Cold Rainy Weekend Spells . . . .

Carb Coma

Sorry to quote from my favorite movie AGAIN but if the shoe fits . . . .

In "The Devil Wears Prada", Emily is laying in a hospital bed after being accidentally hit by a taxi. Her co-worker, Andy, has just told her that she has been passed up for the much coveted trip to Paris for Fashion Week with Miranda. Lying there bruised and battered Emily laments to Andy, crying how unfair it is that Andy is going to Paris instead of her " . . . the cloths that you are going to get I mean you don't deserve them you eat carbs for Christ's sake. . . "

I had a great physician in Manhattan; Dr. Pat. She was my OB/GYN for many years and we went through some tough times together. She was always on my case about my weight. This woman was totally "IN" the New York Scene. She was a real "Park Avenue" Physician. Her children went to Dalton. She appeared very often in the society pages for gala fundraising events. She was always dressed impeccably; even after an all nighter with a patient in labor. She had celebrity patients. She was very THIN. Once her assistant told me that Dr. Pat was 5 pounds overweight so she went on Optifast (that was the liquid diet of the 80s).

I remember one of my favorite lines that she said to me during my annual visit. I was sitting in the examining room in one of those adorable robes (and I swear that she ordered size small because the damn things NEVER fit me). She walks in, takes one look at me and says "I see we have been doing a lot of chewing." Really, she made Miranda Priestly look like Mother Theresa!

I really miss Dr. Pat. She really was an excellent physician and she was very bright! She once told me that if I wanted to lose weight and keep it off, I had to give up carbs. OUCH! At the time I couldn't even begin to comprehend what she was saying. Give up carbs??? And she wasn't stopping at the obvious ones like pasta, rice or bread. She even told me that I shouldn't eat bananas because the carbohydrate content was too high. Obviously she hadn't eaten bread in years (and it worked on her, I might add). Her theory was that carbohydrates are addictive. The more you eat, the more you want. Sort of like the potato chip theory - you know - you can't eat just one. Over the years I have tried to give up carbs and the truth is, if I only eat protein, vegetables and fruit (no bananas), the weight just melts off.

Today, about 13 years later, I think that Dr. Pat's theory has some validity. This past weekend, my hubby and I took the kids to a college football game on Friday night at my husband's Alma mater, Rutgers University. I was ready to get through this event without over-eating. I even packed salads that my husband and I would eat, thereby avoiding all of the "sporting event" foods that can easily derail the best weight loss efforts. It started innocently enough. A quarter of a pretzel here, a couple of tortilla chips there. Then, after the game my husband stopped by a "greasy food truck" to share some college memories with my kids and me. He bought us two "hogies" - one with beef, american cheese, chicken fingers and french fries and the other with gyro meat, mozzarella sticks and french fries. As I took a bite of the monster sandwich all I could think of was the carb overload I was experiencing and who in their right mind would eat something like this (I was only sampling it).

It was all downhill after that. One carb lead to another and before I knew it, by Sunday afternoon, I could hardly get off of the couch to take or pick-up my son from tennis practice. It was UGLY! If you have never been in a carb coma, it feels the way you feel after Thanksgiving dinner except the food isn't as good. The worst part of it all was (actually there are two worst parts) that I wasted a perfectly great day! I could have done many things more productive than eating and vegging. The other part was the morning after. I had to weigh in on Monday morning and that was really PAINFUL! After working so hard all week not only didn't I lose any weight

. . . I gained.

Bummer!

Oh No! TRAFFIC

Have you ever found yourself driving back home on a Sunday afternoon after visiting some relatives in New Jersey or Westchester or Long Island (if you don't live on LI)? Maybe you were driving back from a long weekend upstate or on the Jersey Shore? Much to your disbelief there is no traffic. It is amazing. Then it happens. Before you can stop him or her, your spouse says "Wow, look honey, no traffic". You know what happens next! BOOM Thousands of Bright Red Taillights - TRAFFIC.

Yup! We have all been there. We thought we were going to get home at a reasonable hour. We thought it was going so well. Then, as if Someone heard us - BAM!

