OK Peeps now we're back in to the swing of things! Have been spending the day e-mailing and updating facebook pictures galour (facebook address is helen@themuse.com.au if you want to friend up and see our pictures!). Have also been getting CAPITAL pep talks from the Washinator via e-mail about walking, walking, walking and only eating 'good' Italian food...
Well let me tell you ALL ITALIAN FOOD IS GOOD AND THAT"S THE PROBLEM!!!
So, as mentioned in my earlier entry, the walking has been top notch...although not at break neck speed - no high intensity but I think it has been a strong slow long cardio burn...walking has been averaging at the very least 2 hours per day and sometimes upwards of 4 plus so for the last 12 odd days that's been a strong point. The eating, as also previously mentioned, has been a bit more of a challenge...without the diet retinas of the Washinator and the Fiery Red Head (Lauren) to be on my butt, so to speak, about a food journal and balanced meals, eating every 2 hours etc etc things have gotten a bit, well OUT OF CONTROL!!!
I was making the observation over my grilled scampi and Toscana Salad (lettuce, olives, cheese, tomatoes and basil) at lunch just a few short hours ago that eating in Italy is a very different experience... when at home, eating is a bit of an obsession (at least for me it is)...when I am 'dieting' I constantly feel cranky at the perceived deprivation I am experiencing at the hands of supposed 'others'...the G-Star, Washi, Lauren etc... over here in Italia...eating is part of life not actually life itself, as is working...life is about living, enjoying and celebrating whereas, at least from my perspective, at home life becomes a constant battle...a battle for weight loss, a battle for a better job, more money, to be happier, to be skinnier, to be prettier...you get the picture. So, getting back to the story at hand, eating has been a challenge since we arrived, not in terms of eating constantly, the Italian strategy for eating is as follows:
Breakfast: very basic, some cereal (maybe), espresso (definitely) and a sweat roll (similar to croissants but not as buttery or as big) - this is at least what is on offer at the hotels...
Lunch: this can consist of a variety of things - espresso is a staple, but can include a sit down lunch...sometimes antipasto, primi piatti (first plate), secondi piatti (second plate) and then if you're so inclined dolce (sweats/dessert)...lunch staples can include pizza, pannini with mozzarella e prosciutto, lots of water (natural or frizzante) or could be a pasta (with carne/meat or pesce (seafood/fish)...
Dinner: looks a lot like lunch but is done is a far more relaxed and enjoyable (non time sensitive) manner...dinner can take upwards of 3 hours with lots of Vino, talking and laughing...
Then they get up and do it all again the next day!!!
So eating, although not 'bad' if there is such a thing as 'bad' eating...has not included McDonald and I can't say I have sighted at KFC at all (thank the gods some things remain sacred in Italy!!) But it has included large portions of pizza. pasta, cheese and of course gelati...I think it inevitable that there will be some weight gain whilst on this viaggio...
Currently on the train to Bologna then off to Venice...more Italian insights to come....
Your pseudo-Italian F'Athlete
Ciao....
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