Getting in Gear

I'm coming at you today with something that's a little different from our regularly scheduled programming. I don't usually get super personal on this blog, but that's something I'd like to delve into a bit more. After all, it's more fun to talk about fun things like fashion when we know each other a little better, don't you think? And while fashion does genuinely take up a large percentage of my headspace day-to-day, there are other things that go on that might also be worth mentioning, especially when they influence my outfits and lifestyle choices. Now is one of those times. I'm working on a project that's taking up a lot of my time, energy and thoughts, so it would be silly not to talk about it here. That project is my body, health, and wellbeing.

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I've always been very laid back about working out and eating. In other words, I basically do whatever I want. If I go to a restaurant that specializes in truffle mac and cheese, then I guess I better have to have the truffle mac and cheese! It's the weekend? Time for pizza and wings. Guests in town? Gotta introduce them to the best burger in LA. Traveling? I deserve to eat whatever I want because I'm away from home. Since childhood, I've never been an athletic person. I was always the suckiest at the sports I played (tennis, softball, and quick stints in swimming and hockey - shitty at all of them) and I've had cellulite ever since I was 13. It just wasn't my strong suit. I was big and awkward and I mainly played sports for the social aspect. The thinnest I remember being in my adult life was in 2006 when I did the South Beach diet with friends at work, which lasted all of about 3 weeks. Going to the gym was something I would do mayyybe three times a week if I was "really going hard." But I could never really commit to going enough to ever see a difference in my body. All my life I've felt fat, no matter what stage I've been in. I've just gone through different phases of not caring to change it and caring just a little.

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Over the past six years of living in LA, I've been steadily gaining weight. Very slowly and fluctuating slightly, but overall it's been a couple of pounds a year. Not a massive difference, but enough so that now when I look at myself, I'm finally seeing a different person than I was when I got here. In New York, I walked a lot and worked in an office which made it harder to snack - not to mention I was in my twenties, which is a different ballgame. These past six years I've dabbled in different things - yoga in 2009, running in 2010-2011, hiking and SoulCycle since 2013. Each thing I've picked up I've done very half-assed. I don't think I worked out a single time in 2012. Truth. Meanwhile, styling jobs on set and working from home don't make it any easier because snacks are much more accessible. Before I knew it, I stepped on the scale and saw that I'm a full 20 pounds heavier than I was when I graduated college.

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I've felt the weight gain, but have never been ready to pour myself into getting in gear. I love food and I didn't want to work out - plain and simple. If you're not really ready to make a change, no results will ever come. Little attempts will fizzle and old bad habits will reign. But now. I. Am. Ready. It came on suddenly, and I don't know what's different about now versus the past six years, but I finally feel like now is my time. I'm 32 years old and not getting any younger. The time when Ian and I might want to start a family is not too far away. I hate sifting through the photos we take for the blog because 99% of them are horribly unflattering (the 99% you don't see). There are a million trends I want to try but can't pull off right now. But I so want to. I've never experienced a solid period of fitness and health, but I'm ready to start. Now. I thought it might be fun to take you on this journey with me, sharing my weight loss plan, progress, and challenges as I go. In no way is this going to become a weight loss or fitness blog, but I'm excited to let you in on this project. I hope you enjoy it!

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So, here are the details of what I'm doing.

1. Working out. A lot. I finally joined a gym 3 weeks ago (I have been a publicly declared gym hater for years, so this is huge) and for 2.5 weeks so far, I've been going 5-6 days per week. I love the classes - especially spinning, barre, and pilates with Cassey Ho from Blogilates - she completely kicked my ass on Monday and I still can't laugh without feeling pain). I still love SoulCycle, but going there 5 days a week would equate to a new pair of designer shoes per month, which I cannot afford, so I had to chill on that. I'll still treat myself from time to time because it's my favorite but I couldn't swing the price tag for a truly impactful weekly workout regiment. I'm a girl who needs variety so I'm loving all the options the gym has to offer. Swimming is next on the list of workouts to try. Not to mention I love that I can bring my computer and work on the roof in a cabana after my workout with a protein smoothie AND they have Kiehls products in the locker room. These may not be necessities, but for me they definitely sweeten the deal.

2. Eating clean. I'm following Sarah from A House in the Hills with her Eat Clean August plan, so everything I eat has to be within those guidelines. Want to join us?? We're talking no gluten or bread in general, no dairy, no meat, and no processed foods. I'm staying low on the sugar and coffee (though I do cheat with my date-sweetened almond milk and coffee every few days IF I'm craving it). It's caused me to plan out my day a little more to avoid random snacking, and going hog wild on the weekends. I'm chilling a bit on cocktails, but I'm NOT giving up wine. I just won't do it. Honestly though, it's amazing how much good food there still is to eat after giving up a lot of ingredients. As long as I've got brown rice and quinoa, I don't miss bread. As long as I've got green tea, I don't miss coffee (unless I miss coffee in which case I have it). As long as I've got hot sauce, I don't miss cheese. Of course there will be some cheating that goes on from time to time, but it's all about making a general, sustainable change rather than continuing to eat whatever I want.

So I hope you don't mind that I'm letting you in on this process. I have no idea what the future holds and how things will turn out, but that's part of the process. I'm human. Maybe the difference will be subtle - after two weeks I still haven't lost any weight but I hope that will change soon. If you have any tips for weight loss - fitness, diet, or wellness in general, please share in the comments! I would love to know what helps you stay healthy and get fit. Wish me luck! I'll need it.