Chop chop!

"I am a master of the chopsticks," I thought to myself two nights ago as I tucked into some brown rice inside-out California rolls. "I could probably catch a fly like Mr. Miyagi if I wanted to."

Then I dropped a soy sauce-drenched piece of ginger on my lap. Wa-waaah.

Anyhow, it reminded me of two things: 1) How grateful I am for my Tide bleach pen; and 2) What's up with all these new, funktified chopsticks I've been seeing everywhere?

Not like it's the craze of the year, but lately, I've read about a bunch of crazy, newfangled eating devices of the stick variety. I know some people will use chopsticks as a weight loss tool: The theory is they force you to eat more slowly, so you'll recognize that "I'm full feeling" sooner and won't overeat.

But I think some of these (see below) are more about function and luxury. Chopsticks - the new Lexus?!

Kinbashi Gold Flake Chopsticks

Goldschlager is so frat house-desperate. With these babies, gold flakes (yes, real gold) will rain down on your sushi as the sticks rub together. Two sets of five chopsticks cost $40.

Spoonsticks

You know those times when you're trying to slurp up some udon noodles but don't know how to get to the broth? Try this spoon/chopstick hybrid! (Or, just use a spoon). Although, as one commentor wisely pointed out - wouldn't the liquid start dripping along the utensil as you flipped in rightside up and upside down?

The Tripod
Aww...for beginners, you can go a little more hi-concept than those doctored, spring-loaded chopsticks you used to get at the local Japanese restaurant as a kid. How? Three pronged chopsticks!! You can eat a frigging burger with these things!

Hello Kitty!

It was a sad, sad day when I accidentally threw out my wooden Hello Kitty chopsticks, gifted to me by my friend Amanda. I need to visit the Sanrio shop to get myself a new pair (HINT). But for any of you with little kids just trying out chopsticking, may I suggest these Hello Kitty training chopsticks?

Sayonara! Enjoy the weekend,
Leslie

Real men eat Gardenburgers

For some reason, this is just cracking my shit up.

Is your man manly enough to eat a Gardenburger? Are you?

PS Skinny Bitch is in da house - I'll start reading this weekend!

Nike's new running shoe...for Native Americans

Not sure if you've heard about Nike's brand new Air Native N7 - it's a running shoe being distributed solely to American Indians.

Why would one ethnic gorup require a specific gym show, you might be asking? Well, according to research conducted by Nike, Native Americans have larger feet and a "distinct" foot shape, both of which the Air Native N7 are designed to accomodate. It also has a culturally-appealing look.

Now, at first, I'll admit - I was slightly taken aback when I read about this. There would be outrage if a shoe were designed for white runners only, or black athletes, no? But as I investigated, it seems Nike has truly good intentions at heart: The special shoe is an effort to promote physical fitness in an ethnic population known for having skyrocketing obesity and diabesity rates. Tribal wellness programs and tribal schools across the U.S. will be able to purchase the shoe at wholesale price and then pass them along to individuals, often for free.

So essentially this is a public health effort on the part of Nike - encouraging fitness and activity in an overweight population by providing them with specifically-tailored gear for little or no cost. It's quite brilliant, actually.

I should also point out the last year, a Bahraini woman, Ruqaya Al-Ghasara, won a gold medal in a 200 meters sprint race in the 15th Asian Games - wearing a Muslim head scarf emblazoned with a Nike swoosh.

In a Nike press release, Sam McCracken, Manager of Nike’s Native American Business program said, “Nike is aware of the growing health issues facing Native Americans. Through the Nike Air Native N7 we are stepping up our commitment to use our voice on a local, regional and national level to elevate the issue of Native American health and wellness. We believe physical activity can and should be a fundamental part of the health and wellness of all Native Americans.”

I have to say, overall...I'm for it. Promoting physical fitness is crucial and offering it at a discounted price to people who need it most can hopefully help them get on track.

Thoughts?

Oh, in case you were wondering what makes the shoes specifically appealing to Native Americans:

*The design features several "heritage callouts," including sunrise-to-sunset-to-sunrise patterns.

* Images of feathers dot the shoes' insides and stars on the sole represent the night sky.

*The N7 name is a reference to something called the 7th generation theory, used by some tribes to look to the three generations preceding them for wisdom and the three generations ahead for their legacy.

*Also, all profits from the sale of the N7 will be reinvested in health programs for tribal lands, where obesity, diabetes and related conditions are nearing epidemic proportions.

WHOA - Shocking anti-anorexia ad campaign

Coninciding with the start of Milan's fashion week on Monday, this ad (potentially NSFW) was featured in papers and on billboards across Italy.

