After my Munchy Monday, I've stuck to my no caffeine fix. I haven't just drank water because I must have my orange juice in the morning. In place of soda and coffee, I've had water. Good ol' fashion and free water. Plus the exercise of water to the water cooler! Just kidding, I've been doing my ab and leg exercises twice a day. In the morning and when I come home from work in the evening.

But my new perspective of my healthier lifestyle is to take it from a financial perspective. Money talks. Money will make you think twice about picking up that candy bar! Most of us think, "Oh it's just a dollar." Each dollar adds up, even the change. I have a jar of change, singles and a few five dollar bills. So I thought I would apply this method to my diet. In the past two days, every time I thought about getting something at Starbucks or the vending machine, I jotted down how much it would cost. And I took it a step further - I actually took the money out of my wallet and put it aside. In the past two days, I've put aside $11 (rounded up). Now that's $165 a month! And I probably saved myself from consuming over 2,000 empty calories.

This encourages me to put the snack money aside. When I did actually have a snack, which I'm sure the first thing I'll give into is a can of soda, I will enjoy it. I feel like I was snacking just to snack. I didn't enjoy my treats because I had them so frequently.

I wish this method would work every time I wanted a bag. I would save so much money.

"I never drink a calorie," a friend once told me. Indulgent alcoholic beverages aside, I rarely keep anything other than water in my fridge at home, but I still love fresh-squeezed orange juice on a lazy weekend morning, a smoothie now and then after the gym, a pick-me-up cup of coffee around 3 p.m., or a Coke when I have a headache. I rarely have soda otherwise, and today's article on the Diet & Fitness channel reminded me why. Recently though, my office began stocking Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, and at my request, Diet Sprite.

I'm not a morning person, in part because I often feel nauseous when I wake up. On the particularly bad days, sparkling water or soda helps settle my stomach. Since I've been drinking a few diet Sprites a week, or rather Sprite Zero as it's now called, I've been wondering if the artificial sweetener could do me harm. This Prevention magazine story helped allay my fears of gaining soda weight or ingesting too much sweetener.

I rarely need to drink the whole can, so I've started pouring half into an empty water bottle and saving it for the next morning. This way, I don't rely as much on soda to quench my thirst.

It's been warmer than usual this month and a couple of weeks ago, the temperature hit 70 degrees in New York. That's insane, right?

It was sunny and mild that Saturday and while I'd already gone to the gym in the morning, I wanted to go for a run around the Central Park Reservoir path, about 1.56 miles. The only problem was that I'd invited people over for dinner and I had to shop, bake (the tarte tatin), prepare the meal, pick up the apartment, and set the table. I hadn't been on the path since November or maybe it was early December. I can't remember. As fall set in, it became easier to head to the gym and run on the treadmill and do other forms of cardio rather than heading over to the Reservoir and the bridal path.

Suddenly, that day, I struggled between the simple and pure desire to make the most of the warm weather on a run, versus buckling down to go food shopping and prepare dinner. It felt like both things were worthy pleasures that I wanted to fulfill. Ultimately, I chose not to run because of the time pressure--I knew I couldn't spare the time it would take to get over to the path (10 blocks away due west), run, and return home. I needed the time to prepare for dinner so I wouldn't be frantic.

I made the right choice, but I experienced the child-like pang that so many of us feel that we didn't get to do both!

Maybe it's just one form of the struggle between the candy bar versus the Kashi bar. Which one wins?

Tonight I had a few friends over for a post-New Year's catch up. I've resolved to cook one healthy meal a month this year, but it's neither enjoyable nor practical for me to do it on a weeknight, so I served two very tasty lower-fat frozen pizzas.

The first, an Amy's, had pesto, organic tomato slices, and broccoli with part-skim mozzarella. The second was from Trader Joe's and had spinach, feta, tomato, and more part-skim mozzarella. The slices were satisfying and small, and in between eating them, we had fun with my pièce de résistance of the evening: Thai lettuce wraps, which are basically a DIY, hold-in-your hand salad.

Once everyone arrived, I explained the assembly method of eating the wrap: take a leaf of lettuce (I used iceberg tonight, but have also used Boston), spread a little goat cheese on it, then top with diced tomatoes and mushrooms and sprinkle with either hot sauce (I like Cholula) or salad dressing (my favorite dressing is lemon juice mixed with olive oil). Fold and eat. The wraps are fun to create, make you think of salad, and veggies in general, a little differently, and are actually filling. These were the ingredients I was in the mood for, but the possibilities are limitless.

