Shop Love: Comfy, Cozy, Stretchy Skirt from Athleta

I want to proclaim this the only skirt you ever really need. It's that comfy, it's that versatile.

I've become a huge fan of Athleta over the past year. I purchased a bathing suit (this one) from them before my last vacation, and it was amazing: cute, but made for a woman (not a model). And I could actually move in it without fear of unintentional nudism. I was hooked!

As the weather cooled, I needed to update my wardrobe. I needed versatile pieces though. Something I could wear when I lost weight, as well as when I put a few on after the holidays (and boy did I). Enter Athleta's Roll Over Sweater Skirt.

This skirt has pretty much been my uniform this winter. It's crazy comfortable, and looks good with tights and tall boots. Plus it fits no matter what. It's made of stretchy sweater material that doesn't really cling (unless you're a static machine...which I sometimes am).

I started with the universal Black - and picked up another in Mallard Blue. They're currently on sale, but still an investment. But for a 3-season skirt, it's worth it. Highly recommended for ladies with weight in transition (up or down), expecting moms, and anyone looking for a cozy winter-friendly skirt.

Holy Holiday Damage!

Ok, so I've been a little ashamed to post this, but OH MY GOD I did some big damage over the holidays. Yes, I include my birthday (first week of Jan) in the holidays. But before I got too comfy hiding in my giant winter sweaters, I figured I should do a sanity check on the scale.

Sanity check? Try INSANITY.

It was bad. Seven pounds bad. That's seven over the acceptable 2 - 4 pound cookie-related holiday weight (like my fuzzy math?). I'm surprised the floors don't buckle under my feet! I thought Doggie Drama was just into playing the "Chase Me" game lately...but she was probably running because she thought I was going to EAT her!

I did the scale freak out last week, and instead of weighing my options and buying 3 diet books like usual, I dove right into South Beach. For me, it's the only way to do some fast damage control. It kind of re-kajiggers my system back into relying on actual food - not just chocolate and mashed potatoes. I acted fast, and a week later I'm already down 4 watery pounds. Thank God for quick thinking!

So now I'm cooking up a low carb storm! Stay tuned for some comforting recipes that will warm up this cold and pudgy winter.

Yummie Yummie Yummie - I Got Lycra on my Tummie

I was lucky enough to hit RueLaLa.com (my fave shopping site - 3 day sales - click here to sign up) at the right time on the right day for their Yummie Tummie sale!

These are shaping garments that pose as actual garments. Kind of like Spanx you could potentially wear on the outside. They have a line of tanks, t-shirts, etc. with a secret slimming panel only in the midsection - with normal cotton blend fabric on the upper and lower sections. I'd recommend them for layering - as 'secret' as that slimming panel is, it does show.

But for layering - fab. u. lous. I really love the look. (Apparently major celebs love them too)

I was instantly drawn to the idea when the line was introduced because it only provided slimming where I need it most. It doesn't flatten the girls like other slimming tanks (and believe me, I can't afford the flattening...just ask the 2 inch thick padding on my chest) and it totally doesn't look like shape wear.

But these things are NOT cheap! So when they popped up on RueLaLa for 1/2 price - I jumped on it! I picked up 2 classic tanks in black & white. I opted for the extra long. I wasn't sure how the length really changed the garment at the time (now I do, it's just 3 inches of extra 'non slimming' material at the bottom) but wanted to be sure the lower part of my midsection (my danger zone) was taken care of.

I wore mine under a long, form-fitting wrap sweater (it's about 4 inches too short to be promoted to "dress") of pretty thin knit. The YT totally slimmed out the lumpage and made me look a little slimmer - especially from the front. It was not too constraining, in fact, I'd say it was just right to know I had it on, but not be uncomfortable. Perfect for everyday wear. Since I went for the long version, I had to tuck it into my jeans, but it certainly isn't a deal-breaker.

My only issue was that after only an hour or so of sitting at my desk, it did ride up a little. Nothing a quick trip to the ladies couldn't fix though. A quick tug & adjust was worth the price of admission to the pretty party. Other than that - no one detected I was rocking a slimmer under my sweater.

You can purchase them in a lot of high-end stores (like I said, they're pricey - consider it an investment in confidence) or on the Yummie Tummie site online.

Wait, What?! Nutrition Labels are Dirty Liars?

No one is safe. Even though you try and try to lose weight, sometimes the scale never budges. Well, there may be a reason for that.

A study from Tufts University found that the calorie counts on restaurant food, frozen food from well-known diet programs, and fast food restaurants. I mean, some of it can be expected - each restaurant is making food by hand at some level. But over time (if you're counting calories especially) a few extra calories here and there can sabotage a diet.

The study found that restaurants were claiming around 18% less calories than actual, and frozen foods 8%. I'm more concerned about the frozen foods - these are entrees from Weight Watchers and Lean Cuisine! Reputable companies! Uncool (get it...frozen, uncool? eh?).

However, in some of the side dishes tested from restaurants, the discrepancy was 200% higher than claimed! And some meals didn't account for the free side dishes served with the main course. It's a restaurant-created slippery slope.

How can you combat this? A few tips:
1. Dressing on the side! This is were employee error falls into play. They probably don't have measuring utensils for dressings, sauces, and condiments. Always order on the side so you have full control.

2. Plan ahead. OK so this isn't entirely helpful at this point, but you can at least make educated guesses on whether or not the fries or mashed potatoes are factored into your calorie counts.

3. Customize. Restaurants have full kitchens - which means you can get anything exactly how you want it. Take a cue from Sally Albright (from When Harry Met Sally) and get finicky with your order. Do you really care if your waiter judges you? You shouldn't! It's your body, your dime!

Resolution Revolution: I Resolve Not to Resolve

2009 was a rough year. You can tell by my declining blogging frequency that things went downhill for me at a point. So this year, I'm not making a resolution.

I make the same one every year: lose weight. Yeah...if I got that down I wouldn't need this blog. It always falls off the wagon at some point, and I'm not letting this happen again. I put so much pressure on myself to keep said resolution, that I end up binging on something or other just to spite myself!


I am, however, making a promise to myself. I promise I'll take better care of myself, pay attention to what goes in my mouth, move my body, and post more of everything on this blog.

Yes, it sounds like a resolution in disguise, but I'm ready to take care of myself. It's a milestone year for me - my 30th birthday was yesterday. So I can't just resolve this year. I have to do it right for the rest of my life.