Here's what's crazy/sadly unbelievable: The woman shown is not a drawing or a cartoon (as I thought when I first saw it). It is a real person. Her name is Isabelle Caro, 23, and she has been suffering from anorexia for 15 years. Speaking to Italian Vanity Fair about appearing nude in the ad, she said, "I have hidden and covered myself up for too long. Now I want to show myself without fear, even though I know that my body is repugnant. The ... suffering I have experienced only makes sense if they can be of help to others who have fallen into the trap from which I am trying to escape." She weighs approximately 68 pounds.

The photgrapher who shot the photo, Oliviero Toscani, is no stranger to controversy (which this ad is already stirring up). You may remember his iconic images of a man dying of AIDS which appeared as part of a Benetton ad campaign in 1992. This new photo is being used by a fashion chain to raise awareness about EDs.

As many of you know, ever since the recent spate of models dying from anorexia, Europe has been paving the way towards making the fashion industry a bit safer for women - Madrid Fashion Week banned too-thin models from the catwalks, while Milan now requires models to carry medical certificates showing they do not suffer from an eating disorder.

The ad of the naked woman was approved by Italy's Health Minister. Others are saying it may serve as a trigger to some of the two million Italian women who suffer from an ED.

What do you think?

Calories burned = Jewelry earned

My friend FitSugar was recently writing about how buying herself a pretty little gift is a fab motivational tool...even though exercising and eating well feels great, she pointed ut, why not reward yourself at different markers (miles ran; inches lost; vegetables eaten) with a fun prezzie. Her pick is this silver bracelet - the inscription helps keep her on track.

Now, I'll take any excuse I can get to go shopping - I once bought myself a huge fuzzy pink top hat in April because I thought it would be perfect to base a Halloween costume around it six months later (indeed, I did - Pam Anderson, anyone?) And I've always read about the importance of rewarding your workout and dietary progress with mini-gifts like a Clinique lipstick, a sportsbra, that kind of thing. Now that I think ab out it, I did splurge and buy buyself this gorgeous necklace - not because I had achieved a fitness goal, but because I had reached another, more personal level of emotional success...plus I am a huge fan of the cause (check out The Joyful Heart Foundation).

So tell me – have you ever bought yourself something to celebrate a fitness achievement or weight goal? I need some excuses to shop!

Have a great day!
Leslie

Apologizing to our bodies

Not to get too serious or Debbie Downer on you but today, in the Jewish religion, it's Yom Kipper - the Day of Atonement. Basically, since we don't have Confession, all of of the absolving gets packed into a 24-hour period, during which people fast (as in no food or drink), get dressed up and hightail it to temple to think about what they could've done better in the previous year and how to improve themselves in the year to come. As for me, I'm sitting in the Detroit airport, moping because my luggage is missing and what will I wear tonight?? Nobody else in my family wears size 10 shoes and I hardly think yoga pants and flip flops and appropriate attire for the holiest day of the year.

Anyhow, instead of making this a religious blog - but keeping in the theme of inner reflection - I thought I'd bring up this little exercise that I've done in body image workshops before. It's called Dear Body and what you do is write - pen and paper or type - a letter to your body, apologizing for the ways you've mistreated it (smoking, harsh dieting, stress); emotionally abused it ("Uch, you're so fat!" or "I hate my thighs."), etc, and thank it for all of the wonderful talents it possesses and jobs it allows you to do. It's an interesting challenge to pose to yourself and I find it quite eye-opening to do it in an open forum like this so we can read others' letters (or parts of them) and realize we really are all in this together.

I'll go first:

Dear Body,
I want to take a moment to tell you how sorry I am for all of the years I spent hurting you, denying you food or overworking you, or thinking harsh, unforgiving thoughts about the way you look. You truly have done nothing but be good to me, allowing to me to dance, run, write, hug, spin, travel, laugh and much, much more, but there was definitely a time there when I was horrible to you - pointing out flaws and imperfections which, in reality, were simply you being you. I'm sorry, tush, for always turning around and staring at you in mirror, thinking evil thoughts. I have been trying to be kinder to you, welcoming the curvier shape you've taken on as of late. And I'm sorry for all the times I made you get on a scale like a piece of meat. You are more than just a number, and shouldn't be subjected to that kind of public humiliation.

I want to thank my thighs for propelling me along the Chicago lakefront. Thank you arms, for getting stronger and stronger, to the point where I can now do 10 full push-ups - a longtime goal. In general, thank you for your height - you allow me to not only stand out in a crowd, but to reach things on tall shelves and see over peoples' heads at concerts and movies. Smile, it was rough there for a few years during the Braces Era, but we survived, and now, you are a trademark.

Body, I will continue to strive to be gentler on you and more appreciative of all you allow me to do. If you bloat up one day, or develop a bruise, I'll take it as a sign that maybe I should be drinking some more water or watch where
I'm going. I can't be perfect, but I will try to be better.

Love,
Me

OK...your turn...
xoxoxo
Leslie

should you kick out dairy?

