Gluttonboy and I spent a long weekend in Paris. Now I have a long-standing hatred of Paris, based on three disastrous previous visits (a weekend with then boyfriend when I was 17 and got a bad case of cystitis, a stint as an au pair when I was 19 when I worked for the family from hell and was a bit lonely and a trip to see a friend who was in the throes of splitting up with her live in boyfriend). However, the finishing stage of the 100th Tour de France was only ever going to be in Paris and I took GB for a birthday treat. Nor would I ever normally go on a holiday in which I would be tramping the streets in 34+degree heat.
THat said, a trip to Paris would mean I don’t have to fly, and it would also mean croissants. And baguette, and macaron au chocolat, and croque monsieur. So we suspended the paleo rules and packed our suitcases and off we went. The plan was to eat whatever we wanted and worry about it when we got back. And eat we did. This is what I ate (as far as I can remember):
Day 1:
croque monsieur, orangina
2 chouqettes
orangina
Caramel eclair, half a pistachio and strawberry eclair
pate & baguette, steak + frites + bearnaise sauce, caramel ice cream
orangina
On day one we also walked over 8 miles. Madness.
Day 2:
Baguette with butter & jam
Pitta with beef shwarma
Pate & baguette, roast chicken & chips
Day 3
Croissants
Ham and mozarella baguette
Crisps, orangina haribo, biscuits
Pasta carbonara
Day 4
Baguette with butter and jam
Pain au sucre
Cannelle
Mezze with pitta
Cheesecake
Mini macaroons
Much Orangina
Its no surprise that I came home feeling slightly bloated and 5lbs heavier. But here’s the thing – I ate whatever I wanted, whenver I wanted it. And in the end I didn’t want any more sweet things, I wanted lightness, salad, miso soup, balance. I wanted to sweat and not just because I had been standing in the sun for 9 hours waiting for a bunch of lycra-clad men to cycle past. So while I know that the way we eat now is the way we’ll eat forever, there is always a bit of me that wishes I could eat whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. But having done that, I realised I that’s not what I want at all. I want to keep going on this brilliant adventure, to feel fitter and stronger and lighter and cleaner, and all the good things I’ve experienced since January. So we’re back in the UK and back on what we know is good for us. And I’m loving it.
LOng may it continue!
NSGG xxxx
Rachael Parkman
Rachael is a late 30s south Londoner, who’s always been bigger than she wants but thinks she’s found the solution. Lives with her husband and cat, and enjoys cooking, gin and tonic and wearing nice shoes.
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