Yesterday I headed out to Hermosa Beach with a bunch of my fiance's loud guy friends to celebrate some birthdays at Hennessey's and the Underground.
There were a couple of things I noticed as I was looking around this group of guys I've known for a few years now. First, they've all gotten better looking with age, whereas I have not. But the only reason I haven't gotten better looking is because of my weight gain. You know, I'd really like to be that girl that looks totally out of their league. The girl I was when we all first met.
Second, most of the women who party late into a Thursday night are hot little young things with who pretty hot bodies. Actually, scratch that, hot little things who don't necessarily need to be young. Maybe it's less women who party on Thursday nights and more just women who take care of themselves near the beach. I want to be one of the hottest women on the trip next time.
I guess it's natural to want to go back but I don't want to be one of those women who hangs onto the idea of her younger days and doesn't take the steps to be the best she can be today.
There was an article in some magazine I read years ago where women in their 40s felt they were more beautiful in their 40s than any other time in their lives. The pictures they shared actually proved they were looking their best. It was inspiring.
So here's to making 27 the fittest age of my life to date.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
California is the Key
Being from southern California means more than living in sunshine, traipsing around with the stars, and having plastic surgery to augment those parts that seem less than perfect. No no, with great weather comes great responsibility. Like gym memberships and water bottles.
It occurs to me that I've been blogging for over 6 years, longer if you count the Asian Avenue days. When I started, it was refreshing. I mean, I had been journaling since I realized that there were thoughts and memories that could/should only be kept for myself. A public journal was like a Post Secret release on a daily basis. Inevitably though, nothing stays private and someone finds you and your innermost thoughts, that you meant to only share with perfect strangers over the internet, are stumbled upon by someone you know. Sometimes blogging becomes a show. It's written with the intent of entertainment instead of personal growth and reflection.
I bring this thought up because though I think the description of California written above is humorous, it's not what I really think. However, I am fully aware that other people, outside of the state, may see it that way. And why not? Despite the fact that I know better because I live here, I see it that way at moments too.
I mean, as a California resident I feel the need to adhere and surpass the physical expectations that the media puts forth. Being an empowered woman makes me feel the same way. Everyday when faced with someone with a better body than mine, whether in person or in the media, I think "I can do anything anyone else can do, so why don't I have that body?"
Thinking that way is both good and bad. I don't think anyone would disagree that believing you can do anything is a great characteristic, but the reality is that when you're striving for it and sometimes failing, it can be pretty defeating. Jessica Alba's body is a great goal, but really, I think she might be genetically engineered to look that good.
So how do people stop themselves from being defeated by falling short of their goals? Obviously there should be a healthy level of self disappointment when you fail to reach a personal goal (regardless of what those hippies teaching unjustifiable self esteem in elementary schools will tell you.) But how do you get disciplined and stay disciplined your whole life despite the occasional crushing setback?
I suppose my first step is to stop calling them crushing.
It occurs to me that I've been blogging for over 6 years, longer if you count the Asian Avenue days. When I started, it was refreshing. I mean, I had been journaling since I realized that there were thoughts and memories that could/should only be kept for myself. A public journal was like a Post Secret release on a daily basis. Inevitably though, nothing stays private and someone finds you and your innermost thoughts, that you meant to only share with perfect strangers over the internet, are stumbled upon by someone you know. Sometimes blogging becomes a show. It's written with the intent of entertainment instead of personal growth and reflection.
I bring this thought up because though I think the description of California written above is humorous, it's not what I really think. However, I am fully aware that other people, outside of the state, may see it that way. And why not? Despite the fact that I know better because I live here, I see it that way at moments too.
I mean, as a California resident I feel the need to adhere and surpass the physical expectations that the media puts forth. Being an empowered woman makes me feel the same way. Everyday when faced with someone with a better body than mine, whether in person or in the media, I think "I can do anything anyone else can do, so why don't I have that body?"
Thinking that way is both good and bad. I don't think anyone would disagree that believing you can do anything is a great characteristic, but the reality is that when you're striving for it and sometimes failing, it can be pretty defeating. Jessica Alba's body is a great goal, but really, I think she might be genetically engineered to look that good.