Hi all,
To answer the questions that came up about milk and Skinny Bitch, I enlisted the help of Dawn Jackson Blatner RD, LDN, an American Dietetic Association Media Spokesperson and Chicago's FOX News in the Morning Dietitian. Here's what she had to say:


1) Is it healthy to totally take out dairy?
There are two sides of this...

SIDE ONE: You don't have to take dairy out to be healthy. Dairy contains bone building calcium and vitamin D (along with other components we are just beginning to appreciate such as CLA-conjugated linoleic acid- which studies suggest may have potential to help fight cancer, diabetes, cholesterol, body fat and boost immunity.) The best types of dairy to include are FAT FREE or LOW FAT since higher fat dairy is packed with SATURATED fat (the stuff that clogs arteries and raises cholesterol.) Cheese should be limited because it is high in fat and calories, but the lower fat versions of milk and yogurt can be included at 2-3 servings (8 oz each) per day.

SIDE TWO: On the other hand - if you do eliminate dairy you can be healthy but just make sure you put vegetarian versions of calcium and vitamin D foods back into your diet. If you do ditch dairy...be sure to include something such as fortified soymilk for the bone building duo.

2) What do you all think the book Skinny Bitch? (Or, if you'd rather go broader - of veganism in general?)

Skinny Bitch promotes a vegan type lifestyle. (No animal products such as meat, poultry, milk, eggs or cheese)

A vegan lifestyle can be extraordinarily healthy - but it takes more planning than most other types of diets to ensure no deficiencies especially of protein, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, B12, and omega three fatty acids. The American Dietetic Association supports vegetarianism. Just a few notes/stats from a book I am writing: Vegetarians (even semi-vegetarians or what I call flexitarians) can prevent diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. They live an average of 3.6 years longer and weight about 15% less than meat eating counter parts!

This diet book does not have enough nutrition guidance from expert sources (dietitians) to ensure the diet is balanced. For example, the month meal plan does not have any nutrition information/nutrient analysis (serving
sizes, calories, protein, fat, vitamins, etc.)

Additionally, if this is to be a healthy lifestyle - there is no mention of an exercise program (except a recommendation to start yoga.)

Bottom Line: A fun read if you don't mind profanity (it personally makes me blush) - but not enough concrete information on diet (recipes/meal plans) or exercise to consider it a healthy and balanced lifestyle/weight loss plan.

There ya go!! Dawn is an A+ expert so thank you to her for doing this on such short notice. I'll be sure to tell you all about her book when it comes out :-)

I'll get myself SB this weekend so I can take a look...and don't worry, 'cuz profanity doesn't bother me a damn bit!

Adidas, Chase-let's make a commercial!‏

Watch out, ScarJo and Julia! I have the most perfect idea for a commercial, it will be a smashing success and I want to be the star.

Here's how I came up with it (based on a true story): I was headed out for a run on a beautiful summer day in my uber-cute Adidas running skirt. As I walked out the door, I realized I needed cash for later that night, so I rather brilliantly constructed a plan to stash my Chase ATM card in a little secret pocket in my skirt. ''I'll just swing by the Chase on Ashland Avenue and grab some money,'' I thought, then took off. On my way back, I made a quick detour and ran through the parking lot of my bank, bounding up to a drive-thru machine. Whipped out my card and, as Salt N Peppa sang ''Push It'' on my iPod, I entered my PIN number, jogging in place to keep my heart rate up.

A few more beep, beep, beeps, out came my money, got my card, I'm still hopping in place...and just as I've tucked the goods back into my skirt and turn to run home, a Jeep full of guys fresh from the Cubs game pulled up and I took off, leaving them in my dust.

Now, am I crazy or does this not absolutely reek with potential for being a really cute, Mentos-like commercial showcasing the ease of use of Chase ATMs (money wherever you need it, fast!) with the dedication to health and ease of movement of Adidas' clothing. I swear, I can see this airing between segments of Grey's Anatomy. I think the fact that ''Push It'' was playing literally as I pushed the buttons was especially serendipitous. The commercial need not feature me, I suppose. But if this comes to fruition, I get a cut! Leslie calls patent!

I shall now sit back and wait for the offers to flood in.

LaLanne, 92: Working out is "a pain in the gluties."

The Wall Street Journal ran a great interview with Jack "Godfather of Fitness" LaLanne yesterday and it is a hoot! I seriously want to hang out with this man - he can motivate me and make me laugh. Some of my fave lines from this 92-years-young exercise buff:

"The way people eat today is sick. Would you even feed your dog a cup of coffee and a doughnut in the morning?"

"It's a pain in the gluties [working out.] But you gotta do it. Dying is easy, living is tough. I hate working out. Hate it. But I like the results."

"Before I eat something I ask 'What is it doing for me, the most important person on Earth?' "

"French people live the longest and they have wine with lunch and dinner every day. Americans drink milk instead. Milk is for a suckling calf. How many creatures still use milk after they're weaned? Man."

