How I Ate My Cake, and Lost Weight Too – Part 1
Posted by Ari on January 5, 2009 in Balanced Eating, How To, Life, Savory Recipes | 121 Comments
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Sometimes there are questions that people ask you over and over… and over. For me, that question has been: How do you stay so skinny when you’re baking so many breads and other sweets in your kitchen? Usually this question comes up after I’ve taken a batch of muffins or cookies to the office, and at some point during the ensuing conversation it’s revealed that, in fact, I’ve lost more than 20lbs since I began this baking blog. “No way!” people exclaim, “Shut up!” Or, more commonly, “I don’t believe you.”
Well folks, here’s the proof. I fished out an old image of me in 2002, when I was some 29lbs heavier than I am today. This was in my pre-foodblogging days. At my heaviest I was 160lbs.
I have to tell you that I was pretty nervous about sharing the above images, but if I’m going to write a helpful post about how I’ve lost so much weight in the past few years I figure you should see the evidence. Please be kind to me.
One disclaimer: I’m not a doctor or a nutritionist. The tips below are just what has worked for me. Nuff said.
So, how did I do it? Before I get to the nitty-gritty details I want to share some of my food philosophy with you. Most importantly: I love food, and I don’t believe in diets. To me the word “diet” implies some artificial end to my current eating habits. As in, “I’ll eat a and b, but not x and y, until I reach ______ goal weight.” Is it just me or does that look a lot like a math equation? I hate math.
Rather than experimenting with diets, a few years ago I decided to change my lifestyle. I was a miserable graduate student at Yale and one day the nurse at the health clinic told me I weighed 160lbs. I couldn’t believe it. Even though my pants size had slowly gotten bigger, somehow I’d managed to convince myself I wasn’t overweight. Right there I decided to make a change – and since then more than 20lbs have melted off my frame. I stopped treating food as some “thing” that I used for comfort or consumed without thought, and made it an essential part of who I am. An intimate relationship with the food I eat makes perfect sense – after all, food is something we put inside our bodies at least 3 times a day for our entire lives. That’s intense.
In this two part series, I’m going to share with you some of the lifestyle changes I made that led to a healthier, happier, skinnier me. These tips have also worked for my husband, who has lost 40lbs in the past couple years. Today’s section focuses on two elements of my foodie outlook: Knowledge & Balance.
1. Trade whole grains for refined flour. I could never give up bread or pasta, so instead of eliminating them my husband and I replaced refined flour products like white bread and pastas with their whole grain counterparts. Why does this affect weight loss? Refined flour products are digested quickly and release a lot of glucose into your bloodstream as a result. This eventually makes you crash, which in turn makes you feel hungry again. By contrast, oatmeal and whole grain breads, pastas and cereals take longer to digest. The result: you feel full longer and are getting lots of healthy nutrients to boot. A whole wheat blend pasta dish topped with roasted onions, Swiss chard and balsamic vinegar (like the one in this post) is one example of a healthy meal option.
2. Eat more protein & fiber. Protein and fiber also take a while to digest and help you feel satisfied longer. My husband and I love eating dishes with tofu, beans, eggs (sparingly) and nuts. Cheese, low-fat milk and yogurt also have protein and the added benefit of calcium for strong bones. We don’t eat meat, but if you do hormone-free lean chicken and wild salmon are other good choices. Want some examples? Try this Butternut Squash Stew, Baked Sweet Potatoes with Tofu Scramble, or this Foggy Day Chili (sans the cornbread). I’ll add tuna to a whole grain pasta dish (I eat fish, my husband doesn’t), or kidney beans to soups and salads. I also love adding things like walnuts or pine nuts to food.
3. Reduce the amount of raw sugar you eat (and drink more water). In terms of weight loss, sugar is a huge source of hidden calories. Syrupy sodas and sugary fruit juices are two common culprits, so I put them in the “dessert” category. This means I only indulge once in a while, and the rest of the time I drink water, tea or low-calorie mixes from Crystal Light. Sound boring? It doesn’t have to be. One of my favorite tricks is keeping a pitcher of water in the refrigerator with slices of cucumber, orange, or pieces of mint in it. These add-ins infuse the water with a lovely flavor that makes you think of the spa, not a plain old glass of water. Also, did you know that we often mistake the feeling of thirst for hunger? If you’re feeling hungry only an hour after eating, try drinking something, then wait 20 minutes to see how you feel.
