The restaurant is very easy-paced and because it is more expensive I still make a solid amount in tips which is rather important for the impoverished college student. It was so funny, the first person I really spoke with (the bartender) told me he had gone raw for 5 years and worked in all these juice bars and basically we just chatted about wheatgrass and nutrients for twenty minutes- I was so happy! Anyways, I have yet to decide whether the temptation of mexican food so frequently will be good for my diet plan or bad, but I actually think it’ll be good. I’ll be kept very busy running around, which will keep me from binge snacking and just binging in general. MOST of all, (and one of the main reasons I got a part-time night gig) is that it will keep me from going out with my friends most nights (like I have been) therefore keeping all that alcohol and late-night 2nd dinner away and save me a bit of money too. Overall, I am very pleased…

Unfortunately, however; I haven’t been to the gym for a week. I have just been lazy, but I figure I will work it into my schedule and get back on track. It’s funny, I actually started this blog when I was about a size 6 and since have grown to a size 8, and even though my goal is to slim down, I really embrace my bigger size as well. It’s strange because all my friends are so skinny, but I still feel and feel like I look so sexy. I am actually RATHER curvy right now, and I am such a curve lovin’ gal that I Can’t Help but love ‘em. I don’t feel as strong physically though, soI will definitely be heading back to the gym. Life is just so much better when you stop being on a diet. I have decided no more crazyness - just eat less, exercise M-O-D-E-R-A-T-I-O-N.

Lately, I haven’t been concerning myself with food, nutrients, starving, cooking etc. and life has been so much better. WEll, I’ve also been going out a lot, but still food is such a pressure and a burden in society. Lets just stop it all, enjoy eating, enjoy food and enjoy living! woohoo

Goal Guzzling Gal May 17, 2007

Start Weight = 136lbs
Waist = 29″ Size 8

Goal#1 Weight = 132lbs

Goal#2 Weight = 130lbs

FinalGoal Weight = 128lbs
Waist = 27.5″

Ideal Weight = don’t really care
Waist = 26″ Size 4-6?

There should be rewards along the way, no?
Massages are a way I never justifying treating myself, even though I love them so much (but who doesn’t). I believe that the best way to judge that I have reached my goal is through waist measurement, but I think I will go by weight primarily because it’s easiest for me to track. Overall, I will try to go by both. One massage everytime I reach a goal - woohoo!

and the PLAN?!?

Interval Training and strength exercises 3x a week
Class of some worth (pilates, gym, etc.) 1x a week

Moderation May 16, 2007

So I got some good advice recently and I really have realized that I AM that ill fated yo-yo dieter. Going on health binges, then party binges then food binges.. Enough! I just need to set some very reasonable goals that will help me slowly get in shape.

1. Eating when hungry - don’t starve, don’t binge, eat healthy or just small portions of calorie dense foods and I’ll feel good
2. Interval training. The last few times I’ve gone to the gym I’ve been doing interval training on the elliptical and stationary bike. I just feel like I’ve really WORKED something. It takes more motivation then just pumpking away at the machine but I’m going to stick with it.
3. Go to classes. Yoga, pilates, at gym, whatever. I am a Crunch gym member, known for their great “Superfun” classes and I never go. I want to try out some new ones, spinning and yoga (even though I hate the idea of doing yoga at the gym - it’s free cause I’ve already paid for it!)
4. Drink less. School is over, summer has arrived and I’ve just been going out out out! What can I say I love to go out and have fun and in nyc drinking is always part of it. My solution - as stupid as this sounds is that I think I’m going to try to get another job, just part time in the evenings. This will be a great distraction for me, great excuse for me, and I’ll get paid in the meantime

As of today i weighed 127lbs. OUCH! But honestly I just died my hair dark brown (I’ll upload a pic soon!), I have my two potential boys, and I’m feeling sexy and feeling good. Gotta love the summertime!

Stuffed to the Gills May 14, 2007

So I spent this weekend at my parents house and just ate and ate and ate. I feel HUGE, stuffed to the gills. I still haven’t gotten back to the gym. Sorry for all of these pity posts, but I don’t knows whats going on with me, I can’t stop gorging myself on food.

Tomorrow I start a new course (Forensic Pyschology! fun fun), I’m doing laundry, cleaning the apt and heading to the gym. I also have not one, but two dates this week. Very strange and very lucky, how do I get two dates in one week when I feel so gross and feel like I look so gross. Look forward to more positive posts in the future I promise.
Also, I just ordered a super pretty japanese bento lunchbox and plan to make some great lunches which I will readily post!

bingeing, bingeing: Must stop! May 9, 2007

Ahh I’ve been eating so much lately, just gorging myself on fancy dinner of guacamole stuffed mexican food or piles of sushi. I have gained so much belly fat, it is just embarassing. Must get to the gym soon. I’ve been trying to have fun, which I know should be something you TRY, but I have been severly restricting myself for I suppose over a year now to Calm my life down, party less, be more responsible in school etc.
But I have been well-behaved and responsible for TOO long and with the summer apon me i need to learn to balance both, just like I must stop this yo-yo healthy dieting/ bingeing. Ahh but it’s so hard. How do you socialize without food or alcohol? Seriously.