"People make excuses and they're lying to themselves. Thirty or 40 minutes two to three times a week is nothing considering you're taking care of the most priceless possession you have."

"I'm just not as strong now. You have to forget about what you used to do and do the best you can with what you have. But I'm doing pretty good for a 90-something year-old poop."

PS Did you know LaLanne is credited with inventing the first leg extension machine, started what became Bally's Total Fitness and only eats two meals a day, including a brunch of 3-4 hard-boiled egg whites, a cup of broth-type soup, oatmeal with soy milk, raisins and a plate of fruit?

Here he is in 1940.

Here he is now.

Stud!! Love this guy.

OK, so now I get the whole "food porn" thing

Stumbled across www.tastespotting.com and dear God! )You must see these pics)

"Provençal Sundae...an ethereal dessert of coffee ice cream that beams with the crowning touch of a very unusual fig compote."

"Fresh mozzarella made right before your eyes, and thrown into the crowd. Only in Italy."

Unbelievably gorgeous pomegranate seeds.

A platter of grilled rib-eye strewn with big chunks or perfectly ripe avocado.

A rainbow-riffic chopped salad chock-full of tomatoes, cukes, green peppers, hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, green olives, red onions, garbanzo beans, broccoli, carrots, salt, pepper, done.

New York City blueberry crumble.

And the most beautiful Jello mold I have ever seen.

Send me your food porn! I promise not to get offended ;-)

Does every woman have an eating disorder? Q&A with Dr. Stacey

Dr. Stacey is a young, hip clinical psychologist in NYC whose blog, Every Woman Has an Eating Disorder, I've been going to for as long as I can remember knowing what a blog is. She's smart, insightful and has developed a loyal following among readers as she bangs out blogs which will one day (she "hopes"; I know :-) become a book.

Over the weekend, Dr. Stacy and I chatted over the phone for a little friendly cross-examination. Below is my interview with her (plus a quick poll - everyone's new favorite!) and she'll be posting my answers on her blog today, too! If you're looking for a fun writer to add to your list, someone who waxes philosophical about something as absurd as fried Oreos and something as monumental as women's collective loss of body innocence, she's your gal. Just don't forget about me!

WG: Do you really think every woman has an eating disorder?

Dr. S: I think we think about food too much, and we think about our bodies too much. There’s a continuum of having a healthy relationship with food and our bodies, and having somewhat of a distorted relationship, and having a clinical eating disorder. All women fall somewhere on that spectrum.

WG: Do you think it’s rare to find women with healthy attitudes about food and weight?

Dr. S: Honestly, I do. My perception might be skewed because I see patients all day…but I almost feel like it’s the norm to hear women complain about their bodies. I think for just that sort of "Every Woman" eating disorder issue, it’s socio-cultural: magazines, the media, the Britney Spears performance. In a sense, it’s a way women can connect, by putting ourselves down.

Quick reader poll:

WG: How do you find inspiration for your blog topics?

Dr. S: How do I not? Every single morning I just have to wake up and look at the computer and there’s something for me to write about. The other day I was at the store, Anthropologie, trying on clothes and there were couple of women in their early 20s next to me having one of those dressing room "freakouts" - I could hear them saying “Oh, my god, I can’t fit into a size six anymore!” I wanted to just throw my card over the dressing room door, but of course, because of professional and ethical reasons, I can’t do that.

Actually, I see people all the time - women at the gym who look really unhealthy, a girl who looks like she might pass out at any given time. There’s such a pull to say something, but I shut my mouth, because it’s not my job to approach people on the street.

WG: What are some of your favorite posts?

Dr. S: I really like the Weight Watchers post - when I went to the meeting. I like that one because I learned so much, like the fact that the average attendant at a Weight Watchers meeting in NYC is probably a Size Six. I may be exaggerating, but there really weren’t that many fat people. And I like the dog one. Also, the one about body innocence is a favorite. How far back do you have to go to where you weren’t aware of your body or to where you had a good relationship with food? Like, some people have to go all the way back to when they were three and at the beach with their families.

WG: Have you personally ever struggled with an eating disorder?

Dr. S: I knew you were going to ask me that! I will say I fall into the “Every Woman” category in that it’s a struggle we all have. I am one of those women— it’s part of the title of my blog. I don’t think it would be a very effective book to say, "Every Woman Has an Eating Disorder… Except Me."

WG: Is it hard for you when women write in asking for help? How do you draw the line between blogger and psychologist?

