I just got done with my two weeks in the countryside with very limited internet access, so I have good news and bad news. The bad news is my scale wasn't working and now fixed itself, so I didn't lose as much as I thought I did. Good news, I still lost weight. Eating three very rich meals a day. Lots of bread, veal or duck, and vegetables. Ice cream occasionally. I learned a lot about eating and being able to eat with pleasure and not shame. It IS acceptable(for me) to enjoy eating. Binging is not enjoying eating, that is using food as a BandAid. Savoring food and the spices that are used to cook it is the BEST way for me to eat. I lost about 3 lbs the 2 weeks I was in the country.

Mealtimes are very different here; each meal lasts at least an hour with 2 or 3 different courses. Eating vegetables or healthily is not seen as a chore or something to do; it is a pleasure because they enjoy the vegetables. Calorie counting does not exist for them(by them my host family not France in general I can't speak for an entire country) and I didn't even try to explain. Many foods here aren't nutritionally labeled either; it is not required.

But I am having a blast! I have gotten so much better at running too and only one pair of my jeans fits me now. I have to use a belt with the others and I am down a notch. And I don't have to time to read 2 weeks of posts, but I hope you are all doing well, in weight loss and other areas.

Hmmmm weird how not speaking English for 2 weeks completely messes it up.

I am so happy for you. Thanks for keeping us updated

There is only good news, you lost weight and are enjoying your time in France! Thanks for the update and good work!

wow, sounds like you're having a blast.

I am so pleased you learned what "eating for pleasure" really means. You do NOT have to stuff yourself on decent food.

The "French" diet may be a bit rich for our tastes--and it comes with a lifestyle (an hour at dinner--who in North America has time for that?)--which means that it may not work (in bits and pieces) for *us*.

But it is all good news. It helped you change your relationship with food--for the better. I'm thrilled for you! The loss is just bonus.