Help me survive NYC!

DaivaSimone

Hi!
My wedding is in exactly two months and I am 5.8 pounds away of my first goal that was to lose 25 pounds before the wedding. There's plenty more to lose after, but that was the first one and I want to keep it up with it.

The thing is: wedding means... a lot of celebrations. In the next two months, I'm going to have a big bachelorette with all my girl friends, and I will also celebrate my 30th birthday. And I will marry my long time lover. It's a lot of occasion to go overboard and I don't want to stall my weight loss, even for those "one time special occasion". Well. I will probably make an exception for the wedding: I won't count any calorie on that day.

So. NYC. I have a pre-bachelorette (yup) this weekend with my two BFF. We're heading to NYC for four days. I know that there will be a lot of walking around the city, but knowing my friend, there will be a lot of alcohol and junk food too. I plan to bring my lunch on the train (Amtrak allows their customers to do this, so why not?) and I've also rent an apartment that I sneakily chosen near a Whole Foods, so we can grocery shop and eat our breakfast "at home". I want to cook my BFF our last dinner together, because, well, I'm a hell of a cook, and we will be tired of all the roaming around.

So, I need help for the rest of this: where can we eat lunch and dinner in NYC without blowing too much cals? As it's their first stay in NYC, we will mainly stay in Manhattan. Our apartment is in the LES, but we will explore other neighborhoods as well (Greenwich, Chelsea, Midtown, Upper West Side... and probably Tribeca and Financial District if we decide to go to the 9/11 Memorial), so any suggestions will be appreciated. Also, if you have any suggestions of healthy snacks I can pack and eat without guilt and second thoughts, I'll take this too.

Also, need tips to help me with a delicate question: one of my friend is... well... resistant to fitness. She is overweight (let's say obese to be clear) and we were both "fatties" in highschool. She doesn't want to hurt me or to be mean, but she makes a lot of snarky comments about me dieting and being active, and she complains a lot when she sees me passing on something (another beer, a handful of crips, etc.). She says that's because she is feeling that I'm depriving myself, but I think that she is (also) probably afraid to lose me as a "fat partner" (you know what I mean... together against mean people, we can stand... divised, it will be harder). I understand her feelings, but sometimes, it can be tough to feel judged by someone that was always on your side before. I'm planning to not destroy myself with alcohol and to probably bring a quick workout DVD to do on the mornings, and I will have to deal with the whining. I don't want it to ruin the trip, so I will have to deal with this diligently and tactfully. What would you do it this situation?

TL:DR: Need suggestions for good restaurants with healthyish options in NYC + need help to deal with my BFF (and co-traveler) that is not comfortable with me losing weight.

(Edit because I'm apparently incapable of writing apartment in english.)

ValGogo

LES you say?! (rubs hands together)

Theres a place called Dojo near NYU on 3rd street off Broadway. It's my favorite go "macrobiotic" place (hijiki tofu, garden burgers, brown rice, carrot ginger dressing, and they serve other regular foods).

There are a ton of places on st marks place but also go to 4th street or 6 street between 2nd and 3rd or 1st and 2nd, not sure.....it's a "restaurant row" type thing. You are going to be in the mecca of healthy food around that area, you just have to look. I assume you will be near the Whole Foods on Union Square, right? There is a Trader Joes's close to there, going east on 14th, if you like Trader Joe's.

Welcome to my home!

DaivaSimone

Never went to a Trader's Joe before! We, Canadians, we're so ignorant about all those healthy grocery food chains you have... I'll probably try to go to both, I love grocery shopping!

Thank's for the restaurants suggestions. If you have any idea where I can also drink a good crafted IPA in LES, i'll take it

TavistockToad

your fat friend feels bad because you can resist the crap that she cant... if she makes comments just tell her she is being mean and then chnage the subject... dont enter into a discussion about it.

jkwolly

your fat friend feels bad because you can resist the crap that she cant... if she makes comments just tell her she is being mean and then chnage the subject... dont enter into a discussion about it.

I agree in that your friend should be supportive!

Keep up the good work and just tell her this is something you NEED to do!


AAAAAAAAAND I am super jealous, btw. NYC sounds amazing. :flowerforyou:

doctorregenerated

Just playing devil's advocate for a second on this....
NYC is known for food. There is great, healthy food, and there are meals that will knock your socks off with a billion calories.
If I was not worried about my weight like your friend, and loved food, I would be really excited to visit NYC for the food. I would also be pretty concerned if I was going with someone who was going to try and restrict what I was eating. For instance, everyone thinks pizza and hot dogs when they think of NYC. So I'd be looking to get that.
I'm just anticipating that your friend may be looking to really enjoy the less healthy options as well.

