Since my return from Italy, I have had several people tell me that I look thinner. It wasn’t until I went to the doctor for my regular check up that it was confirmed. I had indeed lost 5 pounds. Some may say I didn’t have 5 pounds to lose. But, in my opinion….everyone is looking to lose the last 5 to 10 pounds. That’s the hardest to lose. I also want to be at my ideal body weight (IBW). As an RD we calculate IBW in our sleep. I use a “fast & dirty” calculation method. You use your height! …100 pounds if you are at least 5 feet…for every inch over 5 feet you add 5 pounds (it’s different for men). It’s pretty simple! I stand ~ 5’8”….or IBW of 140 pounds (100 + [5x8]=140)…and we use plus or minus 10%. My IBW range is 126# to 154#…with 140 pounds being IDEAL!  My weight has always been within the IBW range…..BUT ... I have always wanted to get back to my IDEAL weight! I haven’t been “ideal” since my wedding day. It’s been slightly up-hill since that day. I really can’t complain……… but ….ideal would be ideal! So, YES…I confess…I’ve had 5 pounds that I have wanted to get rid of for 30 years!

After my Italian adventure I am finally “Ideal”! J

How did I do it you ask? It all started with a new concept a colleague told me about called …Destination Walking! At the time I didn’t know its official name. Destination walking is a new phenomenon. It’s not even in the dictionary! Some folks have been doing it for years…but now it has a name. It could be defined as “the place one wants to go…or…the place one needs to go” = destination... AND... you walk to get there! Destination walking……………………….**

While in Florence we walked everywhere. We walked to class, to dinner, to run errands, to the market and of course shopping. There were buses and taxis… like you’d find in most big cities…but we didn’t feel the need to take them {I am waaay too cheap!}. Destination walking is something that happens when you live in an environment that all of your daily living activities are within “reasonable” walking distance from your home. Apparently destination walking can have health benefits. It can improve cardiovascular health, aid in weight loss and strengthen bones. Comfortable shoes, the semblance of a back pack (to carry your stuff) and a place to be….you too can improve your health. I don’t mind going for a walk for exercise sake. But I much preferred walking some place I had to be …like work. In Florence we started out 20 to 30 minutes before we had to be somewhere. Even when we misjudged the distance…we picked up the pace. We were never late. Due to this practice…I pleasantly discovered a 5 pound weight loss.   

Anyone living in an environment where they can walk to get groceries, pick up their dry cleaning, pick up mail at the post office, go to work, dine with friends or eat a pastry at the coffee bar…can live this! I have vowed that my next home will be in a community where I can live the Tuscan life. If I’m lucky…I will not ever have to use my car.

Between the simple foods and the continuous walking to everyplace I needed to be…and …to get the things I needed to survive……………..I lost the 5 pounds I have been wanting to lose for 30 years.

Now my goal is to keep it off!

Ciao Bella

Le Greta