Slidey, Slidey

I have so much to say about the emotional-side of my vacation, but it almost feels like I don’t have the words to say it. It was a ‘trip’ for sure.

The truth is, I’m pretty sure I was heading down a slippery slope before I moved to Washington in 2002. I had this conversation with my mother and my sister a few weeks ago after my mother made a comment that I am starting to look like ‘me’ again (agreed!). I kindly reminded her that I had gained approximately 15 pounds during my junior year in high school (after I stopped playing hockey and softball and discovered Cadbury’s chocolate during a trip to England) and then another 20 pounds during my senior year (when I had a job/money to spend on food and wheels to get me there). They absolutely refused to believe that I weighed 220-ish pounds when I moved to WA in the summer of 2002 (after I graduated).

Maybe Washington was more of a gift than a curse.

Anywaaaays. My goal was to somehow lose weight during my ten-day stint in Fattysville (…to keep me quasi-honest) and I am proud to say that I achieved it by losing one pound! The backyard-BBQ-friendly 4th of July holiday was of no consequence to me! Even though I was surrounded by food, I was also surrounded by amazing company. For once in my life, I filled up on happiness and then dined on nummy grilled ocean-caught salmon and halibut seasoned with Cajun rub and fresh-squeezed lemon. I indulged in the occasional roasted marshmallow while watching the neighborhood hill-billies set off fireworks. Does it get any better than that?

I also managed to stay active during my stay by playing Frisbee golf (awesome course!), biking, jogging around the neighborhood (twice), and utilizing the fitness room at the hotel while we stayed in Seattle for a night.

PLUS! I ate zero fast food (!!), but did dine out once each day (either lunch or dinner). I made healthy substitutions (e.g. salad instead of fries, hold the mayo, etc), watched my portions, and managed to stay somewhat on track (minus the alcohol episode which came with a side of nachos and later vomit…). Even though I made approximately eight trips to the town’s bakery to fetch The Girl a sugar-infused breakfast of trans-fat, I did not partake. It felt great and was definitely a plus that these people’s lives do not revolve around food the same way mine had for a long, long time. That really made a difference.

10K training starts Monday! I’ve managed to recruit a few masochists to run this puppy with me including our very own and very inspirational Melanie! October, here we come.