I'm sorry! I know it's late. It's barely even 54 days to the gown anymore.
I never understood those people who say that they never eat because they're so busy that they "forget."
Well. I understand now. Today I was so busy that I did the following things:
1) Forgot to eat.
2) Literally (literally) had a "swoon" when I thought I emailed a letter with a typo to a federal judge. (The real deal man: I almost fainted. I definitely hyperventilated. And I cried tears of what can only be described as "shock.") I wonder if low blood sugar from forgetting to eat had anything to do with this little "spell."
3) Talked on a cellphone whilst at a checkout counter (God, I hate that).
4) Parked illegally--knowingly--because I didn't have time to find a legitimate parking spot (luckily no ticket).
5) And perhaps worst of all: ate dinner at Wendy's.
Tomorrow I get to do it all over again.
The good news however is that I started today at the lightest weight I've seen yet: 129.2
Calories consumed: 1130
Exercise: Ha! If I had time to exercise I would cry tears of joy.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
55 Days to the Gown: PERSEVERANCE
Good morning all. Today I would like to dedicate today's blog to one concept and one concept alone: perseverance.
Perseverance is defined loosely as, "steadfastness in doing something despite the difficulty or the delay in achieving success...and the weird looks you get from people along the way."
With that as a scene-setter, I'd like to tell a story about a fictional dieting girl. There was once a girl who had an affinity for fattening foods. Alfredo sauce, cheesy pizza, McDonalds cheeseburgers (Plain, dammit! Plain!), French cheese.....there was nothing this girl wouldn't touch.
Well one day, she decided to go on a little diet. For the most part, her old favorite foods were completely off-limits to her---which was very sad. She listlessly wandered around the world searching for something--anything--that despite being healthy would taste as decadent and wonderful as the foods she had given up. Well one day, while the girl was in the midst of her pitiful search, she stumbled upon a large, imposing building that was filled with organic, non-processed, and frighteningly expensive foods (oh, and hipsters; there were also lots of hipsters).
As she stumbled through the large building her eye suddenly caught something: a delicious looking little tray filled with colorful wheels of edible glory. And on the label, "Spicy Tuna Avocado Roll w/ Brown Rice." Poetry. Intrigued, she purchased the STAR (w/ Brown Rice) and tried it. It was heaven. She had to (HAD TO!) know: just how many calories are in this little miracle?
She searched high and low. She asked the frighteningly friendly clerks at the store where she purchased the STAR, but to no avail. She asked the chefs who arrived to make the STAR "fresh daily." No luck. She employed her above-average research skills to try to find the information on the Internet. Nada. She tried dissecting the STAR like a frog in her own kitchen to roughly estimate the calories in each ingredient herself. But no matter how precise she attempted to be, she could never quite calculate the information to a comfortable degree of certainty.
People started to think she was becoming a broken record. Repetitive. Relentless. Frankly, irritating.
But just when she was about to give up, she thought, "Maybe, just maybe, if I email the manufacturer of the STAR I might find my answer." So she did.
And five days later, Patricia Hadiwidjajaji of Kikka Sushi Incorporated responded:
Perseverance is defined loosely as, "steadfastness in doing something despite the difficulty or the delay in achieving success...and the weird looks you get from people along the way."
With that as a scene-setter, I'd like to tell a story about a fictional dieting girl. There was once a girl who had an affinity for fattening foods. Alfredo sauce, cheesy pizza, McDonalds cheeseburgers (Plain, dammit! Plain!), French cheese.....there was nothing this girl wouldn't touch.
Well one day, she decided to go on a little diet. For the most part, her old favorite foods were completely off-limits to her---which was very sad. She listlessly wandered around the world searching for something--anything--that despite being healthy would taste as decadent and wonderful as the foods she had given up. Well one day, while the girl was in the midst of her pitiful search, she stumbled upon a large, imposing building that was filled with organic, non-processed, and frighteningly expensive foods (oh, and hipsters; there were also lots of hipsters).
As she stumbled through the large building her eye suddenly caught something: a delicious looking little tray filled with colorful wheels of edible glory. And on the label, "Spicy Tuna Avocado Roll w/ Brown Rice." Poetry. Intrigued, she purchased the STAR (w/ Brown Rice) and tried it. It was heaven. She had to (HAD TO!) know: just how many calories are in this little miracle?