A few hours, and a few glasses of sparkling wine later, we were all caught up, and full but not too full.

I got a great night's sleep and woke up before the construction on my building began. So I woke up relaxed and refreshed. I haven't slept so well in awhile and I noticed how much better my morning exercises felt.

I began my morning with a glass of water and a vitamin then I began my ab exercises. I actually found a variation of what I do on AOL, here. I use a balance ball for the standard and reverse crunch but when I don't have it with me, it's just as effective. I did 25 of each set. Also, I found the thigh exercises on the site, too! I did 25 of the flowing plie and the side-lying leg rotations. I'm not a fan on the forward lunges for some reason, but I managed to do 15, in three sets of five.

The great thing about these exercises is that you can do them everyday in the comfort of your own room and they're not complicated. I do them in the morning but if I don't, I know I can do them any time of the day.

Next up for me is a bowl of Cheerios and a glass of OJ (no pulp). And I've decided to set myself weekly goals because my diet and fitness is all mental for me. Last week was pushing myself to go to the gym more often. This week will be water in place of caffeine. Both of those things are hard for me, I couldn't imagine doing both in one week! So I've split them in order to focus on one lifestyle per week, and hopefully both will come together naturally.

Ann's post titled "Gym: is it right for you?" reasonates on so many levels. She debates over cost, location, classes, and time spent. I've pondered these issues too.

She has a point that having a gym downstairs from her work makes it easy to incorporate a fitness routine into her daily life; she's also lucky that her employer encourages a healthy lifestyle by subsidizing the membership. Sounds good to me. My gym, New York Sports Club, offers many different locations, hours, and classes. The branch closest to my apartment is only two blocks away; there are no excuses!

The hours at my location are very good; it feels like the joint is open all the time. It was open on Christmas and on New Year's Day with slightly modified hours. It makes the most sense for me to take classes there as they're free for members. I've taken a few, but I'd like to start a mat pilates class on a consistent basis. However, many people tell me that taking classes that aren't part of the gym can be more rewarding.

I've noticed a surge in the number of people at the gym these days. It's January, so everyone's high on motivation and spirit. It's hard to maintain that motivation each day but I can honestly say that once I incorporated the routine into my daily lifestyle, there really was no going back. If I ever need more motivation, I look around at all the other bleary-eyed people wiping sleep from their eyes and say, "hey, I'm here moving my body. That's a good thing."

On a separate note, I had a run-in yesterday with some chocolate-covered peanuts--a quarter pound to be precise about it. Chalk it up to nervous eating, competing deadlines, and free-floating stress. However, on the plus side of the equation: I tried the stairmaster for 10 minutes in the morning. Is it me, or is it hard to get the hang of it? Then I wandered over to the cardio wave machine and the controls didn't work properly. Frustrated, I headed over to the treadmill and ran 1.25 miles, then walked to complete two miles. I realized something too: Treadmill running in the a.m. is hard for me. I just wasn't into it. If I'd been outside, it might have been a different story.

Later in the day, I went back to the gym to run/walk two miles. It's quick bursts of activity like this that make sense to me when I'm feeling more stress than usual and on days when I fall off the wagon in the snacking/nervous eating department.

Anyone who knows me well can tell you when I'm upset. I don't eat. I have no appetite. It takes some coxing. It takes comfort food. As the day progresses, you can tell if I'm feeling better; by the consumption of food. I didn't eat until late this afternoon. My mom was off, so she got me my usual order from my favorite bagel place: everything bagel with hummus (I love carbs). Then I needed a caffeine pick me up, so I got a soy caramel machiatto - a grande (310 calories according to the Starbucks nutrition web page). Then I proceeded to have a bag of sour cream and onion Ruffles chips (I just tossed the bag and didn't look at the ingredients. Eh, I didn't care). When I really started to feel better, I got a veggie burrito from Chipotles. Guacamole, mild salsa, onions, peppers, black beans and rice - the comfort food I crave!

So yes, today I consumed nothing of nutritional value. But at least I feel better!

My boyfriend, Jon, is a gymaholic. Through rain or cold, busy workweeks and sleepy Saturday mornings, he makes going to the gym three times a week a top priority. Almost nothing, not even his super-cute, fun girlfriend, can stop him. It's pretty impressive, and also inspiring -- not only that he goes, but also that he never cuts his one hour and forty minute workout short.

