Well, I’m back. Happily back. Vacation was fun but there is something said about the return to “normalcy”. I missed my house, my bed, my routine and most importantly my FOOD! :~) I longed to cook my own meal in my own kitchen. Don’t get me wrong the first few days of our “Pizza ever day” mantra was fun and yummy. I’m not going to lie I enjoyed my boardwalk food. Pizza, ice cream, stromboli, french fries, candy and even a couple of zeppolis (why oh why) were common fare throughout the week.
HOWEVER…
The week is over. I enjoyed myself, I don’t feel guilty, I don’t feel “bad”. I’m not totally happy with the choices I made. I could have eaten healthier but I could have also eaten more. There were a lot of times I, shared ice cream with the toddler instead of getting my own, cut my greasy meals in half and chose water over that to die for fresh lemonade they have on the boards.
I also kicked ASS on the activity front. The car really did not move for 6 whole days. We walked everywhere! 5 of the 7 days we were there I got run/walks in before hitting the beach. I used my Nike+ and clocked 8 miles! And that’s not including a barefoot beach run and all the family strolls. I am still recovering so I couldn’t really run the first 3 days. I just walked as fast as I could and by the 4th workout I pushed myself into a jog and loved every minute of it!!
I even came home tonight and ran 2 miles! To all of you who said it, totally right, I’m addicted to running. It is so rewarding and I find myself smiling once I hit a certain pace. I’m already looking forward to going out again tomorrow night.
Coming home to an empty fridge was a bit of a challenge but I did whip up a light meal and it was my way of saying, "that’s enough." I’m not starting tomorrow, or Monday, or whatever other excuses I could conjure up. Now is as good of a time as any and ending my day with a homemade meal instead of takeout was just what I needed to kick start my week. That and 2 vases of water! ;~P
I can’t believe I’m going to do this but here’s one of the only 2 pictures with me in it on the beach. Being the family photographer I’m rarely in shots unless I’m setting a timer but the husband snapped this one while the toddler and I were looking for shells.
Yes, ladies and gentleman, that is me in a bikini on the beach. If I could go back in time and tell the 15 year old version of myself that I’d be frolicking on the beach with my 3 year old in a bikini she’d die laughing. I wore a T-shirt over my bathing suit for as long as I can remember.
Now, don’t just think I started going “T-Shirtless” after I lost the weight (although that is when I moved to a 2 piece). When I started this journey and came to the conclusion that I had to accept myself for who I am I decided I was not going to hide my body anymore. That was a few weeks after that little man was born (a time I was at my heaviest, again) and I’ve never looked back. Since that moment, at 200 all the way to 135lbs I haven’t worn a t-shirt over a suit. Stupid I know, but I feel as it’s a personal demon I have overcome.
Ok, I think I blabbed enough! To end tonight I’m stealing an idea from Later Gator. Love this!
Things that recently made me SMILE!
- Watching the toddler get pummeled by a wave
- getting pummeled myself
- Seeing my mom
- Kohr’s ice cream
- Winning a poker game
- Running
- Painting shells
- Riding rides with the toddler
- Cleaning the fridge just because it was empty
- Plucking a zucchini out of my garden
- Cooking
- playing “swords”
- miniature golf
- talking with the husband in the car without interruption as the toddler sleeps peacefully in the back.
- the site of my bed
Until tomorrow!
17 Responses to Post Vacation Post
Leave a Reply
BlogToLose
What's Cooking in my kitchen?
