**update about “vegan” friend: we ate at Cosi for dinner and she ordered a chicken casear salad. we talked about it and she didn’t truly plan to follow a strict vegan diet, but rather make healthier choices overall and try to eat vegan when she can. I am not at all concerned about her, as I know she will not deprive herself and think the vegan thing isn’t something she is going to truly do.**
Hello Beautifuls!
Tuesday was a pretty good day! I had a really typical lunch- turkey/swiss wrap with pretzel thins, annie’s chocolate chip bunnies, an apple & laughing cow cheese
At 2:30 I had a meeting with a medical doctor at the University Health Services. She was so sweet. My weight went up slightly from last week, which is really great!! I knew this doctor was going to inform me about my exercise abilities.
I am happy to say she said I can either run 3 times a week for 1 mile or do one day of powerflow yoga and one day of running a mile. I know it isn’t much, but I honestly will take anything at this point 🙂 From there, they will be monitoring how my weight responds.
My afternoon snack was the oatmeal raisin cookie chewy kashi bar
and some unpictured almonds. I liked this bar a lot!
I had humo practice and then I went to Cosi to eat with two friends. I ordered the lobster bisque butternut squash soup and tomato basil mozzarella light sandwich and also had an apple.. delicious!! I loved the big pieces of mozzarella cheese 🙂
I then was studying my butt off the rest of the night. When snack time came around, I ate a Kashi peanut butter butter granola bar with a trail mix from walgreens.
Loved the yogurt raisin clusters 🙂
I went to bed way too late because I was talking with people on my floor- oops! But when I woke up all I wanted was Yoatgurt/Yoats (w/e)!! LOL. I had 1/2 cup oats cooked in water with strawberry chobani, 1/4 cup of peanut butter bumpers, almond butter & cinnamon raisin swirl, & a banana
i’m not going to lie- i’ll probably be eating this again tomorrow 😀
I had zoology & music 101 and then I took an amazing & much needed nap. lunch was a honey mustard turkey & swiss sandwich with the usual
as you all can see- I tend to eat very similar things for lunches. I truly believe this is not a result of my eating disorder, but rather a result of me not wanting to think and so I go to this lunch because I know I like it. Despite this, I really want to try to switch it up a little. It is ok to have this lunch but it is getting really repetitive. Plus, the turkey is processed and there are other healthy options I can choose too.
The problem is that my choices are limited :-\ I am going to really try to switch things up though- it is a challenge 🙂 we’ll see how it goes!
anywhoo- so after lunch I hung out and napped with my boyy before my afternoon class. Lots of napping? haha oh well.
Then I went for my first mile long run!!! ahh I was honestly so excited. Not only that, but I avoided the treadmill. You see, in my worst eating disorder days I was kind of like a slave to the treadmill. I was obsessed with the distance, calories, etc. etc. and so I chose today to run on the track. It felt great and i’m going to try to do it as much as possible. I want to have a very healthy relationship with running this time around 🙂
I didn’t take a picture of my afternoon snack, but I did picture dinner! Big salad with chicken, eggs, & feta & light ranch dressing with izze, baked doritos (omg so good..haven’t had these in forever) & an apple.
Then I studied and my snack was organic reduced fat vanilla milk (soo good) & a soyjoy chocolate peanut butter bar (not so good).
So today my roommate and I decided to clean up a bit! I started organizing my desk area and realized I had so many magazines that I had yet to throw away.
Look at the magazines…
notice- they are all about health/fitness/diets/etc. Now i’m not going to preach about how I think these magazines are bad for teens/woman because they promote weight loss and/or can cause body image issues, etc. but I am going to talk about how this just made me realize how consumed in my eating disoder I was. I was drawn to magazines like these. Despite how thin I already was, I was always so interested in the “perfect” diet or the exercise that burns the most calories.
I had limited my interests to fitness, diet, and running and I was constantly reading things with messages like:
UGH. Most girls my age would probably reach for cosmo or some other gossip magazine and while these aren’t exactly the best choices either, it is much more of the norm. I can honestly say I am not tempted to pick these magazines up anymore and that just shows me that I really am becoming less consumed with eating disorder thoughts.
The point?
I am proud of how far i’ve come. I told Gardner today that I truly love my body right now. I didn’t think i’d be able to accept the gain. I didn’t think i’d like it and I thought I would miss my old, scrawny body.
The truth?
I don’t miss it one bit. I haven’t been this happy since my eating disorder started. And honestly, though things are not perfect (I still have a few pounds to go) and I definitely do struggle sometimes, I am never going back. I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel… and it truly shines.
xoxoxoxox
Shelley♥
Questions 🙂
1. How do you feel about health/fitness magazines? Do you read em? why or why not? you know my answer 🙂
2. Any ideas for new & easy lunches for meee? i’m gettin bored over here!
3. What was your favorite junk food as a kid? I loved doritos, anything chocolate, french fries and hamburgers (preferably from McDonalds), and a whole lot more where that came from!
ps- if i haven’t been commenting, i’m sorry! I love you all so much but balancing school among other things with blogging is getting tough!
Finding Happiness and Health 
Hey girl 🙂 🙂
Congrats on your first mile!!!! Next time you go out for a run bring your camera and take pics of interesting/beautiful things you see…It really takes the focus of the distance and focuses it on the experience…sounds cornball but I swear it’s fun! Here is a recent post where I did the same thing: http://www.biochemista.com/2010/01/washington-dc-runners-world.html
Hmmm my fav food as a kid was probably grape kool-aid..mmm
xx nite nite
Lauren
Great post Shelley! Miss you tons! So glad to hear you can go enjoy a run!!!!!!!!!
magazines like that…well, if you have your head on straight, they can be okay but honestly, the messages just get deep within our psyche’s and our souls and then mess with our heads. And cause us to feel like we’re never good enough, never doing enough, etc. So yeah, every now and then i enjoy them but rare. Like twice a year 🙂
Predictable foods. I am a creature of habit. I think most people are if they admit it…it’s human nature. But just lots of fresh fruits, veggies, dips and spreads, dipping carrot sticks in AB or a veggie dip or fruit into nut butters or whatever you like. Dried fruits, raisins, etc are great for on the go. And protein bars or whatever you like girl just go with it!