Jon runs for 40 minutes, then lifts using some machines but mostly free weights. He also does push-ups and crunches. His routine varies only slightly, and while he says he knows he should change it up, I think that part of his enjoyment of working out must come from the familiar.

Last week's gym count: 3x.

Some meals are memorable due to the food, some on account of the company, and some are spectacular for both reasons. I had a good meal at a restaurant called Brasserie on Friday night on account of the food. The menu consisted of delicious contemporary French fare.

In the spirit of my "you can't deny yourself everything all the time" thought, I consumed the following:

A glass of champagne
Baby Beet Salad with little cubes of Humboldt Fog cheese, a goats milk-based cheese from California
Crab Cakes on a small bed of cole slaw
A glass of white wine
Chocolate Beignets with Caramel walnut ice cream
Chevre Cheesecake with date puree

I made some modifications: I ate slightly more than half of the salad consisting of little purple, yellow, and red beet cubes dressed with a bit of olive oil; drank half of the wine, consumed one of the two crab cakes and half of the second; ate two of the six soft beignet pillows filled with chocolate and custard; and had two forkfuls of the cheesecake. The chef brought the cheesecake as an extra dessert because I'd asked about it. The beignets came with a raspberry and warm Valrhona chocolate for dipping--yummy.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I never met a dessert I didn't love, or at least like a little.

There was a nice baquette on the table but I was more interested in waiting for the meal so I only pulled off a bit of it. I pilfered some french fries from my date's meal (he had steak). When I left the restaurant, I felt that I had eaten rich food but I wasn't stuffed. I was satisfied. What made it even more satisfying was that I'd gone to the gym for 30 minutes earlier in the day.

Hooray for me!

It's another foggy, dreary and pretty much depressing day here in NYC. I slept in of course, my usual Sunday routine. I bummed around and tried to be productive. But I usually always end up watching TV. Sunday is my day to be lazy. But I was getting bored around 3:30 this afternoon. So I did my daily stomach routine and thought, "what the hell, I'll go to the gym, too." While I was there for almost a half hour, I noticed the gym was pretty empty. Maybe everyone's Sunday is a lazy day, too. Then I looked across the street and the bars were packed. Then I remembered the Patriots game was on. So I booked it on the elliptical for another ten minutes and came home to sit in front of the TV to watch the game.

My priorities are a little off on Sundays.

Thirteen days into the New Year and I've been making a conscious effort to cut back on my junk food intake and working out everyday (whether its the gym or balance ball exercises). I usually struggle in the beginning of the year due to all the so-good-but-bad-for- you foods from the holidays. However, in the past two days, I craved healthy foods, just not opting for them.

Friday's are usually slow at work and especially drawn out because I work at night. That means trips to the vending machine for chips, candy and soda to keep me going. When I got hungry for a snack, I actually craved oatmeal. (I keep packets in my desk drawer). For dinner, I went to a cafe up the street and made my own salad. Spinach with tomatoes, tofu, chickpeas and a hard boiled egg along with sesame ginger dressing...and I had a diet Dr. Pepper (hey, you can't be perfect all day!)

It was gloomy today, so I kind of bummed around. The weather was a cold, rainy drizzle that made me crave soup. So I had a broth with udon noodles, carrots, seaweed and mushrooms. (As I re-read that, it does make me sound like a health nut but I usually opt for veggie dishes because I'm not much of a meat-eater.) Also, I wanted to go to the gym today. I didn't force myself to go, I wanted to go! I didn't think, "Come on, you're paying for it, just go." I was motivated to go. Happy to go. Had a good work-out!

I'm proud of myself today :)

A comment on my "Do I run funny?" entry made me re-evaluate my gym choice. They joined a gym that has various fitness classes because a machine workout is not for them. I feel the same way, yet I joined a gym that does not have classes. I'm known for my rash decisions. I knew I wanted to join a gym but did not consider many factors. So for anyone that is contemplating a membership, a few things to consider.

1. Money. That was my biggest factor. The gym I joined has a cheap monthly fee. but you can't always go by that because there are other options and factors to consider...

2. Company discounts/reimbursement. My job offers both of these for employees who have been with the company for six months. I was impatient. I joined my gym soon as I got my first paycheck.