That is what happened to me today. I woke up in the middle of the night - HUNGRY! My stomach was growling and I couldn't go back to sleep. Finally, I got up and had a yogurt. My stomach settled down and I did some laundry. Then, within an hour, I was hungry AGAIN! What was happening??? I made myself some breakfast, an egg white omelet with veggies and an english muffin (high grain) with low fat cheese. Of course, immediately after I ate I was satisfied. But then it happened again - about an hour later I was hungry - again.

WHOA . . . . What was happening??? This is how I spent my day. I would eat something that normally would have satisfied me and then after about an hour I was hungry again. Finally we ordered from one of my favorite places for dinner - La Bottega. I ordered my favorite salad with grilled chicken and this time I ate the bread! I finished off the day with my favorite dessert - apple struesal - and a piece of my Chili Chocolate. Finally I was satisfied (ok - I will admit it - I was full) I ate more than my allotted points today but not by that much. All I can think is that my body just needed the fuel. I worked out a lot this week. I went to the gym or played tennis 6 out of 7 days and I was very careful about everything I ate. I wasn't bored (we were out all day), I wasn't sad or angry or tired. I was just hungry.

I just hope I can keep the little "bugger" in check tomorrow! Now I am off to sleep - I can't eat when I am sleeping . . . . . WISH ME LUCK!

Who Turned on the Lights?

Something really amazing happened to me this week. I went out to lunch with a few friends on Friday to celebrate a birthday. We went to an Italian pizza place. Anytime I go to this type of restaurant, I always order a large salad with grilled chicken. This choice is one of my safe options. I order it very often and I really really enjoy it.

The girls ordered a pizza pie and a large salad to share. In WW speak, I asserted myself and explained to them that I was having a great week and I really wanted to "stay on program". Of course they were completely supportive. My very large salad came and since I was very hungry, have just completed an intense Yoga class, I dug in. Meanwhile, the ladies started on their salad when the pie was served.

Of course as most "ladies who lunch" know, we were chatting up a storm, eating and enjoying each other's company. During a lull in the conversation, one of my girlfriends said to me that she really admired my determination since I didn't even have one slice of pizza. That is when it hit me. I was sitting there at the table with the pizza pie right in front of me not even a foot from my nose. I didn't even notice the pizza because I was enjoying my salad so much and enjoying the company of my friends. Believe me, I love pizza. I could eat it everyday. However, for some reason, that day, I just didn't want it. The best part is, if I wanted to eat pizza, I would have. A slice of thin crust pizza is about 4 points. That with a side salad would have been fine for lunch. I think I was feeling so good about everything I accomplished this past week that I just didn't need the pizza.

I keep on trying to figure out how I got here. I wish I knew where the switch was. I don't feel deprived at all. I've been eating my chocolate (Lindt Chili) and I've been making some delicious desserts with apples (we went apple picking today). When I do eat out, I find great options. I don't even see the other stuff, I just choose from what I know is good for me and what will help me succeed. Someone flipped the switch!

I'm in the zone . . . . .

There is more to life than just "Eye-Candy"

I was at the gym several times this week. On Wednesday I took a spin class with an instructor who I shall name Ms. S. There is no eye candy here. Ms. S is a good instructor but to tell you the truth, she hasn't always gotten me very excited. What I have always found so odd is that she has a big following. People really swore by her. They talk of her inspiring words or her excitement for spinning. I always thought she talked too much in class and she was too intrusive. She would not allow me to get into my own head and "enjoy the ride".

This time it was different. Ms. S always starts her classes with a quote. Wednesday's quote was from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

"What lies before us and what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us. And when we bring what is within out into the world, miracles happen"

Those are some powerful words. As I began my ride, I thought about those words and where I was in my own personal journey.

Thursday I took a Yoga class with Ms. P. I really enjoy her classes - so does everyone else! Her class was packed! I was stiff and sore from working out regularly this week. I was nervous that I couldn't keep up.

Yoga is about the body, mind and spirit. A lot of Yoga is about acceptance. Accepting others and accepting yourself. Friday I took another Yoga class with Ms. K. This was a more intimate class and very powerful. I've never taken a class with Ms. K before and I didn't know what to expect. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to keep up. Of course, Yoga is about acceptance and peace.

"What lies before us and what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us. And when we bring what is within out into the world, miracles happen".

