Before And After
It’s so nice waking up to this in the morning…
I took another 7 mile bike ride along the shore road. It was so invigorating! On the quiet ride, I reflected on my past vacations here.
In my pre-Loser days, my mornings were quite different. I would wake up, sit around having a leisurely breakfast of a New York style bagel with eggs. bacon and lots of cheese. There would be more sitting around until it was time to make lunches for the beach. Lunches would consist of sandwiches on long bakery rolls with Italian lunchmeats and more cheese. Potato chips were the side with the occasional piece of fruit. There would only be a short walk to the beach before more sitting and sitting for hours on end. The sitting continued through much of the evening, too.
I used to call it “relaxing”, but looking back, I realize it was just an excuse to be inactive. I didn’t want to be active. At 234 pounds, being active was exhausting. My whole body would hurt and I would feel lethargic. And the unhealthy way I would eat would only contribute more to the lethargy. It was a bad cycle.
Now, an early morning 7 mile ride or a run or even just a walk, is the norm for me. Sometimes, I get bonus exercise on the beach or in the evening with more riding or walking.
And breakfast is a lot healthier, too…
- 1 cup nonfat greek yogurt
- 3 drops NuNaturals Liquid Vanilla Stevia
- 1/2 diced peach
- 4 large strawberries
- 1 tbsp. chopped walnuts
Lunch has changed for the better. Sandwiches are still the go- to choice for ease of packing, but the components are more nutritious.
- Turkey, lite cheese, organic tomatoes and horseradish sauce on Pepperidge Farm German Dark Wheat…
A different kind of chip…
And instead of fruit being optional, it is usual…
Dinner would often be at restaurants with large portions and multiple courses. Now, I just save one night for an indulgent meal. Tonight was the night!
THE basket always gets placed right in front of me. How do they know???? 
A small dish of caesar salad…
And a satisfying plate of Orecchiette with Spicy Sausage and Broccoli Rabe…
Instead of ending with big bowls of ice cream and plopping into bed, the night ends with a long walk…
Then, plopping into bed!
It takes time, but change can happen. Baby steps to living a healthy life … for a lifetime. 
Have a great day, everyone!
Do you try to eat healthy and stay active while on vacation?
Questions? Email me! aloserforlife@gmail.com
14 comments
Sounds like a lovely day! Isn’t it nice going out for a bike or run early in the morning when hardly anyone is around?
Our vacations seemed to always be centered around when the next meal/snack would be. It was even more of an excuse to eat whatever we wanted saying this or that wouldn’t be available when we got home. And we figured the extra walking we did being tourists burned that off. Hello???
Now we actually plan physical activity into our vacations, like bringing running clothes and next week we are bringing our bikes to a place that has bike trails. (Hoping it doesn’t rain).
Change certainly can happen, as evidenced by you!
“It takes time, but change can happen. Baby steps to living a healthy life … for a lifetime.” – Yes. So true!
Yes, I try to be active and healthy on vacation, but I have also relaxed “my rules” a lot, which I think is a good thing. We prepare most of our meals ourselves and do a lot of walking. I used to use vacations as an excuse to “treat” myself way too much, so a few years ago I cut out the “treats.” But I think I went a bit too far. This year, I allowed some of the treats back, and it felt right… I’m also not as rigid about “exercise” anymore, but we always walk a lot. Plus, chasing after the toddler is usually plenty of exercise in itself…
Dinner looks great! Great pic of you and the husband!
I try to plan my vacations around hiking. I usually pick state and National parks with hiking trails. This way the kids get to appreciate the great outdoors and I burn calories
I have to find me some of those chips! How wonderful!
Lovely post! I just found your blog via Twitter.
It’s funny, I just posted a very similar post last night, about how much more I can do since I’ve lost weight. I used to be so lazy and scared to try anything. Now it’s like “Bring it on!”
Marisa Reply:
August 9th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Welcome, Gillian! Way to “Bring it on!”
You have come such a long way and continue to be an inspiration. This was a good post, one that I needed to read at the moment.
Thanks.
Your “after” vacation day just feels so much better. A week of your previous lifestyle must have left you feeling tired and weak. Relaxed? Maybe. I’ll bet you’re smiling more and sleeping better these days for sure! Glad you’re having a nice vacation. It looks so beautiful where you are!
This is awesome, what a great post!!!!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Loser For Life, Loser For Life. Loser For Life said: Before And After http://goo.gl/fb/NwoIP [...]
Yes, I am active and watch what I eat on vacation. I treat workouts and eating just like any other week, but with a twist. My workouts are at least running, weights if we are in a hotel with a gym or the place has a location of my gym.
Eating, I try to be reasonable breakfasts and lunches. For dinners, I treat myself a little if I want (depends where we are). And then 1 meal, usually at the end of the trip, I have a nice indulgent meal. This pretty much falls into the same way I eat during the week. When we travel, I try to eat only local fare for dinner and maybe even for lunch. Breakfast I usually take with me or get from the supermarket or Starbucks
How do you like the carrot chips? I’m not a big carrot fan, but those chips always look tempting! And so does that bread basket!
i always take my healthy habits on vaca with me
This was the first year I did healthy at the beach, I planned, I informed the family, I stuck to the plan…mostly
Now my favorite vacation – cruising, I find it harder, all my good intentions seem to get left at the dock!
I think I can almost hear the peace in your voice when you reflect on your before/after and I can totally relate!