Finito

So my chiat diet challenge has come to an end. 31 days of living off of whatever leftover food I could find around the office. And not just during the work week, but on weekends as well. Why would I subject myself to such a ridiculous idea? I wish I could say it was for something noble like "I'm doing this for the starving children in ethiopia." or even a punishment or consequence wouldn't be that bad, like "I lost a bet, and now I have to scavenge food for the rest of the month." but sadly, none of those reasons are true. In the end, I did this because a friend of mine raised the question if it were even possible, and I guess I was just bored and had nothing else better to do at the time. But it wasn't a complete waste of time. I did end up learning a few things along the way:

From learning how to ration food, to physically feeling the importance of having nutrients in your diet. I've learned to appreciate how fortunate I am to have so many choices in the types of food I get to eat. And although I still don't think I know what it's like to be truly hungry, I believe I've had a small glimpse into what it's like for people who experience hunger.

But the most important thing I'm taking away from all of this is being reminded of the generosity of people. Throughout the month, friends and co-workers were constantly letting me know where I could find food. Phone calls, emails, even shouts from across the hall. If there was food up for grabs in the building, people would let me know about it. Some friends would even try to convince to bend the rules so I could eat some of their food when I was hungry. There were also a number of times when I would return to my desk and find something left for me to eat. I would never eat it of course, but the thought was always appreciated.

The month began with me trying to see if I could live off of food that I find in the office. But by the end of the month, I ended up learning more about myself and other people.

So what was my first meal off the chiat diet? I thought it'd be beneficial to reintroduce nutrients back into my system. So the day began with some multi-vitamins and a healthy breakfast.

But that whole plan went to the crapper when I learned that the south philly experience food truck was going to be outside the office. Yummmmmy!

Final Weight: 165 lbs (-7.4 lbs from initial weigh in.)

Day 31: The Last Day

So the final day of my chiat has arrived. The day felt a lot like christmas eve growing up as a kid; waiting in anticipation for whatever tomorrow brings. Friends have asked me what my first meal is going to be, and I often joke around about going to "Sizzler" because of what seems to be an endless variety of food options. But after some careful thought, I think it would be best if I gave my body the one thing it's been missing the last month: nourishment.

I bought a bottle of multi-vitamins a week ago; and they've sitting by my nightstand waiting to be cracked open and inhaled like m&m's. Well, maybe more like just a few m&m's a day. Couple that with food that actually contains some sort of nutritional benefit and a little time and I should be good to go.

For breakfast this morning, I was finally able to score some food from the intern breakfast meeting for the first time this month. They meet every wednesday, but for some reason I've had bad luck getting any the whole month.

It was a late breakfast, so i wasn't really that hungry during lunch. Towards mid-afternoon i ate the last apple i had been saving.

And then at the end of the afternoon, there was a celebration in the studio because my friend Jen had been promoted. Here's a slice of cake i snagged from the fiesta.

Tonight is also the night before one of a three client meetings we've been gearing up towards for weeks now. so thankfully my last meal on The Chiat Diet was a catered one. It's just a bummer i had to work really late to have it.

Anyways, i can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Today's Weight: 164.6 lbs (-7.8 lbs from initial weigh in.)

Day 30

Aside from the usual apples and oranges given away at chiat on tuesday and thursday mornings, there were some bananas in the mix today. Normally I would just take one piece of fruit, but given the rarity of bananas, I opted to take two. I ended up eating the banana and saving the apple for later. Oh, and I had my usual glass of orange juice as well.

For lunch I had the leftover mediterranean food I had scavenged from yesterday. Fortunately, no one had already eaten some of it like the last few meals I had been trying save.

Later on i was feeling a bit tired, so i had an apple to help keep me awake.

Tonight's dinner consisted of an ice-cream sandwich, courtesy of Visa thanks to my friend Kendra.

As well as a leftover sandwich from a portfolio show that the art buying department held earlier.

It was also a late night in the office as well, so around midnightish or so i had some soy milk to try and keep the energy levels up.