-
Finally my first Farro idea! I have to say, I love this stuff! It's chewy and yummy and, well, fun! I tossed it with what I could find in my pantry and it made a wonderfully satisfying lunch. Filling but not heavy, tasty and quite nutrient dense. According to NutritionData.com this [...] -
I've seen it mentioned in a few of my clean eating and healthy cook books but honestly, I never even thought of Farro as an option for me. I refuse to shop at specialty stores and I try to use only common products that I can keep in stock and purchase from a typical grocery [...] -
I've never had a tuna melt. Is that weird? I guess that's what happens when you grow up not liking mayonnaise. I never ate tuna salad or egg salad or chicken salad. Honestly, they always kind of grossed me out. Then I realized.. hey.. why does tuna salad have [...] -
I have no idea where this idea came from. I was hungry. It was lunch. I had Brussels Sprouts. That was all the catalyst I needed.:) I decided to use a slice of real bacon to add flavor and little fat that would help sauté the sprouts. I'm trying [...] -
WOW was this good. I mean seriously good. It's not vegetarian so don't start throwing stones. I'm calling it a Garden Vegetable Burger because I use the new Laughing Cow Smooth Sensations Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese Spread. It was this recipe on Allrecipes.com that inspired [...] -
I drink water 99.9% of the time but every so often it just doesn't cut it. I want something else. Something more. Something slightly sweet. Today was one of those days. I decided to make a refreshing drink based on the famous Arnold Palmer, half lemonade and half iced [...] -
The other day I made a whole chicken on the grill in pieces. It was delicious! Just a little BBQ sauce and an open flame is all I need to make The Husband happy in the dinner department. I also picked up a few ears of corn from the grocery store. They aren't in season [...] -
Let me explain so you don't think I'm making a chili recipe and just put it on pizza. I'm calling this vegetarian Chili Pizza because chili is what inspired flavors. I think I told you. Little Bean is really into, well, BEANS! We go through a can about every 2 days. Yesterday [...] -
I've confessed my inability to follow recipes here on GreenLiteBites many, many times. I don't know why it's so hard for me. I can barely follow some of my own and I wrote the darn things! I think most of my problem stems from not having all the ingredients listed and, [...] -
Leftover brown rice and leftover sauce meet in this quick lunch idea inspired by my favorite food of all time: Pizza. I swear I can turn anything into a pizza concoction. Have you seen all my pizza ideas? I've used everything from pumpkin to zucchini, polenta to wontons. Nothing is off [...] -
This isn't a recipe just an idea I had to share. I can't believe how good it was! I've never had grilled pineapple. Can you believe it? I just never really had the desire to grill it before. When you love something raw sometimes it doesn't occur to you to cook it. [...] -
I whipped this up for lunch on a whim today because, well, I have a baby who's obsessed with three things… Cheese, Beans, and Avocado. No, really. Look... It's my go to meal for him so I find myself with beans and avocado readily available. [...] -
You know that tradition 7 Layer Mexican Dip? The one with the cream cheese, guacamole, salsa, lettuce, cheese, green onion and olives? Yea. That's the one. Well I had a craving for it the other day. Well, not exactly for it as I can never make anything the way it's suppose [...] -
If you go through the archives of GreenLiteBites I have about 5 total beef recipes. Five. Compare that to the 80+ I have tagged with chicken/turkey there's a clear winner in the meat department on my blog and in my home. I don't have a beef with beef (omg The Husband [...] -
I'm a kitchen sink smoothie maker. Whatever I have on hand goes in the blender and viola! A quick breakfast or a healthy snack. Last year I posted an "Elastic Approach" to how I make smoothies but I still like to share specific combinations that worked really well. This was one [...] -
The other night it was just the kids and I home for dinner and I decided to make what I wanted to make no holds barred. Without The Husband home it's much easier for some reason. Hmmm wonder why? Ok, not here to husband bash.. really.. I'm not! I'm here [...] -
*sigh* I was really hoping to share an awesome turkey burger idea. I had grand plans for my leftover ground turkey. The results was alright but they could have been so much better. I added diced pineapple, red pepper, green pepper, oats and soy sauce to the meat and formed 2 patties. In hindsight I [...] -
I made this on a total whim yesterday having no idea if it would work. To my surprise it did AND the husband actually said he liked it... UNSOLICITED! Here's the story. I had only 4 tilapia fillets defrosted for dinner. I knew it wasn't going to be enough for us [...] -
This is a slight reboot of a recipe I posted last year simply called Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili. Staying true to my use-what-I-have-on-hand roots I, well, used what I had on hand and made a similar dish with a spicy twist. Topping the result with avocado added a cool creaminess that [...] -
Did you hear? The Laughing Cow recently launched Smooth Sensations a line of 5 cream cheese spreads. There's Classic Cream, Classic Cream Light, Strawberries & Cream, Garden Vegetable and my favorite… Cinnamon. It's a sweet wedge of creamy goodness! Today I decided to use my new favorite flavor [...] -
Confession time, I recorded a 30 minute video making this with both kids (partally) 2 nights ago. I miss videos. I really do but they seem so much more difficult with 2 children. I'm also having technical difficulties with my video recording and audio syncing making it VERY time consuming to edit. [...] -
A couple of years ago I shared a modified version of Sloppy Joe's I made for a party. Everyone loved it but I've been wanting to try to make something similar for the family on a smaller scale and without the pre-made canned Manwich sauce. I don't particularly have any issues [...] -
Yesterday I was dreaming about a salad. Not just any salad, but a chickpea filled, cucumber, and red onion salad with a fun, tangy dressing. Unfortunately, I had no cucumber or red onion. Well, that's a lie. I had a half of cucumber but it was a mushy mess and [...] -
Dinner meals are getting harder and harder for me to share lately. I've gone back to just whipping things up without really measuring anything (this meal was going to be one of those until I realized I still had enough light to take some photos.) I've also instituted a few brainless meal nights [...] -
Three years ago I posted a video called "Makin' Hard Boiled Eggs" where I shared my system for, well... making hard boiled eggs. Genius name, I know. I'm smart like that. Anyway, since then I've gotten tons of feedback and comments thanking me but all the information is locked in a long winded 10 minute [...]