3. Location. My gym is downstairs from me. I must go, or that would be pretty lazy of me.

4. Variety. Perhaps the Sports Club is so expensive because it's worth it - that is, if you utilize their resources. The classes, pool, etc.

5. Who needs a membership, just take classes. Invest your money in kickboxing, dancing, yoga...whatever suites your interest. Because working out should be fun. And you're not locked into a membership.

I wish I put more thought into my decision. However, I'm not tied to a contract but I think I'll stick around because with my funny hours, a 30-45 minute workout downstairs from me is all I can get in sometimes. Also, I'm thinking about moving within the next few months. But the next time around, I think I'll stick to running outside and taking classes that interest me, definitely.

Food. I love food.

Thinking, talking, and daydreaming about it; looking at it; blogging about it (SlicesofMe.Blogspot.com); feeling and smelling it; its cultural and familial origins; and of course tasting it (dreamy pumpkin-filled tortelloni in a sage butter sauce at Via Emilia; the tastebud tickling gold corn Johnny Cake with barbequed duck and cranberry butter at Bar Americain; heaping, garlicky portions of broccoli, brussel sprouts, and mashed potatoes at Mama's Food Shop; the portobello mushroom sandwich on perfectly crusty bread at Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches; the why-do-I-like-this-better-than-fine-dining tofu salad with carrot dressing at Yaffa Cafe; and the savory and sweet de Pabellón arepa at Caracas Arepa Bar, to name a few favorite dishes of late).

Depending on the day/hour/minute, I have very specific cravings for flavors and textures. And sometimes when I have those cravings, like a recent desire for chocolate and peanut butter malt balls from Trader Joe's that resulted in a five-alarm self contol disaster, I eat that food to the point of disgust. And then I don't want it anymore, at least not for a while.

I readily admit that I have little to no self-control with dessert, so I've learned not to keep it around the apartment (except for impulse buys like the malt balls...oops!). Therefore if I'm all snug at home and have a hankering for a Twix bar (another favorite), I know I have to go down the stairs of my 4^th floor walk-up, around the corner, back, and then up the stairs, to get one! Often after I've weighed my options, a handful of nuts, an apple, or a piece of low-fat mozzarella string cheese becomes more appealing.

Why? Because denial doesn't work, and denying yourself all the foods you love sucks.

Take the other night when I consumed the last two pieces of pecan pie leftover from my birthday gathering on Saturday. I enjoyed the pie a lot and I looked forward to eating the last pieces I'd saved. It was delicious. I don't regret it. Also, I knew when I ate the pie on Tuesday night that I would be in the gym Wednesday morning doing my thing.

Now a little of this kind of rationalization goes a long way and by no means is it a good idea to indulge in pecan pie or say, chocolate-covered graham crackers every day. But if you deny yourself EVERYTHING all the time, you'll end up feeling frustrated and unhappy that you can't enjoy stuff you like.

I never met a dessert I didn't love, or at least like the idea of it. Like many people, I am easily addicted to sugar but have increasingly kicked it to the curb. When I have dessert, I like it an hour or two after a meal and it's nice if it's a social thing. I've learned to share my dessert and when I don't share, I may eat just a bite or two and save the rest for later or the next day. I like leftovers.

I also enjoy choosing high-quality and homemade items over pre-packaged items like Oreos or M&Ms. So when a colleague brought homemade nutclusters to the office just before the holidays, I indulged in the homemade fudgy goodness. When I made tarte tatin, I ate a piece or two because I like it. I'm no longer tempted by the bagel and cream cheese or the chocolate nut cruller from the coffee cart on the corner. But when it comes to artisinal bread dipped in extra virgin olive oil at a restaurant? Sure, just a piece. Pre-packaged rye or wheat--not so interested.

Decisions, decisions. It's okay, but active denial is really no way to live.

If I'm consistent with one thing in my diet, it's taking my vitamins. I take one every morning with my breakfast. I used to take a multivitamin that you can get at any drug store. But since I started going back to the gym, I've switched over to GNC Women's Ultra Mega ACTIVE. It can be used as a dietary supplement when you take two a day. I'm not sure how it is as a dietary supplement because I use it for all the vitamins it offers.

A regular multivitamin was key for me when I was not eating properly. Since I've been working out, I felt I needed something more in my diet. And as a woman, the calcium was important since I do not consume dairy other than the soy milk in my latte.

The GNC website has all the supplement facts listed for their vitamins and it looks like they are having a sale on them, too!