My weight at my weigh in this morning was still a bit lower than i had hoped, but thankfully tomorrow will be the last day of this thing. now that i look back, it's hard to believe how quickly a month has gone by. it seemed much slower as i was going through the experience.

Today's Weight: 164.6 lbs (-7.8 lbs from initial weigh in.)

Day 29

I had my first midnight snack this month. Work's been pretty busy lately and i ended up having to pull an all-nighter last night so i ate one of my apples from last Friday to help get me through.

Which of course meant that i drove to work instead of biked to work this morning. When i got into the office there were still plenty of bagels, but i just had an orange juice.

Around lunch time I found a couple of garlic knots and some salad to eat as well as a blueberry-pomegranate flavored gatorade. I think this is one of my favorite flavors because the taste of it reminds me of gummy bears.

A little later on in the afternoon, there was some discarded mediterranean food on the surf bar that I had snagged for my tupperware to save for lunch tomorrow.

When i arrived home, I had a pan-fried a couple burgers for dinner.;

I dropped weight again which was kind of weird. I thought for sure eating a cheeseburger and a hot dog would add a pound or two. Or at the very least keep things the same.

Today's Weight: 164.4 lbs (-8 lbs from initial weigh in.)

Day 28: End of Week 4

To my surprise, my weight was slightly lower at this mornings weigh in. I thought for sure it would have gone up some after last night. Thankfully, there was still some food leftover, so for lunch I made myself a cheeseburger, and had an orange and some tortilla chips to go with it.

Dinner was practically the same. Only instead of cheeseburger again I had a hot dog.

Overall the week was pretty bountiful as far as finding food around the office goes. I don't think I went to bed feeling hungry once. Today also marks another week completed in my chiat diet. And it also marks the end of my last full week doing this thing since there's only 3 more days left in the month. I don't think I've ever been more excited for april fool's day.

Today's Weight: 165.6 lbs (-6.8 lbs from initial weigh in.)

Day 27: A Loop Hole

The day started off a bit slow. around 2:30ish or so i had some peanut butter crackers for lunch. Not very filling, I know.

But everything changed later that night. One exception to the rules in this chiat food diet is that I'm aloud to eat food that is sponsored by clients (like a commercial shoot, or photo shoot for example.) well, tonight was one of those circumstances. One of our clients at work is Activision, and they needed to do research for one of their video games. So the deal was, our house would host a dj hero party in exchange for money for food, drink and anything else needed to host a party.

I decided not to put in any influence into what the roomies should pick up, and rather rely on their own judgement. They ended up picking up a lot of chips, soda, burgers, hot dogs, a keg and other things.

By the end of the night, most everything had been eaten, but there were still some leftovers that should carry me through the next day or two.

Today's Weight: 166.2 lbs (-6.2 lbs from initial weigh in.)

Day 26: It Happened Again!

On the last friday of every month, the office provides everyone with free donuts for breakfast. I wasn't all that hungry when I got in though, so I snagged half a donut that someone had already sliced in half.

When lunch time came, I thought I'd finish off that soup noodle I had picked up from the surf bar on monday. But to my surprise, when I had opened the container, the soup noodle looked a lot different from when I had picked it up on monday. I couldn't believe it, someone had eaten food I had put in the refrigerator again.

Here's what the soup noodle looked like on Monday:

Here's what it looked like today:

All that was really left was tofu, broth and a little bit of rice. Yummy.

Fortunately, i was able to find some sandwiches left on the surf bar form California Pizza Kitchen.

When it came time for the cafeteria's Friday afternoon ditch, I picked up some fruit to bring home for the weekend.

With all that extra fruit, I thought it'd be okay to eat the other apple i had picked up yesterday that I was going to save.

Today was also my friend Mildred's last day in the office, so her team threw her a going away party with some snacks that I munched on.

As I was leaving the office, there was a bowl of candy in the studio that I couldn't resist snagging a few pieces from. I don't think I've had candy all month.

It had been a pretty busy work week, so for dinner I thought I'd have one of the beers I had taken a couple weeks back. The beer tasted fine, but the mediterranean chicken I had taken from Monday was beginning to lose its muster. I think tomorrow I might have to toss it.