Dr. S: Personally, I feel a sense of obligation, but professionally, it’s the opposite - I can’t be providing professional advice over e-mail. In fact, I’ve referred a few readers to professional help other than myself. But I do think the blog world can be really helpful. People are finding a network - kind of like a support group. I would always recommend therapy - even if you don’t have an eating issue, it’s always good to learn about yourself. And I think [toward the goal of having a healthy relationship with our bodies], if we can capture moments when we’re using our bodies but not aware of them, that’s really useful. For example, I was recently in the ocean, body surfing with a friend. There was no room or time to be aware of our bodies. We were watching the waves and getting sun and focusing on what our bodies were doing, rather what they looked like.

If you're in Chicago and free Thursday night...

I've told you all before that I'm involved with the fabulous Girls On the Run organization...Thursday night we are having a wine-tasting fundraiser. Lots of raffle prizes; lots of, well, wine - and it's all for a great cause - empowering young girls. Plus, if you come, we can meet! Warning: I may be wearing a tiara.

For info (oh, PS, not to be last-minute or anything but you have to sign up online by Tuesday night, aka TONIGHT!), visit here and click on 2007 Fall Wine Tasting. $35 for all you can drink (can you say "Ladies' Night???!!") and it's tax deductible!! I think.

Come join me!

xxoxo

Match the sad body quote with the star!!

The following stars were recently quoted as saying the following extremely depressing body image- and diet-related tidbits: Marcia Cross, Gwen Stefani, Sara Ramirez, Charlize Theron, Elizabeth Hurley, Liv Tyler, Anne Hathaway. Can youmatch them up?

A: "I've been on a diet, ever since I was in the sixth grade. It's an ongoing battle, and it's a nightmare."

B: "I basically starved myself (when trying to break into television), living on a stick of celery, some peanut butter and two protein shakes a day, working out like a fiend. Sure enough, I lost 25 pounds and booked a TV pilot--scary, because it was almost like a reward for treating myself in an unhealthy way."

C: "I have often felt there was a lot of pressure on me to look good...It's like they pay me not to eat. It's a living hell."

D: "I have to squeeze myself into quite a few bikinis. It's definitely part of my job...not to be too fat."

E: "I diet every day of my life. It's part of my discipline. Kim Cattrall I basically stuck with fruit, vegetables and fish [to slim down for (Movie X.)] I wouldn't recommend that. (Actress X) and I would clutch at each other and cry because we were so hungry.

F: "I've been working out since I was 14, and (being pregnant) was the first time in my life that I wasn't on a diet and didn't have that kind of pressure. I had time to not be obsess about myself and what I was eating, and enjoy my family."

G: "Getting pregnant doesn't excite me, but having kids does...I don't really want to look like a whale, you know?"

Answers: Scroll down...

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A-Gwen Stefani; B-Sara Ramirez; C-Marcia Cross; D-Elizabeth Hurley; E-Anne Hathaway; F-Liv Tyler; G-Charlize Theron

Slap this on yer bumper...

And honk like you mean it! So much better than "My Bumper Sticker Is Better Than Your Bumper Sticker."

And wouldn't it be nice to roll you mouse over this all day long?

Well, hello, little mayo packet!

Two interesting things happened to me in the locker room this week:

A) I opened my favorite locker a few days ago and staring back at me, from the bottom shelf, was a lonely little mayonnaise packet. Kraft, I believe. He was just lying there, crumpled in half, waiting for some tuna or a BLT to dress up. I decided against picking it up and chose the next locker. But get this: Two days later, I grabbed a locker and went to throw my gym bag and the same mayo packet was there! OK, I guess this isn't all that interesting after all. But at the time it made for an artsy still life.

B) Thanks to the powers that be at my gym, we in the women's locker room are lucky enough to have not one, but two scales to measure our self-worth-- I mean weight by. One is a gargantuan, carnival-like Toledo scale that's approximately as big as Andre the Giant (rest in peace, Sweet Prince.) The other is a standard medical scale you find at your doc's office. As I was changing post-shower, I couldn't help but notice in the mirrors to my right the reflection of a woman about my age walking up to the smaller scale, stepping on, and shifting the little black thingie right and left until her weight finally emerged. I was too far to actually see the number of course, but close enough to see her slam that measurer far to the left as she hopped off the scale. It was as if she did not want anyone to see "her number." (This was a slim girl, BTW).

I've noticed this phenomenon many times - women looking left and right down the row of lockers before stepping gingerly onto the Toledo scale, making sure nobody else can watch them weigh themselves. It's almost like this is such a private intimate act - and yet we're (yes, I have participated on occasion) willing to do it in public, often naked. We might not start out that way, but you know that little dance so many women engage in...kicking off flipflops, dropping the towel, taking off the watch - just to try and make the number go down a smidge.

