Week 10: Rachel meets Tanya—and gets motivated
Today at the Skinny in the City office, Tanya Zuckerbrot told a me story about hiking in Aspen. At first I was like oh, no, here we go with the mountain/weight loss metaphor, I think I'll just zone out and look at her pretty outfit. But then it actually got good.
"Rachel," Tanya said, "It was insane. The other girls in my group were turning around because it was so hard. You could barely breathe. But I was determined to get to the top of that mountain."
I imagined Tanya trekking in six inch heels, barely breaking a sweat. Because women who look like her don't sweat -- they get a little flushed.
"I walked very slowly and I kept taking little breaks," she said, panting for emphasis. "But eventually I got there."
Now here is where the story took a turn: "The problem with hiking is that there aren't always good views on the way up, so you get discouraged," she said.
"Yes," I murmured, thinking about how hours earlier I'd stood in front of the mirror, wanting to see bigger results. How 45 pounds seemed so far away.
"I never once regretted how hard I worked to get to the top," she said. "You know?"
I've never once regretted not digging into those cupcakes at work, even though at the time I wanted one so badly I could barely concentrate. I've never once regretted pushing myself to the point of nearly puking while working out with my trainers Jaime Marizan, Delon Nelson, and Ash Roeca at D&I Fitness. I've always come out feeling stronger.
WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK:
You should order appetizers! My dietitian Rebecca Baer recommends ordering an appetizer at dinner to prevent dipping into the bread basket. Here are her suggestions: mixed greens or tricolor salad (dressings on the side); broth-based soup like minestrone; shrimp cocktail; tuna tartar/carpaccio; sauteed/grilled calamari.
Egg Whites are a much better option than whole eggs: 2 whole eggs = 156 calories, 10g fat, 6g protein vs. 8 egg whites = 136 calories and 0g fat, 29g protein
My all-time favorite F-Factor Recipe: Southwest Turkey Meatballs. Check it out here!
"What you need to do," Tanya said, as my dietitian Rebecca Baer walked into the waiting room to retrieve me, "is appreciate the little things you see along the way. The trees and stuff. You know? Don't worry about the end result."
It was exactly what I needed to hear.
Tonight I made a list of my trees: the jeans that I couldn't zip in June which are now loose. Being able to shop in my favorite stores again. Seeing a 26-pound-weight loss on the scale.
And for the first time, in so long, a feeling of self-worth.
-Rachel
Rachel’s Week 9 Stats:
What motivates you? Share with us!
Today at the Skinny in the City office, Tanya Zuckerbrot told a me story about hiking in Aspen. At first I was like oh, no, here we go with the mountain/weight loss metaphor, I think I'll just zone out and look at her pretty outfit. But then it actually got good.
J is nothing like any guy I have ever dated. He uses the stove. And on our seventh date when we hiked to the top of Bear Mountain, he wore climbing shorts over long underwear. Everyone else was in jeans. J doesn't care that I talk to my mother 10 times a day or that first thing in the morning I look like I'm coming off a drug bender. When we do stuff in the kitchen, I never have to ask him to help with the clean up. He just does. And J doesn't mind when I get mad over little things and sniff, “Maybe we’re just not right for each other!” He rolls his eyes, pats my hand and says, "OK, Rachel." He doesn't take the bait.
I'm down 20 pounds! I lost weight while I was in Israel on vacation! Here’s how.......
Confession: I can't bring myself to walk around naked in front of my boyfriend. Nearly a year into our relationship, I have not once shed the shower towel....
This summer I am watching Huge on ABC Family. It's set around a weight-loss camp and features actors with real weight problems — no fats suits à la Gwyneth Paltrow. Having been heavy my whole life, I relate to this show like no other.
14 pounds — in ONE month! Everybody keeps asking, “You must be cooking a lot, right?” And the answer is no! I live in New York City. My kitchen is the size of a belly button. I work crazy hours at a weekly celebrity magazine, and when I get home, the last thing I want to do is whip up a meal.
Last weekend I rented a beach house in Fire Island with a lot of friends. What I was worried about was the bathroom situation. I wasn’t worried about going off my diet.
It's working! I am down TEN pounds & I'm back in my favorite green dress! My bra isn't digging into my shoulders anymore. My face is thinning out. A stranger complimented me on my skin, which has never happened. Ever! I don't dread getting dressed in the morning like I did a few weeks ago.
I used to eat like a 10-year-old boy. That’s what my best friend Bienstock told me today. "You snacked on crap all day," Bienstock said. "And you never exercised."
Before F-Factor I was the queen of excuses. “Can’t go to the gym today, it’s raining.” “Why start a diet when I have a wedding next weekend?” “I’m not getting fatter, sizes are just getting smaller.” “What’s the point of losing weight when I always just gain it right back?”
Rachel's Tweets: @ssmrachel
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