Today's Weight: 166.2 lbs (-6.2 lbs from initial weigh in.)

Day 25: Lunch Thief

The started off pretty normal. Had my usual glass of orange juice, and then pocketed an apple for later.

However, lunch was a tad bit different. I thought i'd eat the indian food i had scavenged from Monday. Here's a picture i had taken when i first found it:

And here's the photo I took at lunch when I opened the tupperware. Notice the difference?

I can't believe someone had eaten out of it! I probably should've been peeved, but I couldn't help but laugh and smile about it. I mean really, what kind of person opens up someone else's tupperware container and eats out of it?

Later on in the afternoon I had an apple that I had saved from Tuesday.

My friend Erin had also made this dessert for everyone in the studio. I had one slice, and I must say it was quite delish.

Chiat also threw another kegger later in the afternoon. They served beer, olives, pita bread and hummus (aka. my dinner.)

I've noticed I've been eating quite a bit of hummus this past week. Everyday since monday as a matter of fact. I haven't become completely tired of it yet like the way I am with popcorn; but I am starting too. I'm just thankful that there are some nutritional benefits to hummus, so I'll continue eating at least for a little while longer.

Today's Weight: 166.4 lbs (-6 lbs from initial weigh in.)

Day 24

I felt pretty good after waking up this morning. Even after biking to the office, I still wasn't feeling all that hungry, so i just had some orange juice.

When lunchtime came, I had the salad and pita bread I had scavenged from VBE on Monday.

Towards the end of the day, there was a baby shower potluck held for a co-worker at the office. After everything had just about wrapped up, I swooped in for dinner.

Even found a carton of berry punch to bring home for later.

Today's Weight: 166 lbs (-6.4 lbs from initial weigh in.)

Day 23

I woke up feeling pretty good today. Even rode my bike to work for the first time in about a week or so.

The trend also continued today as far as finding food goes. Not nearly as good as yesterday, but still good nonetheless. The morning started off with my usual glass of orange juice. I decided to save the apple for later.

When lunchtime came around, i thought i'd have to tap into the leftovers i scavenged from yesterday, but then i got word that Infiniti had a catered lunch meeting.

Later in the afternoon our art buying department also hosted another catered portfolio show.

But my mini-jackpot of the day came from leftover snacks from an Activision meeting that had happened earlier in the day. I brought this stuff home so I'd have more than just chicken, hummus and rice to munch on.

When dinner time came around, I of course had leftover chicken, rice and hummus. Surprise surprise.

Not going to bed hungry 2 nights in a row. . . I could get used to this.

Today's Weight: 165 lbs (-7.4 lbs from initial weigh in.)

Day 22: EUREKA!

I woke up feeling pretty exhausted and hungry this morning. And rather than ride my bike to work I thought it'd be best to drive. And although the first part of the day started out slow, it actually ended quite well. It started off with a bagel and some orange juice for breakfast. And after this past weekend, that bagel never tasted so good.

Around lunchtime, i managed to snag a chocolate chip cookie from a box that my friend Eclaire had delivered to the office.

There was also a catered meeting in one of our conference rooms. The bummer was, it was meeting filled with a lot of big wigs; and it was also near our office services department (basically, the last group of people you want catching you sneaking food.) So when the timing was right, I grabbed and dashed. Thanks to the spinach, I think this was also the first time I've had anything with iron in it since I started this thing.

VBE also had indian food catered for lunch. Just before 3, i ran in and packaged a plate to save for later on.

. . . as well as another plate that I'd save for later on for dinner that night.

I also had a cup of soy milk late in the afternoon as well. It's really starting to grow on me. It's kind of one of those acquired tastes i suppose. Who knows? I might even still drink it after this month is over.

Aside from that 2nd plate of indian food, I also found some more leftovers that VBE had ordered for dinner. I ate one of the dinner salads, and packaged what i could for later.

After dinner, I did a few laps around the office to do some grocery shopping. I hit the motherload when I came across the energizer tent. They had ordered mediterranean food food for dinner as well. I decided rather than keeping it in the office, I'd be better off bringing it home so that I'd have something to eat for dinner during the rest of the week.