Of course, the overarching question is, why do we place so much emphasis on that stupid number...but that's a mighty big question to tackle. So, baby steps. My question: If you weigh yourself at the gym, do you care if other women see? Would you be like that woman who pushed the balance to the side, erasing "the evidence"? Or are you proud of your number and want other women to know? I remember talking to a woman, Sangeeta, in my book, about the scale and she told me "When I weigh 114, I feel skinny. But at 118, I feel fat." Just four pounds was enough to change her entire viewpoint of herself (I truly hope this comes across in a non-judgemental way - I think thie girl is wonderful, she's smart - she's just like so many of us women, caught up in the numebrs game). I wonder if she would be OK having the locker room see the "114" readout, but not the "bigger" number.

I'm off to interview Dr. Stacey at Every Woman Has an Eating Disorder. Will report back after the weekend. Have a good one!!!

xo,
Leslie

Sad, sad, ad

Stephanie at Back in Skinny Jeans found this foul ad for a gym in the UK. Tell me, do you think they're trying to appeal to men or women? And I mean really, is this crap supposed to me motivating?! It reminds me of a 24 Hour Fitness billboard from 2000 that caused a lot of controversy with an image of an alien on it and the tagline, "When they come, they'll eat the fat ones first." Wow, that would really make me want to join that gym.

This brings me back to when I was a developing my fiesty young lass-iness - I remember working out at Bally's on a day pass and as I was moving it on the stairclimber, the overhead televisions were blaring music videos (ahh...remember that - pre-reality TV!) For some reason, Weird Al Yankovic's take on Michael Jackson's "Bad" was on -- "Because I'm Fat." I remember getting off my machine in a sweaty huff and marching over to the front desk to complain.

The girl behind the counter, who probably could not have even cared less what was playing, let alone if it was offensive or degrading, barely looked up from doing her nails as I dripped sweat and went on and on about "This is supposed to be a motivating place! People might be working out here who are overweight and trying to get in shape and you're letting this play?!" She got a manager - a surprisingly young guy who upon reflection looked like he should be asking "Would you like paper or plastic?" he was so young - and he attempted to calm me down but refused to change the channel (Weird Al was done by this point.) I stormed out in my own little attempt at a boycott. Maybe I'm a tad oversensitive to these things. But it felt good at the time.

Britney is not fat, y'all!‏

First, let's get one thing out in the open: I am a Britney Spears fan. Or have been. Whatever-I like dancing and running to her music and my secret dream is to be an entertainer who prances around, singing on stage.

OK.

So now that that's out of the way... I'm not being biased here--I fully admit that the performance put on by my little lost puppy Sunday night was sub-par--but let's get one thing straight: She. Is. Not. Fat.

People are dissing her bod. Please. Just because her stomach isn't concave and she isn't rocking the exact same palm-sized tushy as she did a half-decade ago does not warrant this ridiculous weight mockery. She carried and gave birth to two children! Sure she eats Cheetos and, according to some reports, practiced her dance while drinking a frozen margarita, but for the New York Post to splash the headline "Lard and Clear" is sad and wrong. Plus, what kind of message is it sending little girls (totally separate from the other messages Brit-Brit may be sending little girls, of course) to hear the nation calling someone that looks like this fat?

A more flattering outfit? Sure - that could've been a nice option. But fat? No.

Opinions?

"Makes me that much stronger" - read and vote!

This weekend, I kneed a man in the groin so hard, it left a slight bruise on my leg. But oh, did he deserve it…and let me tell you, for those of you have never delivered a swift kick to the nuts, it feels gooood.

Allow me to explain.

On Saturday, I took a self-defense course called FULLPOWER with my friend Renata. Three other women who had enrolled in the class bailed on us, so we got very individualized attention from our martial arts instructors Sterling and Anne. I know this isn’t exactly a diet- or weight-related topic, but it absolutely is tied in with self-esteem and empowerment, which is why I wanted to tell you all about it/scream from the top of my lungs, “Sign up for a class today!”

We started with a sit-down talk about our motivations for taking self-defense and learned a bit about perpetrators, what they look for in a victim and good and bad ways to walk, carry yourself, respond to verbal harassment, and so forth. I told the threesome about an incident just a few days earlier where I’d been walking down State Street downtown, about 5pm, moving along with the hustle and bustle of fresh-from-work Chicagoans. I’d been waiting for an email from an editor so I was more or less completely engrossed in my cell phone/mini-computer/little handheld air supply and as I walked. In retrospect, I realize my head was down, my shoulders hunched, my guard completely off. Out of nowhere I heard someone call out, “Lolly!” (my husband’s nickname for me) and it was him, waiting for me on the corner with a none-too-pleased look on his face.

“You should have seen yourself just now,” he told me. “It was scary watching you. There was a huge man walking right behind you, your Sam (our name for my faithful work bag, a Kate Spade number called the Large Sam) was totally open and you had no clue what was going on.” He wasn’t so much admonishing me but mentally shaking me awake to what a target I looked like.