She searched high and low. She asked the frighteningly friendly clerks at the store where she purchased the STAR, but to no avail. She asked the chefs who arrived to make the STAR "fresh daily." No luck. She employed her above-average research skills to try to find the information on the Internet. Nada. She tried dissecting the STAR like a frog in her own kitchen to roughly estimate the calories in each ingredient herself. But no matter how precise she attempted to be, she could never quite calculate the information to a comfortable degree of certainty.
People started to think she was becoming a broken record. Repetitive. Relentless. Frankly, irritating.
But just when she was about to give up, she thought, "Maybe, just maybe, if I email the manufacturer of the STAR I might find my answer." So she did.
And five days later, Patricia Hadiwidjajaji of Kikka Sushi Incorporated responded:
And the world could finally be at peace. Sigh.
Calories consumed: 1070 (precisely 320 of which were from my delicious STAR!)
Exercise: No time!
Weight: 129.6 (for REAL this time!! -0.8 from yesterday; -8.4 overall)
Monday, March 21, 2011
56 Days: Back to Reality, Sobriety, and the 130s.
Well it was fun while it lasted, but I couldn't stay in the 120s forever....at least not until drinking some water, anyway.
Calories consumed: 1050
Exercise: 80 minutes; walking 2.5(ish) mph
Weight: 130.4 (-7.6 since the beginning, -0.4 since my last "real" weigh in, +1.0 from yesterday's "assisted" weigh in).
All in all, I am pretty pleased with today's weigh-in. Despite having gained a pound since yesterday, I've still lost weight since my last hydrated weigh-in. It's also really nice to know that going over my calorie limit on Saturday didn't completely ruin everything. I had this terrifying image in my head of stepping on the scale and weighing 138.0 again after just one day going over the limit.
I also feel like I am starting to look a little thinner. People kept commenting on my weight this weekend. I wasn't sure if they were just stroking my ego after having read the blog or if they were serious, but it still felt good. I'm not quite back into my Pre-Saints Superbowl clothes yet, but I am hoping that will happen soon. I am also pretty sure that this week I will finally hit my 10 pound weight loss mark since beginning the blog! Eeep! If nothing else it's something to aspire towards.
The Carrot: If I reach the 10 pound mark by Sunday, March 27 I am going to finally, finally, FINALLY get my freakin' pedicure. It's sandals season people! This needs to happen. I look like a cave person.
Calories consumed: 1050
Exercise: 80 minutes; walking 2.5(ish) mph
Weight: 130.4 (-7.6 since the beginning, -0.4 since my last "real" weigh in, +1.0 from yesterday's "assisted" weigh in).
All in all, I am pretty pleased with today's weigh-in. Despite having gained a pound since yesterday, I've still lost weight since my last hydrated weigh-in. It's also really nice to know that going over my calorie limit on Saturday didn't completely ruin everything. I had this terrifying image in my head of stepping on the scale and weighing 138.0 again after just one day going over the limit.
I also feel like I am starting to look a little thinner. People kept commenting on my weight this weekend. I wasn't sure if they were just stroking my ego after having read the blog or if they were serious, but it still felt good. I'm not quite back into my Pre-Saints Superbowl clothes yet, but I am hoping that will happen soon. I am also pretty sure that this week I will finally hit my 10 pound weight loss mark since beginning the blog! Eeep! If nothing else it's something to aspire towards.
The Carrot: If I reach the 10 pound mark by Sunday, March 27 I am going to finally, finally, FINALLY get my freakin' pedicure. It's sandals season people! This needs to happen. I look like a cave person.
The Stick: If I do not reach the 10 pound mark by the deadline, I am going to puke and die. Not really. I am actually pretty pleased with myself right now so I feel kind of bad about imposing a "punishment" if I don't reach the goal. Okay, I got it. If I do not reach the deadline I will buy a T-shirt from www.toiletwarrior.com and wear it all week to promote the importance of fiber to any sensible diet plan.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
57 Days: I CHEATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I did.
I feel terrible.
