Waistline Woes

June 4, 2011 6 Comments

Any bride who tells you she’s not dieting is lying. 
Just throwing that out there.

So for myself?
Sure, I cut back on my food intake.  Nothing drastic, or anything. I like food. Food and me? We have a great relationship. It tastes goooood. Case-in-point. 
But who doesn’t want to look even better? With the proper motivation, like ahem, your wedding, you can go far, right?
Wrrrrrong.

I mean you can, and sure I’ve come far, but comfort food is so darn yuuuummmmy.

So here’s how it goes for me:

About 6 months out from my wedding I gave more money than I care to admit to hired a personal trainer.  I know me.  I will purchase a gym membership, plan on going religiously, do that for about a week, and then taper off and still end up paying for it when not going at all.  That money lost is now body image gained with my personal trainer.  And bonus: she’s someone I enjoy working with, centers me emotionally during my rants, and will continue to work with post-nuptials.  Super bonus: my biceps rock.

The hypoallergenic, doctor prescribed diet back in October taught me a lot about food: quality, quantity and preservatives. While there’s no way in hell I still eat what or how I did on that diet, I know how certain foods affect me and try to make concerted effort to eat better.  Now consistency is my problem.  I’ll eat whole, good foods for about 2 days, then fall off the wagon at a bbq and gorge on those hotdogs I try to deprive myself of otherwise.  But a few hotdogs/bruchetta/macaroni salad here and there is not bad!  I try to be realistic.  Reality is harsh when you want a flat belly, though.

Last week I asked a thin friend of mine how he does it.  He asked if I wanted the truth.  Um, yes. (Hindsight: no no no.)  Enemas and not eating.  Ok so that first part is out the window.  Nothing too extreme for me, please.  But not eating?!  We’ve established my love affair with food.  Sure you eat less you should weigh less.  You eat right you should also weigh less.  For the record, this friend does eat.
Moving on, I asked another friend who happens to be a nutritionist at a certain government run health organization that same question.  Disclaimer, this was at her birthday party and she was definitely enjoying herself.  Her response: Don’t eat.  What?! Wait, wasn’t that the skinny friend’s advice?!  Now things are wonky.  She went on to explain that smaller meals are better, not totally restricting calories.  Oh, and she also advised that if I plan on drinking any alcohol, then I should really not eat. Like, at all. 
Last stop on the bad-advice train, with a happy twist, my personal trainer.  I recounted the pointers given above and she nodded and agreed.  If you don’t eat you will loose weight.  But of course you shouldn’t do that.  Whew.  Finally, someone who sees the reality to this bad guidance.  Then she shared how she prepared for a body building contest by basically not eating for the remaining days leading up to the show.  ARG!  She supports eating.

For the love of all things tasty, people must eat!
I’m going to write a book called “You have to eat to loose weight!” 
Not that I have any credentials on the topic. 
Just random advice from others.

And no worries, I’m eating.  And I’m working out.  And Mike and I are running a 5K together tomorrow.  And we eat really well.
Food is meant to be enjoyed.
But the jellybeans & candy cane oreos are hidden from sight.

Sidenote: I fear the google searches that will land people on this post!

Filed Under: BlogBook, diet, shut the front door

Shaping up with Liz DiAlto

February 15, 2011 Leave a Comment
After four sessions with Liz DiAlto I can already see a difference in my physique, balance, and strength!  When we first started I knew little of the right approach to working out.  Now I am much more comfortable and confident with Rest-Based workouts and my appearance!

I find that having a trainer is clutch, for me.  I’m not one to pop in an instructional DVD and follow along. I lack the self discipline (in this area) to create a regular workout routine.  Those DVD’s? In my house they make awesome coasters or dust collectors. Liz is great for keeping you motivated and engaged while working out!  She holds you accountable for your workout (no fair not squatting low enough or lunging far enough!).  She also keeps it fun and gives you someone to talk with while getting in shape!
If you are one to find comfort working out in the privacy of your own home, or actually make time and stick to that routine without the gym –then I don’t understand you, but want to be you.  However Liz has something perfect for you! Head over to her site, you can look into her Virtual Training!
Also while there you can get workouts, healthy recipes and more when they sign up for her weekly newsletter.  Just go here.
Working with Liz was a great experience, and my body (and me) thank her!!
Disclosure: Liz DiAlto provided me with 4 half-hour “Rest Based” workout sessions, in exchange for two posts.  It should also be noted that on my own time I also maintain a yoga exercise program, meanwhile working alongside another trainer in a circuit-based strength program.
Filed Under: BlogBook, diet, review

Dress Fitting Number 2!