Then as i was leaving, I found some japanese food that had been put on the surf bar.

Although this morning's weigh in came in lower than i had hoped, I suspect tomorrow's weigh in will be significantly higher thanks to today's findings.

Today's Weight: 163.2 lbs (-9.2 lbs from initial weigh in.)

Day 21: End of Week 3

Woke up feeling pretty fatigued and hungry this morning. But I thought it'd be best to spread out my meals as much as i could today, so i waited until noon to eat.

I was still feeling pretty tired throughout the rest of the afternoon. Even simple things like going up and down the stairs seemed to take the wind out of me a little bit. I tried to wait until 6 to eat dinner, but around 5:30 i got tired of waiting.

Today also marks the end of week 3, and I could not be more ready for this month to end, let alone this weekend. There were even a few moments where thoughts of throwing in the towel crept into my mind. And the only thing that really stopped me from doing so was knowing that I've made it more than half way. I just really hope there are some catered meetings tomorrow.

Today's Weight: 164.6 lbs (-7.8 lbs from initial weigh in.)

Day 20: Oy vay

Today was a rough one. Seeing as how yesterday's food consisted of popcorn, some cookies and a piece of chocolate, it should have been no surprise that I woke up feeling hungry and fatigued. I waited until 11 just so I could better ration everything. Lunch consisted of some fruit and one of the protein shakes I had snagged from yesterday.

Lunch held me over for a little while, but it didn't take long before my stomach was growling again. The fatigue never really left either. Which really stunk because the weather today was pretty fantasmical. 77 and sunny. It would've been fun to have gone biking down by the beach or even do some skateboarding, but after doing a couple errands around town, I felt super drained.

I was hoping to wait until at least 6 before eating dinner, but by the time 5:00 came around I caved. I wanted to eat half and save the rest for later in the evening, but before I knew it, the granola bar had been finished.

I suspect tomorrow will be about the same as today. I'm just thankful it isn't a three day weekend; because right now a bagel has never sounded so good.

Today's Weight: 166.4 lbs (-6 lbs from initial weigh in.)

Day 19

I went up a little more at this morning's weigh in. I think the carbs from yesterday helped some.

I got into the office a bit late this morning, so all i was able to find for breakfast was some orange juice.

There weren't any meetings going on today either, nor birthday celebrations for that matter. Around 2:45 i finally found some lunch: 1 1/2 cinnamon cookies.

A little later I found a few oranges that the cafeteria was giving away. While there, I also had some popcorn. I'm really starting to get tired of eating popcorn all the time. On the surf bar there were some protein shakes being given away. I managed to grab a couple chocolate flavored ones and a couple strawberry ones.

As the afternoon was coming to an end, i did a few laps around the office to see if there was anything go on. A co-worker of mine had some communal french chocolate that had been given to her. I only took a small piece though.

I also managed to find a few cookies from the art buying department.

Things were looking pretty dire for the weekend, so before leaving the office i had some soy milk to get as much nutrients in my body as possible.

It's looking as though I'm going to have to tap into my reserve stock if I'm going to make it through the weekend. For the next two days I have: 2 granola bars, 3 oranges, 2 apples, 4 protein drinks, 1 iced tea and 1 gatorade. I know I'm going to be eating the fruit for sure this weekend; but with one more full weekend left after this one in my chiat diet, I think I need to still try and ration things where possible. Maybe not the granola bars, but I think it'd be best to only allow myself one protein drink per day.

Today's Weight: 166.8 lbs (-5.6 lbs from initial weigh in.)

Day 18

I was .2 lbs heavier than yesterday at this mornings weigh in. Which isn't as much as I hoped I would gain back, but at least I didn't lose any more weight. I think those irish nachos from yesterday helped a lot. I even felt a bit more energetic than I have been when I woke up this morning as well.

When I got into the office, I had a cup of orange juice and pocketed an apple to save for the weekend.

