Have you ever been on Instagram or Twitter and wondered how food bloggers, or even non-blogging food lovers (I dislike the word foodie), manage to cook indulgent dishes and frequently dine in many restaurants without putting on weight??
I have.
Unfortunately, it appears I am not one of those blessed humans, and I’m going to overshare with you my reality.
The ugly truth: in the 18 months since our wedding, and the 15 months since I started this blog, I have gained almost 10kg.
For so long I’ve been thinking and talking about losing that bit of excess weight, before it snowballs into a greater gain, but then a cupcake comes along and I go the self-indulgent route. Again. It’s a constant battle, but one that I’ve never really put much effort into, because dammit, I’m a food blogger and I love food!
I knew I was gradually gaining weight, but I was so caught up in my exciting love affair with new foods that it didn’t really click.
Until recently.
Yes I love food, but what I don’t love is seeing recent photos of myself and thinking “who is that?!”. Or looking at myself in the mirrors at pole dancing where there’s nowhere to hide the flaws, and I’m upside down hanging by one knee, but all I can see is my skin pulled across my new cellulite. Or when I’m wearing my “fat pants” and oddly enough, they’re tight.
When did this happen?! I shouldn’t even own “fat pants”!
Oh yes… This happened when several types of ‘treats’ became daily habits – such as chocolate, lots of butter, lots of bread, lots of sugar, etc.
The extra weight is starting to get me down, literally and emotionally. I’m not obese but I’m feeling uncomfortable in my own body. My clothes are too tight. I feel sluggish. I hate recent photos of me (‘surely it’s the camera adding kilos…’). And it’s harder to lift myself upside down on the pole. Seriously.
Now, one of my best friends is getting married in Bali in 6 weeks, and I’m a bridesmaid. After seeing unflattering WTF-type photos of myself last week, and with the upcoming wedding (and photos) looming, I felt sad and realised I needed to lose the extra kilos. Immediately.
I’ve said it a million times before, but this time the weight loss is happening.
So! How am I going to lose 5kg in a 6 week time-frame? With sacrifices…
I baked a cake to celebrate the day before my diet started
My good mate Amanda, who is studying to be a personal trainer, has helped create a strict food plan (which I started today), that is the complete opposite of everything I was eating last week.
I wish I’d had my reality check 3 months ago, but now I’ve got only 6 weeks to try and lose at least a few kilos before my friend’s wedding – because, and I admit reasonable vanity here, I don’t want to look back on the photos and feel sad at my size.
The plan is intense, and my body is going to have a massive shock, but it is still a safe way to lose weight as quickly as possible – no weight loss pills or shakes here. Just real food.
I could focus on what I can’t have: sugar, bread, milk, cheese, butter, oil, chocolate, alcohol… Gah!
But let’s be positive and focus on what I can have!
My daily food intake will include things like boiled eggs, nuts, lean meats, brown rice, huge salads, sweet potato, yoghurt, fruit, and the natural sweetener Stevia (which today I discovered is an acquired taste)! It won’t be bland, boring food though, thanks to nature’s gift of fresh herbs and spices. And lemons. There are always lemons in my day.
Free range chicken breast baked with lemon zest & juice, garlic, fresh thyme, sea salt, freshly ground pepper – for lunches
Tonight’s dinner: rump (cooked without oil), Dijon mustard, sweet potato mashed with freshly grated nutmeg, steamed zucchini. I’ve been told I need more greens next time!
After the first 2 weeks I’ll also have a weekly “cheat meal”, which could be homemade burgers, pasta, or even pizza. Hold onto your hats!
Abstaining from alcohol will be hard, because I enjoy a glass of wine with dinner. However, the hardest thing for me to give up will be milk. I consume milk like I’m a newborn.
So there you have it! Along with finally moving into our new apartment this coming weekend (YAY!), this is what I’ll be up to over the next several weeks.
Do you struggle with maintaining your weight with your love of food? And… Do you want to read any updates of how my plan is going over the coming weeks? Simple, healthy recipes etc??
NOTE: I’m not going to become a super healthy recipes only / weight loss blogger. In fact I have several draft posts about cake recipes and restaurants waiting to be finished… I’m just putting this mission out there, to hold me publicly accountable, because the next several weeks are going to be bloody hard!
Oh girl, I totally get you on this post! I’m primarily a dessert recipe blogger so it’s really tricky to not become a total fatty boombah. My strategy is to push the creations onto my loved ones/coworkers in an attempt to evenly distribute the weight. Sending healthy thoughts your way for the next few weeks!
Thanks Sophie! Good strategy
After I baked my last hurrah cake yesterday, I realised that the part I love most about baking is the baking itself, and then sharing the creations with friends.
Chanel, fair play for being so open, it’s a tough but hot topic! I know exactly how you’re feeling and it’s a blessing to not be the only foodblogger out there who can’t handle the indulgent lifestyle. I had the same realisation a few weeks ago, I’m looking forward to seeing how you get on. Best of lucl
Thanks so much Carol-Anne!