4. Eat more fruits and veggies. Fruits and vegetables are packed with fiber – not to mention good-for-you antioxidants. Instead of chips with your lunch, eat baby carrots with a tiny sprinkling of sea salt. Instead of having a dessert after lunch or dinner, eat a handful of berries, pear slices or enjoy a clementine.
5. Know your fats. In order to be in good health about 25% of our daily calories should come from healthy fats. The trick is to knowing which fats are good for you. For instance: omega-3 fats found in wild salmon & walnuts, or the monounsaturated fats in avocados & olive oil. These fats are great in moderation, so I often replace vegetable oil with olive oil in recipes, and I use mashed avocado instead of mayonnaise in sandwiches. When it comes to the saturated fats found in animal products, I drink low-fat milk (except for about 1/4 cup whole milk in my coffee) and moderate the amount of cheese I eat. I avoid the trans fats found in processed foods & junk foods by simply not eating those products.
Aside from low-fat milk and yogurt, I don’t eat any “diet” foods. They’re not as satisfying and always make me want to eat more in the hopes that just one more mouthful will be as good as the real thing. I’d rather really enjoy a cube of cheese or a small scoop of ice cream, than swap them for the fake variety.
I think it’s important to note that with the exception of reducing sugar intake, all of the above tips are about eating more instead of eating less. The key is eating healthy, satisfying foods that will give you energy throughout the day – and keeping portions in check. WebMD has a helpful tool that will teach you to eyeball portion sizes. 
Healthy eating is not only about eating whole grains, veggies and the like. Equally important is our relationship with treats such as ice cream and cookies, all of which I enjoy on a weekly basis. Here’s how I do it without sacrificing my health in the process:
1. I kept a food journal for two weeks. Keeping a food journal is probably one of the best things I did in terms of weight loss. For two weeks I wrote down every single thing that went into my mouth, circling anything that was sugary (soda, candy), laden with refined flour (white bread) or just plain unhealthy (mayo). This allowed me to assess my eating habits and make adjustments accordingly. Journaling was also helpful in terms of identifying my weak areas. For instance, I learned that if I’ve had a horrible day the first thing I reach for is ice cream. An understandable response, but not the best coping mechanism if an entire week sucks. Knowing that I have this tendency helps me control it.
2. I budget my sweets. My husband and I have a set amount of treats we can have each week. He likes the miniature Dove ice creams. I like cookies, cakes, sweet breads, and pretty much all the other desserts you see on this site. He allows himself a sweet every other day, while I allow myself sweets twice a week. What this means is that although I post a lot of baked goods on this blog, I only bake once a week. And if I bake a batch of 30 cookies, I’ll save 4 of them as my “sweets allotment” (2 per serving) and I give the rest away. Same for cake – 1 slice is mine and the rest is shared with others. Giving away freshly baked goodies is not only good for your waistline, but it’s a great away to make friends.
3. I snack wisely. I always keep a piece of fruit or a baggie filled with raw almonds, dried apples and dry blueberries in my purse. This way if I’m unexpectedly slammed with hunger pains in the middle of the day I can reach for a healthy snack instead of hitting the candy machine. When I remember to make them, these homemade granola bars are my favorite daytime snack.
4. I plan ahead. It’s easier to stay on track if you’ve pre-planned your menu for the week, so every Saturday we plan our meals. We also make our lunches for the week on Sunday, then take our food to school/work in portion-friendly containers. (I like my Mrs. Bento for this.) Plan your meals according to the old adage: Eat like an Emperor for breakfast, a King for lunch, and a Pauper for dinner. You don’t need as many calories in the evening, and if you eat a filling breakfast you’ll eat less throughout the day. During the week when I’m super busy in the mornings, I eat oatmeal or muffin size frittatas for breakfast. I make the frittatas on Sunday evening, baking them in muffin tins so that each serving is easy to warm up & eat when time is limited.
5. I hold out for the good stuff. I don’t eat cafeteria food, fast food or anything that’s been cheaply prepared. When I do eat a meal, I eat slowly and savor each bite – which means that I not only enjoy my food more, but I eat less in the long run. Finally, when it comes to sweets I remember my budget for the week – whatever I’m tempted to eat better be incredible to justify the expenditure. If not, I pass on it.
I hope that these 10 tips have been helpful!
Or, how exercise and relaxation helped me lose weight. Don’t worry, I’m not an exercise nut. Part II will be posted later this month – if you aren’t already subscribed to Baking and Books, you can sign up here and receive full posts via email or through a reader.