February 11, 2011 5 Comments
Dress fitting number 2 snuck up on me! Although I started working out and eating better, I felt truly unready to see my dress again. These feelings were mostly due in part to me over-thinking everything about the wedding.  However upon donning Dylan my spirits rose.  I’m finally getting over that anxiety-filled hump of pessimism, in regards to the wedding. 

The dress is gorgeous.  Not that it wasn’t before, but with the recent touch-ups Dylan is starting to look amazing. Since she lived her previous life as a floor sample, she needed some major love to move forward as my wedding dress. My seamstress did just that, in the form of a needle and thread.  The buttons, one of which was totally missing and the other torn in half, now rest perfectly in a line.  The snag in the fabric once laughing in my face, is now entirely undetectable.  Oh, and the necklace I bought looks phenomenal. 

As far as fitting her to me goes, we are on the right track! The dress being the perfect length means she needs no hemming.  The bust needs to be taken in, err, again.  I loose weight in that area first, unfortunately.  (Someone needs to tell my butt to get on that trend)

For next time: the bow, the slight tear in the train, and the veil (story for another time).

But the best part?
You can see a visible difference in my physique from the first time I tried on the dress to this fitting.
It’s amazing and so fulfilling.
And motivating!

I leave you with a teensie sneak peek of her beauty, my wedding dress:

Filed Under: BlogBook, diet, fitting, update, wedding dress

Working Out with Liz DiAlto!

January 17, 2011 3 Comments

Recently, Liz of Fit, Healthy, And Beautiful contacted me to sponsor my wedding beautification endeavors.  Liz is a Metabolic Effect Certified Instructor and personal trainer.  She trains not only brides, but anyone virtually or in person.  That’s right, I said virtually!  She’s has some awesome telecasts that guide you through effective workouts.
Personally, I’ve learned through experience, that if I’m not guided through a workout (or grad school level class) I will not see results!

But I digress.
Liz’s training philosophy captures the belief that “there is a Superwoman inside all of us.”  She not only trains your body but also your brain, through healthy eating tips and positive thinking.
Plus? She’s a normal person.  She’s down to earth, easy to talk to, and very likable.

I met with Liz for the first time last week.  After a discussion about my goals for my body and nutrition, we headed to the gym for a Rest Based workout.  Yes, REST Based. Sounds awesome, right?

Taken from the Metabolic Effect site, “Rest and exercise are usually thought of as opposites, but they are actually complimentary and dependent upon one another. Just as night can only be defined in the context of day, exercise and rest are similarly connected. Rest is the single biggest determinant of exercise intensity. Without intense workouts, fitness results will be lacking and without rest, intensity will be compromised…Push hard, rest hard and then do it again. That’s how you achieve the Metabolic Effect.”

Basically you workout to the point of resting.  You listen to what your body needs and when it says rest, you talk to Liz about your wedding for a couple minutes, then it’s back to sweating.

We started off the thirty-minute period with jogging in place and jumping-jacks, to get my heart going.  We  moved on to leg work with squats and lunges.  While doing some of these activities I also used 5lb. hand-weights for arm work. 
Liz explained to me that doing these two things at once more effectively tones.  “Engaging more muscles simultaneously obviously burns more calories because it requires more energy.  It also challenges your balance, increases core and overall strength and again, is more efficient.”

In between activities I ran more in place (high-knees) and did more jumping jacks.  I also tried my best at push-ups, even if my knees were on the ground.  I hope to do a “real” push-up soon, but Liz is realistic and allows me to modify.

Towards the end of my 30 minute session was ab-work.  Oh abs, how I would love my tummy to be flatter but I detest working towards it.  Your abs are used with everything, so certainly breathing, standing, and sneezing would be compromised the next day!  While doing sit ups, I again used the 5lb. weights to do arm work.  Talk about hard! Not only did I need to be coordinated, but make my abs lift ten extra pounds!  By this point I was ready for more of that Rest.

We ended with a cool down and great pep talk.  I’m actually excited to go back and do it again this week!

I asked Liz about the thought behind an intense 30 minute workout regiment and the effectiveness. She shared, “Because you’re a busy bride who doesn’t have a ton of weight to lose, just trying to tone and build some strength.  These workouts are designed to boost your metabolism and help you burn fat specifically, rather than just burn calories in general.”

Rock. On!