About Roni
Roni started this blog in '05 to journal her weight loss. 70lbs later, she's committed to living a conscious, healthy life and hopes to inspire others along the way. Read more on the about page.
You look awesome. I’ve just recently tackled going out in public in shorts, so I have quite a bit to go before I get to the bikini stage.
After three weeks of being out of town this summer, I’m beginning to think the best part of a vacation is coming home.
I read that it was a good idea to cook a meal and freeze it for a coming home dinner. I am definitely going to do that the next time we go out of town. Although from checking in with greenlitebites, it looks like you still accomplished having a good meal.
welcome home Ms. Bikini Clad On Beach!
I adored your line about the going back and telling your youngerself…of the things that would SHOCK my youngerself as well (wink)
M.
You look great! I hear ya on the running. I started back in Jan. Have done a 5K and now I am shifting gears towards a Triathlon. I still have about 35-40lbs to lose so if I can do it anyone can! Look into it. Sprint Tri’s are shorter 1/2 mile swim 12 mile bike and 3 mile run….check out my blog
Need a vacation to recover from the vacation…I would hate to come home to an empty refrigerator.
[...] More here: Post Vacation Post [...]
Roni,
You look SO good out there on the beach with the toddler! I’m so proud of you! I was just in the L.A. area for a week, on a business trip (and I’m from central Illinois), and we walked on Ventura Beach, California one evening on the way to dinner at a seafood restaurant on a pier, called Eric Ericsson’s. It was great! And I thought of you when I was on the beach….but sadly, I wasn’t in a bikini. I still had my work outfit on, but I did take off my sandals and walk in the sand. I was the only one, though. The two guys and one other gal with me, left their shoes on. Where is it that you go….to the shore?
Sounds like a great great vacay! And it sounds like you enjoyed yourself, and didn’t fret about food, which is great. We have 51 other weeks a year to worry about what we are eating, everyone deserves a week or two off.
And in Re:Running, I’ve totally become addicted to it myself, If you would’ve told the HS version of myself (or even the version of myself a year ago) that I would become addicted to running, and actually look forward to it, I never ever would’ve believed it! I ran 6 miles this morning, and loved every minute!
Can’t wait to get into a bikini. Much to my chagrin, I have a farmer’s tan from wearing too many tshirts. You look great!
PS. that song’s still going through my head too.
Way to go for getting back on track the very day you got back home! It is sooo easy for me to fall into that trap of “I’ll get back to eating right tomorrow, or Monday, or after whatever.” I am impressed with your strength! I hope one day that I can have that kind of control over what I eat.
i just breifly skimmed, so i’ll be back later to actually read the post, but i just wanted to say: CONGRATS ON THE BIKINI ON THE BEACH!!!!!
Hi, I’ve been an occasional drop in visitor to you site for a while but have just recently started coming by very often :) I love the video posts especially the cookery ones with your little boy.
Your vacation sounds great – I love the beach!
Debbie
Welcome home and thanks for the comment!
I am not in a bikini yet, BUT, I was at Target yesterday and purchased a RUNNING SKIRT (by Champion) and I LOVED IT. I thought OMG I look totally cute in it.. don’t hate my legs anymore.. this is a biggie, my legs were what i hated the most. But after 25 pounds loss, and almost at goal weight , i actually feel i don’t have fat legs anymore.
I don’t even wear shorts when i run (capri shorts below the knee).. so wearing a running skirt is like WHOA.. i have not worn it yet for running, but hope to do so tomorrow (and hopefully it’ll feel good running in it LOL).
Welcome back too! :) you look brill.
Delurking…love your blog and have been reading a few back posts each day to catch up. The video posts are great.
You did excellent with fitting in the exercise on vacation! I read a post on another blog recently that said that we should just forget about staying on track while on vacation because finding healthy food choices and fitting in exercise are too hard. You definitely prove this wrong ;-)
I just wanted to let you know I love you interaction with your son. The amount of love you feel for him just oozes out of your blog and it really does make me excited to have children one day.
sweetsandsweats.wordpress.com
First of all – Roni you look great – Congrats to a Bikini on the Beach!
One thing I noticed about my vacations – althought they are supposed to be relaxing – I “move more” between walking and swimming and things. I tend to balance out a day of two larger meals with a (one) snack has always worked for me. Choosing higher protein breakfasts (veggie omelets and fruit) and meat and potato dinners with vegtables and salad (dressing on the side carry me through the day. I leave room for one sweet – frozen yogurt is a great cooling treat! Congrats again. Glad you had a great vacation.
I totally understand what you mean about the bikini, this summer I decided to see what everyone else did, and wear a bikini. And to boot I posted it on my blog :)
You look fabulous! Your an inspiration toeveryone. I’m finally able to say that I am happy with myself, since I was 12. I may pick myself about sometimes, but I know I worked hard both physically and emotionally. Love thy self…