Great to hear this! And now…keep going and keep doing the right things girl! That’s another challenge and I know you can do this too!
Be careful with the running, but I know you will, I’ve got so much faith:)
xxx Julia (Taste of Living)
Hey girlie!
First of all, it’s SO cute that your mom follows your posts!
great support right there.
Personally, I buy the mags every once in a while.. read them, and realize I already knew most of the stuff, haha. I neve rdo the exercises.. I don’t know why i’m so lazy when it comes to excising! If someone told me I couldnt run for a few months, I don’t thin ki’d take it very hard haha. 😛
Do you like tuna? Tuna salad sandwiches = ❤ to me!
How about a healthy burger, or some pasta or something?
My favourite junk food as a kid.. hmm.. EVERYTHING? Seriously though haha, I'm not too much of a picky eater, and def. wasn't one when I was younger. If its over processed, over salted/over sweetened.. chances are, I'll like it =p
xox Vera
This is such an uplifting post- you are doing so well it’s fab- back to running again too!
As for your qs:
1. I don’t read health/fitness magazines- I was definitely drawn to them in shops and would fllick through but now I know they are not helpful to me and avoid them. I know how to be healthy for me why allow magazines to doubt myself?
2. As for lunches, you want something easy so how about hummus sammies, ready to go falafel stuffed in a pitta, avocado and swiss? you could make up a rice or bean or pasta salad and put it in tupperware for transport. It’s ok to stick to the same things I think most people do out of ease.
3. Junk food…..umm I was a really picky eater as a kid and didn’t like much- plain pasta, plain chicken, limited veg, no fruit. I wasn’t even a massive junk food eater…
I’m so so pleased for you, you’re almost there chicka and you never have to go back to the darkness.
xxxxxx
It’s so great that you got the ok for working out again!
hey shelley! why do your eats always look so good? 😀 im so happy for you on the running. its the best and its so calming in a way! health/fitness mags are really helpful sometimes for good products and meals and stuff but i used to love them when i was in ed so i tend to stay away now! but some of them i still buy because they are so interesting and they give me good ideas. new lunches? how about grilled chicken on a wrap with honey mustard & lettuce and then some popchips or something dif?or maybe you could do a pb & j (thats my favorite 😉 ) my favorite junk food was always oreos! my mom refused to buy them so i would always eat them at my friends houses, i was so sneaky. have a great day girl! xoxo soph
first of all i want to say how proud i am of you for achieving what you have this week. being strong enough to exercise is a great thing and you should be proud of youself for coming this far!
i don’t read these kind of health magazines anymore. it was only my Ed that enjoyed reading them while the rest of my brain took a nap 😉
new lunch ideas? how about trying new cuisines? like thai or african inspired dishes?
i don’t have any child-junk food memories because my mum raised me on a strict organic vegetarian diet. the closest to junk i could get was probably some of my mum’s wholemeal cakes 😉 haha yeah not very junky. don’t worry once i became a teenanger i eat all the mac donalds i missed out on away from home and told my mum i had her healthy ‘packed lunch’ 😉
YEEEEEEESSSSSSS Shelley – exercise! Woot Woot! So happy for/proud of you! That’s awesome that you’re far enough in recovery to be able to add working out back in!
Oh aaaaand I love that you’re loving your new body! Crazy isn’t it? I thought I’d miss my skinny little butt, too, but I don’t at all!
A health/fitness magazine addict here too…and you’re right, it’s all for the wrong reasons!!! Bleh!
YAY that you got your exercise privileges back:) I think it’s fantastic the way you’re starting it off to have a better relationship with it this time.
Junk food…hmm, anything that had chocolate, or was remotely dessert-like. Sweet tooth! It’s been a long time since I had some now though… 😦
Shelley! You’re amazing girl ❤ It's great to hear that you're allowed to exercise again; that alone is some great motivation to stay healthy. But even better is that you're loving your body. So.Amazing!
I use to be obsessed with health magazines and clean cooking magazines… I would buy them all. Now I don't even find myself interested enough to crack one open… I'm tired of being preached to, quite frankly…
My favorite junk food as a little kid was McDonald's… fries, chicken nuggets, and sweet and sour sauce. Perfection.
Hey Girl!
I always love your posts. You have honestly been the reason I am having my first therapy appt today to finally get past the last hurdle that I have been struggling on with my ED (letting go). I teach second grade, and am always having to brown bag it. I have started microwaving an egg mix (1 egg/2 egg whites, spinach, shrooms, tomatoes, peppers, and cheese) and putting it in tupperwear before I leave home. I later toss it in a tortilla with Salsa. The eggs stay fine out of the fridge, but I don’t know how safe it is hahah! I am also from Austin, where wrapping anything in a tortilla is the norm! Good luck, and keep up the awesome work!
Hello beautiful girl!!!
So proud you gained some more and that you can exercise again!!! I know you have been wanting to do that, you should do yoga, I would love to more , it really is amazing!!! Yay for running a mile, I know runnin goutside is better, I cant stand the treadmill!!
Hmmmmm lunch I dont have any ideas, lol!!! I always eat some kind of wrap combo !!
My favorite junkfood is Ben and Jerrys Icecream, I love me some chicken nuggets from mcdonalds too!!!
Have a great day girl!!! xoxo
Totally understand about not being able to comment as much- school is a lot to handle!
I am so happy to hear about being able to exercise- that’s awesome! Just don’t get obsessed with it, I was the same way before- I had a very unhealthy relationship with the dreadnikl 😦
I used to love those fitness/ health magazines bit I find them quite triggering and try to avoid them!!
I am the sameeee way with my lunches!!
