When In Rome vs When In Cary

Well, the eagle has landed.  What do I mean?  Visualize this...a Halloween pumpkin with legs.  That is what I feel like today.

Ahhh, Italy - those were the days.  Only weeks ago, but it seems like forever.  Wine for lunch and why the heck not -  wine for dinner.  So delicious, relaxing and fun.  So hard to stop.  Keep in mind, I haven't stooped  to having wine for lunch (well, unless I was in good company - if you insist -  maybe).  This is the problem.  Wine and a skinny waste line do not go together = that sucks, but true.

So two weeks of overindulging has led to a eating/drinking downward spiral.  Is there any truth to the thought that once you stretch your stomach by over eating - think pizza, pasta, and bread at every meal that it is almost impossible to stop.  Feels like it.  I can do it.  Maybe I'm part bear preparing for a long winter of hibernation?   I think my underwear feels tight.  That is not a good feeling by the way.

The good news is it's almost sweater weather and what a good cover up a nice big sweater is.  I hear you saying, "but you exercise all the time and you cook healthy".  Bottom line here.  Too many calories are going in.  Period.  Has nothing to do with amount of exercise or eating healthy.  I'm just eating too much. 

So yes, the food and fun in Italy was beyond memorable but I need to stop the vacation mentality and get back to real life.  I really want to fit into my jeans and not feel like a Halloweeen pumpkin.  Back to food journaling; join me!

All is Fair in Love and Bikinis

So, I didn't take a picture of an Italian man in a "man bikini" or what we always called a "banana ham mick".  And I sure didn't see anyone who rocked it like this picture.  But my thought process was this.  Wow, they have really stuck by their guns and have not gone with the American fashion of baggy swim suits.  I respect their resilience and I gotta say, I like how it evens the playing field of bikinis on the beach or at the pool;  equally humiliating men and women alike.

There is absolutely no room for error in a bikini.  Now we (American women) have known that forever.  Every spring we torture ourselves with bathing suit shopping.  We've gone the the string bikini (very young days or possibly one of the "Housewives", the tankini route, the skirt bikini etc.  I (we) kill myself in the spring working out so that there isn't more than 1 or 2 rolls poking over the bottoms.   I think we might sweat this process out a whole lot less if our man was going to wear one too!  It was awesome.  Couples - not perfect physical specimens - sporty bikinis together.  American men, standing around gawking on the beach, might have a lot less to say about what women look like in a bikini if they were wearing one too.  I'm sure of it and I now know one Christmas present someone is getting.

The Italians even take it as far as lingerie.  Seriously!  I loved walking by the "lingerie" store and seeing Men's and Women's Lingerie in the window.  OMG, seriously.  Can you imagine getting your "American" husband lingerie and him appreciating it in anyway.  Is  there anyway he wouldn't think you were joking?  I'm not talking about baggy, long, drawstring flannel pants.  I'm talking about a sequined, bedazzled bikini bottom.  And I don't think this is just for holidays...

So as much as this fashion wearing topic is not going to change anything in my house, it does say to me sometimes it doesn't hurt to level the playing field.  What I mean is - we (women) shouldn't have expectations for ourselves that we wouldn't expect of our spouse or vice versa.  It speaks to the whole "double standard" way of viewing things.  In this instance, the Italians got it right.  "Better not eat that cookie honey, you have a bikini to wear very soon."   It makes me laugh just thinking of it...

Speaking of all this bikini wearing, I'm glad I don't have to put one on anytime soon.  I fell into some "Neopolitan Oreos" lately and have to drag myself out although I think it was too late.  It's almost jean time and that means - well you know; join me!

Italy - The Beginning

Finally, I have my pictures.  Daughter left camera battery charger in the wall at the hotel in Florence.  Our camera battery died in the ruins of Pompeii on our second week of vacation.  I had to order replacement battery charger from Amazon.  It was all a process.  I needed to be inspired by pictures for my stories.  This picture was the beginning.  My husband dropped us off at the airport.  We were dressed comfortably, but also ready to spend the day in Italy should we not be able to check into our room early.  It's so funny to think of now.  We really cared how we presented ourselves leaving.  Coming back totally another story.  I'm pretty sure we were in yoga pants and tshirts (and there's no picture documenting return).  My dad travels in a suit coat.  Always, no matter the temperature.  It's a family thing I guess.

I'll continue with Italy stories tomorrow.  Today, I need to get my long run in early.  Philly Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon is this coming Sunday.  I need to get one more long run in before.  Looks like I'm officially starting a work project (assisting one of my sisters) today.  She's expecting me at my desk ready to take her call at 9.  I need to be showered and dressed to feel professional by then - it's amazing how just dressing the part can help feel/be successful for the job/event.  It's all related somehow.

So if you're still thinking about running, playing tennis, trying yoga etc..  Maybe the first step is going out and getting a new outfit for the event.  That makes it sound more fun...and take a friend; it's more fun to shop with someone special - dress the part and get moving; join me!