I did just fine in all of my classes this week. I kept up very well and if it didn't feel right, I backed off and modified the pose. I accepted who I am and where I am in my journey. This doesn't mean that I don't want to change. On the contrary - I am changing and evolving, right now and every day. However, this time I am doing it with acceptance.

Breath in . . . radiance . . . . . . . . . . breath out . . . confidence . . . Namaste

Eye-candy has no calories!

I have a confession to make. I actually enjoy going to the gym. There - I wrote it! I know all of these people who really groan about going to the gym. I get a real high when I go to the gym. Of course, you have to belong to one that you like - a lot.


A couple of years ago my husband and I took the children down to Cancun Mexico for a spring vacation. We stayed at this small but luxurious resort hotel. The hotel had a gym and spa. It was wonderful. After I exercised, I went down to the spa for a dip in the jacuzzi and then a refreshing shower. When we returned from our vacation and I returned to my gym, I realized how nice it was to have those amenities. My gym barely had showers. This made me realize that perhaps it was time for a change.


Off I went to check out all of the gyms in my area. I found one fairly close to home. The minute I walked into the gym I got that excited feeling. I felt like I was on vacation. The facility was very big and very new. All of the cardio machines had TVs - something my old gym did not have. There were three studios for exercise classes and usually there were 2 classes offered simultaneously. There was a pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. Towels were always available and the gym also had a spa where I could get a massage. It even had a Hair Salon.


And . . . there was plenty of eye-candy!


Here is the definition of eye-candy: visual images that are superficially attractive and entertaining but intellectually undemanding.


My gym has a lot of young members who obviously get "dressed" to go to the gym. I throw on a pair of spandex pants and an old baggy T-shirt. But there are people who actually color coordinate their outfits - amazing. I appreciate this. When I'm on one of those machines, I start to get bored after about 15 minutes. I need a little inspiration to keep going.


When it comes to eye-candy, I am an equal opportunity observer. Yesterday I took a spin class with a male instructor. He is very funny, plays great music and is very easy on the eyes (i.e. good looking). He reminds me a lot of Keith Urban - my favorite country music singer, songwriter and musician.


Today I took a class called muscle max (free weights, crunches, lunges). It is taught by this woman who is in the most amazing shape (I'll call her J). Just watching her is inspiring. Don't get me wrong - I haven't "gone to the other side" - I just appreciate someone who is in great shape! And she is funny. She comes from the Dominican Republic. She is like the female version of the actor Hank Azaria. He played the butler in Bird Cage with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. He was also in America's Sweethearts. Well, J is a dancer. One of her best classes is Zumba. I've taken her dance class and let me tell you, I was sweating and laughing my booty off and having a great time. I was definitely exercising at an anaerobic rate (I was wearing a heart rate monitor) and I needed to keep myself in check.


So now when I see either my Keith Urban look-alike or J's name on the list of instructors I actually get excited. That and a deep tissue massage keeps me coming back for more!

May I have the 1/2 gallon of ice cream . . . . Please!

First of all, ice cream doesn't come in a half gallon size anymore. This was part of a marketing ploy designed to keep prices the same while shrinking the container size. I've seen this in ice cream, coffee (12 oz instead of 16 oz), even girl scout cookies. This way the consumer pays the same amount but gets less product. So the title should read, "May I have the 1 and 1/2 quart container of ice cream please (doesn't sound as good).

Let us look on the bright side! If you are a binge eater like me, and you are having a bad day like I did yesterday, these lovely marketing people just saved me about 400 calories and 14 grams of fat. How is that for looking at the glass half full?

This week's topic at my WW meeting was emotional eating. Emotional eating covers a total array of feelings such as sorrow, anxiety, happiness, anger, fatigue, and boredom, just to name a few. One of my triggers is boredom and fatigue. I can usually eat my way through any feeling except extreme sorrow or anger, which thankfully doesn't happen often. But yesterday, I found out that through an error made by a technician at Geek Squad, I lost all of my personal files from my 160G hard disk. I've had this computer for six years. Think about all of the "stuff" you have amassed on your computer over the last 6 years. The most absurd part is that this technician bypassed my back-up system - he effectively wiped out my back-up.