I ALWAYS think that when I look at all the teeny tiny food bloggers running around town. How do they DO it? And it doesn’t help that when I do go on a “health kick” and start cooking us some lighter meals, my husband immediately drops pounds but I stay plump!
Anyway, best of luck with the new regime! You’re super brave for putting it out on the blog. Well done!
Thank you SarahKate! My husband eats so much food and has always been the same size – so unfair!
You go girl… and please let us know what you’re doing and how you’re doing it. Fact is, my jeans are too tight too! Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks so much Lizzy
Good Luck & good on you for making the change! I had increased my size 14 frame to a size 18 (of course thinking everything must be shrinking) until i spent HOURS reading Amandas blog one night! I changed everything then! Its a slow & long process for me but it definitely helps to blog about it
Thanks Karina!
I feel your pain! Those first few kilos are sneaky, aren’t they??! Good luck – definitely look forward to reading your updates.
Thanks Liz! They certainly are – sneaky and so unwanted!
What a brave & open post! Kudos to you for being brave enough to open up about this & now do something about it. I’m sure you will achieve great results before the Bali wedding. You’re saying all the things that I think every woman feels – it’s about confidence & being emotionally and aesthetically happy with yourself. Good luck!
Thank you Suz! It’s nerve-racking putting yourself out there, but the support has been overwhelming
I follow Amanda’s blog – you are in safe hands! GOOD LUCK !!
Thanks Alexandra!
I’ve gained around 5kg since my wedding a couple of years ago BUT I also happened to lose a few beforehand (wedding stress, ha!) so that puts the net weight gain at about 2kg. As far as blogging goes, I’ve been blogging for closer to 3 years so I think any weight gain for me is due to not being as active and slowing metabolism.
Don’t beat yourself up about blogging and its associated indulgences – people actually don’t eat as much as you think! People don’t necessarily finish their all their food and tend to share it around – cookies and cakes make excellent gifts =D
Best of luck on your weight-loss journey and I hope you have the best of time at the wedding!
Thanks Rita! When I get to ‘maintenance’ stage I think I’ll need to adopt those practices – instead of eating everything, just sample & share!
It’s like you just wrote this post out of my own head…over the 18 months since I started the blog, and 15 months since I got married I’ve also put on 10kgs. I feel like a fat fat fatty tub of lard – my fat pants are too tight and I feel so uncomfortable all of the time. I actaully look like a “fat person”, rather than the “big boned person” I’ve always been. I have a few big dinner’s out coming up soon but apart from that I need to cut back, cut out desserts and just eat less.
Wow, our numbers are so alike. I’d say I’m glad I’m not the only one, but I’m sorry you’re feeling this way too
Cut back & eat less is a good mantra! Good luck
God love you, I can so relate! It is a constant battle! You WILL be successful in shedding that 5 kilos but I know you will not lose your passion and love for life and food, which is one of the things I find so inspiring about you and one of the reasons I am proud and honoured to be your friend! I love you, 10 kilos heavier or lighter and even another 10 kilos on top of that could not make you less beautiful, but I totally and utterly support your mission to feel comfortable in Bali so GO CHANEL, you can do this, stay strong, stay disciplined and just think when you finally get on that plane how happy and proud and comfortable in your skin you will feel, just hold on to that light at the end of the tunnel and take one day at time! Lots of love xoxo
Thank you so much Laura! I will never lose my passion for food, just the unwanted kilos!
Eyes on the prize – Bali, bikinis, and Bintang!
Go Chanel!
Don’t under-rate a how diverse salads can be!
Mustard and lemon juice with a bit of sea-salt make a great dressing. There’s also a raw zucchini fettuccine that you can make with a vege peeler and jazz up with a tomato dressing, totally worth trying, here’s a recipe;
http://www.healthfulpursuit.com/2011/04/raw-tomato-basil-zucchini-pasta/
Also, try a spicy Asian salad with tamari and rice wine vinegar dressing with loads of lime, chilli and coriander, yum!
Good Luck!
Thanks for the suggestions Emma! I love a dressing of Dijon mustard & lemon juice, and the raw zucchini idea is great
Hey Chanel, I so hear you! When I got married I became so comfortable with my new life and love of food that in a space of a year I went from 60kg to almost 80. When I stopped fitting into size 14 and was almost forced to shop at plus size stores I woke up to myself! I still love my food but have changed the way I eat and think about food. I’m back in my 60s. I still have my cake, cream filled eclairs and we eat out once a week, but it’s those other times that matter. I’ve shared my story before… it might help you:
http://wholesomecook.wordpress.com/2011/04/11/french-womens-magical-leek-soup/
Thank you Martyna! So true about it being the other times that matter, when I’m at maintenance stage.
Thanks for the link to your story too
Love it Chanel! I totally understand how you feel – sometimes you just have to stop and walk away… i love food as well and it is SO hard to do sometimes. I may have to join you on a health kick! good luck and i am sure you will look fab for your friends wedding in Bali!
Thanks GA! You’re more than welcome to join me – We Can Do It!
