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Topic: Food writers/editors: how do you not gain weight?
| Author | Message |
| foodwriter23 | Posted – 12/17/2006 12:18:00 PM | show profile | email poster I posted this in AvantGuild but was hoping for some more responses so am reposting here. I just started a job where I write about food...and get edibles in the mail and go to press events where I also am offered more food. It's too much to resist at times. How do you do it? |
| df | Posted – 12/17/2006 4:50:22 PM | show profile I work at the other end of the food chain (lol) in pr and I have given up to control food intake. the stuff is just to good and there?s to much of it. now I am four sizes bigger then when in started in the field. I think you are either going to gain weight or you are a food control freak with a history in eating disorders and then you are anorexia thin although around food all the time. I think its some sort of masochism with some food industry people. |
| coastalwriter | Posted – 12/17/2006 6:54:07 PM | show profile I'm a food and wine writer and it's not uncommon to eat more than the standard three meals a day in my world and in the name of "work." I have to eat out pretty much every night and it's usually a multi-course, sit and dine for several hours affair. I try to exercise some control (eat half of what is on plate and either take it home or give to the homeless, refuse the extra glass of wine, forego the bread and butter, etc.). My weight can fluctuate an easy 5 lbs. on a weekend food trip (Vegas kills me everytime) and I know the back and forth can't be good on my body and I hate to think of the long-term effects this excessive living could have. So, I keep things in check my exercising 5-6 days a week. Not big marathon work-outs, but 30 minutes-1 hour at the gym. I'm in no way a gym person--in fact the only reason I can tolerate it at all is that they let me put the Food Network on while I work-out. Anything I can do to get me moving and my heart rate up (even taking my dog for a quick hike) helps keep the weight off and since I've ramped up my exercise a little bit here and there, I've managed to drop 15 lbs. over the past two months--something I was never successful at if I actually tried. It's really hard to pratice moderation when so many goodies are being offered, so I think it's about trying to find some balance in the caloric intake and the amount of exercise you do. I'm okay with being a few pounds overweight, I just know that over the long haul, a pound here and a pound there could really add up and cause health risks. If I have a day or two off where I can steer clear of dining out, I tend to cook for myself and eat big salads and lots of veggies--try to keep things light. |
| xxxxx | Posted – 12/17/2006 10:14:33 PM | show profile Food writer Melissa Clark, who is skinny, has a diet book coming out in which she discusses her own personal strategy, which is pretty sensible (don't clean the plate, when "off the clock" make a big salad your meal, exercise regularly, etc.) |
| Pookie | Posted – 1/23/2007 12:01:43 AM | show profile | email poster Food writers/editors: How do you not gain weight? My FT food writing gig only requires me to go out to eat once or twice a week, with the majority of my time spent on food features and food news. Compared with what FT restaurant critics are up against, I can't blame the job for excess calories. I have never been overweight by medical standards, but I have a 10-pound range that, as far as the outside world is concerned, goes from the frequent "How do you stay slim with your job?" to the occasional "How come you are not overweight with your job?" Personally, the difference is tight pants/harder to jog/feel frumpy vs. clothes feel comfy/easier to jog/feel attractive. I have always been physically active. But I do love to eat, and I am rarely at a loss of appetite. What I eat is pretty healthy most of the time. How much is the more challenging variable. At my heaviest three years ago, I started Weight Watchers, with good success. This past year the pants feel tighter and the workouts more sluggish, so I'm back counting points. I don't like tracking everything that goes in my mouth, but the weekly support meetings and accountabilty (weigh-ins) are helpful. My motivation is this: to stay as healthy and fit as possible as I get older while enjoying wonderful foods of all kinds. I suppose if I had a serious weight problem, I would not be in this profession. But honestly I think I would have this challenge regardless of how I earned my living. Such is life. Overall, I feel grateful to have my health and to make a living doing something I love. |
| bananarama | Posted – 1/23/2007 1:17:03 PM | show profile Hi, I'm a travel writer and face many of the same problems because its hard to keep up your routine when on the road- especially on a press trip! I try to make sensible choices- so I dont overdo the wine, avoid the bread and try to order the fish. Of course if I am trying out a famous restaurant I'd be stupid not to indulge- a bit. So if you want to try that dessert, then share it. I am also a geek and bring PowerBars with me so I dont eat crap on the road. I always pack healthy snacks, drink loads of water and avoid the breakfast buffet at all times! And dont eat the plane food. I also work out like a fiend when I'm not travelling and have maintained a slim figure but its not easy. |
| belinda | Posted – 1/23/2007 4:30:18 PM | show profile How do you not gain weight? You taste, you don't chow down. |
| ISR | Posted – 1/23/2007 7:24:06 PM | show profile I agree. You take bites and don't order the heaviest dish, especially since it tends to be something like steak---the least interesting, menu-wise. And you order various dishes w/your partner and try it all. Never eat everything. Also good: eat small nibbles the rest of the day, or just one other meal, and exercise as often as possible. I also don't drink, which helps. |
| pinky | Posted – 1/23/2007 8:48:10 PM | show profile I've seen old pros on press trips and at tastings. They take 2-3 bites of everything and then push it aside. I imagine the trick is to graze all day, but never get full. Supposedly, that's what chefs do. Also: exercise as much as you can. |
| ronagindin | Posted – 1/27/2007 5:25:31 PM | show profile Food writers/editors: how do you not gain weight? I echo much of what's above: When you're ordering, skip the cream sauces and the cheesy stuff. Eat only half of all but the most sensational dishes. And find a way to exercise for at least half an hour every single day. |
| wineaux | Posted – 1/27/2007 5:45:01 PM | show profile My last pr job caused me to gain 10 pounds. We had a facility that was often used for guest chefs to give demonstrations and I had to be there to represent and sometimes I taught classestoo. The holidays last year DID ME IN. I did baking classes and all of those decadent desserts we made were irresistable. Cream, butter, salt and the carb-leaden things is the problem. If you can avoid that as much as possible, you're golden. Fill up on veggies (salad!) before you taste, then you will truly only "taste" what you have in front of you. I should have taken my own advice. What a hypocrite....................... |
