I've had an insane couple of months and I learned A LOT about myself. I can't really do it justice in a blog, but maybe I can give you an overview and come back to specific things in greater detail in the next week or two.

Sadly, due to a string of family tragedies, I had to come home early. I absolutely loved my time in Europe and I'm already dreaming about how to go back. It was probably one of the best experiences of my life and I grew as a person in almost every way imaginable- except one. I lost weight. A lot of weight. I went from about 138 to 114 in a matter of weeks. My family was shocked to see me and my jewish stepmom has already set to work to fatten me up. (I've gained 5 lbs since coming home and I'd like to stay around 120, which is my goal weight, my "happy" weight.)

So, what I ate in Europe: LOTS of wine and cheese, croissants, fried potatoes, plum cake, brioche, butter, whole milk, espresso, more pastries....
What I didn't eat: Fruits, veggies, lean protein, water.

I didn't really realize it until I got home, but even though I lost weight and probably looked better, I was definitely NOT healthier. And It has all caught up to me with a weird flu that has developed into an ear infection. Ouch. Although I was walking (a lot) everyday, I skipped all my other work outs, including my beloved yoga and threw my healthy eating to the wind. (In my defense, the food I had available to me was mostly fried meat!) Ok, I know, no excuses, I could have bought and eaten more frozen fruits and veggies at the grocery store. Also, my skin is blah and breaking out, I feel sore and achy and weak and I have this over-all feeling of being nutrient-deprived.

Anyway, I'm home now and recovering the best I can. The farmer's markets are in full swing right now and I am pigging out on fresh fruits and veggies and getting more sleep and more water and I'm going to try to either swim or strength train today and I have yoga tonight.

I'd also like to maintain the weight I am now with intuitive eating. I think it's going to be a little tricky because there are so many foods I love and missed while away that now I see them and I get hungry, but because I want to eat whatever it is and not because I am actually physically in need of food.

I also have this weird fear that going back to eating healthy will make me gain weight back. I hear over and over again on the boards that when you go back to your old eating habits, you will regain the weight and to make lifestyle changes instead. What if your lifestyle changes included eating large amounts of cheese everyday? I'm just going to have to keep an eye on the scale and adjust my eating accordingly.