TavistockToad

Just playing devil's advocate for a second on this....
NYC is known for food. There is great, healthy food, and there are meals that will knock your socks off with a billion calories.
If I was not worried about my weight like your friend, and loved food, I would be really excited to visit NYC for the food. I would also be pretty concerned if I was going with someone who was going to try and restrict what I was eating. For instance, everyone thinks pizza and hot dogs when they think of NYC. So I'd be looking to get that.
I'm just anticipating that your friend may be looking to really enjoy the less healthy options as well.

i totally agree, i always eat ALL the food on holiday... but i wouldnt dream of commenting on a friends food choices... if they want to order salad while i eat a whole pizza that is up to them!

DaivaSimone

Just playing devil's advocate for a second on this....
NYC is known for food. There is great, healthy food, and there are meals that will knock your socks off with a billion calories.
If I was not worried about my weight like your friend, and loved food, I would be really excited to visit NYC for the food. I would also be pretty concerned if I was going with someone who was going to try and restrict what I was eating. For instance, everyone thinks pizza and hot dogs when they think of NYC. So I'd be looking to get that.
I'm just anticipating that your friend may be looking to really enjoy the less healthy options as well.

Sure, I understand what you mean and I'm an hardcore hot-dog fan, so I think about hot-dogs when I think about NYC. Actually, I think about hotdogs probable way more often than normal people. But i'm not sure in which way I am restricting her when I say no to a second or a third pint of beer, or when I chose a grilled chicken sandwich instead of a Juicy Lucy. I'm not judgemental, I know how much tasty ans satisfying junk food is, but I want to chose my battles. If I prefer to skip the greasy food at lunch to have a bigger dinner and one more Old fashioned, it's just about me, not about her. She can have what she want. I'm not the one who is whining about her food choices, those are none of my business. And I'm happy to have someone with whom I can share a box of KD when I'm drunk. But I won't be unconscious about food choices during four days. That won't happen.

dawnmcneil10

Here are a few tips for you that you can apply in NYC and to help with other festivities.

Whatever your alcohol beverage of choice usually seltzer water can be added. Having a fruity drink, ask the bartender to cut the drink with selzter or stick to wine spritzers, you're still drinking with the rest of the gang but you're not killing yourself with liquid calories. If doing shots, go ahead and do the shot but have a diet soda or water with it instead of both an alcohol beverage and a shot. Something that works for me is telling friends I have a low alcohol tolerance and that I want to remember the awesome time with my friends and make memories.

Food:
I have a rule for my well being while on vacation or celebrations. I require 1 salad a day, gives me the essential vitamins and helps me feel better. You can flat out tell your friends that you require that salad eat day to keep your system running well and if it helps tell them they don't want to be in the same apartment with you if you don't get that salad.
Keep healthy snacks available in your pockets or bag. Think single serve almonds, granola, dried fruits, jerky and if you stop for coffee drinks go with "skinny" versions whenever possible or get unsweetened iced tea with or without a flavor shot.

I love the idea of fixing a last single girls dinner, that's a great idea. It sounds like you've got a good start already, have a fabulous time and honestly don't stress, just walk as much of the city as you can. If you find your friend needs to take the subway or taxi system just get up and start your day a half hour earlier, run up and down the stairs, jog around a couple of city blocks take some "alone time" to clear your head.

As for the friend that's not so fond of your weight loss there's probably some jealousy brewing there. Don't let it get to you explain it's not about being "skinny" it's about being healthy and able to have a long and healthy life with your partner. Perhaps you should add a meal the first night you're there to the options so she can see you're not sacrificing taste by what she sees as "dieting".

Good luck to you and congratulations on all the wonderful moments you're about to have.

ElkeKNJ

Hi,

Would your friend understand and quit commenting if you tell her you can't eat more or unhealthy because you would not fit your wedding dress anymore? you are on a bachelorette weekend after all.
I can relate to her though, she's probably thinking she's losing you.

I would not take work-out dvd's to NY. You are there for only 4 days, and will be on your feet most of the day anyway. I know that if I
would take them with me, they would not get unpacked at all.

I've been to NY once on a long weekend (work incentive). I would never have chosed to go there myself, but waw, that is an amazing city. And Ground Zero just gets to you. And God, I finally got to taste cheese cake. That was heavenly.

We never ate hotdogs, or pretzels, or pizza, but went to steakhouses, etc... You can just eat the salads and meat, and leave the chips on the side (or perhaps taste just one)
As to the drinks, in my case, they would be inevitable. Perhaps you can make a study in advance which drinks would give you less calories.
Perhaps even try prelogging for that weekend, see where your limits are.