So I was glad that Sterling and Anne had us practice walking with our heads up, shoulders back, making sure to look left and right every so often. We also did this with varying scenarios, such as a man (Sterling playing the role) trying to get in our way, saying something undesirable or indicating we were in a dangerous situation. Renata and I learned the power of our voices and how we have every right in the world to yell, “STOP!” or “Get Away From Me!” I think a lot of women might feel like calling out such a command is silly, or we’ll look like worrywarts if the potential perpetrator is actually just a bum or even a man (or woman) who means no harm. But you know what? Who cares? Which is better – feeling silly or being hurt?

We then moved on to physical moves, learning how to, say, quickly jab someone in the eye or, if grabbed from behind, slap them where the sun don’t shine (yes, even a slap can be enough to stun someone, giving you time to run). After practicing the moves, Sterling gamely suited up in what can only be described as a giant football uniform/spacesuit costume, with an oversized, padded helmet with nets for eyes. He looked like an outerspace jock on steroids but his purpose was clear: To simulate a few attacks on each of us; in return, we could punch, kick and fight our way back without fear of hurting him. (This is where the aforementioned knee…well, knees…to the groin took place.)

What a rush! Of course, I understand these were highly idealized circumstances but to be able to scream and jab and kick my way free from an “attacker” felt so empowering! Both of us left the class on a women’s rights high, confident and so happy we had done something so crucial for our physical and emotional health. I can’t tell you how highly I recommend this – it’s not just for girls going off to college, it’s not just for women living in high-crime areas. It’s for all of us.

PS I encourage you to visit the website - they offer courses around the country and also have specialized classed for kids and teens. Do it!!!

About to kick some a$$

Hey all,
It's a beautiful, 74-degree day here in Chicago and I'm going to spend three hours of it in a dojo, learning how to open a can of whoop-ass on would-be assailants in an empowering self-defense class for women. Wish me luck! I'm amped up and ready to take down some peeps/perps!
Will fill you in later,
Biceps blazing,
Leslie

Jared, say it ain’t so!

Oh, Jared, your story of weight-loss-through-low-fat-Subway-sandwiches wooed us all. In 1998, at a starting weight of 425 pounds, you decided to get your health on track. How? A year-long stream of 6-inch turkey sub lunches (add hot peppers and spicy mustard, hold the mayo) and footlong veggie sub dinners. Within a year, you had shed an Arnold Schwarzenegger. The nation marveled, an unlikely sex symbol was born, and you were the star of not just Indiana University, where you were a student, but the world, where you were now a stud.

Now comes news that people tend to underestimate the calories in fast-food that they consider more or less healthy - and Subway is at the heart of the research.

A marketing professor and a nutrition pro asked people chowing on a sandwich, soft drink, and a side from Subway or McDonald's how many calories they thought their meals contained. The theory behind the questioning: Because Subway promotes itself as being a healthy oasis in a sea of fast food crap, we consumers more or less automatically jump to the conclusion that foods there are, well, healthier. Less calories. That kind of thing. I’d have to say I agree - I would assume an average lunch from the Substers was lower in cals than one from Mickey Ds. Then again, I mow on mini-Swedish Fish by the fistful and think they’re calorie-free because they’re so damn tiny and - well, they’re fish!

In truth, the meals actually had the same number of calories (it’s possible - check out the menus…a 6-inch Subway club has 320 calories and 6 grams of fat; a McD Chipotle BBQ Snack Wrap with Grilled Chicken has 260 calories and 8 grams of fat!) In this study, Subway diners predicted their meal had 151 calories less than it actually had -- an underestimation of 21 percent. Which is qute a bit if you add it up day after day.

Next, the researchers offered 46 undergraduate college students a coupon for a Subway 12-inch Italian BMT sandwich or a McDonald's Big Mac. When the question of side orders came up, Subway diners were more likely to pick high-calorie sides…probably because they thought their sandwich had fewer calories so they could splurge. In reality, the Subway main course weighed in at 900 calories, versus the 600-calorie Big Mac.

This is my fave part of the study: Researchers invented two imaginary restaurants - one called "Good Karma Healthy Foods" and the other, "Jim's Hearty Sandwiches." Over 200 students were given menus from each establishment, touting items such as carrot soup and organic hummus from "Good Karma Healthy Foods" and sausage sandwiches from "Jim's Hearty Sandwiches." (Could the be more obvious?) The college students (like Jared!) were then shown identical sandwiches and drinks labeled with one of the fictitious restaurant's names. And guess what? The majority pocked the Good Karma sandwich as having fewer cals.

I have to admit, if someone tested this out on me, I’d probably jump to the same conclusion - food labels and names mean so much to our brains. Who wouldn’t think a “Good Karma Wrap" was better for you than “Jim’s Hearty Wrap”? It’s the same reason I’d be more likely to pass over a boring dessert called “chocolate cake” but would be tempted into ordering “Exploding Chocolate Orgasm Torte” - and they might be the same thing!