Gone for a little, now I’m back! May 8, 2007

Hey! sorry I’ve been absent from the web for a bit. I just finished up my finals yesterday and now post-celebrating, I’m back! The week has been rough, I’ve been eating a ton-going out to dinner, brunch, and not going to the gym. I’ve been having long partying nights too, which just kill your energy, looks and everything. Ahhh, all the lightness of my post-Master Cleanse self is gone.

I went shopping for shorts yesterday and was stunned to see that I have gone UP a size. I am no a sz 30, up from a 28 last summer. I wonder if all my dieting worrying is sabotazing me! My real goal for the next few weeks is to get to the gym at least 5 days a week. I am working more at my job (at a branding company). Luckily my hours are very flexible, I can work either 2-4 days a week, half day or full-day, whatever. So there is really no excuse I cannot get my butt to the gym. I think I’m going to organize a reasonably strict schedule for this week, plan out fun classes to do (I am a crunch member, afterall and they are known for their “superfun classes”).

I’ve been thinking about the Master Cleanse….
One of the reasons I was so happy on it was that I was calm, finally not stressing for once over calories, nutrition and food costs. I was thinking that incorporating similar simplicity into my life might help me lose the weight the best. I was thinking that protein shakes might be the way to go. Limit myself to 1 or 2 protein shakes and as many fruits and veggies as I want. As much as I HATE processed things, protein shakes are very nutritient rich and would help me get necessary protein (and even fat) into my diet. I would do soy protein shakes a la Whole Foods, not SlimFast etc. Anyone have ideas for a similarly SIMPLE diet plans. Honestly, I’d do a mono diet (all apples all day) but it’s not an effective long-term eating plan…ideas?

Cooking up a Storm… Where did that gust of wind come from? May 3, 2007

I not longer have class, just final exams for school so I’ve been able to rummage around my favorite grocery stores, Trader Joes and Whole Foods getting inspired and staying well stocked in fruits and veggies. I am concentrating on raw recipes, but mostly just trying to incorporate tons of freshness (fresh foods) into my day!

I spent 2 hours tonight just preparing foods and sealing them off in little containers for later. I find that it is always so much nicer to be exposed to many different tastes and textures during a meal, rather than just a heap of the same thing. I made egg white salad, very healthy- I used only cooked egg whites, parsley, cucumber, and my favorite cottage cheese. The cottage cheese gives the salad a spread texture and a cheesy taste, without having to use mayonnaise.
I also cooked up some steamed spinach and garlic for tomorrow and roasted some baby portabello mushrooms and butternut squash for later. A little bit of each of these things along, some fresh carrot and celery sticks, and a bag of salad mix and my lunch (and possibly early dinner too!) is set tomorrow.

I had coffee today for the first time in 2 or 3 weeks. I haven’t had caffeine in a while, since I was on the cleanse etc. Though it was only one cup, it kind of made me feel slightly sick and gave me a baby headache. I know caffeine (and obviously caffeine addictions) are not good, but I love coffee, I love the taste, the brew, the ritual, the whole damn thing! I suppose it’s not something I should really PUSH to bring back into my life, though.

I have been looking at a lot of blogs and want to attempt raw vegan “sushi” using nori and all veggies (poss. with a bit of marinated tofu) or wraps with collard greens. I’ve never rolled sushi before, and I don’t quite know how to do it and I’m also a bit perplexed about how to wrap with the collard greens. Do i use a toothpick? How does everything stay together??

Keeping it Fresh May 2, 2007

So today was very satisfying food-wise. I brought a salad prepared at home to work, very simple with lemon/balsamic vinegar dressing (very low in calories) and some great pecorino cheese. It tasted so great, and really is so low in calories. I find I really like to buy sharp or strong tasting cheese, so I need to use less to get the great taste. I just prepared a beet, apple, celery soup that I stole from zenpawn (http://www.zenpawn.com/vegblog/2007/04/14/raw-alphabet-abc-soup/). It was really fresh. I prepared mine in a food processor though, so it was a little chunkier that I think it would have been using a blender. I also added some orange juice to make it a little sweeter!
Next I had a little bowl of spinach, chicpeas, cucumber, lemon juice, and cottage cheese, along with a small whole wheat pita. It sounds strange but these things go very well together. Overall I feel very good and have kept all of my food very light today. It is amazing how much food you can eat when you keep it raw by the way. The only not raw food I had today was the pita bread and a few tbsps of cheese. Feelin’ good!

It sounds silly, but I really have no concept of eating when I’m hungry. I am determined to learn, though! Off to go write a final paper… Patriarchial Filmmaking in The Godfather…oh my oh my