Calories Consumed: 1511 (+411 over my predetermined calorie limit. And to make matters worse, 650 of them were from drinking a bottle of red wine.)
Exercise: None. Unless, of course, you count the exercise my liver did to process all that wine last night. But somehow I don't think that is aerobically effective.
*shame*
But, my friends, sometimes cheating has it's perks...
Weight: 129.4 (-1.4 since yesterday; -8.6 overall)
Of course I realize that this is not a "real" weigh-in because the minute I get rehydrated my weight's going to go back up. But that didn't stop me from taking a photo to bask in the 120s even if it is just temporary.
It's just so pretty. I want to stare at it until I fall asleep...
But I know that it's not real. And I know that tomorrow the number will go back up and I will feel terrible about it. But it's still fun to look at.
But this does bring up an ethical dilemma. In case you're new to the blog, today is a high-stakes day in the ChunkyBride world. I made myself a deal: if I reached the 120s by today I would get a pedicure, but if I did not, I would wear a purple velour tracksuit with matching sequined tank top as a mark of shame. Shame!
Now, there was nothing in the deal that expressly said the weigh-in had to be unassisted by the dehydration that follows from drinking a bottle of wine. But it would sort of be implied wouldn't it? I mean, if I get myself a pedicure because I reached my goal after cheating that would set a bad example for the little children of the world....
But if I wear the tracksuit I might scare the little children of the world...
What to do!?
Okay. I will split the baby: I will not get myself a pedicure because it just feels wrong to get a treat after bilking the system. BUT I will also not wear the tracksuit because, quite simply, I reached the 120s by today. Right or wrong.
And the lesson for the little children of the world: get better role models than me.
Not looking forward to tomorrow's weigh-in....
I feel terrible.
Calories Consumed: 1511 (+411 over my predetermined calorie limit. And to make matters worse, 650 of them were from drinking a bottle of red wine.)
Exercise: None. Unless, of course, you count the exercise my liver did to process all that wine last night. But somehow I don't think that is aerobically effective.
*shame*
But, my friends, sometimes cheating has it's perks...
Weight: 129.4 (-1.4 since yesterday; -8.6 overall)
Of course I realize that this is not a "real" weigh-in because the minute I get rehydrated my weight's going to go back up. But that didn't stop me from taking a photo to bask in the 120s even if it is just temporary.
It's just so pretty. I want to stare at it until I fall asleep...
But I know that it's not real. And I know that tomorrow the number will go back up and I will feel terrible about it. But it's still fun to look at.
But this does bring up an ethical dilemma. In case you're new to the blog, today is a high-stakes day in the ChunkyBride world. I made myself a deal: if I reached the 120s by today I would get a pedicure, but if I did not, I would wear a purple velour tracksuit with matching sequined tank top as a mark of shame. Shame!
Now, there was nothing in the deal that expressly said the weigh-in had to be unassisted by the dehydration that follows from drinking a bottle of wine. But it would sort of be implied wouldn't it? I mean, if I get myself a pedicure because I reached my goal after cheating that would set a bad example for the little children of the world....
But if I wear the tracksuit I might scare the little children of the world...
What to do!?
Okay. I will split the baby: I will not get myself a pedicure because it just feels wrong to get a treat after bilking the system. BUT I will also not wear the tracksuit because, quite simply, I reached the 120s by today. Right or wrong.
And the lesson for the little children of the world: get better role models than me.
Not looking forward to tomorrow's weigh-in....
Saturday, March 19, 2011
58 Days: Now That's More Like It
Calories Consumed: 1000
Exercise: very little; 15 minutes of brisk walking
Weight: 130.8 ( -1.4 since yesterday...but really -0.4 from TUESDAY grrrr; -7.2 overall )
PROOF: (sorry about the poor photo quality)
Well that's a nice change since yesterday! Unfortunately, I don't think it's enough to put me in the 120s by tomorrow's deadline. I've never posted two one-pound losses in a row, so I am pretty sure that today will be dedicated to tracking down the remaining portion of the damn tracksuit.
And it's official: I will no longer eat Quiznos sandwiches before days that are crucial for weigh-ins. I mean, it's just water weight so it's fine from time to time, but, for instance, tomorrow when there are pedicures and crimes against fashion at stake, I'll skip it.
