Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 41: Just a Box of Raisins for Dinner
I admit it. My life is not exactly made to order for conventional dieting programs. In any given week I end up going to a couple potential diet-busting events that could make my Friday morning Serious Eats weigh-in problematic. So I've adopted some strategies and tactics that may sound nutty but have been surprisingly effective.
For example, I weigh myself every day, which Weight Watchers frowns on as regular practice. I know my weight can fluctuate two and even three pounds depending on how much water I am retaining, even without going to one of these food events. But by getting on the scale every day, I get some sense of how I have fared each day and can adjust accordingly. If daily weigh-ins worked for Muhammad Ali when he was in training for a fight they can work for me as well. I'd love to be able to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. Wouldn't you?
There were two events this week that could have been disastrous. And to make matters worse, the most difficult event to navigate took place yesterday, Thursday, a mere 18 hours before my public weigh-in.
This week's first trial was a luncheon to celebrate the publication of legendary French chef Joël Robuchon's new book, The Complete Robuchon. He was actually cooking at his restaurant in New York (L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon at the Four Seasons) which is quite unusual for Robuchon, who is more business person than chef these days. But the portions in a five-course tasting menu were quite small, and I left after the fourth course, so my weigh-in on Thursday had me up a pound for the week.
Thursday's hurdle was much more difficult. I went to the friends and family tasting at David Chang's new bakery, the Milk Bar. I won't go into the gory details, but suffice to say that butter, fat, pork, sugar, and flour played meaningful, substantial roles in just about every dish. Soft ice cream, breakfast sandwiches, pies, cookies, and cakes abounded. We sampled a dozen items for our post this morning. I thought I was reasonably successful at limiting myself to a bite or three, but in those situations, you never know.
We went to the tasting a little after 2 p.m. and got back at 4 p.m. Since it was Thursday, I vowed to eat very little for the rest of the day in anticipation of my Friday weigh-in. I kept my vow. All I had for dinner was a box of raisins.
Now I know a box of raisins is not anyone's idea of a balanced and healthy meal. Yet for me, it made perfect sense. It's one meal, I had eaten enough food yesterday overall, and today I can eat healthily and reasonably once again.
It may sound crazy to everybody else, but it works for me. I'm losing weight without losing my mind. Let's see if my raisin dinner did the trick for me this week.
The Weigh-In
Here we go: 238. Down a pound for the week and two pounds from my Thursday a.m. weigh-in. Yes, indeed, I'm floatin' like a butterfly and stingin' like a bee.
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6 Comments:
Bravo! I'm a big advocate of the idea that what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for others, so I don't think your method is weird at all. Everybody has different hurdles and circumstances to which they have to adjust. I think it's great that you've found what works for you. That's half the battle.
holdthemayo at 9:14AM on 11/14/08
I agree with the comment above, each person is different and so many nutritionists and diets try to make all people fit into the same box. I am totally one who weighs myself when I think I am having a good day...your diligence is commendable....Keep it up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I truly believe one can enjoy great food and still lose weight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jbout at 9:30AM on 11/14/08
I agree with the weighing every day. I lost about 20lbs last year and have kept it off by weighing myself each day. By weighing myself each day I find motivation to work out if I see I’m 3lbs over my usual weight. Yes, this could mean water retention however I then switch to healthy eating mode, do some cardio and hit the weights. I never understood the “Don’t weigh yourself EVERYDAY!!”.
davey at 10:00AM on 11/14/08
Hooray! At this rate, you'll weigh less than I do by the end of the year (and I'm a 5'-6" lady!). I hope no one gives you flak for your raisin dinner; there are worse things to eat, and it's not like you were deprived that day. ;) LUCKY!!!
OneWallKitchen at 10:23AM on 11/14/08
I've lost 46 lbs over the last year and if there's one lesson I've learned, it's to do what works for me. I weigh myself once a week, but only because that's what I'm comfortable with not because anyone says that's the way you have to do it. I haven't banned butter or cheese or chocolate or dessert - I've just learned how to eat less in general. Facing this as some kind of experiment in deprivation would never have worked for me. Looking at it as a way to try new foods (more whole grains, creative ways of preparing vegetables, exploring vegetarian food) was the key for me. That doesn't mean that my approach would work for anyone else - there is no "one size fits all" approach to weight loss.
kimz0519 at 10:46AM on 11/14/08
nice work! loved your food diary this week at nymag as well...it's awesome eating vicariously through you.
sarahlucy at 10:51AM on 11/14/08