Very nice of you to cook for your friends on this weekend! Great idea, but relax a little yourself. Enjoy the weekend, plan a little, and don't worry about it. No regrets!

Kelley528

I live in NYC and have kept my weight of for 3 years now and have stayed at my goal weight of 135 for some time now. I have learned that is OK to indulge one day and I dont wind up gaining weight from it. The trick is, and you already seemed to have realized it. is dont eat garbage for 3 meals out of the day. Shopping for your breakfast to prepare on your own is a great idea. Breakfast in manhattan can be ridden with high calories. The portion sizes are ridiculous. You will save a lot of calories by making your own breakfast.

As far as dinners, you are better going to real restaurants and avoid pubs, bars, and fast food. A restaurant will have normal, portion controlled size meals, you will get to eat yummy foods prepared in different ways, and you wont regret it in the morning.

If you do visit fast food, you may not know that in New York it is a law that they post their calorie counts on the menus. That will help you make smarter choices.

You can even have alcohol. Just dont binge on it. If you want to have one night of getting wasted with your friends it wont derail you. Again, just pay better attention to what you eat before your drinking session. Just be prepared that you will likely weigh more the next fews days from the associated bloating but you should balance out after a week.

Your friend is just jealous over you accomplishment and her negativity just has to do with the fact she cant come to terms with the idea that she could control her destiny by making better choices. You may just have to ignore her negativity if you want to stay friends but if she ever truly hurts you by any of her remarks just let her know you are happy with the decisions you make for yourself and you would appreciate her acceptance of that.

njmark72

There is a MuscleMaker Grill on Murray St. between Broadway and Church St. It is approximately 3 blocks from the WTC memorial site. I hightly recommend it. They have many low calorie options and you can find their menus on their website.

Congrats on the wedding... Good luck in NYC!

Mark

runner475

I second MuscleMaker Grill. Lots of low calorie options and good food.

As for friend here is what I would do - Before I leave from hometown and hop on that train I would let everyone know "Hey guys! It's everyone's vacation. Let's spend it by making memories we'll cherish for years."

Also you guys come up with a time of the day everyday in those 4 days which you would reserve for "my time" - all of you. Thus that time of the day would be your workout time.

Enjoy and have fun. Congrats on the wedding.

Dragonwolf

I was just there a couple of months ago! We found that Yelp is a great tool to have for finding food places.

That said, we found a couple of great places to eat that are quite filling and not terrible on the calories:

Local Cafe (Tribeca), Sullivan, between Houston and Prince St. (Don't go nuts with the pastries, but the meals are good)
Panini and Co. (WTC), up Thames St, across from Zuccotti Park (Paninis, smoothies, hashes; all made to order and quite tasty)
Brooklyn Diner (Times Square), 43rd St, across 7th Ave/Broadway from the Hard Rock Cafe (a little more upscale, but good nonetheless.)
Abigael's On Broadway (Times Square), Broadway and W 38th (This is a pricier restaurant, in part because it's Kosher, but the food is fantastic. There are some larger portions, so do be cognizant of that, but it's otherwise good stuff.)
Eataly Gelateria (Midtown?), 5th Ave and W 24th (Has a cafe in it, but we went for the gelato. It's seriously well worth the calories, and for "ice cream," it's extremely satisfying. The cafe part seemed kind of akin to Panara or other typical bread/pastry-based cafe)

We did most of our restaurant eating for breakfast and dinner, since I was there for a conference, but hopefully these will give you some ideas. There are a ton of other little "mom & pop" type places, especially in the SoHo, Tribeca, and WTC areas, as well as some tucked-away joints in places like Times Square.

(You know, come to think of it, I spent about 4 days there, and never touched a hot dog... I had what I considered the "obligatory" slice of pizza, slice of cheesecake, and a bagel, though. I was okay with that, though, because I walked a lot those days.)

DaivaSimone

Thank you all for all the tips and suggestions. It's really precious for me, and I hope that I will have some time to try some of these places. Love the MuscleMaker name, at least :P

(You know, come to think of it, I spent about 4 days there, and never touched a hot dog... I had what I considered the "obligatory" slice of pizza, slice of cheesecake, and a bagel, though. I was okay with that, though, because I walked a lot those days.)

Hey! I'm a Montrealer, I will never be able to eat a bagel in New York without feeling treacherous. Except at the Mile End Deli in Brooklyn, because they import Montreal bagel for their purposes.