Hang in there shell- your doing great!
Hey! Congrats on your run!
I am happy that you are doing so well and happy with your new body, you go girl!
You’re an inspiration for me 😉
Yay for being able to exercise again!! It’s so great how you’re going about it, trying to have a healthy relationship this time.
I used to be a HUGE magazine addict. I would buy every single fitness magazine I could find every month. Self, Shape, Fitness, Health, Women’s Health…you name it, I had it. I was obsessed with them during my eating disorder and I would pore over them looking for more ways to burn off calories and etc. I never read those magazines before my ED – only during my ED. Since starting recovery, I’ve kind of weaned (haha, ridiculous, I know) myself off of them because I liked them for all the wrong reasons. I threw all my fitness mags away (I had more than year’s worth of all of them) and I have resisted buying them since then.
Favorite junk food as a kid? Doritos + sprite was my favorite combo growing up. And McDonald’s fries dipped into a Wendy’s chocolate frosty, mmm!
I’m so happy to hear how well you’re doing & congrats on the run! I used to be addicted to the dreadmill but not because I liked it 😕 Now I’m an outdoors runner and it’s so different- 100x more enjoyable 😀
I like cosmo, shape, and trashy tabloids lol. I agree- sometimes fitness magazines are too much.
i’m so happy for you! that’s amazing – both that you’re loving your new body AND you can run again! sometimes it’s good for just clearing the mind, you know?
as for lunches – try GRILLED CHEESE dipped in SOUP, frittatas made with ham and cheese, do-it-yourself pizzas made on pita bread or naan, chicken stir fries, or pasta!!
I used to have subscriptions to Self and Shape but it was all ads and I have no desire or intention to “lose my middle” lol SOOO I canceled em! If Im in the store at the check out, I might glance at em, but def wouldnt waste 4$ on one!
Keep up the awesome work, Shelley, sounds like you are doin fabulous!! 🙂
Way to go Shelley! You’ve come so far since I started reading your blog, it’s incredible. Congrats on all the progress!
I’m glad your friend isn’t being really limiting but making better choices overall.
As far as lunches, I used to eat lots of sandwiches (I know you eat lots of wraps), but nut butter + apple is a good filling, or apple and cheddar. When I used to eat the faux meats I always like the turkey ones, so I’d do apple, turkey and some kind of cheese.
What about soups? Stir fries? Have you tried making sushi yet? Daunting at first but really kinda fun!! Homemade pizza? Apparently TJ’s has an inexpensive crust you could throw some toppings on.
xoxo
Ashlei
Congrats on getting the go-ahead to run! 🙂
❤ ❤
So exciting to read these posts about how far you are coming along in your recovery… hooray!
Have you tried grilled hummus + veggie sandwiches? One of my favorites!
I don’t read health magazines anymore. Like you I constantly read these kind of magazines looking for the quick fixes etc. I just think every person is different and should find their own way of eating healthily and maintaining a healthy weight, rather than following these magazines.
I actually love health/fitness magazines.. but I don’t read all those articles on losing weight or losing inches.. I just read the articles on fitness and new recipe ideas!
And one of my favorite lunches is cottage cheese + garbanzos + ranch seasoning!
My favorite junk food.. Twix or Doritos or Twizzlers.. I can’t decide!
ah so glad you’re running again! I just started up again too (and Im trying to be a slave to the tredmill either!)
Got your comment and Im glad you liked my bloggy valentine 🙂
Have a good rest of your week!
xo-Molly
http://www.givinganythingbutup.wordpress.com
Yay for seeing the light! You’ve come so far in the short time since I’ve been a reader. It makes me happy to see you learning to be more happy and healthy 🙂
1. How do you feel about health/fitness magazines? Do you read em?
Yes I love them! But I completely understand how they can make people obsessive about calories, fat burning exercises, etc.
2. Any ideas for new & easy lunches for meee?
Make quesdillas! Get some black beans, salsa, cheese sticks and nuke it in the microwave. You could also throw in steamed spinach or anything else!
3. What was your favorite junk food as a kid? REESES! YUM!
Reading your posts always make me so happy!!! You just radiate with positivity and strength 🙂 Yeah I admit I also used to read those fitness mags like crazy- just adding fuel to the fire of my ED…now the types of magazines I read are- Cosmo, Glamour, (real fashion magazines), travel magazines, etc. No more ‘weight loss tricks’ or shizzzzzz like thattt!
As for lunch- I tend to eat sandwichy stuff too for time factor- but you can definitely switch it up- like try pitas or tortillas/lavash/different types of breads and fillings- other suggestions could be some frozen foods which you can nuke in the micro like Amy’s Pizzas or any of her other meals or Kashi meals, Trader Joes frozen entrees etc-
My fave junk food as a kid: LOVED doritos, and LOVED OREOS with PB 🙂
Glad to hear your friend is going to make healthy choices.
I hate those magazines. One coverline will say “love your body!” then the next coverline says “lose weight fast with this 20 day shapeup plan!” So annoying.
I’m excited that you get to exercise. Only because I think it will help you relieve stress from school and stuff 🙂
glad to hear you’re feeling so happy! That Kashi bar looks delicious!
school and life comes before blogging! i have to remind myself of that all the time lol. awesome that your doc gave you the ok to start exercising, and i’m so happy to hear that you’re going to have a healthy relationship with running this time around! exercise should be something to keep your body strong and fit, not something to simply burn calories and burn off everything you eat! i’ve heard so much about cosi from my cousin who lives in chicago but i’ve never been to one!
I’m so proud of you, both for getting the green light with running and for feeling so positively about your body! Reading that gave me SUCH inspiration and I’m so happy for you. 🙂
EVERY TIME I go on your blog I think to myself how yummy those annie’s bunny crackers look! Which flavor do you recommend the most? And what are their exchanges?
I also used to read those magazines a lot, but I don’t anymore. Partly I think because there’s nothing in them that I haven’t read a billion times before lol. But also because it’s totally ED related for me.
