My five favorite ways to save calories

I don't believe in dieting or depriving. But I do believe in alterations and tailoring for both my clothes and my meals. I eat what I love and shave calories when and where I can. Here are my favorite ways.

Eat your sandwich open faced. You won't miss that other piece of bread. I promise you. And this is coming from a carboholic! If you're eating a bagel, either scoop out the insides or only eat half. I love the spongy texture of bagels, so I usually prefer to eat half. Also - order your sushi with less rice, or peel some off, like I do.

Order a short at Starbucks. It's not on the menu, and the prices aren't listed, but they will make any hot drink short (8oz) for you. A short cinnamon dolce latte with nonfat milk and no whip is 100 calories. A pumpkin spice latte with nonfat milk and no whip is 130 calories. It's hot; sip it slowly. I'd rather have the full flavor in a smaller package then a venti yada yada with sugar free wah wah, but that's just me.

Cool down your cocktail intake. This is everyone's least favorite, but it's how I live my life now. I drink a whole lot less than I used to, but I still have a good time. When I do drink, I usually have wine or Patron on the rocks with a splash of lime juice, depending on my night. But no more polishing off half a bottle of Cupcake every Thursday night 'just because'. I'd rather be thin than drunk.

Spend wisely. Bethenny always says that your diet is a bank account so make good investments. Think of all of the money you spend on your well-being (food, exercise, doctors, fitness magazine, Lululemon) as health dollars. Are you spending them wisely? I'd rather eat less meals out during the week so that I can move those dollars to my Soul Cycle account, which brings me to my last point...

Find a workout you love. For me, it's Soul Cycle. Nothing else makes me feel as good, as capable, or as energized. Last November, I wouldn't have even considered going and now I can't imagine it not being a part of my weekly routine. (I went to a 7:00 AM class this morning and kicked ass. What a difference a year makes!)

BONUS: My favorite way to LOOK like you saved calories... an airbrush tan! If someone gave me $200 to spend on a new dress or a tan membership, I'd pick the tan every time. It makes me feel good and look better in any dress I already own!

More motivation

Added a few more songs to my workout playlist...

Back in the New York Groove - KISS One of my favorite songs about New York and one of my favorite songs to dance to.
Super Bass - Nicki Manaj I discovered her when she was on SNL with Jesse Eisenberg. I think she's crazy and so cute. Very fun beat.
Power - Kanye West This is the song from the Social Network trailer. Anything that reminds me of Jesse Eisenberg is a good thing. This song is great for when you want to pick up the pace.
'Til the World Ends - Britney Spears Why not?

Also, started another food diary. I bought a smaller notebook so I can carry it around with me.

I have to fit into a teeny tiny bridesmaid dress in two months. Motivation is key.

Falling off the bandwagon and getting back on

I've gotten a few requests/reminders to update this baby, so here goes...

I fell off the bandwagon.

Let's rewind.

I was in a great routine. Going to yoga twice a week, eating most of my meals at home - whole wheat English muffin with nut butter+granola and fresh fruit for breakfast everyday, bun-less veggie burger with side salad for lunch everyday. I was no longer mindlessly eating. Sleeping a lot. Drinking a little.

I came scarily close to my goal weight. I did a complete wardrobe overhaul, getting rid of most everything I own and buying lots f replacements. I skipped around Amagansett in a bikini. I never felt better.

Then I came home from the Hamptons, and everything changed.

My schedule changed. I was no longer able to attend the same yoga classes and I was no longer able to eat most of my meals at home.

I tried to eat mindfully, but I felt in less control. I moved. I joined the gym and got back on the elliptical. I found yoga classes that work with my new schedule and continue to go twice a week. I got in the mindset that because I was working out more, I could eat more.

Wrong.

Last week, I realized something felt off. I weighed myself and was disappointed, but not surprised, to see that I'd gained 3 pounds. I could tell by looking in the mirror. When you get to be a certain size, a few pounds make all the difference in the world. PLUS, I have a very short torso, and when I gain weight it goes straight to my love handles, which makes for some strange, boxy proportions.

I don't know if I'll ever meet my goal weight - I don't even know if it's completely realistic for me - but I do know I should weigh less than I do right now.

I decided I need to get my ass back into gear. But just working out and eating a little less didn't feel like enough. I needed a kick-start.

So today, I did a vinyasa yoga class in the morning and a Soul Cycle class (my very first) in the evening. I think I've sweated more today than any other day in my entire life.