This workout was something I felt totally capable of doing and good doing so!
Liz got me excited about exercising (I know, right?!) and made it fun, too!
Update after session 4 to come! Stay tuned (and toned!)

“Liz DiAlto is a health and fitness expert currently based out of Washington DC. From personal, virtual and small group training, to Spinning, Zumba and Total Body Bootcamp classes, Liz’s super power is teaching really busy women how to ditch the guilt and start living Fit, Healthy & Beautiful lives. “
You can follow Liz on Twitter and check out her site, Fit, Healthy, and Beautiful for more blog posts & tips!


Disclosure:  I  received four thirty-minute training sessions with Liz to properly review her technique and approach, and become a Fit, Healthy, and (already) Beautiful bride! I received no payment  for this post.

Filed Under: BlogBook, diet, wedding dress

7 Months away!

November 19, 2010 6 Comments

Here’s what we’ve been up to this month:
-Not one, but two catering tastings and a cake tasting!
-a phone planning session with premiere wedding consultant, Steve Kemble (in which I finally pick my color scheme)
-chose a day-of wedding planner
-rented a photo booth as our favors!
-thought we won a photography package, but then lost it — update: the previous photog we were working with before the fail went down, is back in the picture.  We will be paying full price, but love her and her work. Plus? We trust her 110%.

We’re working on:
-choosing a caterer (We set a personal deadline of Thanksgiving)
-bridesmaids dresses (no really, for real this time)
-florist arrangements (meeting on the 29th!)
-our engagement party (a bit delayed, but still a party!)
-joining our finances (we got life insurance, we’re legit)
-my hair and makeup (I have someone’s card – this is a step)
-my figure (keeping the weight off)

We’re kinda-sorta thinking about:
-invitations
-meeting with the rabbi soon

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Filed Under: BlogBook, bridesmaids dresses, cake, caterer, diet, favors, hair, officiant, photography

Winner, Winner & My Chicken Dinner

September 27, 2010 6 Comments

Thanks to everyone who entered the Simple Green and Jammie Girl giveaways!  These were my largest and most successful giveaways, to date! Thanks also for all the birthday love!

Enough exclamation points. Onto the winners:

For the Simple Green giveaway, the winner of 7 bottles of their Simple Green Naturals line is:

Laurie Murley!

For the Jammie Girl Store Pajama giveaway, the winner of a pair of Malabar Bay Jammies in Flamingo White is: 

Joanna of Raising Madison!

Winners have been notified via email and have 48 hours to reply.
Congrats, ladies!

Now the chicken dinner part of the title.
My 29th birthday marked the end of a different era for me – my time as a vegetarian.  I failed as a veggie, but I’m ok with this.

I wanted to eat as a vegetarian because of how I felt during a 2 week detox, 2 years ago. I realized how great your body feels when you eat many vegetables and less meat.  However, my stint as a vegetarian was not quite like my 2 weeks of detox.  Either out of laziness or ease of planning, I ended up eating more cheeses, dairy products, and carbohydrates.  My doctor constantly worried about my sources of protein, iron levels and cholesterol. I constantly pushed him off, telling him I would manage it better, but never did. 

Now as I prepare for the wedding, having gone to a dermatologist to treat my red-blochy skin (lovely, I know), I hear something similar from that doctor and my allergist.  Three doctors are urging me to eat a more well-rounded diet, instead of my carb/cheese and a side of veggie fest.

In fact, my allergist thinks my skin issues are directly related to food intolerance.  I’m back on the meat train.  (Those of you who really know me and my love of chicken wings know I was never really 100% OFF the meat train). 

However my allergist wants to do a true blood test, and so for 2  weeks I am on a hypoallergenic diet.  It’s honestly not going to be that bad (I say this on day one), but the lack of coffee might kill me.

Wish me luck on my rice-based, chicken infused, still complete with veggies and fruit, but lacking tea and coffee madness of a diet.  In two to three weeks I’ll find out if allergies are just as silly as being a vegetarian!

Filed Under: diet, winner

Wedding Plans, thus far!

July 10, 2010 16 Comments

To put things into perspective for myself, and for my new followers who might need some catching up on the plans, here’s what we know so far (with lovely little links to related posts!):

Date: June 19. 2011

Location: The Carnegie Institution

Time: Evening, 5-10:30 (tentative)

Attendants: 4 on each side, with the cutest flower girl ever

Ceremony: Jewish, lead by a Rabbi

Reception entertainment: Time Machine Band (10 piece!)