I guess the lesson here is, don’t be lured into ordering foods just by their name or affiliation with a man who holds huge “before” jeans out with his thumb to show how much weight he has lost - be sure to read labels (if you are trying to lose weight, that is), and watch your side orders like cookies, fries, etc.

Oh, and if anything bills itself as a Chocolate Exploding Orgasm, order it. That's Leslie's Rule.

PS this study appears in October's edition of the Journal of Consumer Research for all you science peeps out there.

America the beautful

And "beautiful" apparently means "thin." Take a look a this and have a say.

PS note the accompanying headlines, like "The Secret Reasons Women Gain Weight...and how to stop."

Have you lost weight with a friend?

Hey everyone-
I'm working on a story on friends who help friends lose weight for a women's magazine. If you've partnered up with a girlfriend to help each other lose weight and want to be interviewed about it, email me at leslie@lrdiaries.com with a brief description of your story and maybe we can work together!!
Just make sure to include your name and contact info (don't post it here - email me privately).
Thanks!
Leslie

The new skinny gene

Oh, I love it when a story starts out like this:

"Janine Geredes is the kind of person many of us love to hate. No matter how much the Northern California woman eats, she never gets fat. While the rest of us obsess over every morsel passing through our lips, convinced we’ll pack on the pounds if we let our guard down for just one moment, Geredes worries she’ll become unappealingly bony if she doesn’t eat enough.

'I’ve always had to work to keep weight on,' says Geredes, 43, who is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 118 pounds. 'When I was a growing up I was teased for being so thin. But now, people are always saying, ‘I wish I could eat like you. You stay so thin. You must work out a ton.’ I don’t.'"

Heh. Heh heh.

According to the article on msnbc.com, scientists may have finally discovered the fairy tale “skinny” gene, as reported in the journal Cell Metabolism...and Geredes looks like just the kind of lady to have it.

You can visit Huffington Post to weigh in with the commentary, but also feel free to talk amongst yourselves here.

I must admit, my favorite quote of the story comes from obesity expert Dr. Louis Aronne, director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Program at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City, who had this to say about the skinny gene finding:

“This is so cool.”

Please note, I have not taken this quote out of context. For some reason, I can now only picture Dr. Arbonne as a skater dude wearing a Hollister tee shirt and rocking a faux hawk.

Poll: How do you handle atrocious airport eating?

Having spent approximately three weeks total at airports in 2007, I've seen my fair share of nutritional abominations (cinnamon-glazed fat bombs; pork-fried rice; eight-cheese pizza). This past weekend, I was thrilled to find ONE healthy option at the Detroit airport (actually, my guy surprised me with it) - some sort of bean and veggie-filled tortilla roll-up from Max & Erma's, dipped in pico de gallo. It got me wondering: PS for those of us weary travellers looking for a healthy pick-me-up, share your favorite airport treat. I'll go first: I almost always get two Fruit & Yogurt Parfaits from McDonalds (low-fat, calcium boost, plus berries).

Labor Day - Eating IS hard work!

I don't know about you all, but Thursday night through this morning has been one non-stop eating frenzy, beginning with my fave low-fat gourmet favorite chicken and fresh fruit (great start, right?) and ending with me in a greasy, boozy heap at a wedding last night, using cheese-soaked french fries to soak up my two (or was it three?) extra-dirty martinis at our friend Jordan's wedding.

Don't get me wrong - the weekend was fantastic. It started with my CNN appearance. I don't have a link yet but will keep trying to find one but suffice it to say, I left that studio with such a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins, I felt like I could run 10 miles! Instead, I headed over to a BBQ for the engaged couple, at a beautiful home complete with valet, tented backyard, a grill station, hot dog cart, all kinds of yummy salads and pastas. The next night was a fiesta-themed rehearsal dinner at a country club - think high-concept guacamole, gazpacho in mini-shot glasses, ciga-shaped taquitos served in old-fashioned cigar boxes. Yummy.

And then, the wedding, last night. After a beautiful ceremony, I made a beeline for the ar and drank a tall glass of water like a good girl, and managed to avoid most of the apps circulating (though I did snag a few tuna tartares for the hubby 'cuz they're his fave.) Then, we took our seats and found huge bowls of Garrett's caramel popcorn (famous in Chicago) on the tables, followed by what was likely an average wedding meal (chicken, potato timbale, asparagus) but tasted oh so much better because I was buzzed. We danced and danced for what seemed like hours and capped off the night with a gigantic chili dog and fries station brought in at midnight. So unnecessary...and yet, so frigging tasty at the time!

So I'm back on track today - went for a run and feeling good. It was a vacay weekend, afterall - it's OK to let myself to go a little wild, food-wise, yes?

Hope you all had wonderful weekends! I'll put up a fun poll soon!

xo and Happy September!
Leslie