The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[smartiegrrl]

Well I'm officially on day 1 here again. I managed to gain back one pound while on vacation. I was really worried I would gain much more than that. Its difficult to find sugar substitute, not all restaurants carry it. If I had known, I would have brought my own packets of Splenda. Belgium, especially the Flanders area, is gorgeous and the food and the BEER is marvellous. Luckily we walked and walked and walked and I think that made up for the sheer amount of rich food we ate and beer we drank. I have a friend that we visited in Gent and he dragged us (willingly) to all of his favorite places. We had a marvelous time.

I totally understand why the Europeans tend to be thinner. Sure they eat a lot of fries - but there are no drive throughs in the heart of the city. You gotta *walk* to that fry stand. Pretty much everyone gets around by foot, bike or public transportation. However the one thing that really stood out was the lack of facilities for disabled persons. There are some train stations that have no elevator what so ever, no lifts to get on the trains or trams themselves. Its a starck contrast to the US. The other thing keeping people thin is, yes the restaurant food is full of fat and cream but its really EXPENSIVE to eat out there with the VAT tax added in. People don't eat out a whole lot. There isn't a whole lot of take out. People sit down and eat. I noticed that even when we were eating "slowly" it still seemed like we were eating faster than our Belgian friend.

But now we are back home. I eased my way into MF the last two days and today is the first 5 n 1 day. I'm looking forward to the next 30lbs gone. I was worried I wouldn't be too eager to get back on MF, but already I miss not being cranky in the morning! I seriously need to look at what I'm eating that makes me feel tired all the time. There has to be some way to still have the convenience of something like medifast once I'm off the program.

[shineface]

Welcome back Smartie!!!!

What an amazing accomplishment!!!! European vacation and only one pound up - that took a new way of thinking .... we don't even realize that we are changing how we do things while we are on MF that will help us to handle situations differently in the "foodie" world - you are to be commended for going, doing and jumping right back on the train----

WE WILL DO THIS TOGETHER!!!

[RavenKat]

Yay Smartiegrrl!!!!

I am so proud that you had an amazing trip AND stayed low! Guess you built some serious leg muscles, too.

I lived in Europe and what you say it true - Although it was 24 years ago so I had always attributed those differences to the time period. I was an exchange student in high school to France for a year. There were no supermarkets in Amiens - only little speciality shops. No ice cream in half gallons, no drive thrus - almost no fast food at all. Walk everywhere! Gas was so expensive that it was prohibitive. I walked a couple of miles to school everyday. Paris had more American style fast food but you still walked your tucchus off. Boy! Now I want to go to Europe!

Glad you are back!!!!!

Kat

[smartiegrrl]

Yea! After Day 1 that pesky lb is gone so I'm back at 197. *phew*

Feels to great to be back on program and with my MF friends!

[hawaiiwhatnot]

Great to have you back and welcome home smartiegirl!

One pound and now that's gone! Go gettum! Yes, I've heard that's why women in Europe have great looking legs - they walk everywhere. Sounds like you had a fabulous time. Today while doing my 30 minute fast walk on the treadmill, I'll take a cheap trip and pretend I'm in Europe. Using my imagination and living vicariously through other's experiences will have to do for now. Inspiring to have you back in great form and attitude!

Camille