Where Are You?
Where Are You?
I Am Still Here!
Been a bit strange. Well over a week and not written a thing. Where are you? I’ve been away. Exploring new boundaries and territories. Unfortunately, I still have that mindset whereas I think I can eat and drink what I like!
Plus, this break was not an all-inclusive beach holiday, but a few days spent in beautiful northern Italy. A jaunt around Lake Garda, a day in Verona and a day in Venice. Me and the wife, Larice, both needed the break and had a thoroughly cracking time. But now…. back to the harsh realities of life!
An Idiot Abroad
No Weigh Day
In fairness, I had every intention to wake up Sunday morning back in HQ and step on the scales. As I always maintain a routine of weighing myself after going to the toilet, I find myself unusually constipated.
Too much information I know but bear with me. Before I knew it, I was summoned to McDonald’s to purchase breakfast and the moment was lost. I have to say a Maccies breakfast is a weakness, especially when there is little food in the house. Poor excuse but it is what it is.
I am a little disappointed I went down this road as was determined to weigh myself every week no matter what. However, the first sign of trouble and I bottled it! Hopefully, I’ll learn from this charade!
As we were buying our meals bar the hotel breakfast, we didn’t overeat but the problem with Italian food is it’s high in carbs, calories and cheese! But delicious, nonetheless. We walked a lot, 15-2000 steps a day. Larice was brave enough to weigh herself and put on just over a kilo which is not too bad. I feel like I’ve probably put on the same.
The Trouble With Travel
Let Yourself Go
The biggest hurdle when going away is letting yourself completely go and undoing the progression so far. Admittedly, I consumed foodstuffs I shouldn’t but as this was not an all-inclusive holiday (that’ll be the next challenge, probably later this year!), we were buying food and you never eat as much in this scenario. I chuckled at myself last week posting I was going to go to Italy and not consume sugar! The ice cream is to die for.
I noticed, where we were at least, there was very little to choose from bar Italian food. I saw one Burger King in Venice and one Chinese restaurant, also in Venice. If you don’t like Italian food, you’re a little snookered! We love it and consumed in abundance! The walking obviously helped as well but as I posted before, exercise is not a reason to eat what you blinking well like!
Getting Away
Refreshing The Soul
This was the first time we’ve been away since going to Tunisia last August. Escaping mundane routines and life in the UK is very important to us. The expense seems to worsen, but as Larice says, “we always find a way”. She’d never been to Italy and I’d been once, back in 1989 so it was like a new country to us both.
What can I say? Italy is an amazing place, full of history, culture, fantastic food and friendly natives. What is there not to like? Weather was a bit crap in general but I prefer bad weather abroad than here in the UK!
Well worth a visit if you’ve not been. We are looking forward to exploring more. Lake Garda was pretty dead as it was out of season and the isolation walking along the lakefront was extremely therapeutic.
At our age, we feel we should try and visit many different places. We both love embracing the culture and customs of different places. We will go back to Italy sooner rather than later.
Venice is as wonderful as I envisaged. I wouldn’t want to visit out of season though as it does predictably get a little crowded. But, what a fascinating and unique city experience.
Great For The Mind
Raring To Go!
On Monday, I went back to work. Bear in mind I’ve been eating many things I shouldn’t and consuming alcohol (although relatively modestly for a change!) regularly for over a week, I was surprised at how easy it was to go back to my normal routine.
I need to do better with events and trips away though. I still have the attitude that life events are an excuse to break every rule I’ve set for myself. Whilst I agree we need to live and I could never give up certain foodstuffs for good, I do revert to old ways when such events happen.
At the moment, this attitude seems to be merely slowing down the weight loss process but there will come a time when this cavalier approach might come back to bite.
Onwards and Upwards!
Broken Promises
Had to chuckle at my last post which made all sorts of ridiculous claims such as not eating sugar and revamping the spare room/office. That went straight out the window when in Asda, I decided quite out of the blue to purchase eight cans of Guinness. We then decided to go over to the local Irish Centre for a couple as well. The day descended into a haze of alcoholic debauchery!
There was no coming back from that, so I pretty much wrote the week off regarding eating and drinking although ironically, I didn’t consume that much alcohol whence away.
Feeling Invigorated
Back On Track
The ease with which I managed to keep my calories below 2000 yesterday, surprised me. I feel inspired to have a proper crack at shifting the next stone with no distractions. Going away inspires and invigorates me. I had a spring in my step yesterday. Still, nibble a little sugar in moderation though. That’ll soon be gone.
The walking undoubtedly helps when you take such a trip. I don’t feel like I’ve put too much on, but the truth will be in the scales on Saturday morning. Sometimes in life, there are more important things than food. Lose your sanity and there’s big trouble ahead! Little trips abroad help keep us both sane!
Going Forwards
Back To Reality
Where are you Is a question, I’ve been asking myself all week! Bear in mind I’ve been on this journey for just over four months. I’ve lost weight. I feel better, living better, walking better, breathing better. Yes, there is always room for self-improvement and things to work on. But my place is much happier than it was four months ago.
If and it’s a relatively big if, I can go back to my usual eating plan all week, then I feel I’ll have somewhat cracked it. In fairness, the food we ate abroad was fantastic. I don’t think I overindulged too much which would explain why I don’t feel too bad now I’m back in the UK.
The Rest Of The Week
A simple task. To eat as I was before my holiday then get on those scales Saturday morning!
