I Ate My Way Through Oregon

                I just got back from vacation and I’ve gained weight.  Surprise!  I didn’t diet while on vacation.  Actually, I stopped dieting a few days before we left for Oregon.  Cycle 1 of the 17 Day Diet doesn’t allow any sweets or processed carbs.  I knew I was going to eat the continental breakfast served in many of the finer motels along the way.  Since that’s usually a stale bagel, a mini box of sweetened cereal or a stale Danish served alongside urns of bad coffee, I knew I’d fall off the wagon.  And I did. 

                Let’s see, we ate wonderful Voodoo Doughnuts, a Portland specialty.  Then we discovered Oregon has See’s Candy.  Chocolate for everyone!  We had gelato at the mall.  Then we had candy and popcorn at the movies.  Some of the motels have make-your-own-waffle makers, and we did.  Sometimes lunch was grab and go—hot dogs, crispy (fried) chicken sandwiches, tacos with sour cream and cheese.  On our last day in Portland, I felt very sick.  It reminded me of the time when I was around five and had an entire bag of caramels for myself.  I ate most of the bag in one sitting.  It was heavenly until I wanted to vomit.  I was sick for hours.  You’d think I’d have learned. 

                Exercise was limited to walking around the malls, streets and beaches.  That was fun.  I didn’t go near any of the gyms or swimming pools.  (I’d sooner die than be seen in a bathing suit in public.) 

                After having lost eight pounds in nearly four weeks, it felt like I gained back six.  It turns out it was only two.  It’s bad, but it’s better than gaining six.  We drove home yesterday, and I happily went back to Cycle 1 foods.