Rachael*
That’s awesome that you are able to run now!! And I’m so happy that you are loving your body now- It shows so much confidence and happiness when you are positive about yourself and your progress 🙂
And I feel the same way about health/fitness magazines-I’m happy you brought this up! Magazines focus sooo much on what people look like and how restrictive diets can make them look like the woman on the cover, but they don’t mention all the airbrushing, etc. that makes the models look like that (I can go on, but I’ll stop haha)
All your eats look delicious- I’ve noticed we eat a lot of the same stuff daily (pretzel thins and Annie’s honey graham bunnies are staples haha)- For lunch, I’d suggest eggs, I don’t know if your dining hall as ’em or not, but you can always go to the store and buy 1/2 a carton for less than a dollar!… hope that helps:)
I don’t read magazines like that. I already know what I consider healthy and I don’t really like a lot of the foods those magazines tell you to eat. I also know how to get in shape it’s not rocket science.
Ideas for lunches:
-wrap with hummus and or cheese instead of turkey
-veggie chick’n nuggets
-quesadilla
-soup and salad with something else
-veggie pizza? might be a challege but I know you can do it
Hey love! Yeah – I remember when all I’d pour over were fitness mags. Now they bore me (in all honesty)…It’s like – how much articles does one need to read about doing squats and losing 10 inches before it gets old? hehe Now onto your questions:
1. I feel health mags promote everything BUT health. Living off of Cayenne pepper drinks for 5 days isn’t health – it’s starvation mode. And polluting young girls’ minds with images of fat growing on their thighs after eating a cookie is a form of psychological terrorism. Seriously.
2. Lunches, hmm..Here’s what I like to have: imitation crab, veggie and fruit sandwiches with a pudding cup on the side. Sushi from TJs with an apple. Oat bran infused with fruit and veg + faux crab meat with a yogurt on the side. The occasional salad (but make sure to pick one with enough cals and nutrients.) 😉
3. Favorite junk food as a kid would have to be chips, sugar-topped pastries in Kiev and soda. We didn’t have much junk food though over there – my grandparents made sure I ate in a balanced way. I was quite the cookie monster though hehe.
I have some questions on my latest blog too, if you wouldn’t mind answering. 🙂 Have a lovely day hun!
thanks again for last nigh love ❤
hmm lunch ideas–quesadillas? i've been loving them lately
you rock 🙂
xoxo
love that you can run!! Ahhh that’s so exciting! I have warm fuzzies all inside after reading that!
Woo Hoo! Congrats on your 1 mile! That is so awesome Shelley! I am smiling so BIG for you right now!!
My favorite junk food as a kid was poptarts! I always liked the plain un-iced strawberry. But man I could put a box away in like 2 days had my parents let me! 🙂
That is great that you can run again! Glad you are feeling so confident 🙂
1) I still get fitness magazines and read them when I am bored but they are all the same and I don’t agree with some of the articles.
2) I bring turkey a lot too but soup and salad is good or peanut butter and jelly with banana wraps.
3) Poptarts, Dunkaroos, DQ Blizzards!
yay for you being able to run again!!!! i did to much damage in my overexercising days with runner’s highs and ruined my right knee…so running is not in my future 😦 it does make me sad because i miss it but me and the gym do not get along!
your meals seem “normal” i suppose all things considered so repeating them is prolly “normal” too. i mean i watch my dad pack his lunch every evening and it’s usually sandwich, chips, fruit… whatever we have to finish up so it usually bears some repeating!
thats also gresat your weight went “slightly up” as well… take what you can get!
sending good eats your way!
Congrats on being able to work out again! I know how much you missed it and I’m so happy that you’re trying to build a healthy relationship with running! A nice run always clears my head 🙂
I’ve been wanting to try the lobster butternut squash soup at Cosi forever, but they’ve never had it at the one I go to 😦 The TMB is the bomb, though. I love tomato and mozzarella together!
For new lunches, I love making huge salads with a ton of stuff in them. I throw anything that sounds good in- veggie burgers, hummus, fruit, nuts- and it always comes out delicious. Plus, there’s so many possible ingredients that I never get sick of them!
I used to buy tons of health mags, too, but have stopped recently because I feel like I already know most of the stuff they say! There will always be a plan telling you how to “sculpt every inch” or “lose ten pounds in two weeks,” but learning to love your body for all the things it can do it so much healthier 🙂 Have a great day chica!
I am SO excited every time I read one of your posts! I am truly so happy for you and how well you’re doing in your recovery! Plus, you’re a sweetheart! 🙂
I read Women’s Health and Self because I think they’re great mags…and I totally subscribe to Cosmo 😉
I don’t know if you’re an egg fan or not, but one of my favorite lunches is a egg sandwich or wrap! One of my favorite combination is a Gardenburger or Sunshine burger on an English muffin with 2 microwaved egg whites (or a whole egg if you prefer!), a Laughing Cow cheese, spinach and ketchup! mmm! Of course it’s accompanied by all the yummy sides, but as a sandwich, it’s pretty delicious!
As a kid I loved McDonalds too! Chicken tenders and fries! Mmm! Or a Frosty from Wendy’s! Can’t beat it! 🙂
Have a great day girlie!
you progress is tremendous!! I’m so happy for you 🙂
1. I read those magazines sometimes, but I don’t buy them. My mom would stop me before I did. I think they are okay in moderation – like everything else!
2. and for lunch..PB and banana? that’s my favorite. Or perhaps hummus and some veggies on a wrap?
3. definitely PB cookies. I ate so many, I’m surprised I didn’t turn in to one! And I also loved mickey d’s as a kid, too.
xoxo
That’s awesome that you were able to go on a run…awesome!!
I love the tomato mozzarella sandwich from Cosi and don’t get to have it too often…soo good! I am repetitive with lunches too, but sometimes I’ll add soup to lunch to mix things up or I used to eat Amy’s Stuffed Shells Bowls for lunch because they are natural and well-balanced (if you have microwave access). PB&J sandwiches are always a good choice too:) Simple but different than the norm!
