Losing weight in France

It’s pretty easy to gain weight living in France. I got into a routine of eating cheeses and bread, salami sprinkled with a combination of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, Swiss chocolate, and chocolate ice cream. That was in addition to whatever I happened to be preparing for dinner.

Not surprisingly, I put on about ten pounds in 15 months here and noticed that even climbing stairs was becoming more difficult, even though I jog frequently.

In April, I took a train trip throughout France and during the first week I met un boucher (a butcher) while I was doing laundry in Toulouse. During the course of our conversation, he mentioned that he had recently lost some weight. He told me about his  change in diet (which I don’t remember) but for some reason his experience convinced me to try and change mine.

I made a relatively simple change. I began packing my calories into the early part of the day and began eating light at night.

I now eat large breakfasts which often include an apple turnover, a pain au chocolat, and a bowl of cereal. My lunches include bread and occasionally cheese as part of a main meal. The major difference is that I have largely stopped snacking and at night I eat fruits of all sorts (melon, strawberries, cherries, grapes, peaches, plums, apples, bananas) and vegetables (carrots, beans, broccoli. asparagus, salads). I sometimes will also have a bowl of soup. No bread, cheese, or chocolate.

So how’s it worked out? Well, during the train trip month I lost about ten pounds and another ten during the first couple of weeks after I got back home. More important, I’ve managed to maintain the new weight for about two months.

I recently read something Monica Seles (who developed an eating problem) said about the way she now approaches food which fits with something I’ve learned. Monica said that she can stop at one cookie at night because she reminds herself that she can have another one the next day. When my sweet tooth kicks in at night I remind myself that the almond croissant or other treat is available the next morning at the boulangerie/patisserie.