Ufffff as soon as people hear I am a food blogger (and more specifically a dessert blogger) they always comment on my weight. I HATE it. Yes it is really hard to eat out all the time and bake thousands of delicious cupcakes/cookies/slices/cakes but food is my passion so I make sacrifices in other areas of my life.
I exercise every day for at least an hour. I try to reduce my alcohol intake as much as possible (although often fail miserably) and when I am not eating pork belly at a restaurant, or sampling my latest cupcake creation, I am cooking healthy meals at home with lots of protein and veges. But sometimes it doesn’t feel enough and I think a health kick is needed for me in the near future!
Good luck with your healthy eating Chanel!
Thanks Swah! I imagine that would be frustrating having people comment on your weight.
You sound like you have a good balance! My indulgent times started to become on par or more frequent than my healthy moments.
There really is no where to hide at Bobbis. It doesnt help when yuo’re surrounded by uber sexy chicks either. Good on you for doing something. I need to get back on my healthy bandwagon too actually. My 4 day Melbourne trip demolished me haha. I was actually craving fruit :/
So many sexy chicks! I don’t want to grip with my belly rolls dammit!
I was craving steamed veg after my recent Perth trip!
Good for you Chanel and it’s a struggle I know well! It’s really hard and a constant battle. It’s easy to give up bad food but really hard to say no to really good food. But you sound like you’re on the right track and best of luck! Keep us posted how you go!
Thanks Lorraine!
Ah so true – it’s easy to give up McDonald’s, but to say no to a lovingly homemade cake…
Totally understand. I’ve put on a heap of weight since I’ve gotten married and started the blog. Although my cooking tends to be quite healthy for the most part (when I have control ie. within the home). Thinks it’s probably the lack of exercise and movement. Really need a chance of lifestyle. Would love to hear more about your journey. Definitely something I can relate to. Good luck with it all. It can be so depressing!
Thanks for the support! I will post updates, and hopefully share something helpful
I feel your pain, I have stacked on the weight over the past 3 years of my blog. I totally blame myself and not the blog. I need more motivation and need to get out and exercise more. Wonder if I could put an exercise bike in the kitchen and cook from it?
Hey Sara! You’re right in that it’s not the blog at fault, but our own choices. Maybe we should put away the electrical mixers and beat egg whites by hand??
Oh my god you read my mind? It’s like now, I have this seemingly legitimate excuse to eat WHATEVER THE FUCK I WANT. And it’s getting ridiculous.
Yesss I had the same excuse in my head! Catches up with the body though
i have the exact same problem! i’ve also had a bit of ugh weight gain lately.. about six kilos of sadness! would love to hear how your progress goes and any tips and tricks you can share.. best of luck to you Chanel!!
Thanks Christine
How much longer until your wedding day, or has it been already??
I completely understand.what you’re going through. One of the reasons I got a dog was so I’d be motivated to walk him every day, lol. Keep us posted, and please, post some healthy recipes, I’m always looking for those!
Haha that’s a great plus of having a pet – if only my cats liked being walked!
hope it goes well. i tried Stevia once, haven’t tried again!
If i eat crap i get fat too, so i try and reduce portion size and have a balanced diet with a little exercise when i can (its hard with two little ones). I gained loads of weight in pregnancy and my boy is now 19months and i’m still go a few kilos to go……
Thanks Muppy
Stevia is definitely an unpleasant/acquired taste, as I’ve discovered 
thx so much for having this post
I always love reading dessert posts, with its full on calorie packed ingredients, and I am so envious of bloggers with that high metabolism!! Last yr alone I was baking like crazy and gained almost 10kg, but I loved baking macarons and brownies so much that I couldnt stop! 
now my goal is to lose 10kg by the end of this yr for the yr12 formal, and ive lost 3kg so far, and im still baking, but mainly making them for friends as bday gifts:) I am really looking forward to your future posts 
! Lets kick those extra kgs in the butt and show’em who’s boss!! 
Thanks Tina! Well done on losing the 3kg so far! Let’s keep baking but hand out the goods to friends & co-workers
Good luck! I have also just started a mission to lose about 10kg which I put on since I left Australia to travel (have been away for almost a year now)
Thanks Petra! Wow a year long holiday sounds amazing – good luck on your weight loss mission
I came here to see what you’ve been up to and this is what I’m confronted with? whats the world come to? lol.
I hope its all going well for you. if i knew how to eat healthily I’d happily share with you. unfortunately I don’t. oh well.
Haha! Thanks
Good luck Chanel and good on you for making the decision!
Yes, food blogging is fraught with weight gain danger due to all the numminess we constantly cook. I sample some of whatever I make and then send the rest to the hungry troops (literally as he’s in the army) my fiance works with. At least they burn it all off with the PT they do everyday. I figure this way I can make whatever I like without ending up the size of a house because I’m constantly taunted by having treats around 
Thank you
You’re another sensible blogger – bake & give away! 
Good luck Chanel! You have already won by making the decision itself! A real food diet plan is only for the brave ones!
Haha thank you!
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