We definitely have a lot of similarities! I used to be a slave to the gym period and would go twice a day….so I try to do most of my exercise at home now and only go to the gym once or twice a week to lift:)
Keep up the great work! Oh, and your food is making me soo hungry for lunch!!
YESS you are doing so awesome!! i LOVE yoatgurt! whooo!! okay i totally understand what you are saying shell-its hard when u are limited in college!! frozen amys meals/burritos are awesome, and so are frozen pizzas! egg sandwiches are great too.
so proud of you!! argh those magazines are irritating-i used to be a slave to those AND the treadmill! terrible, right?! but i do like SOME of the healthy things in those magazines-ive gotten to the point now where i can read them and ignore the “skinny” stuff.. it took a while to get there tho
im so glad you love your body..God gave you that body and you are making Him smile by saying that!
hey love!
I am so happy for you that you are in such a healthy happy place!! You do seem thrilled and I can see it through your writing 🙂 I love that you ran on the track, not dreadmill (and its more fun I am sure!!) exercise should be about enjoyment, not calorie counting and boredom, so you are on the right track (no pun intended!!) 🙂
your meals look healthy and balanced and LOVE those pretzel thins, I coudl eat a whole bag at one sitting no joke!!
Those magazine, meh I usually read them for the happiness and health aspects, not the workout or diet parts. Sometimes they do have some good workouts, and I get new ideas for my personal training but other than that I woudl NEVER follow a diet plan because it is too generealized. You cant give a diet plan for everyone that reads the magazine, it has to be individualized, the same goes with workouts!
stay smiliing 🙂
Im SO glad you love your body! That is just so important, and after an eating disorder its SO hard. It is just wonderful that you’re doing so well, Im so happy for you!
I dont read health/fitness magazines mainly because Im too cheap. Im all about the trashy gossip magazines!
Even as a kid I was never big into junk food. Weird eh? But my favorite thing was probably gummy bears. Not gonna lie, I still love them!!
Amen to seeing the light! You amaze me big sista 😉
CONGRATULATIONS on being able to exercise again 🙂 Seriously girl, you have come so far and you deserve it so much. You inspire me to keep pushing on because I want to get to that point SO badly!
I have been living off of yoats lately.. they are crazy addictive eh? 🙂
1. I was the exact same way when I was disordered… I would be drawn to all the ‘fat burning’ magazines. I see them everywhere now and I can’t stand it. I can just imagine all the troubled girls out there who they are influencing and it breaks my heart.
2. maybe you could still stick to the wraps to keep it simple, but switch up the meat/cheese combination? or you could even try a tuna salad wrap if you like tuna?
3. My favourite junk food would have to be DQ Blizzards =) Mmm..
I know you are so busy, but I wanted to send you a reminder about my e-mail. I haven’t heard back from you… and I just thought I would check 🙂
xox
Tat
I actually think the fitness magazines are better than the cosmo etc. The tips they give at least have the intention of promoting healthy… whereas, cosmo just posts super skinny pictures of celebrities, and/or fat ones of celebrities just for our amusement. I think the problem with the health magazines is that they create an enemy and focus on getting rid of the bad (calories/fat)… when really they should just focus on adding more good stuff… which will eventually crowd out the bad.
I was pretty stoked to find out that Annies had microwavable Mac&cheese. I usually have pasta of some sort for lunch, but this was exciting because it’s natural, and cheese is my favorite thing everr!
Junk food as a kid? I don’t know… Doritos I guess… But right now I’m obsessed with double stuffed oreos. I really don’t even like them, but I like the texture of the cream so I eat them. I have texture issues!
PS: Treadmill = dreadmill! Track = love ❤
Go easy 🙂
Hey beauty! Congrats on all your progress! It makes me so happy to hear you are loving yourself! I hope you enjoy your exercise, too!
I rarely buy those magazines. I think that real people, like the blog girls know much more about exercise and I have learned much more useful advice that way!
Easy lunches- um…different wraps and salads? I am really bad at packing lunch myself!
Favorite snacks as a kid- celery to scoop peanut butter, Sour Cream and Onion chips, Doritos, pretzels, sour patch kids, corn nuts- all the good stuff!
I have an embarrassing amount of old magazines in my room. A couple are Self Magazines but most are Cosmogirl and what not. Im obsessed! Don’t feel bad about commenting. Your college life is crazy I’m sure. Im only a part time student so I have it easy….for now Lol.
I really enjoy reading health/fitness magazines, but luckily don’t get consumed in the quick fix ideas. I like learning about new exercises or healthy meal ideas. They aren’t meant to be a bible, just something I like to read when I don’t want to use my brain 😉
Oh yea, a new lunch idea I just tried…. tuna mixed with a fruity salsa in a sandwich. It was refreshing and delicious.
Your progress is so amazing! Honestly I always leave your blog feeling so pumped and inspired to keep gaining!!
You’re so right about the mags…they used to be my guilty pleasure but I’ve had to move away from those…me thinks blogs have filled that void in some way 😉
izzyy
xoxox
You are exactly right – those magazines have some CRAZY tips. They really make me upset when I read them now b/c I think about the young girls picking them up and believing everything they read. So sad. Way to go for not giving into them anymore!! You already know how to be healthy – you don’t need those magazines!! 🙂
I don’t read fitness mags but I read a lot of fitness blogs and stuff online.
My lunches are repetitive too because I eat them at the office so it’s usually a boring sandwich or last night’s leftovers.
Um.. haha. I actually own every single one of those fitness magazines you pictured. When I say I have a magazine addiction I mean it. Although in my case, it’s more that I enjoy reading the articles – I never actually do the workouts and I already KNOW all the nutrition information. I honestly don’t even know why I buy them since it’s all so repetitive and such a money waste. I DO like that most of the time the bodies they show are ones that are fit NOT pin-thin. Women’s Health is actually my favorite fitness magazine – it has tons of great articles and it’s way more than just losing weight.