Putting aside the fact that I doubt I'll reach 129.8 by tomorrow, I would like to mention that this is the lightest that I have been in a really long time. I got down to 131.5(ish) for a couple days right before and after St. John last summer, but this is definitely the first time I've seen 130 since pre-Saints Superbowl...and probably a little while before that too. So that's exciting!
I also reached another milestone in the BBR journey: I drank a beer! Yes! An entire ice cold 16 oz Budlight was all mine yesterday. And I didn't gain all 7 pounds back in one night!
Happy weekend everyone!
Exercise: very little; 15 minutes of brisk walking
Weight: 130.8 ( -1.4 since yesterday...but really -0.4 from TUESDAY grrrr; -7.2 overall )
PROOF: (sorry about the poor photo quality)
Well that's a nice change since yesterday! Unfortunately, I don't think it's enough to put me in the 120s by tomorrow's deadline. I've never posted two one-pound losses in a row, so I am pretty sure that today will be dedicated to tracking down the remaining portion of the damn tracksuit.
And it's official: I will no longer eat Quiznos sandwiches before days that are crucial for weigh-ins. I mean, it's just water weight so it's fine from time to time, but, for instance, tomorrow when there are pedicures and crimes against fashion at stake, I'll skip it.
Putting aside the fact that I doubt I'll reach 129.8 by tomorrow, I would like to mention that this is the lightest that I have been in a really long time. I got down to 131.5(ish) for a couple days right before and after St. John last summer, but this is definitely the first time I've seen 130 since pre-Saints Superbowl...and probably a little while before that too. So that's exciting!
I also reached another milestone in the BBR journey: I drank a beer! Yes! An entire ice cold 16 oz Budlight was all mine yesterday. And I didn't gain all 7 pounds back in one night!
Happy weekend everyone!
Friday, March 18, 2011
59 Days: Assemble the Ensemble
It's 10:44 pm. I usually don't post this late, but it's still technically March 18, 2011 so I haven't missed a day! Sorry for the delay though. Today was completely nuts with law school. I barely even had time to think about the BBR.
But how's the diet going? I'll give you a hint:
Calories: 1020
Exercise: 45 minutes walking 3.0 mph
Weight: 132.2 (-5.8 overall. I don't even want to calculate the difference between yesterday and today....)
Okay. You'd think by now I would be completely used to the whole "Hey, it's a diet. You'll fluctuate sometimes" thing. You'd think.
But no. It still sucks. Every. Single. Time.
I didn't let it discourage me though! I stuck by my guns today and I even discovered (with help from a couple friends) what could be the culprit from the vast majority of my "fluctuations." A friend commented on the blog warning me about the sodium content in the Michelina's meals from the Tribute to Deliciousness. I originally disregarded that comment because I've actually been really good about keeping track of the sodium in most things, because I am trying to lower my blood pressure. But her comment really inspired me because later today it hit me: each time I've gained weight during the diet it was a morning after eating at Quiznos. So I checked myfitnesspal and it turns out that the Quiznos nutritional information that I've been using does not include sodium so it wasn't getting factored into my daily totals. And it would completely make sense if my go-to sandwich at Quiznos is a sodium bomb because it tastes way too good to be both low calorie and low in sodium.
So I am hoping that tomorrow morning I'll post a nice loss and that the gain today was just holding water after eating a super-salty Quiznos sandwich. We'll see. And if that proves to be the case I owe some friends a thank-you!
Also, I wanted to address a question in the comments section about what I've been drinking since the BBR.
I would say I drink about 30(ish) ounces of sparkling water a day. I like the 32 oz. generic brand at Whole Foods. I also drink a lot of Diet Mountain Dew and Diet Pepsi (for whatever reason I feel like it's more "special" than run-of-the-mill Diet Coke).