As far as lunches go, today was a more carb focused one. With yesterday's 2 pound drop, I figured I should try to load up a bit. Earlier in morning, the studio department had pineapple bread for breakfast that my friend erin had brought in. It was quite delicious.

I also managed to snag half a sesame bagel and a muffin top from the print island that a vendor had brought in for the print production department.

Later in the afternoon I had one of the apples that i had been saving since last week. It was a bit waxy and soft, but still good none the less. I also had my usual popcorn fix and some soy milk.

Towards the end of the day, the print production department had a bunch of snacks and some wine to celebrate march birthdays. The snacks of course ended up being my dinner. I'm really starting to miss real meals. The majority of my meals tend to be just an abundance of snacks. And whenever I do find something that could be a real meal, I end up having to ration it for later. That's one thing I'm really looking forward to when this month is over. To be able to enjoy a full meal without having to worry about where the next one might be coming from.

Today's Weight: 165.6 lbs (-6.8 lbs from initial weigh in.)

Day 17: St. Patrick's Day

There was no intern breakfast when I got into the office this morning, which was kind of a drag 'cause I was really craving some eggs. But I was still able to grab a bagel and some orange juice.

Lunch was pretty slim pickings too, but around 2 i ate the clementine orange that i had saved from Monday as well as some peanuts i found on the surf bar.

Around 4:00 there was a st. Patrick's day kegger held on our basketball court. And aside from beer, irish nachos were also served. I must've been a lot more hungry than I thought I was because I ended up going for three servings.

There were also some chocolate coins on the tables that I munched on as well.

Before leaving the office for the night, I found some watermelon by the print island. I figured after three servings of Irish nachos I should probably put something a little healthy in my system.

This morning's weigh in freaked me out a little bit. I somehow managed to drop 2 lbs. In a day. I even re-weighed myself a few extra times just to be sure. Hopefully the 3 servings of irish nachos will help balance things out better for tomorrow's weigh in.

Today's Weight: 165.4 lbs (-7 lbs from initial weigh in.)

Day 16: 1/2 Way There!

even though i woke up feeling tired and hungry again this morning, i felt well enough to ride my bike to work for the first time in a little while. by the time i got into the office, i had missed my window for the complimentary fruit chiat normally offers on tuesdays and thursdays. so all i had for breakfast was a glass of orange juice.

It was pretty slim pickings around the office during lunch. So at 2:00 I had one of my apples that I had been keeping on reserve as well as some popcorn.

A little later, my friend Omeed had some birthday cake and ice-cream at his desk in celebration of his birthday.

I thought for sure that was going to be it for the day until around 4:00 I got word that there was a portfolio show going on in the art buying with complimentary pizza. I got there just in time to snag the last slice.

Today also marks the halfway point for my little food experiment. And even though I'm reaching a point right now where I'm ready for this whole thing to be over and done with. I have also passed what I believe will be the hardest part of this month: the beginning. Not that the rest of the month won't be difficult. But from here on out, I will have more days accomplished than days left to go.

We had people over at the house again tonight like we always do for lost. There was a mix of tender greens and wendy's being had around the room. Both looked very appealing.

Today's Weight: 167.2 lbs (-5.2 lbs from initial weigh in.)

Day 15

I woke up feeling pretty hungry and tired this morning. Too tired to even bike it to work in fact. And when I did get into the office, I had already missed the free bagels and orange juice. Fortunately, there were some meeting leftovers on the surf bar from the corner bakery café had be. There were muffins and other assorted pastries, but I decided to go with some yogurt and granola.

It was so good that I even went back for seconds. The only downside was that there was only enough left for half a cup.

When lunchtime came, I had the leftover wrap and an apple that i had saved from last Friday.

The rest of the afternoon consisted of random things i had found up for grabs around the office. My friend Alisa brought clementine oranges for everyone. i ate one and save the other for later.

I was still feeling a bit tired even after lunch, so i had a cup of soy milk thinking that the nutrients in it might help some.

Today was also my friend Bory's birthday and someone had brought one of those Mrs. Field's cookie pizzas to celebrate. And like the clementine, i ate one and saved another for later.