My favorite junkfood as a kid was dorito chips with a slushie. My sister and I would get that all the time when we walked home from school. I sort of miss those days where food was just FOOD.
Congrats on the weight gain! I’m super excited and happy for you. =D
Congratulations on all your progress you are truly an inspiration! My favorite junk has been and always will be REESES!!!! Chips wise, I love cheetos….every kind there is out there!
I do pick up the fitness magazines (I’m more drawn to Eating Well and Cooking Light….guess its the future dietician in me) but the articles I read in the magazines are usually the clothing articles, and if I’m bored with my gym workout I’ll try something in the magazine to change it up! I love reading about new recipes just so I don’t get stuck in a food rut!
I agree about the magazines, they are VERY dangerous. It is so easy to start looking at one and forget that the images are not representative of reality.
I don’t really have any meal ideas, in fact to me its pretty motivational viewing your every-day meals, even if they are repetitive. They give me something to strive for. 🙂
Congrats on the exercising and it was good to hear the update about your friend!
hey girl. you’ve got such an inspiring story, and I’m so happy to see how far you’ve come with your eating disorder!
I personally find health/fitness magazines as being motivating. Sometimes I need to read the story and see the fitness plans to get me back on track with my healthy lifestyle, and I’m truly interested in aspects of nutrition and fitness. I guess I can see how they can be harmful too, though. I kind of try to look past the “drop a jean size in a week” stories, though, because I know they’re unrealistic to begin with!
love your blog =) I’ll definitely be a follower! xoxo G
Congrats on being able to run again! I bet it feels good! All of you eats look yummy!
I think i’ve read all of those magazines in the picture lol but what I take from the magazines really are the work-outs or recipes or tips and try to stay away from the “fat blasting” nonsense!
heyy shelley!
so happy for you about being able to run again!
i love reading your blog because youre so positive and youre doing sooo great in recovery! you truly have come so far and it’s great youre able to love your healthier body!
1: definately not!
2: totally blanking on ideas- sorry.
3: i absolutley loved ben and jerrys, mcdonalds french fries, chocolate milkshakes, and cosmic brownies- i would eat like 2 at a time :X
And I’m so proud of you too! You’re such a star – shining bright and showing everyone that life without ED is a life worth living!
I actually get the odd ‘Shape’ magazine here not so much for the workouts but for the other segments because I find that they use healthier looking models rather than stick thin ones. So that’s one plus for them. It all depends on how they are used, and if abused, are obviously a big no-no.
And my favourite snack when I was little was butter on bread sprinkled with sugar. Uber yum! I think it was more the sugar than anything that made me eager for my fill after school most days. Lol.
Keep doing what you’re doing gorgeous!
xx
oh shelley
i LOVE you ..honestly i love u…
all your eats are fantastic…i mUST try overnight oats too 🙂
i hear u on lunches…hard to “mix” things up…
YOU ARE COMING FAR
Shelley…how long did u have to stay away from exercise…its been 10 months for me …and i have a LONG way to go…i cannot even run for 30 seconds…my body is so ridiculous 😦
if u can mail me when u have a chance that would be neat…love u girl…
Isn’t recovery the bomb?? Knowing I have the power to feel (and be!) on top of the world, brimming with life and confidence is the best blessing and the best revenge towards ed.
1. Fitness magazines? I can read them now with a grain of salt and look at their ideas knowing those are for people who probably want to lose weight or something. “Healthy eating” is something completely different for everybody!!
2. I am a fan of bean and salsa burritos with raw veggies and fruit. I also love veggie/shrimp stir frys from the diner. And if you do it right, salad beasts make for good lunches as well! I will also do hearty soups with some veg, pita, and hummus.
3. My fav childhood junk food was Ritz Bitz!! PB kind… I hated processed cheese from the start.
This is such an awesome, positive post!! I am so happy for you. Loving your body is AWESOME 🙂
I love those kashi bars!
❤ jess
xoxo
yay for having a good day! your confidence shines through in your post.
i don’t read those magazines just exactly for that reason you said. my mom even cancelled every subscription to them. now i just get runner’s world. =D
mustard is amazing. as is the banana bread larabar. tasty town.
I’ve subscribed to a fitness magazine. Never, ever again. I got duped into that buy 2 and save more deal. grrr….These magazines, in my opinion, are pretty useless. there isn’t a single “new” information, it’s all pretty much recycled stuff. Who doesn’t know exercise and eating vegetables are good for you?
hmm…as for the lunch choices…why are your choices limited? I could give you some ideas, but let me know your resources! 🙂
As always great post Shelley and I could not agree with you about the “health” magazines… I was looking at some the other day and like you highlighted here most of them talk about losing weight fast, eating less calories blah blah blah…. I really wish the media would spend more time in educating the public on healthy eating and lifestyle rather than quick fixes and skinny bodies.
Easy lunch? hmmm my favorite is Almond butter on Ezekiel bread and sliced bananas sandwich 🙂
I honestly used to read all those magazines and they served as bibles to me. However, now I realize that they are all sooo repetitive, redundant and all the same. I’ll read them if I’m at the gym or something but I really don’t have much temptation to buy them much anymore. I do like a good Women’s Health though. I feel like it’s a well rounded magazine about HEALTH, not just diet and getting skinny.
Lunches…have you tried tuna salad melts? OMG. Out of this world. I just take a packet of Skarkist Light Tuna and some Fat Free Hellman’s Mayo, some sweet relish and that’s my tuna salad. Then I put it on either bread, pita, tortilla or whatever else I have and melt a slice or some shredded lowfat cheese on top. I’m telling you girl, it’s delicious!
i used to subscribe to a lot of those mags but now don’t since i’m always moving and really, they all say the same thing! i can read them for free online too! i’m such a cheater!