In the meantime I’ll end with this bit of advice: be kind to yourself. Knowing that I like to eat ice cream when I’m sad doesn’t guarantee that I’ll stay within my sweets budget if I’m having an especially awful week. But I don’t give myself a hard time if I slip, because that would make me feel bad, which would lead to more ice cream, and… you get the idea. Rather than throwing my hands up in the air and shouting “That’s it! I’ve ruined my healthy eating plan!” I just eat healthfully the rest of the week and workout the next day. Guilt is not a healthy emotion, and eating well isn’t about being a “good” or a “bad” person. The most important thing is to think positively – and to believe in yourself.
Below is a recipe for a healthy pasta dish made with whole grain blended pasta, roasted onions, Swiss chard and balsamic vinegar. It’s easy to make and super satisfying – my husband and I love it. But before the recipe I’d like to thank three people: John, for all his help revamping my category archives this weekend (check them out – aren’t they looking incredible?), and Nancy & Kat for helping me with the title for this post. You’d be surprised how hard it is to write an entry about weight loss without an infomerical-type title! Also, thanks to everyone who encouraged me to write this entry a few weeks ago. I’d been on the fence for a while.
Don’t forget about the monthly book giveaway! December’s winners have been posted on the giveaway page. January’s books include one signed copy of “My Caribbean Cookbook: Tastes Like Home,” by Cynthia Nelson and one copy each of “The Sweet Melissa Baking Book,” by Melissa Murphy and “Bakewise” by Shirley O. Corriher.Whole Wheat Fusilli with Swiss Chard and Balsamic-Roasted Onions
Adapted from The Modern Vegetarian Kitchen, by Peter Berley.
Ingredients: Serves 4
- 2 red onions, sliced lengthwise into thin wedges
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, plus more later for serving, according to taste. (Use the best vinegar you can afford. We use one that’s been aged for 12 years.)
- Coarse sea or river salt
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dry thyme
- 1 pound Swiss chard, trimmed (i.e. only use the leafy parts)
- 1 pound whole wheat fusilli (We use Ronzoni’s Healthy Harvest whole grain blend pasta)
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
Heat your oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl, toss the onion slices with the thyme, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar. Spread the oven on a baking pan and roast them for 30 to 40 minutes, until they’re soft and caramelized. Stir them after 20 minutes of roasting.
Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add 1 tablespoon salt. When the water returns to a boil add the chard and cook for 2 minutes, or until wilted and tender. Using tongs, remove the chard from the water and drain in a colander. Bring the water to a boil again and cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
While the pasta cooks, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan. Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute over medium heat, just until it’s fragrant. Add the pine nuts and cook for 1 more minute. Add the swiss chard and 1/4 cup of the pasta water, then cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the roasted onion slices and cook until they are heated through.
Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large serving bowl. Add the vegetable mixture and toss. Season with extra balsamic vinegar, if you like. Serve immediately.
Other Posts You Might Like:- How I Ate My Cake, and Lost Weight Too – Part 2
- Romantic Homemade Pasta Sauce
- My Kitchen, It’s Full of Nuts
- Fettuccine with Mascarpone and Sage-Walnut Butter
- I Like it Simple, Sweet & Savory
- The Best Thing I Ever Baked – Baby News!
- How To Grow Culinary Herbs and Plants (Without a Yard)
- How to Make Pita Bread in the Desert
I also write for 
I do see how “losing weight while food blogging” makes sense. Once you realize how easy it is to prepare your favorite restaurant dishes and how much better they taste, you definitely lean towards eating at home over eating out. That decision alone will give you a good start to less calorie intake.
I’m curious if you engaged in any extra physical activity as well?
Leslie – Yup, I also changed my approach to physical activity. That’s in Part II!
What a great article, full of so much good advice. You look amazing, too!
Thanks so much for sharing.
Kudos to you for showing your “before” and “after” photos with the internet! And, I’ll be honest, you look great in both pics!
I have a huge sweet tooth myself, so it’s hard to stick to a strict diet or schedule. My eating habits always tend to fluctuate with my mood – but you pointed something interesting out, I also pay more attention to what I eat now that I’m recording my cooking adventures on my blog. I guess being more aware of food just helps keep it in check. It’d be different if I had a Krispy Kreme Blog, I’m sure. Hah!
You’re so right about “diets.” It’s no way to live…I lost about 20 pounds by eating more fruits and veggies and upping my exercise. Eat healthy, live healthy.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and tips, Ariela!! And thank you for sharing such an enticing pasta recipe!!
Thanks so much for sharing your story and your tips. I look forward to part 2. I’ve made it my mission to be healthier by eating better, exercising, and finding some kind of balance in my life.