I probably shouldn't drink that much diet soda but I justify it two ways. First, the only real problem I've ever heard about diet soda that makes any sense at all is that it tends to keep people craving carbohydrates--particularly simple sugars--because the fake sweeteners don't actually fill the body's need for sugar when someone craves something sweet. This problem really doesn't apply to me (in my layman opinion). I've never really liked sweets. Ever. And I have yet to crave a carb on the BBR. I tend to yearn for cheese, cream, and other fatty things....so I don't see my drinking diet soda as putting myself at risk of some crazy, carb-tastic binge. Second, I am depriving myself of so many things lately I feel like I am entitled to one vice, damnit! So the diet soda stays.
Anyway that's all for now.
Think thin! I really don't have enough time to hunt down the remaining third of that tracksuit.
But how's the diet going? I'll give you a hint:
Yup. That's 2/3 of my infamous velour tracksuit with matching sequined tank top (still can't find the track pants). I made a point to dig it out of the back of the closet after this morning's doozy of a weigh in:
Calories: 1020
Exercise: 45 minutes walking 3.0 mph
Weight: 132.2 (-5.8 overall. I don't even want to calculate the difference between yesterday and today....)
Okay. You'd think by now I would be completely used to the whole "Hey, it's a diet. You'll fluctuate sometimes" thing. You'd think.
But no. It still sucks. Every. Single. Time.
I didn't let it discourage me though! I stuck by my guns today and I even discovered (with help from a couple friends) what could be the culprit from the vast majority of my "fluctuations." A friend commented on the blog warning me about the sodium content in the Michelina's meals from the Tribute to Deliciousness. I originally disregarded that comment because I've actually been really good about keeping track of the sodium in most things, because I am trying to lower my blood pressure. But her comment really inspired me because later today it hit me: each time I've gained weight during the diet it was a morning after eating at Quiznos. So I checked myfitnesspal and it turns out that the Quiznos nutritional information that I've been using does not include sodium so it wasn't getting factored into my daily totals. And it would completely make sense if my go-to sandwich at Quiznos is a sodium bomb because it tastes way too good to be both low calorie and low in sodium.
So I am hoping that tomorrow morning I'll post a nice loss and that the gain today was just holding water after eating a super-salty Quiznos sandwich. We'll see. And if that proves to be the case I owe some friends a thank-you!
Also, I wanted to address a question in the comments section about what I've been drinking since the BBR.
I would say I drink about 30(ish) ounces of sparkling water a day. I like the 32 oz. generic brand at Whole Foods. I also drink a lot of Diet Mountain Dew and Diet Pepsi (for whatever reason I feel like it's more "special" than run-of-the-mill Diet Coke).
I probably shouldn't drink that much diet soda but I justify it two ways. First, the only real problem I've ever heard about diet soda that makes any sense at all is that it tends to keep people craving carbohydrates--particularly simple sugars--because the fake sweeteners don't actually fill the body's need for sugar when someone craves something sweet. This problem really doesn't apply to me (in my layman opinion). I've never really liked sweets. Ever. And I have yet to crave a carb on the BBR. I tend to yearn for cheese, cream, and other fatty things....so I don't see my drinking diet soda as putting myself at risk of some crazy, carb-tastic binge. Second, I am depriving myself of so many things lately I feel like I am entitled to one vice, damnit! So the diet soda stays.
Anyway that's all for now.
Think thin! I really don't have enough time to hunt down the remaining third of that tracksuit.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
60 Days: A Tribute to Deliciousness
Oh for crying out loud....everything I said yesterday about "finding my peace" was total crap.
Calories consumed: 988
Exercise: 90 minutes; walking 3.5 mph on average (that's really brisk!)
Weight: 131.8 again (same as yesterday, -6.2 overall)
60 days left! Gosh that's soon. And with time ticking away, my body appears to want to cling to 131.8 as if its life depended on it. It's been 4 days, people! 4 days and no downward movement. With only 8 weeks to go until the wedding I am going to have to ramp it up if I want to be lithe and svelte in time for the deadline. And it is imperative that I reach my goal of 120 by the deadline because otherwise my father does not have to reimburse me for Lucy and Ricky as per this bet. AND it's even more imperative that I reach 129.8 by Sunday because my skinny clothes still don't fit and I really don't want to wear the velour tracksuit.
I think that to have a chance in hell at succeeding at this diet, the trick is to find stuff that I can eat that I truly love and enjoy having. If I have to turn to disgusting "diet foods" every time my friends or family get to enjoy something that is off-limits, it only breeds resentment for the diet. But I can't resent my diet...I must love my diet (otherwise, I won't want to stand by it).