So how do people stop themselves from being defeated by falling short of their goals? Obviously there should be a healthy level of self disappointment when you fail to reach a personal goal (regardless of what those hippies teaching unjustifiable self esteem in elementary schools will tell you.) But how do you get disciplined and stay disciplined your whole life despite the occasional crushing setback?
I suppose my first step is to stop calling them crushing.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Alcohol, My Weakness No More
At my most fit I had given up alcohol. I also crawled under a rock and refused to leave my apartment for anything but work, the gym or a run in the park. It's a lot harder to live that lifestyle now. As my life and my friend's lives evolve from post college grads to dream achievers I have engagement parties and weddings, nights at the club to support blossoming DJ careers, Lakers games at the bar and liquor filled dinner parties on to attend.
My problem is that alcohol not only lowers my social inhibitions, it lowers my food inhibitions. Sure, on a normal day my self control can hold me back from that pastrami sandwich that beckons from the Hat but put a few vodka club sodas or gin & tonics in me and I'll eat anything that sounds remotely bad for me.
I feel that maintaining a healthy lifestyle has a lot to do with planning and control. In a sense, alcohol is the anti thesis of a healthy lifestyle, not counting the single glass of red wine that is supposed to be good for your heart.
Last night the fiance and I headed over to Joe's Sushi, one of my favorite sushi places. Not because of any exotic rolls or anything, in fact I dislike all that new fangled ginormous rolls they try to pawn off as sushi these days. Give me some salmon and uni sushi and a spicy tuna hand roll and I'm a happy girl. Anyway, Joe's is spectacular at the basics and for $24 the sushi chef in front of you will basically make you whatever you want, however much you want. Sure, some people would call that "all you can eat sushi," but that phrase brings to mind places like Todai and Hokkaido who have no business calling their rotten fish sushi in the first place.
That will be my last big meal for the next month. I'm attempting to shrink my stomach will 5-6 small meals consisting of no more than 200 calories at a time so that I can rev my metabolism all day. I actually only had an apple and one hard boiled egg all day in anticipation of the sushi gluttony at Joe's.
Here's my meal's damage:
2 pieces of salmon sushi - 120 calories
6 kumamoto oysters topped with roe - 57 calories
4 pieces of uni - 220 calories
1 alaska dynamite - 200 calories
4 pieces of a Philadelphia roll - 160 calories
4 pieces of a rainbow roll filled with spicy tuna - 210 calories
1 piece of unagi - 80 calories
2 side salads - 100 calories
1/3 a bottle of Kirin - 160 calories
Total last night of gluttony: 1307 calories
Looking back, the next time I go to have sushi I'm going to have a salad, 6 oysters and split a roll of spicy tuna with my honey. That'll put me at around 250 instead of that massive number. Portion control!
After the sushi we headed over to the bar to catch up with our newest couple friends K & K who were having dinner at a local pub. I have to pat myself on the back, despite the fact that the drinks were only $2.75 each, I only had a club soda on the rocks ;)
And the Lakers beat the Supersonics. Today was a good day.
My problem is that alcohol not only lowers my social inhibitions, it lowers my food inhibitions. Sure, on a normal day my self control can hold me back from that pastrami sandwich that beckons from the Hat but put a few vodka club sodas or gin & tonics in me and I'll eat anything that sounds remotely bad for me.
I feel that maintaining a healthy lifestyle has a lot to do with planning and control. In a sense, alcohol is the anti thesis of a healthy lifestyle, not counting the single glass of red wine that is supposed to be good for your heart.
Last night the fiance and I headed over to Joe's Sushi, one of my favorite sushi places. Not because of any exotic rolls or anything, in fact I dislike all that new fangled ginormous rolls they try to pawn off as sushi these days. Give me some salmon and uni sushi and a spicy tuna hand roll and I'm a happy girl. Anyway, Joe's is spectacular at the basics and for $24 the sushi chef in front of you will basically make you whatever you want, however much you want. Sure, some people would call that "all you can eat sushi," but that phrase brings to mind places like Todai and Hokkaido who have no business calling their rotten fish sushi in the first place.