Color scheme: peacock inspired (deep blues, teal, copper and gold – possibly with purple accents)

My gown: PURCHASED and a SECRET! ha! (still in need of alterations)

We have 11 months to figure out many details, but the latest and greatest on the table are:
-Caterers (we have two lined up for tastings, YUM)
-Bridesmaids dresses (my bestie, Meagan, is coming in town in 3 weeks to shop with us!)
-Photography (a hobby of mine, so I’m super critical about this detail!)
-Honeymoon (thinking Greece? Maybe something on a beach?)
-first dance song (our list is about 8 long, as of now)
-Save the Dates (sending out paper ones)
-finalizing our invitee list

In other news, if any married lady is interested in guest-blogging about their biggest planning ‘snafu’ please email me at:  CrowndVic (at) gmail.com

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Filed Under: attendants, BlogBook, Carnegie Institute, diet, DJ or Band, invites, wedding, wedding dress, wedding ideas

The Wedding Dress Diet

April 17, 2010 Leave a Comment

I’m 5’6.5″ and 140 lb.  There I said it. 

My ideal weight would be 130lb.  Those extra 10 lb exist somewhere between my belly and thighs.  At my last physical, I weighed in around 135ish and my doc suggested I continue physical activity to keep myself “in shape.”  If by physical activity you mean watching DVR’d Glee, Nurse Jackie, and Big Love on the couch, then yes – I did exactly that.
I’m not in any danger zone, by I’d like to tone up.  I mean, I do yoga 2 to 3 times a week.  This is not pansy-om-yoga, but it’s not bikram (hot yoga).  However, I should step it up to 4 times a week if I want to see results, instead of maintaining what I’ve got.  (This might require more DVR exercise, though)
In all honestly,  those extra 10lb exist somewhere been the bottles of beer and dirty martinis, and jelly beans, I can’t deny.  I simply cannot give up jelly beans for a year. 
To cut out all liquor for a year…yeah right.  Let’s get real here.
Instead I started counting calories last week.
There’s a lot of calories in wine and beer.
Bummer.

While picking up the dog’s Claratin at Costco today (yes, our dog takes generic Claratin 2x a day b/c she’s probably allergic to cats or humans but we don’t want to pay $700 to find out, so instead we pay $13 for 300 generic claratin) I strolled pass the weight-loss supplements.  While those would be the easy way out, they did spark my interest.  There’s Alli, which is scary because it causes anal-leakage and seems a bit strong for the results I want (not to mention the price!).  There were other quasi-natural-amphetamine based supplements too, but those are equally scary and come with heart-warnings!  I’m trying to shed a few pounds here, not wear depends or end up addicted.
Then near the energy supplements I found Trim Energy.  Trim Energy is a water soluble, all natural (all vitamin based), energy supplement that also contains metabolism boosting agents through green tea.  There are no artificial ingredients, it’s all natural, and there are no chemicals involved.
I decided to give it a whirl, while still counting calories.

Since today was a day off (DC Emancipation day…don’t ask b/c I have no clue), it seemed like a good test-drive day. 
At 4pm, I emptied a powdery single-serving of Trim Energy into a glass of water.  On first sip it tasted like Kool-Aid.  Mmm, What could be better than loosing weight while reliving my childhood?  Thinking the taste might be decent, I gulped some more, only to realize it tasted like Metallic Crazy-Aid.  I chugged it.  What else was I supposed to do?  I pretended it was a glorious, calorie-free beer.
As an oxy-moronic statement, I met up with teacher-friends for happy hour, 30 min later, only to excuse myself to the restroom every 30 minutes thereafter.  This stuff makes you pee.  I think that’s the weight loss cure there! 
It also makes you somewhat jittery.
And then cranky.
And if you have a beer or three with it (along with dinner, of course), who the hell knows what your body is doing.

So thanks Trim Energy, that was enough of a trial run for me. 
I bounced all over the place,  said some stupid stuff (which could be beer related, I’ll admit), and then almost fell asleep writing this post.  (but only almost)
I’m signing up for a personal trainer over the summer.  Certainly, I don’t need some false high from Metallic Crazy Aid, just some firmer abs, and maybe a beer when I feel like it.

*Note, it’s 11pm on a Friday and I’d actually love to fall asleep because of the roller coaster ride Trim Energy took me on, however I’m JOLTED awake, writing this.  Trim Energy, you’re too much ‘energy’ and not enough ‘trim’.

Filed Under: BlogBook, diet

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