So with no further adieu I'd like to present my Tribute to Deliciousness
1. Spicy Tuna Avocado Roll with Brown Rice (duh)
What a power player. This roll has it all: whole grains in the brown rice, lean protein, "the good fats" in the avocado, and, of course, a touch of decadent spicy mayo. According to my laboratory-frog project that I referenced earlier, the entire roll contains about 400 calories. That's generally a little higher than I care to go in one meal--I like to leave plenty of room for snacks--but it's so tasty that it makes me feel like I'm having a real treat. So bring it on.
2) Michelina's. ANYTHING by Michelina's.
3. Artichokes
Calories consumed: 988
Exercise: 90 minutes; walking 3.5 mph on average (that's really brisk!)
Weight: 131.8 again (same as yesterday, -6.2 overall)
60 days left! Gosh that's soon. And with time ticking away, my body appears to want to cling to 131.8 as if its life depended on it. It's been 4 days, people! 4 days and no downward movement. With only 8 weeks to go until the wedding I am going to have to ramp it up if I want to be lithe and svelte in time for the deadline. And it is imperative that I reach my goal of 120 by the deadline because otherwise my father does not have to reimburse me for Lucy and Ricky as per this bet. AND it's even more imperative that I reach 129.8 by Sunday because my skinny clothes still don't fit and I really don't want to wear the velour tracksuit.
I think that to have a chance in hell at succeeding at this diet, the trick is to find stuff that I can eat that I truly love and enjoy having. If I have to turn to disgusting "diet foods" every time my friends or family get to enjoy something that is off-limits, it only breeds resentment for the diet. But I can't resent my diet...I must love my diet (otherwise, I won't want to stand by it).
So with no further adieu I'd like to present my Tribute to Deliciousness
1. Spicy Tuna Avocado Roll with Brown Rice (duh)
What a power player. This roll has it all: whole grains in the brown rice, lean protein, "the good fats" in the avocado, and, of course, a touch of decadent spicy mayo. According to my laboratory-frog project that I referenced earlier, the entire roll contains about 400 calories. That's generally a little higher than I care to go in one meal--I like to leave plenty of room for snacks--but it's so tasty that it makes me feel like I'm having a real treat. So bring it on.
2) Michelina's. ANYTHING by Michelina's.
I owe this to one of my best friends and bridesmaids who turned me onto Michelina Lean Gourmet. When it comes to convenient, pre-portioned meals say goodbye to Smart Ones, Lean Cuisines, Healthy Choice Meals, and the rest of them: Michelina's is the only way to go. At about a dollar a box they are easily the cheapest thing in the Tribute to Deliciousness. They also manage to accomplish what none of the other, more expensive "convenience meal" manufacturers manage to do: include chicken that doesn't inevitably have weird, grizzly bits mixed in. Michelina's has a Lean Gourmet line that is lower calorie and fat than the regular stuff, but even the regular ones still usually average around 320 calories each. Yum.
3. Artichokes
You can't really top a 60 calorie snack that easily takes 30 minutes to eat. Each of these little guys is low calorie and packed with fiber (which is great for keeping things "moving along" so to speak). I like to top mine with 10 calorie Maple Grove Farms Fat Free Caesar.
4. Pictsweet Edamame Steamables
God I love edamame. Add a little sea salt and what a tasty and filling snack. I actually make a full meal out of this stuff. It has a ton of fiber and protein. The entire bag (which is a crap-load of edamame) clocks in at about 275 calories (I know this because I emailed Pictsweet's customer service people because the label can be a bit confusing).
5. Cheez-Its.
Okay, okay. Cheez Its aren't particularly interesting (or even particularly healthy) in their own right. But as I mentioned in the first blog ever, I have this "thing" for cheese. I can't get enough. Unfortunately cheese is not particularly filling and can be incredibly fattening so I like to munch on Cheez Its when I crave something cheesy because it is the lesser of two evils.
Anyway. Those are the foods that are getting me through the storm right now. Feel free to comment below with anything healthy and deliciously awesome that you recommend.
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