Thanks for your heartfelt article–I have shared this with my best friend-
Melanie – I’m so glad you liked the post and thank you for sharing it with your friend!
Yay! I’m so happy you finally wrote this post and I’m looking forward to Part II. Also, I literally blushed when I saw your shout-out. LOL. Thanks.
My favorite thing about this post is that you’ve helped to validate my feeling that diets are bad and it’s all about what we eat overall that affects our health and weight. (Have you read What to Eat, by Marion Nestle?)
Nancy – Thank you for all your help! Without you I wouldn’t have had such a fun title.
I have read Marion’s book! She’s fantastic.
You look really beautiful, very healthy and perfect weight-wise! I was quite a “round” teen and now, everybody always tells me that I’m skinny and that they don’t understand how I control my weight since I love to eat and don’t restrain myself! Your tips are great, I do excatly the same… Neither do I believe in diets!
A nice dish! Really scrummy looking!
Cheers,
Rosa
Thanks so much for this post. You are so inspiring.
good article, i am working on being more vegetarian and have already done some of the things you have listed like limit sugars, eat what you like in moderation and with good counterparts. cant wait to learn your part two.
First of all, you’re beautiful! Second, though I don’t do a lot of the things you recommend, I do agree with you on a lot of them. I’ve lost fifty pounds twice and neither time did I not eat any particular foods. I am trying to eat more fiber and cut back on sugar but I still eat things that are horrible for me, just in small portions. I got back up to about 158 so now I’m back to keeping track of what I eat/limiting portion size and I’m down so far to about 145. I like to be 130 but my friends say when they hug me at that weight they feel like they’re going to break me so I’m going to try to stay in the 135-40 range not to scare people. I also am trying pre-planning for the first time. I do like it, although the problem is that a lot of the stuff in my cabinets that would normally be there for spontaneous meals isn’t getting eaten.
Judith – Thank you.
And congrats on your weight loss! As for what your friends say, I think it’s always a good thing to do what feels best for you. Sure others opinions influence us, especially if they are people we care about, but as long as you’re staying within a healthy weight range forge ahead with whatever plan will help you feel like your best self. Maybe it will be a good opportunity to bring your friends along for the journey.
thank you for your great lifestyle suggestions – it only makes a lot of sense. a lot of what you say helped me to lose about 40 pounds in 2 years. i’ve since kept it all off except a little holiday gain that i need to work on – congratulations on your healthy lifestyle changes and thank you plenty for all your sharing!
Debbie – Good job! You must feel so good about yourself after losing so much weight.
This is a great post! While I’m at a healthy weight, I am trying to keep my diet free of too much white flour and refined sugar. I will definitely be trying some of your recipes soon!
Congratulations – you look fabulous!
You look wonderful, as do your recipes, and your tips and ideas are terrific, too. I especially agree with eschewing low- or non-fat versions of foods that essentially ARE fat. One cube of cheese, one cookie, one pat of butter are infinitely tastier and, in the long run, better for a sustainable eating plan, than all the fake replacements in the world. Thank you!
I really enjoyed your new post! Thank you for sharing your story. I have a similar experience and have been living the “treat yourself well” life style for at least five years now. I was wondering where you get all the wonderful food history information you usually include with each of your recipes? I am a professional baker myself and love to know as much about food as I can!
Alison – I get the food history all over the place: from books I read, magazines, TV shows. I have a near insatiable appetite for food factoids, which I know is kinda weird but what can I do? If you’re a professional baker you’ll probably like “Six Thousand Years of Bread: Its Holy and Unholy History” by H.E. Jacob and “History of Bread” by Bernard Dupaigne.
This is great advice! I can’t think of anything you left out. It’s reassuring to know that you have a sweet tooth and were able to learn how to control it…it gives me hope ( I also have a huge sweet tooth, although my weakness is chocolate)
Laura – I have a weakness for chocolate too. Really anything sweet is a siren song, lol.
Thanks for sharing your tips! You’ve had such fabulous success and you’re so reasonable about it. I try to follow these “rules” as well, but I still have trouble with portion control. You’re a great inspiration.
Actually this makes perfect sense to me. If I brought in more of the sweets I made, then I would probably be down to about your weight. I lost nearly 50 pounds over the past three years, and this was mostly the method I used. Exercise and enjoying the good things in smaller portions (like one piece of really good Neuhaus chocolate). It really worked for me!
Seanna Lea – Congratulations on your weight loss! 50lbs, very impressive. Go you.
Great advice, Ari. Being in it for the long haul, and not beating yourself up for falling off the wagon — those are two keys to success. And I always wondered what you did with all the goodies you bake!
Thanks for this great post. Perfect for motivation for the new year.
I really enjoyed reading your post. Alot of good tips, I started using Ms. Bento recently for my lunches and believe me, it is wonderful . I am trying to make healthy lunches and snacks, this just makes it alot easier to keep warm.
I like your tips about redirecting how we relate to food and why we are eating at any one time. I plan to pay more attention too.
I really enjoyed this post; thank you so much for sharing this information Ari. I look forward to reading part II.
P.S. — You look gorgeous in both of your pictures!
Beatmomma – Thank you!
Ariella,
I enjoyed your weight loss tips tremendously and adhere to most of them most of the time. I get so hungry after excercise I really have to plan ahead. Keep your wonderful blog coming!!!!!
Joan – I didn’t know you read my blog. Thanks for stopping by and I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! p.s. My favorite post-workout snack is a banana. The potassium is good for the joints.
Great post! Thanks for sharing your tips and photos. It’s all a great reminder about how important it is that we take the time to take care of ourselves.
Wonderful advice!
I am working on losing a pretty good amount of weight this year and will definitely use some of your techniques.
Fantastic post! Thank you for your generosity in sharing this part of your life with us
I have been on a weight see-saw all my life and I agree 100% that the only way to keep weight off is to change your lifestyle and not a “diet” — I hate that word too! Bravo!
Boy do I need this post! Thanks for posting this, I hate diets too. I’ve had a lifetime of them and just can’t do another one. Lifestyle changes makes more sense to me.
Hi, Great article and pasta recipe. The recipe is very similar to a pasta dish I make with multi grain flaxseed pasta and spinach. I don’t really diet but I do eat mostly whole foods and limit refined processed products. A nice post to begin the year!
That looks so tasty! I work out on the job, so I use that as a reason to eat lots of food… it’s lovely.
Very good article. And timely
This is a good reminder. I used to do all this. I have gotten slack after 3 kids and a husband that eats anything he wants to including (horrors!) 3 Pepsi’s a day! izazbz at yahoo dot com
WoW, Ari, you look fantastic in both pictures!
I’m 143 and seriously, even though I’m tallish, my face looks all chubby. I can’t wait to get to 125 (which is my goal weight).. i love your tips because they’re practical. I do all the rest of the things you do… I’m just not replacing the white bread with wholewheat, etc, so maybe that’s what i need to do in order to slowly bring my weight down and KEEP it down.
Great article!
Specs – You’d be surprised by what a difference switching from refined flour products to whole grains will make. My husband says that the #1 change we made that affected his weight loss. So far he’s down 40lbs.
Great post. Thanks for it. I’m always wondering how all of you do it with the constant blogging about yummy baked stuff. Whenever I’m watching my weight, I have to give up on baking. Its so sad
Even if I plan to give it away, I always sneak in a few nibbles, so I decided to stop completely at such times. Your post helps a lot, I’m thinking of starting a journal too 
Avanika – That’s so sad that you give up baking to lose weight!
I understand where you’re coming from, but if it were me I couldn’t do it. I need to have one or two sweet nibbles a week to be happy. When I first started out I would schedule things around my baking so that the cookies/muffins/whatever would come out of the oven a couple hours before I took them someplace. I’d save a few for me, then the rest were off to find a home somewhere else. Maybe that trick will help you?
I have been trying to do things like these lately, Ari. Great post!
Thank you so much for a great article! I enjoyed reading it ( as I do everything you write!) and you have given me inspiration to continue what I have already started. Your way of thinking is so on the spot for me- I am tired of denying myself of the foods I love- I just need to learn to enjoy them in moderation and make those healthy choices. Your ideas and suggestions are super- again, thanks very much.
By the way- you look fantastic!
I love all the points you have made and I am trying to implement them. I am going to make this dish tonight. I have some nice Swiss chard I need to use up.
Full marks on the advice, on the recipe, on the catchy title & on the new layout. Found myself nodding while reading each point. Thanks too for sharing your pictures Ari…you look GREAT! It’s a wonderfully positive note to begin the new year on! Have a WONDERFUL 2009!
Deeba – Thanks! And I’m so happy you noticed the new layout, you’re the first person to mention it!
Thank you so much for writing this post. I employ a lot of these tips in my life and sometimes get discouraged to not see the results I want instantly. So hearing your story that all these little things pay off is really encouraging. Thanks for sharing!
