The Rules of Engagement
I'm going on a diet. I hate to admit it. I never thought it would happen given my health consciousness, eating habits and established fitness routine... but that was back in Eugene and my lifestyle has changed considerably. I hate the word "diet." Dieting is for losers who can't maintain a healthy lifestyle because they're so out of control of their circumstances. To me it somehow connotates a pathetic inability to be healthy and conjures images of all those idiotic food fads followed by anorexic or obese women desperate to change their already inevitable destiny of self-inflicted unhappiness. Or perhaps I'm just scared I'll revert to the way I was... before... when my OWN self-loathing and poor body image evolved into near-compulsion with food and exercise. Eh, probably not, I'm substantially more wisened now than I was four years ago.

By posting this here, I hope to sufficiently mortify myself into actually sticking by my rules. Spring Break was GREAT and the fun and games certainly aren't over... but I've eaten a lion's share of Pocky and Pino and I don't need to pick them up habitually anymore, as I did when I was travelling. I didn't do it in the states with Doritos or Snickers or whathaveyou and I don't need to do it here.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think myself overweight, fat, or even plump. My clothes still fit (just not as well) and I still consider myself an attractive individual. However, I have gained what I feel is a considerable amount of weight and enough so that it is visually noticeable. My energy levels are low and I am hungry frequently and at odd times. I eat recreationally. I have, probably partially as a result of no core workout or weightlifting for the last 7 1/2 weeks, lost any muscle tone in my thighs and midsection. Health and fitness are very important to me for a satisfactory lifestyle and I'm just not feeling up to par.

As I am not priveleged to be a member of a convenient and modern gym these days, my routine is somewhat restricted, especially by my wearying schedule and commute. Given that I am also somewhat out-of-control of the ingredients, preparation style and portion size of the food that's put in front of me every day, the only thing I can do is the one thing I HATE DOING and literally have never had to resort to before: a restriction diet. That is my disclaimer and this is the plan.


-I WILL Take one vitamin and one calcium pill every other morning.
-I WILL Drink two nalgene bottles worth of water (64 oz.) each day.
-I WILL Eat one apple and one banana a day for additional vitamins and energy.
-I WILL NOT Eat rice unless it's absolutely necessary for the meal or the meal is onigiri/ sushi.
-I WILL Leave food on the plate at breakfast and dinner. This does not make me evil.
-I WILL NOT Drink alcohol more than once a week.
-I WILL Bring enough healthy snacks with lunch to keep awake and aware during the day.
-I WILL NOT Drink milk, soda, coffee/tea lattes or non-100% fruit juice.
-I WILL NOT Consume caffiene (excepting tea).
-I WILL Do cardio for 50 mins 3-5 times a week. One half will be running either on a treadmill or OUTSIDE.
-I WILL Walk everywhere if it is timely, especially to and from Shinjuku station.
-I WILL Buy energy and protein bars (CalorieMate?) for a post-workout snack.
-I WILL Count calories and try to keep my daily intake less than 1700kcal and more than 1300kcal.
-I WILL Remember that more food in the morning & less food at night= more energy during the day.
-I WILL NOT Eat sweets at school.
-I WILL Refuse dessert unless from a keki-ya (cake shop).
-I WILL NOT Eat after 8PM excepting late dinner (which should be avoided).
-I WILL Remind myself frequently of the above rules and be happy following them for my own health.


And I will do this all... you know, starting tomorrow. Heh.