If you can make baked tofu, i love having that in wraps for lunch! really tasty!
and when i was kid i loved ruffles and mini chocolate donuts. they werent’ allowed in my house so when grandma had them…parrrrrrty time!
i am so happy for you girl!
for lunches i dont know if anyone has mentioned brie and jelly sandwiches yet, or the crack wrap are so good! especially with tomatoes on it, haha (sorry its the little things in life for me!)
i loved (probably still do!) haiggan daaz chocolate milk shake, i used to ask my mom to go to this one mall just to get it haha
have a great night!
omg i did the same thing with health/self/fitness magazines! i was like OCD with them. i would hide them in my room and like take notes out of them comparing them. ED was so crazyy!!! i finally just threw them all the away the other day and im not gonna lie, it felt so so so good. it’s kinda funny know looking at it that we both did that! i thought i was the only one, im glad that stage is behind us! lol you’re awesome, keeep it up
amy<3
He’s a cockapoo!! Super soft and doesn’t shed!!
Hello Shelley!
Haha my favorite snack was the same as nat – butter on bread with lots of sugar sprinkled on top. I wonder if it’s a Singaporean thing or something, haha!
Hmm for lunch.. how about a veg pasta soup? Or.. a tortilla pizza?
Always so happy for you that you’re doing so well and constantly improving!
Have a good weekend ahead yeah? Love you lots!
xoxo, Solange
I think you should try a soups or maybe something hot? I know, going with what is easy and tasty…is, well, easy! But there are so many good foods otu there! 😀 You could even just switch it up for a salad at lunch instead of dinner…or some frozen meals or something. Get creative!
As for fav childhood snacks…it’s funny I remember loving those super processed packaged cupcakes and mini cakes. The “lunch treats” were my favorite. I’ve come a long way from those haha.
Hey babe! I’m with you–I’m done with all those magazines. Sometimes I’ll grad one just to check out for light reading–but I never take them seriously anymore! There are some great ones–like natural health.
xo
Jocelyn
As a kid my favorite junk food was little debbie cakes. I would eat half a box at one sitting so unhealthy! I like health magazines, but i take everything they say with a grain of salt.
While I often read those magazines, I do think it’s easy to get a bad message from them. They make it easy and acceptable to focus a tremendous amount of energy on one part of life.
You’re doing so well! Keep up all of your hard work. Your blog is delightful
Just found your blog—so glad to hear you’re getting healthy! Your meals seemed tasty and balanced. I totally had food-envy a few times while reading this post 🙂 Ok, so to answer your Qs, I LOVE health mags. My sis works at Women’s Health, so I am partial to it, but I think I’d love it regardless. It packs in so much information, which at first I thought was a bit overwhelming, but the more you read, the easier it is to process. I love it! I also love SHAPE because they do so many real-life women success stories—those inspire me so much.
And hmm…for lunch…a lot of times I just mix together brown rice, black beans, tomatoes and mozzarella. It’s yummy and always satisfies me.
As a kid I LOVED Doritos, too. Loved, in a very serious way 🙂 And Mountain Dew. I honestly can’t remember the last time I had either!
http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/
Just found your blog, it’s awesome! So glad you’re getting healthy 🙂 To answer your Qs:
1. I love health mags, particularly Women’s Health. My sis works there, so I’m a bit partial, but I know it would be my fave regardless. It packs in so much info, which was overwhelming at first, but if you keep reading, you’ll learn a lot. I also like Shape because they feature so many personal success stories—those are always motivational.
2. Hmm, lunch…what about a mixture of brown rice, black beans, tomatoes and mozzarella? I eat that a lot and it’s always satisfying. I do love a good turkey wrap though!
3. Doritos all the way. And Mountain Dew. Sounds gross to me now (well, maybe not the Doritos, ha)—I can’t remember the last time I had either!
http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/
Your food = DELICIOUS! Seriously, you always make me hungry and I love it!
I also love how happy you sound. It is SO awesome that you didn’t start feeling bad even when all those poor girls were complaining about how awful they felt (actually, they were MADE TO FEEL by our twisted society and media) about themselves. Talk about strength! You are such an inspiration.
And yay for running FOR FUN! Best reason to excercise EVER.
My thoughts on magazines – ARGHGHGH. They are designed to make women feel bad about themselves and the way they look so these women will go to the store and will buy the products advertised in the pages. OBVIOUS and sickening.
They warp our perception about what actual, real, live women look like. Are you 30 and have wrinkles? Don’t buy a 200 dollar serum and get botox – just calm down – it is NORMAL. Do you have curves and extra flesh and saggy bits? Don’t go on yet another diet and hurt yourself – enjoy life and forget about it – it is NORMAL. Are you tall and skinny without many curves? Don’t buy a padded push-up bra – relax and have fun – it is NORMAL. Human beings have all different shapes and sizes and none of them are shameful or embarrassing or need to be fixed. But, you can’t sell people stuff if you talk like that. Sigh.
I actually wrote an article about this very topic. Just email me if you want a copy so you can see my thoughts in much rantier detail. 😉
The only magazines I ever buy are horse magazines, Vegnews (but that’s only when I’m in the states) and Oprah, occasionally, because I love her book reviews and suggestions.
Hmmm…a good lunch for you….well, I love raw veggie wraps filled with tons of veggies, sprouts, vegan mayo, avocados, and tangerines and crackers and hummus on the side. That is my favorite thing to eat for lunch. Oh, you can’t forget the big hunk of dark chocolate for dessert!
My favorite junk food as a kid was potato chips! Still is my favorite junk food. My mom NEVER let us eat them when I was little so they still seem like an extra special treat.
Okay, okay. I guess I’ll give it a second chance! ha
i’m SUCH a magazine whore! haha i collect all of them and then have serious issues with throwing them out! its a horrid habit to have
have an awesome weekend girl 🙂
I eat a lot of the same things too girl. I like the comfort in that 🙂
Oatmeal cream pies! I love those suckers!
reminds me of when I was little….