Nik – I totally hear you. When I first started trying to lose weight I would get incredibly discouraged when the scale hadn’t moved as much as I thought it should. But eventually the pounds came off and stayed off. I found the not weighing myself more than twice a month was really helpful too. Then I’d see the changes and feel really good about it.
You look marvelous! Thanks Ari for the great tips on weight management.
Ariela Thank you so much for this post- and it came at a perfect time! I have had fun learning how to blog…I have cooked and baked and as a result I have gained a bunch of weight. I have been so upset because Im starting my “lifestyle change” and Im worried I cant blog or no one will want to read my blog if Im not baking up a storm. My focus will be on healthy recipes. Im glad Im not alone and I feel inspired to change my style. Thanks a bunch- I love your blog and you look terrific!
Thanks for this post! I agree with everything! Everyone always asks me the same questions…how we stay so thin while baking and cooking all of the time! We usually make healthy meals…but of course sometimes we splurge. I believe in moderation in all things…and we exercise! Plus, we don’t eat out very often…which saves on calories, fat, portion sizes, and money! I don’t deprive myself of anything. I just eat a balanced healthy diet on most days and sometimes have a treat or two! Again, exercise must be included…along with sleep, lots of water, veggies/fruit, stress relief., etc. Great post!!
Would you mind sharing how tall you are? I really don’t find 155lbs to be overweight for anyone over 5′2′. In fact, I weigh 150 at 5′1″ and am a very fit size 4/6. Your story is interesting, but I am sure there are a lot of people out there who would love to weight only 160lbs.
Emily – I’m 5 feet 4 inches tall, but 160 was definitely overweight for me. I didn’t feel good and was in a size 12 pants. My height/weight equaled a BMI of 27.5 when a healthy BMI is between 18.5 to 25. (Overweight is 25 to 30, although the charts don’t take bone structure into consideration.) You’re right though, some folks would be very happy with 160lbs!
Hi Ari! What a terrific post this is. I applaud your courage to post on this, and also your perseverance ~ I know how diligent you
are about sticking to your dietary and fitness guns. We share the same food philosophy, and it has had a similar impact in my life. Thanks for all the wonderful recipes you share here!
Cheers,
~Sandy
Finally, a realistic guide to healthy eating for food lovers!
I’m looking to lose a few inches (and help my future husband to lose quite a few, too) in ‘09, but it can be really hard with all the pretty pictures in my reader. I’m often rather dense/lazy when it comes to making recipes healthier, especially in this cold snap, but I’m getting better. Your tips will really help!
Kate
such great advice… i got off track, but i’m hoping to hop back on. starting now.
You look great in both pictures! Thanks for sharing your experience and inspiring others. I think your philoophy is spot on and I couldn’t agree with you more.
What wonderful advice! People often ask me similar questions about how you can stay thin without depriving yourself. You hit the nail on the head – it’s not about depriving yourself, just eating what you love in moderation. I mean do people really love to eat a whole bag of potato chips?? No way, they just do it mindlessly. I’m very eager to hear your 2nd part as I am an avid runner and strongly believe that having an active passion like running has made me a better person, physically and mentally. It’s the one exercise I’ve found that becomes a part of your life instead of ruling your life. Kudos to you for sharing your tips!! Truly inspiring!!! Maybe you should go on Oprah!
I can’t tell you were 160 lbs in the first photo, you look great in both pics.
This is a terrific post of information and so right on the money!
It is all about portion control and common sense.
I stay away from fried foods always and try not to eat too much cake, however during the holidays I was very bad!
My weekness is probably cocktails and wine, but I try not to drink during the week. It’s much harder when you are in your 40’s and my food blog has certainly not helped!
Thank you for this great post!
Stacey Snacks
I gained almost 20 pounds after my first year of law school followed by a semester of studying abroad. I’ve lost it all and then some by working out 3-6 times per week- cardio and strength training- and eating much more sensibly. I cook most of my meals and spend a significant amount of time reading cooking blogs. I completely agree that it helps. I especially like when the nutritional facts are posted. Do you put any of your recipes on recipezaar?
This is all really great advice. I applaud your lifestyle change. I need to do the same – I know there are a ton of things I can cut out.
Another great post. In my opinion you are “right on the money” with your advice since I did about the same thing. I always advise people to get an MP3 player and exercise too!
I just wanted to stop by and let you know that I have given you a Butterfly Award. You can find my post here.
Thank you for this post. I enjoy your site and recipes.
Great post Ari. You llok gorgeous. Thanks for sharing the tips.
