Mer's World

So let’s take an informal poll-

Is it better to:

1) Never go on vacation
2) Never come back from vacation

After this rocky return to reality, I’m seriously thinking #2!!

However, perhaps that’s also the downside to completely unwinding and unplugging on vacation!

And, in case you were wondering, the dust bunnies, piles of work and laundry and stacks of bills didn’t go anywhere. They remained right where I left the, and didn’t magically disappear. Damn.

So, I feel like I owe you an explanation of my 6.6…

I just posted and then ran to finish packing and catch the big boat to Bermuda.

For me, my 6.6 A1c was a goal that was more than a year in the making. Many health professionals (mine included!) believe that an A1c of 6.5 is the best target for diabetes and pregnancy. So, for me, a 6.6 was a result of stalking blood sugars, counting every bite that goes into my mouth and skipping dessert and booze more often than partaking. It also meant regular exercise, constant stress and blood pressure management, and focusing on my health and healthy eating.

In other words, IT WAS A BIG FREAKING DEAL. An accomplishment, a goal achieved and a measure of diabetes control that rewarded my focus on my health and priorities.

So, that’s why a little number has such a big impact on my life! And, it means that we are that much closer to being able to start a family (just a little detail of blood pressure to address now!!).

Now, please remember that I’m not a health professional and that you should work with your own health care providers to develop your own targets to reach your own goals. For me, the goal is 6.5 and after 14 consecutive, monthly tests that were 7.3, 7.0, 7.1 that. 6.6 felt damn good.

And, as if life wasn’t good enough (minus that whole back to reality thing), I also managed to lose a few pounds on vacation. Here are a few of the things that I did differently this time:

1) eat the same breakfast that I eat at home, with the addition of tropical fruit
2) eat a light lunch ( half a sandwich and big salad for me)
3) take the long way and occasionally the stairs (I didn’t actually ‘workout’, but I ended up walking several miles a day by just sneaking it in and exploring the boat or the beach)
4) booze lightly (a change for me, but a lot of sun and a light lunch helped maximize the effects of just one cocktail…)
5) make one meal your ‘indulgence meal’- for me, this was dinner. I ordered whatever I was in the mood for, but made sure to include a veggie an only ate what I was hungry for… I also avoided the bread basket- saving the calories for dessert

This worked for me, but might not for you! My focus lately has been on healthy swaps, that don’t make me feel like I’m deprived. Figure out some small tricks that work for you, when you head out on vacation. Decide on your boundaries and enlist friends and family to help. My goals was healthy breakfast and lunch, minimal cocktails and adding in extra walking wherever I could! I still maximized my vacation and relaxing, but came back feeling great and not afraid to step on the scale!

So, tell me, what are your tricks for staying healthy on vacation? Or, do you throw it all out the window and start over when you get back?

What about healthy goals- how do you celebrate a big achievement?

I took my first video of the 70s night on the cruise… It’s not great, but a fun treat for you! Enjoy!

This is a little late for Father’s Day, but excusable since I was cruising in the middle of the Atlantic on Sunday..

Hmm… Some might call it cruising (we were on a ship with booze, shows and sun), but others might have considered it being tossed into the 7th level of hell with every toss of the ship.

It wasn’t exactly smooth sailing…

But, let me focus on the reasons for the post…

Why I love traveling with my Dad:

1) He believes there is an appropriate drink for every meal… Bloody Mary’s for breakfast, beer with lunch, happy hour immediately after lunch and wine with dinner…

2) the only time he looks at his watch is to make sure that we haven’t missed the start of the Captain’s champagne cocktail party

3) whatever the destination, he knows a random factoid of history or urban development and peppers every adventure with more info about the location- just enough to remind you that you still have a brain..

4) starting any sentence with “Dad, do you think we should…”, pretty much guarantees a response of “Sure, sounds good.”

5) old ladies love him. Like for real. And, real old. Too funny.

6) he’s all about the freebies- from sharing cabs to attending ship events for free champagne to reading every booklet and coupon possible for the best deals and steals.

7) after getting up and going to get coffee in PJs, his only suggestion for the day’s activities is to change into swimsuits, find a spot in the sun and read a good book!

8) he’s friendly and nice to everyone- which means we get the best service on the boat (and an old lady following).

9) you can pretty much bet that if he thinks you’re a little red, that sonuva witch sunburn is going to sting when you get in the shower.. And you’ll match the tomatoes on the buffet the next day

10) you can wear whatever you want, do whatever you want and say whatever you want- cause chances are that he’s snoozing in a lounge chair somewhere pretending to read a book and getting a wicked sunburn!

Thanks for all the fun memories, Dad! First, Australia, then South Africa and now Bermuda! You are one of the best traveling companions- here’s to more continents and many more years of your impeccable guidance (and fashion advice- flip flops for every occasion!!).

Xoxo!

A few pics from the trip so far: