Sorry that I missed the last two Wednesdays, but vacation just got in the way.

About two and a half weeks before I left for vacation I realized that although I was working out regularly and getting lots of exercise I just wasn’t dropping any weight.  It was time to get tough on me.  I gave up everything I love.  I severely cut back on all form of carbs, snacks and treats. I ate extra protein, lots of vegetables and plenty of fruit.  In two and a half weeks I dropped twelve pounds.  TWELVE! 12!  I was very impressed with myself as I had been trying to drop the weight since January.

However, I was also going to the Beach.  Land of cotton candy, salt water taffy, pizza, lemon ice, candy and all things delicious and not good for you.  First thing we do when we arrive is head to Grotto’s Pizza, it was delicious and decadent.  I was full after two pieces and did not feel well later that night.  Serves me right to over do it on the first day.  After Grotto’s we get our groceries.  We bought healthy choices for breakfast and lunch, which we were eating in, and tried our best to eat well at night.

The biggest thing we did that made a difference was walk.  We were farther from the beach this year, so we had a two and a half block walk to the beach and back every morning, twice, once for coffee and then for swimming.  Then we would head out for an afternoon stroll, back to the cottage, then out for supper, then walking the boardwalk every night.  The boardwalk is a mile long so we would go to one end and back and up and down many of the streets.  Hubby and I figured we burned at least an extra 1000 calories a day walking, at least.  This does not take into account the walks up and down the beach, running after Apple and the dips in the Ocean.

Upon our return, I was nervous.  Despite buying two pairs of pants a size smaller, I thought I might have gained it all back, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was only up a couple of pounds which came right back off after a day at home.  So, I blame those pounds on the drive home and the salty snacks we had for the last couple of hours of the ride.

Now that we are home, I will need to get back into my routine of working out.  So far, we have had three days of walking, but I fear it is not enough.  Hubby (who joined me in the cutting back) has already hit the gym, hopefully I will join him tomorrow.

And for now, my best recommendation to keep it off while on vacation is to walk, walk everywhere you can to take in the sights, sounds and tastes of your vacation adventure.

**disclaimer: I am in no way a Doctor or Physical Trainer. I am going to share with you my thoughts and ideas about how to get into shape again. I strongly advise consulting a medical professional prior to starting any workout routine as well as a professional trainer. I am in no way responsible for any injury you may sustain from trying any of my suggestions.

This was also Apple’s year to move about the Beach.  It meant that it wasn’t our old fashioned (read before kids) lounge on the beach reading, snoozing and sunning it type vacation.  Instead it was how fast can you run after your little girl on the hot sand.  Hubby did a lot of the running, I will admit.  Partly because my bathing suit was a little big and when I would run after her I would have to hold on to my trunks and the other because I do it every single day, he figured it was his turn.

On the way down, it was cool and rainy, but we stopped at a rest stop to let the kids run anyway.  Apple had to have her glasses on, she was ready for the beach.  The funniest part is that she wouldn’t wear them at the beach, just in the car.

This one day, some younger ladies (teenagers) were set up beside us and Apple just kept trying to lie on the blanket to soak up the sun.  We kept trying to move her under the umbrella, but she insisted on having her face in the Sun.

Apple and J also decided that they beach chairs were for them and them alone.  Next year we will have to invest in two more chairs.

Another self-portrait (I took a few of these this year with my Point and Shoot).  Apple and I were watching J and his Dad on the rides.  Oh how she wanted to go on them.  We didn’t put her in the little rides this year as we figured she would be climbing out before it was over.

Apparently, I was wrong… see next photo…

I am laughing so hard because she just wouldn’t let go after I took her on a ride on the carousel.  She originally had a two handed grip and was squealing through her soother at me that she wanted to stay.  Hubby finally caught this photo as I had just got her one hand free.  I think that next year she will be on all the rides, all the time.

Although we were a bit nervous that Apple would not like her time at the beach, we were very surprised at how much she actually loved it! The car ride home was not the easiest and it was partly because she wasn’t running all over the beach but, strapped in the car.  I think we have many years of fun beach times ahead.  Boogie boards and surf boards are next, I think.