We are going on vacation for 3 weeks beginning on Sunday. We’ll be back in the USA, hitting New York, the West, and San Francisco. There are restaurants, buffet breakfasts, and celebratory parties for our wedding dotting the landscape. I also have a bad history of gaining weight when I go back to the US, a combination of the ridiculous portions and my eyes and taste buds calling out for all the “can’t-get-that-in-France” foods I see. (And often accompanied by another week or so in France when I’m back from the US for all the “France-has-great-bread-pastries-desserts-crepes-sauces” foods here.)

So this time, I am thinking ahead. My objective is to come back at about the same weight as I’m leaving.

My plan to do this has two components - Behavior and Motivation

BEHAVIOR:

  • I will write down everything I eat in Ye Olde Trusted Notebook. Even if I feel guilty about eating it.
  • I will limit my breakfasts to cereal, milk, yogurt, whole wheat bread and fruit. I will allow myself one bagel in New York. I will only have 2 indulgent breakfasts during the trip.
  • I will eat 5 servings of fruit & vegetables every day.
  • I will snack on fruit every day.
  • I will make the best of available choices at least half of the time.
  • I will only have something decadent once a day.
  • I will go for a walk or a swim every day.
  • I will not expect perfection from myself on any of the above.

MOTIVATION:

  • I recognize that there is no food in American I can never have again, and there are precious few things that I can’t find at all in France. I go back to the US at least once a year (usually more) so this “Last Supper” attitude has to stop.
  • I am clear on my intention to resume losing weight this Fall, and my goal weight is 150. This will take long enough without backsliding even more.
  • I want to show myself that I can enjoy myself from time to time without losing all control & without creating too much stress in my life.