While I’m thrilled to say that both my diet and my budget have been carefully managed and as successful as possible (I’ve dropped 7 pounds thus far!  And haven’t had an ill-advised buying binge in months!  Although, those may be related – I’ve cut my drinking way back, and my bad purchasing decisions have historically been fueled by vodka), two unfortunate facts remain:

1. I’m still on a strict diet
2. I’m still on a strict budget

As I’m no longer allowed to put decadently fantastic things in either my closet or mouth, I’ve taken to trolling the Internet for the sheer vicarious thrill of ogling that which I cannot have.  It’s official – the following items, locations and treats are my version of porn:

Dana Kellin Jewelry

Good God, is that not gorgeous?  At once earthy and delicate, simple and yet made with a complex wrapping technique.  Designer Dana Kellin’s jewelry runs hundreds of dollars, but I would happily pay that for such a great statement piece.  You know, if I could afford it.

Shoshanna Dress #1

Shoshanna Dress #2

Shoshanna is that rare label that designs for a body that is almost exactly like mine – a short figure that carries its weight in it’s upper body (boobs).  I have yet to find a dress in this line that looks bad on me, and I’m praying that they never change their fit model.

Also, I’m completely enamored with the belt on the second dress.  I could get a lot of use out of that.

Peanut Butter Cup Cupcake from Crumb Bake Shop, NYC

Don’t you just want to dive right in?

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My new running buddy: An Under Armour shoe

Any athlete knows Under Armour – they’re famous for their sweat-wicking fabrics that have the ability to keep you warm in even the coldest temps.  What I didn’t realize is that they now make running shoes.

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Especially after Kai’s post about the incredible crab club sandwich (which is the first thing I’m trying – in moderation – after this diet is over).  But, hey, it keeps me accountable to my diet, so here we go:

After this weekend’s caloric orgy, I wasn’t expecting to see any progress today, but I was pleasantly surprised – the scale had moved a smidge, as had my measurements.

Weight: high mid-123s (down about half a pound)

Measurements:

• Bis: no change
• Thighs: -.25″ (L), no change (R)
• Chest: -.5″
• Waist: -.5″
• Hips: -.5″

So … There you have it.  Next week, I will not fall completely off the bandwagon over the weekend, so hopefully I’ll see some better losses.

Confession: I fell off the bandwagon a couple of times this week.  Saturday night brought some frou frou “martinis” (really, just regular sweet drinks in a ‘tini glass, nothing martini about them), Sunday brought my hangover remedy (Chinese food – steamed, but still full of sodium), and yesterday brought some tortilla chips.

Still, outside of those instances, I’ve been good.  My weight loss has been (understandably) slower this week, but I still made progress: I’m bouncing around the low to mid 124s.  123.8 Sunday morning, 124.2 Tuesday, and 124.6 today (thanks, I’m sure, to last night’s crunchy salty deliciousness).

That said, I’ve seen some movement on my measurements.  From last week, I’m down:

• Chest: -.5
• Waist: -1.5
• Hips: -.5
• Thighs: -.25 (L), -.5 R)
• Bis: 0 (I tend to hold onto weight in my arms, for some inexplicable reason)

This week, I resolve to be better.  I will limit my moderate drinking to my normal drink (vodka and club soda), and will avoid salty bloaty foods as much as possible.

So, I’ve officially been on my diet for a week.  I’ve been very,  very good – smoothies for breakfast, a wrap and veggies for lunch, and a nice dinner (salmon, chicken or lean pork with steamed veggies).

I’m happy to report that while I started at 127.6, my weight is currently bouncing around the 125s – 125.4 two days ago, .6 yesterday and a smidge higher today (which I blame on a higher-than-I-meant amount of salt yesterday).  This, in spite of my period.

It’s progress!  I’ll take it!

A new essay in the Policy Review examines a thoroughly modern twist on the age-old (and well-documented) relationship between sex and food.  Specifically, the author argues that as Western social norms about sex have expanded to include previously taboo thoughts and acts, our relationship with food has become fraught with an ever-increasing list of culinary sins.  Ones we don’t admit to in public, would never dream of indulging in front of our peers and whose very temptations leave us riddled with guilt.

In short, our morals, ethics and ideals are now firmly connected to our diets, rather than sex lives.

It really wasn't hard to find an example

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I love anything pig related.  It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about pictures of little piglets (extra points for cute-induced snark, like the brilliant/sociopathic soul behind Fuck You, Penguin), beauty breakthroughs (like Evolence, the new pig-derived collagen injectable) or scientific breakthroughs (like cloned pigs).

And who could forget about the most famous piglet ever?

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Turns out, it doesn’t matter if I’m cutting vodka calories or white carb calories … So long as I’m cutting calories.  This is according to a new study (as reported in the New York Times):

Study Zeroes In on Calories, Not Diet, for Loss

By TARA PARKER-POPE

For people who are trying to lose weight, it does not matter if they are counting carbohydrates, protein or fat. All that matters is that they are counting something.

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Well, it’s happened.  The scale hit a number I have never seen before.

I'm locked in a battle with this thing

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