I am glad you get to work out now in moderation..enjoy it! It is a stress reliever and endorphine booster!
I was craving a yogmess this morning too!!! And I satisfied it mwahaha. Oatmeal raisin chewy cookie bar?? Wow that sounds soo delicious. I love that it looks iced too 😀
I am so proud of you girl. You can definitely develop a healthy relationship with running. I can’t see how a treadmill could be fun. There’s no liberating feeling. Atleast for me there isn’t. There’s this book by Haruki Murakami that you may be interested in reading called “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running”.
1. I don’t read those magazines really unless my mom (she reads them) spots a weight training routine for the booty. Lol her and I are trying to get bigger butts. I usually gravitate towards cooking magazines. Sometimes I’ll pick up Allure if I see some beauty tips that sound interesting OR international fashion magazines–they have super creative photoshoots. I use to want to be a photographer so I always look out for that. There’s actually a really neat magazine you may like called Lula Magazine:
http://www.lulamag.com/
2. Hm.. maybe you can have a burger/veggie burger. OO!!! GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I put that in all caps so you don’t miss it lol. If you have a Panera nearby (or something like that) you can try a soup in a bread bowl 😀 Those are so much fun to eat.
3. Hm.. favorite junk food as a kid? Do Lunchables count? And Fruit by the Foot!!! They were fun to wrap around my thumb lol
XOXOXO
http://www.ohonemorething.wordpress.com
That’s awesome that you no longer look at those magazines anymore! I never did, personally. And now I’m just wondering if being 19 and still choosing Seventeen over Cosmo or Glamour is bad? Haha :p Guilty pleasure, I confess.
You are so geared towards your health, I love it. Reading your blog makes me even more committed to my own health (:
-Kylee
Hey girl!
I can definitely relate on your “repetitive lunch” issue, and while it’s not necessarily bad, I do think it’s important to throw some variety in there when ya can. I would start with small things, like using different sandwich breads or wraps, you could make an egg and cheese sandwich rather than turkey and cheese. Sometimes I use cottage cheese in my lunches too. Good luck!
Congrats on feeling so confident right now. You should be very proud of yourself, and just take the exercise slow and steady. There’s no rush! 🙂
In the worst restrictive phases of my disorder I used to read those magazines every single day. I would wander past shops on my way to Uni or on my walk home and just stare at them for ages, often being late to class because I was zoned out, lapping up the various diet plans with my hungry eyes, convinced that I was greedy for not being able to stick with them and their calorie limits were somehow what ‘normal’ people ate. Now I don’t go anywhere near them. There are only so many variations on stupidly low-calorie diets and punishing workouts, and to be honest they all seem the same to me and just feed into our society’s disordered obsession with food and weight. Exercise shouldn’t be about being thin, it should be about being FIT and we’re perfectly capable of being fit with love-handles included. If my injury has taught me anything it’s that thinness does not equate to fitness.
My favourite junk food when I was a kid was chocolate coated raisins…and Skittles. Not together though!
You’re so sweet to still comment to me even though you’re so busy – thanks for the enouragement and I’m working on a plan to solve this current issue, so that I can gain on my terms as opposed to my EDs.
❤
~Jess~
Good luck with your new relationship with running 🙂
I’m always drawn to those health/fitness magazines, but it’s kind of pointless because they say the same things over and over and over…
Ahh, my favorite junk food when I was little 🙂 Gooey mozzarella sticks. *White* elbow macaroni with melted butter & salt. These blueberry streusel muffins my mom made. Yum!
I love you because you’re SO REAL.
To answer question 3: gosh darnit, junk food was probably my middle name as a kid – Smartfood popcorn, Hickory sticks, ringolos, ketchup chips, sour cream and onion pringles, and Cheetos. Honey crueller donuts (double-chocolate was a close second). Poutine (fries with gravy and cheese curds). Green apple gummy rings. McDonalds OREO Mcflurry! The list goes on…
And even though it may sound scary to say this, I’m glad I ate all that stuff because childhood is for memories and experiences, good tastes and edible adventures – not about calories. 🙂
I also have to tell you that normally I can’t stand to comment on blogs that already have close to 100 comments per post (somehow I always feel it makes my own little words seem incredibly insignificant…) but you’re just too amazing. Honestly, Shelley… even though I haven’t had any ED diagnosis, I think that the thought process is really the same in many young women, to a large extent, and just reading about your journey makes me happy. The title of your post is “Seeing the Light” because YOU see the light – but for me, and I’m sure for many other readers out there, YOUR POST was light to me. Keep shining, bright star!
🙂 lots of love,
Aletheia
I love your post! So positive! I hope you had an awesome awesome run (and yoga classes) that stay as positive as you! I totally get going back to yoga, that was the worst part when I broke my foot (due to the amount of working out!)
ahhhh Shelley you are FABULOUS!! I am soooo excited about you and your running! I can’t wait to get to “watch” you healthfully increase your running and hear about how much you are loving it! I think it will help you to continue your butt kicking of ED because you will love how great you feel when you fuel your body and run well!
1. I love fitness mag’s because they have good ideas for strength moves..but most of the diets in them are so unpractical! I love getting new little ideas of things to incorporate into my routine.
2. TORTILLA pizza’s! Pita’s, healthy nachos, roasted veggies + sweet potato…next year when you aren’t living in the dorms you wont be so bored because you will have your own kitchen!!
3. my favorite junk food was onion rings!
hope you are having a great day…and an awesome Valentine’s day with your awesome man!! loveeeee u! xoxo!
I think teen shouldn’t be reading a fitness magazine because from what I’ve read, it has a big impact toward their eating habit which in the long will become a problem.
I don’t know if I can cope with my eating disorder like you do, this is really frustrating. I want to gain some weight but it seems not possible with whatever diet I follow.
Hmmm, I love that chocolates. Nice sharing and posting. I’ll come backfor sure here later on. Thanks.