jessica_rabbit’s BodyBlog

Europe has changed me in so many ways.  I went with my mom, dad, and brother for two weeks in the beginning of April.  I was really nervous because the trip was two weeks long and I have a show on the 26th of April.  I packed several cans of tuna and a tub of protein and hoped for the best.

Once I arrived in Europe we stayed with some family in Heidelberg, Germany.  My second cousin is in the military so we were able to secure some "American comfort" by eating food off of the post.  My thinking is more along the lines of "why eat what we do all the time when we can experience the culture?" Not so much for my parents, who LOVE Popeye’s Chicken!  Needless to say I ate tuna that night and washed it down with a warm whey protein shake.

Two days later we hop on a tour bus to travel all over Italy for seven days.  We went to Venice, Pompeii, Rome, Vatican City, Tuscany, Naples, the island of Capri, Pisa, and Florence.  People walk and ride their bikes everywhere, so it wasn’t a huge shock that there weren’t any gyms I could sneak into.  Not even in the hotels! Pastries for every morning’s breakfast, and pizza and ice cream for lunch.  I beat myself up for it at first, but then towards the end of the trip I broke down.  I had three gelatto (italian ice cream) cones in a row.  I had a ginormous slice of pizza with olive oil, portabella mushrooms, and pepppers.

I didn’t even want to step on the scale when I arrived back in the states.  I lifted my shirt to discover I no longer had abs, just a protruding food baby.  my body had been puffy and dehydrated from the thirteen hour flight.  As soon as my flight touched down, I thought, "It’s go time!" My contest is two weeks away.

When I came back from Europe, my weight rocketed to 124.4. This morning I am 115.6.  For the past two  weeks I have had just two pieces of Ezekial toast for my carbs.  I ran an average of 4.5 miles daily, sometimes gettiing in two cardio sessions.  I still lifted heavy.

I am the leanest I have EVER been.  I didn’t weigh 115 in middle school.  the cuisine of Europe is almost entirely pure.  They make their foods in house fresh with fresh ingredients.  There isn’t anything artificial, no preservatives. They use natural fats.  I am convinced that this was one of the main factors as to why I was able to rebound so quickly.  Even if you purchase something prepackaged, you won’t find the nutritional breakdown on the back, just the ingredients, calories, and fat.  The ingredients are minimal too.

Coming back from Europe I have had this re evaluation of what’s important to me.  I haven’t had one cheat meal.  If I could, it would be sent in from Italy.  Our American food is TRASH and it shouldn’t be in our mouths.  You buy egg patties at the store from Walmart in the frozen food section.  Do you know what is listed in the ingredients?  Artificial egg flavor.   I work in a coffee shop that sells ice cream and sweet treats.  I have no desire for them.  They are laced with harmful chemicals and toxins.  eating a pastry here is like  allowing a mad scientist to conduct a nuclear experiment inside your mouth.  The saddest part of it all; we allow are children to eat this junk.  "oh, they are kids.  it’s fun.  They can handle it."  NO they can’t.  their poor bodies are in stages of development where they need all the nutrition they can get.

If you want a cheat meal, or a dessert, look for independent shops or cafe’s that make their own product.  Ask them what ingredients they use.  It’s your right as a consumer, and it’s your money.  You are  the customer and you have the choice.

I encourage everyone to try an authentic exotic restaurant that specializes in foreign cuisine.  My taste buds have been changed forever!