Thank you for sharing all this, truly inspiring. Every thing you say here makes total sense and you sure have a gift for communicating. I could THINK all these thoughts but you have a true ability to put it down in “plain english”
LOVE your blog – its a highlight on my blog-jogging!
Great post. I also like your healthy eating book selections – I think Jack Bishop’s book is particularly nice, and deserves a lot more attention than it has received.
I really enjoy your website, great recipes. I am really working to make my meals and take along my lunch and snacks and you have some amazing suggestions. Keep up the good work, I really enjoy this!
Looks so good! Defintely must try!
Thank you for sharing your before and after photos, as well as your advice. It’s interesting how we’ve all probably read and heard bits and pieces of this information before, but it always helps hearing again from people who are not paid to endorse a product or service. I’ve been reading your blog for a couple years now, and truly look forward to your recipes, book reviews, and ideas. Thank you again for sharing!
I think I would have the hardest time with budgeting sweets. I have a sweet tooth and unfortunately there is a lot of chocolate laying around the house and ofice!
Thank you for sharing. You are beautiful. I am like so many others here trying to make changes in my life and it was so good to hear from someone who has made it work, I look forward to your 2nd post, as I do with all of your posts. Thank you again. My husband is a chef and some times I let that be an excuse rather than a way to focus my food intentions.
He has started to make healthier options too so that helps
OK, I did better today thanks to reading your blog. I ate cookies instead of lunch. But I ate some homemade garlic soup to fortify my cookie lunch. Yum! izazbz at yahoo dot com
I think your story is an inspirational New Year’s gift for lots of your readers! I lost 24 pounds about a year and a quarter ago, and found that many of the things you mention in your post are the way I have kept the weight off. (And many of the tips are the way it got off in the first place, as well!)
Thanks for all your sharing!
Thanks so much for this post! Wonderful and congrats to you! The New Year is always to good time to try to do things a little better. How wonderful of you to share your story with all of us.
Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story specially at this time of the year !!
Great post! I follow pretty much all of the tips you mentioned, plus I try and work out daily/weekly.
i saw this pasta dish on tastespotting and it looked SO good! i’m glad i clicked on it because this entry was very helpful for those of us out there that feel like they’re always fighting with their food choices. bravo! you look fabulous.
I love to read ur article about how u loss weight and hat ur cake. I am a subscribe in ur blog. I have to learn more recipes from ur blog.
Very useful for everyone including me to post ur pictures before and after howmuch weight u have lost.
Have Fun.
Hi, are you still going to post Part II? Looking forward to it (:
Hi Ari,
I have read and read your post and it is exactly what I would write about me. I lost over 20 kg in the past 3 years and more than half were lost after starting my foodie love affair. It gives me such a comforting sense of control to know what and how much food goes inside my body. And moreover, I read somewhere a really nice saying: “I am my own personal chef and I have never disappointed myself”.
You’re right Ariela, I could try doing that. As of now I only bake when someone specifically requests to do so, and bake the exact amount, so that I don’t end up keeping any. But its okay, since I tend to lose weight pretty easily, I’m on a diet for a month, and have free reign for like 3!
Great tips! Thank you for all of the helpful information.
Food blogging has definitely been detrimental to my waistline, so I commend your efforts, they’ve really paid off! You’re inspiring me to get back down to the gym again!
You can’t lose weight by following a “diet” and expect the weight to stay off; you have to learn to eat sensibly for it to work. Eating correctly is something you can do enjoyably for the rest of your life!
Whole Wheat Fusilli with Swiss Chard and Balsamic-Roasted Onions
Recently made Roasted (6) red onions with champagne vinegar from ‘ “A Year in my Kitchen”- Skype Gyngell ( ran out of Balasmic) as a side dish, even my 13 year love them. Sorry I do not see this post earlier, I could have stretched the left overs.
Great piece about losing weight – it is healthy, sensible and practical. No need to starve oneself to reduce. Eat the foods you love in moderation and remove unhealthy flours and sugars.
Thanks for sharing Ari. I’m trying to lose 10-15 pounds but I also didn’t want to do it by dieting, it would be impossible hehehe. I’m trying to eat right and be more active. Thanks for the great tips!
It’s amazing how much common sense can do when it comes to health. We have to change the way we live if we want to “live” differently! Great job!
Hay Ariela,
You inspired me so much that I’ve posted and linked to you from my blog today! thank you for sharing.
Thank you for such wonderful advice. I’m looking forward to trying that pasta recipe soon.
Great post!!! I would like to try this recipe but I’m not sure about the swiss chard. Time to try something new! And I’m going to try to replace white with whole grains. Great advise.