And it feels damn good.

So I want to know - what do you do to stay motivated? Here's what I do:

I write down my exercise plan on my calendar and circle the days I workout. If I work out twice in one day, like today, I get two circles.

My motivation to go to yoga is twofold: one - I'm incredibly high-strung and it forces me to relax; and two - often times, towards the end of class, we're taught a new pose. I love challenges and learning new things.

My motivation to go to the gym (elliptical) is that I get to listen to my iPod. I no longer allow myself to listen to it outside of the gym.

My motivation to do other activities, like tonight at Soul Cycle, is that I get to see friends. That class was incredibly challenging for me - I haven't spun in years. But I got to spend a little time with two of my favorite girls, so that - along with the invigorating feeling during and after the workout - made it completely worth it.

I want to hear what keeps you going.

Riddle me this.

I worked out 6 times last week, and I think I GAINED weight. WAH!

Workout playlist

A few days ago on Twitter, I asked for workout playlist suggestions. I got a few requests to post mine once I'd compiled it. While still a work in progress, here's what I have so far:

1. S&M - Rihanna The perfect kickoff to my workout. I am obsessed with this song.
2. All I Do Is Win - DJ Khaled Reminded me of the Heat in the best of times...
3. Give Me Everything - Pitbull Strangely romantic with a great beat.
4. Blow - Ke$ha Not particularly a fan of hers, but I am a big fan of this song.
5. Dirty Dancer - Enrique Iglesias, Usher & Lil Wayne Makes me think of Miami.
6. Born This Way - Lady GaGa This is a great motivator to keep going. I cannot walk away from this song.
7. California Girls - Katy Perry Bubble gum pop.
8. Disturbia - Rihanna I remember being SO excited when this came on at Dorrian's like three summers ago. It's a few years old but I still love it.
9. The Time (Dirty Bit) - The Black Eyed Peas Love the original from Dirty Dancing... Love the Glee version even more! Fun way to workout to a classic.
10. More - Usher Another great beat.
11. 99 Problems - Jay Z Classic!!!
12. Do It - Nelly Furtado Has a nice 80s sound to it.
13. Only Girl (In The World) - Rihanna The lyrics motivate my single ass into gear.
14. Gimme More - Britney Spears Oldie but goodie. Such a sexy song. I remember kissing a guy in the DJ booth so he'd play this song for me when I first moved to New York.
15. Stronger - Kanye West It's only fitting.

Any suggestions? Leave 'em here!

Nursing my emotional self back to health

The past few months have been all about taking care of myself physically. Eating well, sleeping a lot, and exercising when I can. I got so wrapped up in all of it that I sort of forgot about my emotional help. Until she started calling out (and eventually, begging) for attention.

This blog started out as a platform to document my efforts to achieve a healthy lifestyle. I've made strives - leaps and bounds - and I feel so good about that. Now, it's all about finding the balance.

I'm realizing a lot of things. I'm not perfect, I will screw up, and I will piss people off. I'm realizing that no matter what I do, I will always offend someone, just by living my life the way I do. And I'm realizing that I need to focus on the fact that the good in my life far outweighs the bad. And when I do focus on the bad, my main concern should be about how to make it better. Or at least bearable.

It's a journey... not a destination.

Old habits die hard

Sorry I haven't been updating as much lately. I've had a lot going on, but health is still a big part of my life and I've been doing a pretty good job of keeping up with my new lifestyle.

Until yesterday.

The day started off well enough. I took an 8:30 yoga class that was both challenging and enjoyable. (It was tough on me physically because I took a Flybarre class the day before and my body was beat up. Still is a bit.) Afterward, I had egg whites scrambled with cheese and a banana. I did notice throughout the day that I was mindlessly snacking, but I kept pushing the thought aside. I've come so far, I thought. One day doesn't matter and won't hurt.

Dinner was pushing it... I went to Dos Caminos with a girlfriend. I know the GM there and said hello... which equaled prickly pear margaritas, glasses of Moet champagne, and their famous dessert fondue... all gratis. I wasn't even planning on drinking! But I couldn't say no to that.

When I got home and felt incredibly full, I realized that while it probably won't hurt, it DOES matter. One of the toughest habits for me to break was mindless snacking. Recognizing flaws and slips is half the battle. Today I was conscious of every single snack I ate.

It was a good reminder that this is a journey, not a destination. It never ends.