Non-Losing Streak, June 12th

After a grueling non-losing streak of many hopeful days where I faithfully logged my meals, weighed in each day, and stuck (mostly) to the daily calorie allotment, I got my lazy ass to the gym to jump start the process and knocked off a pound, so said the mean scale of injustice. So I ask in earnest, has anyone ever on any continent at any age ever lost weight from exercise??

I’ve been following the weight loss app Noom now since December and I’m counting each pound and frankly each ounce of progress. This reminds me of song lyrics by Depeche Mode that say, “The grabbing hands grab all they can. Everything counts in large amounts.” So not true, people! Every single digit lower on the scale is success regardless of how many fistfuls of seedless grapes you decide to stuff in your mouth… I’m living proof. And by the way, sixteen of those purple circles, which is a lot, is only 54 calories.

Miraculously I’m not sick of salad yet, I’m still on a major cucumber kick, shrimp is one of my go-to staple proteins because it is ultra-low in calories and delicious, and I’m completely satiated with a yummy lo cal frozen treat by Yasso. If you haven’t tried this brand yet, rush to pick up a box of their phenomenally satisfying yogurt desserts. With options like Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch Bars and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars, it’s the kind of bar hopping that I could really get into. And their Mint Chocolate Chip Sandwiches are to die. The best part is that you’re talking between 100 and 160 calories depending on the flavor you choose. Amazing! They don’t scream fake or synthetic and there is no abysmal aftertaste. How’s that for foodie things you thought you’d never hear me say… ever. If they decide to contact me, I’d have no trouble at all being one of their spokesbloggers. I’m a huge fan.

So six months in already and I can almost see the horizon—that magical day that I will step on the scale and the number that appears will be a faint memory from 1992, 2008 and again in 2011 but not since, not even close. I’m looking forward to celebrating and cheering for myself but not blowing the results by going back to my old ways of eating. I know better now. Plus on the maintenance program which technically lasts the rest of my entire f*ing life, I of course get to up my calorie intake, but I still must choose wisely if I want to keep all those unwanted lbs off. And of course I do.

I must say that the nice weather has made it easier to stick to the program because my increase in outdoor activity burns additional calories and that has helped to move things along at a better pace than the app projected. The only craving that I’m proud to say I have not yet given into (YET) is Gray’s Papaya, the hot dog stand of my dreams on the corner of West 72^nd Street and Broadway that I walk by all too frequently. I don’t know what it is about those plump, bun fillers with the extra swizzle of spicy mustard and tangy sauerkraut but they have been a lifelong addiction for me. Maybe it’s the salty, garlicky bite, the crunchy snap, the handheld ease, or that they remind me of easy breezy summer days, but I just love them.

So I think when I finally hit my goal weight, there might be a hot dog in my future. But instead of hitting up Papaya King for their two and a drink daily special, I might be smart and get the Chicago style dog from Shake Shack. Why? Well because they at least top their dogs with tomatoes, pickles, onions, and sport peppers. And I’ve learned that those green calories aka a little extra salady food goes a long, long way. Do you hear that bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches??