Question

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-13-2005
Question
26
Wed, 01-11-2006 - 1:58pm

(sorry I couldn't think of a better title)

These girls we see on TV and/or movies... Jennifer Anistons, Jessica Simpsons, etc. etc. - they are skinny... and they claim to have their regimens for staying that way... Yoga, Pilates, working out with a trainer... and I see pictures of them at the cafe eating a salad... the same kind of things NORMAL girls do to try to keep a slim, sexy figure.

Now here's my question: do these people (maybe you are one of them) not crave Steak and Shake hamburgers and yummy french fries... what about blizzards from Dairy Queen? Do the candy bars in the grocery check out aisle not call their name? To have a slim, nice figure... do you have to start eating ONLY those things like salads and primarily HEALTHY stuff!? I guess if it tastes really good to you and you like it - it's not a problem... and I'm sure having a blizzard here and there - once a month or something is okay when you are eating healthy the rest of the time...

I guess my thing is... I find myself wanting something sweet (bad for me) all the time... a cookie after my subway lunch... dessert after my dinner at Outback Steakhouse... it's so convenient to pick up a candy bar as I'm headed out of the store. But I"m starting to realize... not everyone eats like this... I call it "eating like an adult" when you don't do the things I've found habit. Eating the salads and not giving in to the candy bar craving... but then I look at these skinny minnies on TV and think... so they really don't/can't just pick up a candy bar when they are headed out of the grocery store... bummer!

I don't know my point of this post... just trying to wrap my brain around the realization that I guess you can't have both... enjoy eating the crap I eat and look good... it's one or the other!

Hmmm... gotta figure that out for myself I guess!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2005
In reply to: sortaconfused
Thu, 01-12-2006 - 2:14pm

This is the same struggle so many people have, including me. What helped me was not necessarily changing what i ate but the quailty of it. So not looking at it like deprivation but a step up. Instead of a candy bar i went to Godiva and got a really good piece of choclate.I added a vegatable to every meal...Breakfast( spiniach omelet) lunch and dinner. I got fresh baked bread from Panera instead of the store..amazingly it cost about the same for cheap bread as it does for bakery bread...crazy
I also highly recommend a food diary. Until you know what you eat( who the offenders are) you cant go after them. I have never been a great snacker, my first time at a fast food place was when i was 17. But i just didnt make good food choices...As far as the soda and sweet thing..I would you suggest you cut back one a day for a week. Then 2 a day for a week and so on. That way its easier and your body gets gradually used to less. Thats how i got off my 4 mountain dews a day...

I know it seems like a lot but start off with the diary first and it will work. BTW those girls make me wanna pop them they have genetics on their side!!!!!!!hahahah ;o)

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
In reply to: sortaconfused
Thu, 01-12-2006 - 3:38pm

>>So not looking at it like deprivation but a step up. Instead of a candy bar i went to Godiva and got a really good piece of choclate.<<

Great tip! (Dark chocolate is good for your heart, by the way. So is red wine).
If you get something really high quality and then take the time to enjoy it and savor it, you can be satisfied without going overboard.

Oh, and those of us who have genetics on our side (sorry!) as far as weight goes usually have had other struggles with our bodies. I battled acne for years, and still have to deal with sensitive, splotchy skin. :) Very few of us get those perfect supermodel/actress genes (and even *they* have all the benefits of airbrushing, professional trainers, personal make-up artists and hairstylists on a daily basis).

AJ, enjoying life with C.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2005
In reply to: sortaconfused
Thu, 01-12-2006 - 4:05pm
I have genetics on my side to. I weigh 194 but i look 130 and 5'8 Its all in the distribution.....( me slapping myself hahaha
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
In reply to: sortaconfused
Thu, 01-12-2006 - 6:00pm
I bet you're curvy, too, like Marilyn Monroe. I look like a boy. ;-)

AJ, enjoying life with C.

Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: sortaconfused
Thu, 01-12-2006 - 7:09pm

Yeah- if you're eating 2300 calories a day, you're gonna have trouble.

Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: sortaconfused
Thu, 01-12-2006 - 7:14pm

The fastest I've ever lost weight was when I was dancing in high school.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2005
In reply to: sortaconfused
Fri, 01-13-2006 - 12:06am
Try one of those ski things at the gym. I don't know what they're called but they have the arms and legs moving at once. I love them! I usually have pretty bad endurance when it comes to running outside or on a treadmill, but on these I seem to go be able to go forever (except the very first time I didn't last too long). Today I burned 450 calories in 40 min. This particular machine asked me to enter my weight so I'm sure it's pretty close to what I actually burned. If you just do that 3-4 times a week, that is at least ~ 1/2 lb. per week!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2005
In reply to: sortaconfused
Fri, 01-13-2006 - 8:19am
Only if the rolls i hide under my clothes count!!!!!(hysterical laughter) And i doubt you look like a boy
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2005
In reply to: sortaconfused
Fri, 01-13-2006 - 9:47am
Sometimes I don't know if that "high" is even enough motivation. I am familiar with the "high" but only during and after a run. And, it's not predictable either. It comes and goes as it pleases and sometimes, I don't see or hear from it for weeks at a time. It's like that really flaky friend that you keep around because when they're great, they're SO great!
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
In reply to: sortaconfused
Fri, 01-13-2006 - 10:42am

I think we're all beautiful in our own ways. Hollywood has put too much pressure on us to look like some current acceptable trend - currently Angelina or Eva or whoever

I love that we all look different, and I embrace my boyish figure. LOL. :)

AJ, enjoying life with C.