That will be my last big meal for the next month. I'm attempting to shrink my stomach will 5-6 small meals consisting of no more than 200 calories at a time so that I can rev my metabolism all day. I actually only had an apple and one hard boiled egg all day in anticipation of the sushi gluttony at Joe's.
Here's my meal's damage:
2 pieces of salmon sushi - 120 calories
6 kumamoto oysters topped with roe - 57 calories
4 pieces of uni - 220 calories
1 alaska dynamite - 200 calories
4 pieces of a Philadelphia roll - 160 calories
4 pieces of a rainbow roll filled with spicy tuna - 210 calories
1 piece of unagi - 80 calories
2 side salads - 100 calories
1/3 a bottle of Kirin - 160 calories
Total last night of gluttony: 1307 calories
Looking back, the next time I go to have sushi I'm going to have a salad, 6 oysters and split a roll of spicy tuna with my honey. That'll put me at around 250 instead of that massive number. Portion control!
After the sushi we headed over to the bar to catch up with our newest couple friends K & K who were having dinner at a local pub. I have to pat myself on the back, despite the fact that the drinks were only $2.75 each, I only had a club soda on the rocks ;)
And the Lakers beat the Supersonics. Today was a good day.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
The Yo Yo Diet
Losing weight seems like an easy enough task. Burn off 3500 calories and you lose a pound. The best way to intake calories is with high fiber, high nutrient or high protein sources that are low sugar and low fat. So why have I been up and down in my weight since I was 10?
After 27 years of life, which is obviously un peu overstatement since I can only remember the last 22 years of my life honestly, I've finally figured out my weight loss and weight gain cycles.
I'm a happy eater. Typically when I'm settled into a happy long term relationship I enjoy lavish meals out, cook delicious extravagant meals and post coital snacks. I think something about being in a relationship makes me stop depending on myself for healthy food choices and I start eating like a man, specifically the man that I'm dating, who is typically at least 6" taller than my 5'2" asian frame.
When I'm single I try to look my best. I don't know if it's all the free time on my hands, the ability to be selfish with my time or just the knowledge that in order for me to date the men I'm interested in I have to get to the peak of hotness, but when I'm single I can commit to waking up at 6am to go running, working out for 3 hours straight, eating a healthy vegetarian diet, etc.
Now, don't get me wrong, I don't blame my current beau or my relationships for my change in attitude. I blame my complete lack of discipline and my gluttonous ways. I just don't know why they surface.
So what's with today's introspection? I'm engaged and I don't want to be little ms. muffintop for the rest of my life. I want to be the best woman I can be which includes the hottie within coming out permanently.
Today I commit to the first day of the rest of my life. The first step in the journey of a million miles to be who I want to be by the end of my life.
After 27 years of life, which is obviously un peu overstatement since I can only remember the last 22 years of my life honestly, I've finally figured out my weight loss and weight gain cycles.
I'm a happy eater. Typically when I'm settled into a happy long term relationship I enjoy lavish meals out, cook delicious extravagant meals and post coital snacks. I think something about being in a relationship makes me stop depending on myself for healthy food choices and I start eating like a man, specifically the man that I'm dating, who is typically at least 6" taller than my 5'2" asian frame.
When I'm single I try to look my best. I don't know if it's all the free time on my hands, the ability to be selfish with my time or just the knowledge that in order for me to date the men I'm interested in I have to get to the peak of hotness, but when I'm single I can commit to waking up at 6am to go running, working out for 3 hours straight, eating a healthy vegetarian diet, etc.
Now, don't get me wrong, I don't blame my current beau or my relationships for my change in attitude. I blame my complete lack of discipline and my gluttonous ways. I just don't know why they surface.
So what's with today's introspection? I'm engaged and I don't want to be little ms. muffintop for the rest of my life. I want to be the best woman I can be which includes the hottie within coming out permanently.
Today I commit to the first day of the rest of my life. The first step in the journey of a million miles to be who I want to be by the end of my life.
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