I was sick to my stomach. What really upset me was the loss of all of my photos. Six years of photos of my children. That would be ages 2 (my daughter) through 13 (my son) - GONE. Think about it: loss of a first tooth, Communion, Christmas, Birthdays, Vacations and the best photos of all, my husband and I just goofing around with the children. At first I could not eat. After about 2 hours I was hungry and began to eat the grilled chicken Greek salad I bought as part of our Friday night's "take-in"

Then I kept going. The salad was HUGE and I could have easily stopped half way but I didn't. I ate the whole thing. After the salad I kept looking for more. I was looking to anesthetize the anger and loss I was feeling. Thankfully I had some low fat apple streusel left over which I devoured with low fat ice cream. I ate a couple of pieces of chocolate and then I went back for the rest of the ice cream . . . . . . . STOP!!!

Here I am standing in my kitchen with 1200 calories and 42 grams of fat (and a spoon) in my hands. Please remember - for me this is the equivalent of the alcoholic holding a bottle of vodka in her hand. Something clicked in my head. Maybe it was the WW meeting I had been to the day before. Maybe it was all of those photos - photos of me and my husband and our children. Eating the ice cream was not going to bring back my hard drive or any of those photos. Eating the ice cream was just going to make me fat and miserable and unattractive in all of the future photos I was going to take to make up for the incompetent person who did this.

I put the ice cream back in the freezer and I closed the door. I closed the door on that big nasty demon. I made myself a cup of tea and went to bed. I didn't sleep very well. I spent most of the night trying to figure out how I was going to get back my files and how I was going to retaliate. I kept on thinking . . . yes this sucks, it really really stinks but worse things could happen.

Many years ago the great singer, songwriter and guitarist Eric Clapton lost his son. It was a tragic pointless accident. Clapton is a reformed alcoholic and drug addict. I watched an interview with him a few years after the tragedy and the interviewer asked him if he (Clapton) drank or used drugs after he lost his son. Clapton said that he didn't. He believed that if he had gotten drunk or stoned, that act would have discredited his son's life. It would have also been a complete act of hypocrisy as he was the founder of a rehabilitation center for alcoholics and drug addicts.

I'll never forget that interview. From this tragedy came a beautiful song "Tears in Heaven".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g2IlaDLVLo

May I have the envelope . . . . . . . Please!!

I walked the walk today and it felt good!!!

Here is my latest trick! I recently found out that I could download movies onto my iPod Nano (way too cool). I downloaded one of my favorite movies "The Devil Wears Prada". I LOVE Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway. What a great movie to work out to! The music is awesome and watching all of those "beautiful people" dressed in those fabulous clothes is just very inspiring. I also think that some of the best scenes and lines are in that movie. For example . .

Stanley Tucci: " . . you do know that cellulite is one of the main ingredients in corn chowder . ."

Anne Hathaway: "I'm a (size) 6"

Stanley Tucci: "which is the new 14"

Emily Blunt: (after Anne Hathaway tells her how thin she looks) "Well, I'm on this new diet, it's very effective. I don't eat anything and when I feel like I'm about to faint, I eat a cube of cheese . . . I'm just one stomach flu away from my goal weight."

I was on the elliptical for 35 minutes today and the only reason I got off was to go to my Yoga class. The time FLEW because I was enjoying the movie so much! I know that a lot of gyms (including mine) have TVs on the machines but honestly, there is nothing good to watch at 9am!

Yoga was awesome! I used to "practice" about twice a week. I haven't done any yoga for at least 4 months. It was amazing to me how much my body changed in that period of time. Not only had I lost a lot of flexibility but I was uncomfortable in my own skin. I really felt the extra weight I had gained. Of course, the yoga studio has mirrors everywhere so to add insult to injury, I had to watch myself struggle through those poses. It was a major reality check!

After yoga I did treat myself to the steam room (Yes! A NON FOOD REWARD). I showered, dressed and set out for Weight Watchers.

Since weighing in on September 8th, I have lost 5 pounds. Now remember, I have a lot of weight to lose so 5 pounds in 3 weeks is very reasonable. I haven't been exercising and I've been delving into a lot of "gray" areas where food is concerned. Honestly, I am very satisfied with my results. I will start to attend my regular Monday meetings and I will start going to the gym on a more regular basis.

Being back on track just felt way too good today! By the way - where can I get a pair of those Chanel Boots?