The most shocking moment of my visit to the gyno yesterday was when I stepped on the scale and a never-before-seen three digit number flashed back at me. I leapt off like I had just stepped in fire. My whole body burned with disbelief as the realization that I am the heaviest I've ever been slowly percolated and set in. I'm even heavier than freshmen year in high school when afternoon snacks consisted of El Pollo Loco BRC burritos chased with Foster Freeze dipped cones.
Instinctively I went into denial. Is the scale broken? Perhaps my Hanes sweatpants weigh ten pounds Maybe it all went to my boobs and ass? How did this happen? I've been exercising regularly without deviating from my normal food habits. Did I have a thyroid issue? Are birth control pills to blame? Is this just what happens with age? And then, the last few months flashed back as I realized I haven't been eating normal at all. With all the traveling, business lunches, dinners, and eating out almost every single meal, I'd let myself go. Literally. Carbs have always my best friend/worst enemy. There's no carb I don't love, the puffier the better, and they all seem to puff me up. Yet I've been reaching for the restaurant bread bowls almost every single time. And what's even more irresistible? Sweets! And when you're always eating out, dessert always creeps its way into the equation.
I'm hitting the road again in a few weeks so until then I'm going to amp up my workouts and tone down the calories. It's nothing drastic, just a 1200 calories a day intake focusing on fresh produce, soy-based protein, and replacing dessert with other indulgences like chocolate flavored tea, fresh fruit, and Skinny Cow treats. In an effort to bring some closure and to say goodbye to my eating indiscretions, here's a trip down my food memory lane.
The carbs display at Stir Market. Their bread pudding is so so good!
Buttery salmon at Fig & Olive. Although fish is a healthy protein, I had this as part of a three-course weekday lunch.
Spending a lot of time at coffee shops means sometimes giving in to sweet carby treats.
When an Oscars viewing party has a ginormous seafood tower, resistance is quite futile.
Unless you're deathly lactose intolerant, there's no way to intolerate cheeseboards.
The fish and chips at The Albright on the Santa Monica Pier is one of the best I've ever had. The batter was crunchy, bubbly, golden, and light.
The comfort food at BDK Restaurant + Bar in San Francisco was so on point. The fried chicken complimented with corn souffle was absolutely perfect and how did they know fries smothered in gravy is my number one weakness? #PoutinePower
The bacom jam from BDK was the perfect mix of sweet meets savory. I double, triple, quadruple dipped my bread into that bowl of melted cheese, bacon, fig, and tomato sauce.
Okay, this looks relatively healthy! Even so, it's all about exercising self-control and portion control. Because even with fruit, the calories and sugar will start to stack up if you don't set boundaries.
It was my friend's baby shower and she had a rosebud cake! Who can say no?
When you're at one of the best ice creams shop in the country, you get a double scoop. I'm sure that's a rule.
Another baby shower, another rosebud cake and I'd already set a precedent so....
S'more dip! I took a picture already! I can't just put snap and put it back!
Shaved ice is essentially frozen water.
And I guess the alcohol needs to go as well. #buzzkill.
