You are in luck, because the Europeans tend not to use the same preservatives and additives in their foods than Americans. Also, their food is pretty simple and fresh. Additionally, they don't tend to eat as much or as often as we do here.
I would not worry too much. We have a weight problem in this country, because all of our food is filled with sugars in the form of high fructose corn syrup, etc. Unprocessed foods tend to help your body feel fuller sooner and are better for it.
Do you ever notice there aren't very many fat french women? They eat like your hosts all the time. Just keep a positive attitude and remember, everything in moderation. Additionally, try walking everywhere, to make up for the gym. It does do wonders. Also, try Yoga at home. I am sure you can find a book somewhere and use it to guide yourself, to help tone up.
Good luck! I envy you living in Paris and all!
Well, you don't have to run. You could speed walk, no matter how silly it sounds. Or ride a bike... though I know the traffic in Paris is pretty nasty. Or take the metro to one of the many parks that have unpaved paths. Sorry, I can't give you any names, but I know they're there somewhere. I've seen them.
Also, do a lot of sit ups, push ups, hand weights (canned food if no weights), squats, etc. That will at least keep you a little more toned.
In between the fatty meals, pop into a shop and buy yourself some fruit and veggies to snack on. Then when dinner's ready, eat less of what's offered.
As far as jenniferleigh's post, American style preservatives and fat laden foodstuffs are becoming more and more common over here. You may be living with one of the families that has taken to them.
Good luck.
There's a diet book called "french women don't get fat". Perhaps you could pick up on some tips from there. Otherwise - eat 3 meals of whatever your host family eats, but keep the portions small. Fill up with fruit and veg - lots of great fresh stuff iavailable in France that you could buy to snack on - I'm sure your host family wou ldn't mind. And walk walk walk......
the serving sizes in Europe are typically smaller- even the plates and glasses are smaller- if you don't notice now, you will when you come back....
I just wrote today on another post that I had spent a summer in Italy with family and friends feeding me ALL the time, or what seemed like all the time... and since I didn't know when I would be back I ate everything(it was soooo yummy) and in the end lost about 20 lbs!! Without even trying or caring....
Plus- you will probably do so much walking........
Original Post by knikknakz:
Ok, so here's the story. Last summer i went on Jenny Craig and lost almost 11 lbs in 6 weeks. It was great! I then went back to college and tried my best to keep it off...but i'm pretty sure some of it (ok, more like most of it) all came back. Im not sure exatly how much came back, because I didn't want to step back on that scale (which im convinced is evil)...but last i checked i'd gained 6 back. Now, I'm in Paris, France and in a pickle. I can't get to a regular gym, I can't really run regularly on pavement because of my knees, and I'm living with a host family so I have to eat whatever they give me (which is delicious but full of butter and cream). I have to be in my sister's wedding in July, and she used my post-diet mesurements when she ordered it. I really want to tone up my hips, thighs, and lower abs (where i carry most of my weight). Any advice?
I'm sad you are in France worrying about your weight :( In 10 years don't you want to remember this as a wonderful cultural experience where you were forced out of your American habits (dieting included) so you could assimilate into the rituals of another culture? I'm sure your sister will understand if you tell her you need to make your measurements a bit bigger to allow yourself space to grow and enjoy your time abroad. Be realistic.
I agree! it is such a great experience to live abroad for a good chuck of time and you should enjoy it! try all sorts of new things! I was abroad for 6 monthes and thought that I was gaining weight (no clue why, maybe because there were so many skinny europeans around?) until I got back and everyone was telling me how skinny I looked. I think as long as you don't stuff yourself day in and day out just for your host family you will do well. What is your day to day like there? I walked everywhere and I think that is how I ended up losing. Sightseeing is exhausting! You can end up walking up half a mountain to see a castle and miles to see all the neat details of the inside of a cathedral.
I'll second what thinthought said: I spent last spring in italy, eating a huge hunk o' homemade bread for breakfast (with PB or olive oil) with four shots of espresso, (hey, when in Rome. . . ) then pasta with lotsa sauce for lunch, more pasta with more bread and at least two glasses of red wine for dinner, and maybe a frittatta or pizza here and there, plus waaay more gelato and chocolate than was probably good for me. I lost almost 20 lbs. because it was all unprocessed, fresh, and not full of the nasty stuff Americans throw into their food. Plus I walked everywhere and didn't snack mindlessly on things like chips and candy bars. The Mediterranean diet really works, even (especially!) if you're not working at it. So don't worry about it. Live in France, enjoy your time there, and don't stress about food. You'll thank yourself later, measurements or no.
I understand your predicament. Basically, what I would do is walk everywhere you can, and take small portions..eat slowly so that the food lasts a long time on your plate and you wont be forced to have second and third helpings. But again have fun! Im jealous your in Paris!