What an inspirational post! I struggled with anorexia for years and it wasn’t until I finally conquered my food relationship that I healed. Your post hits right on this. Stellar advice. I just found your blog today and look forward to checking back frequently!
Great article! I too follow many of the principles you do but my biggest problem is portion control. I could afford to lose a few pounds after repeated trips to Italy and then the holidays but will do it by increasing my exercise and decreasing portion sizes. We pretty well follow a Mediterranean diet anyways with lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seafood and poultry.
One tip my nutritionist daughter believes in is that when you get a craving to eat something between meals, drink a glass of water first, and then evaluate if you really are hungry. Often when you think you are hungry you may just be thirsty and you are confusing the signals. Then if you still are hungry that glass of water will help you to feel full quicker and if you do snack you probably won’t eat so much!
I like the article, but my comment’s going to be about the photos: I love the way they sit there–it looks like thin you is looking over at less-thin you with a look that says “what were you thinking?” or “Sheesh, I can’t believe you…” Whether the arrangement was intentional or not, it made me smile.
Great advice! I’m ready to make some healthy changes, and your post has definitely motivated me to get started. Thanks
Your pasta dish sounds delicious and healthy. I like your suggestions since diets don’t seem to work well long term for me.
I’m working hard to change my eating habits. I’ve lost 14 lbs so far, but it’s going V E R Y slowly! Now I’m trying to add in exercise to jumpstart the weight loss again.
Ari, you are truly inspiring! Everyone I know seems to be making healthy eating options this year and I’ve always thought that was boring. But you make it sound that it can be fun as well. I’ll definitely be back here and will be bookmarking your site! hope you can also drop by my place and share some of your favorite recipes. Thank you once again!
Thank you so much for sharing! I’m on the heavier end (after having had a baby) and want to get back down. Your success and tips have inspired me to try harder once again!
congrats on your healthy lifestyle!!! I do have to eat in a cafeteria sometimes in week to two week intervals and I manage to avoid tooo much totally bad for me stuff. I don’t eat the cake-batter muffins, white rices, or red meats the cafeterias put out–sometimes close is better than nothing, n’est-ce pas?
great post. I’m not inot diets either, but would love to lose some lbs. Still contemplating on the “how to”. this was a sane advice and helpful inspiraiton.
What a great post – tons of helpful and insightful info. Thanks!
The recipe looks awesome too!!
Wonderful post Ari….I will print it off and keep your tips close by for reference. I am a baker/cook, a caterer and am in the process of opening a cooking school for children. I have to be so careful to keep things in check, and any tips that have worked for friends are always useful for me. Another great pic by the way.
Jan – You’re opening a cooking school for children? That is just too cool.
Great tips and delightful recipe. Thanks
I just wanted to say that I made that butternut squash stew a couple weeks ago and it was really, really delicious. I love things that are more than the sum of their parts, and this definitely was.
I am! I’m so excited about it…classes start this spring.
great tips.
i don’t believe in diets either – i could never give up sweets! 
i went to Yale undergrad and have to say that the miserable cold and gray weather is enough to make anyone put on weight!
Hi Ari, Thanks so much for posting this. I know in the past I lost quite a bit of weight (30 pounds) doing just exactly this. Of course I let myself slide completely and gained it all back and then some. But I have arguments with people telling me that I can’t cook and bake the way I do and lose weight too. Reading this has just solidified my resolve to do just that and say neener neener neener to them.
Now to try that pasta dish, it looks divine!
Oh and what are you studying? I’m really curious.
Felicia – It is definitely possible to cook, bake and enjoy treats while also losing weight. I don’t understand it when people think they have to give up sweets or some other food group in order to achieve their goals. If your food choices are balanced, you can have your cake and eat it too.
And to answer your question: I’m studying Jewish education.
I totally agree- you can be healthy, look great, and still enjoy food. Ever since I started seriously exercising 7 years ago, I’ve felt better and slept better than ever before. In fact at age 32 and six months after having a baby I’m the slimmest I’ve been since about age 15! The beauty of a healthy lifestyle is that not only do you work off more calories by being active, but I think it naturally makes you think more about what you put in your body.
I think that having a healthy snack on hand is one of the best ways to keep yourself from eating junk. Sometimes I still end up eating junk food (when my co-workers want to share pizza it’s way too tempting), but usually I can avoid it by bringing something healthy. I also save money because eating out, especially if I want a healthy meal from one of the nearby shops, costs way more than bringing something from home.