Later on my friend Karen clued me in on some chips and salsa that was on the print island.

And a little later i found some communal girl scout cookies in the studio.

I left the office a bit earlier than normal tonight because it was also my friend alisa's birthday, and she was having a birthday dinner celebration tonight. If there was going to be any catered food for an account tonight for dinner, it didn't arrive by the time I left the office (just before 7.) so I ended up eating that slice of the chocolate chip cookie cake I had saved from earlier.

Sitting through dinner was a bit rough. We went to this italian restaurant in Santa Monica called "Icugini." I didn't cave, but the food looked and smelled very very tempting. I did have a couple glasses of water while I was there though which comforted my stomach for a little bit. However, I am once again going to bed hungry tonight.

. . . I'm really looking forward to this being over.

Today's Weight: 166.8 lbs (-5.6 lbs from initial weigh in.)

Day 14: End of Week 2

Skipped breakfast today, but ended up having lunch around 11:30ish. I wanted to eat half of it and save the other half for later, but my stomach got the better of me and I ended up finishing the whole thing.

I went and saw a movie later in the afternoon with some friends and ate one of my granola bars. And then later on in the evening I had an apple for dinner.

Today also marks 2 weeks since I started my "Chiat diet." I have to admit that I've reached a point now where I'm really looking forward for this thing to end. I'm starting to miss the taste of certain foods that I haven't had in a while. I find myself remembering and imagining the taste of anything I come across constantly. And nights where I end up going to bed hungry are really starting to become tiresome. Thankfully, I'm on the brink of reaching the halfway point.

Today's Weight: 167.4 lbs (-5 lbs from initial weigh in.)

Day 13: The Most Tempting Day So Far

I woke up feeling a bit tired this morning; but I imagine it's because I went to bed kinda late. I was also a little bit hungry, but I decided to wait until lunch time to help better ration my meals. The roommates and I were having people over at the house tonight for a boxing match on tv, so I spent the morning cleaning.

I ate lunch around 11:30 and had the rest of this eggplant/tomato pasta that I had snagged earlier in the week, as well as an apple and some orange juice. I thought it'd be more filling than it actually was.

I really enjoy cooking a lot, so I thought I'd make a couple things for later tonight. But since I couldn't season anything to taste like I normally do, I had to rely on the taste pallets of my friends. I went to three different grocery stores to pick up everything that I needed; and each grocery store was more tempting to cave in than the next. The worse was whole foods though. On the weekends, they set up a barbecue area just out front of the store, and as I was walking by my mouth immediately began salivating.

I got home around 4:30ish and began prepping things for tonight. By now I was hungry again, and I had to really force myself to not sneak a taste of anything. I ended up making beer-battered chipotle fish tacos with cabbage, cheddar, monterey jack and a choice of guacamole, white sauce or a papaya-mango salsa to go on top. I also made a spinach salad topped with hearts of palm, sugar roasted pignoles, avocados and strawberries with a vinaigrette dressing. I also made some extra guacamole for chips on the side.

Having to rely on other people for taste was a new experience for me in the kitchen. It was an unexpected, yet valuable lesson in trust. I have to admit I really wanted to have a taste just to be sure everything was satisfactory. But I didn't, and in the end everything turned out just fine.

People also brought over hot dogs, sausages and burgers for the grill as well as beer and chips to go with it. But my dinner consisted of a single beer and a granola bar that I had taken from the office earlier in the week.

As the night went on, I was quickly becoming more and more exhausted for some reason. I was even dozing off during the fight which never happens! I don't think anyone noticed though. After the match was over, fight night turned into house party tonight. But I again couldn't get myself into the vibe of things. I was just super tired and my stomach was growling constantly at this point. Eventually I just snuck up to my room to quickly write this blog and then go to bed. I only made it through the first paragraph though before passing out. The rest of this entry had to be finished the following morning.

Today was a rather rough one as far as "The chiat diet" goes. I was still able to make it through only eating things I've found in the office. But the constant temptation throughout the day was pretty overwhelming.

Today's Weight: 168 lbs (-4.4 lbs from initial weigh in.)