Living Abroad

Hey 

i'm studying abroad this year in Paris and man has it been a challenge health wise.  My only option for exercise is running and seeing as it has been freezing and pouring the last four days even that isn't always an option.  i live with a host mother.  i do not have a scale, nor the space to do much in our tiny (but charming) apartment.  i pack my own lunches for class (i spend a lot of time at school) and am trying to really cut down on alcohol - 2-3 drinks per week (considering wine is served with every meal this is difficult!).  my picture is not current - i have since gained god knows how many pounds.  i would like to return to a few pounds heavier than my picture (pre study abroad).  i've had to give up vegan-ness to an extent here - its damn near impossible as i am cooked for half the time (part of my program..) so i now do eggs and fish... so this is basically just a rant.  i am trying really hard to get back to where my jeans fit but i can't even tell if anything is happening.  anyone else in this situation? any advice from those who have been there? 

im sorry, i dont have much advice. but oh my gosh you are studying in paris? im so jealous! Im hoping to study there in the summer. Thats awesome!

I'm studying abroad in Ireland in the spring, and have had some of the same fears about what you're facing--how will I keep my weight down? How will I exercise? How much weight will I gain? What should I eat?

And then I realized, SCREW IT! I'm going to be studying in EUROPE! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! I'll have all the time in the world to lose any excess weight once I get home.

So my advice is--relax. ;-) It's good to be conscious of what you're eating, but don't fret the extra pounds, and don't let your fear of them inhibit you from enjoying this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to its fullest extent. You're in Paris! Live it up! Don't let your weight concerns cast a shadow over your experience. Moderation is key, and a good thing to practice, but actively worrying won't help anything.

Enjoy your year!

that is so true, im being a selfish brat.  ill handle it when i have access to a gym once again.  it is just too damn cold to go running for my taste... and dangerous (think mopeds going down the sides walks, buses and crazy parisian cab drivers..)   

paris is a beautiful, exciting place.  i really recommend the study abroad experience, it opens up your mind to the way that other cultures function and i find that its making me a stronger person to deal with lifes blunders w/o my usual support system (fam and close friends)

good luck with your adventures to follow!

I think that there are some pedal type machines for cheap that you could use? I saw one for your legs and arms online a few weeks ago.

I was stationed in Japan for 2 years, so I can relate to a different diet! They very rarely will remove the bones or skin from the meat so beware if you order soup! (Not really an issue for you)

If you live in an apartment building could you run up/down the stairs?

Don't stress about it! Trust me. I studied in Italy for a semester, and spent most of the time worrying about food. One of my roomies lost a ton of weight from walking everywhere, and it freaked me out to the point where I started living on one piece of bread a day. I kid you not: I lived in a country KNOWN for its food and I forced myself to live on bread. I still regret that one of my biggest, most vivid memories of Italy are of being so. freaking. hungry. all. the. time. This is a period of your life you will never get back, so relish every second of it and don't spend it on something as trivial as what you're eating! Trust me. You'll thank yourself later. 

Im spending a month of the summer in Germany and Austria for my german class.  And im not going to care about that.  Hell live it up while you are over there, you only live once.