“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”

Harriet Beecher Stowe, writer

Eating on vacation

My idea of a great summer Saturday is being in Sea Isle City with good friends, power-walking in the morning with my yellow Lab, Hannah, playing a round of tennis, then sitting down with a big plate of steamed shrimp as the sun sets. I am convinced food just tastes better down the Shore. Eating on vacation is something we all look forward to. There are those special foods most of us associate with happy summertimes, but, without some planning, it’s easy to pack on the pounds.

Here are some summer eating tips to keep vacations fun and you healthy:

Conscious eating. You should be aware of everything going into your mouth and plan accordingly. If you eat consciously, you’ll actually enjoy food more and can arrange for treats without overdoing it.

Traveling. Car trips can be a caloric disaster. It’s easy to stop at every convenience store or fast-food restaurant along the way. Instead, pack a cooler with healthy snacks of nuts, fruits, granola and bottled water. If you want those french fries on the Boardwalk later, why not make sensible choices earlier?

Breakfast. I can’t stress enough how important this meal is on vacation. Having a good one (and I don’t mean the pancake house every day) will give you energy and prevent the extreme hunger that can lead to poor food choices. This is especially true for beach-goers. Do not head to the sand and surf without eating — you can become dehydrated and lightheaded when there’s no fuel. And there’s the risk you’ll be so hungry you’ll pounce on the first hot dog or ice cream cone you see. Eating a piece of fruit, some cereal or yogurt early in the day is the way to go.

Barbecues. Be aware of the menu and make wise choices. Have a burger, but opt for a turkey one if possible, and think about skipping the roll. Eat the veggies, green salad and watermelon and be conservative with mayonnaise-filled salads. There is nothing wrong with having a taste of everything, but don’t overload it — this isn’t the last supper. Leave the party feeling good, not like you’re so stuffed you can’t breathe.

Drinking. We forget beverages can be sugary and fattening. Limit alcoholic drinks to special occasions. Soft drinks are really liquid candy. Even some of those flavored iced coffees are loaded with hidden fats and calories. A big glass of unsweetened ice tea with lemon, orange or mint leaves is cool and refreshing. And drink plenty of water, as it cools and hydrates the body, especially during a workout.

Exercise. If you have been working out all winter, terrific. If not, summer is the perfect time to get started. So have your favorite Kohr Brothers’ custard, but burn off the calories. Walk, swim or join classes. Get off the couch. Move, breathe and transform yourself.

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson -  American essayist, philosopher and poet

“The only thing that separates successful people from the ones who aren’t is the willingness to work very, very hard”.

Helen Gurley Brown, Writer, Editor

Well, we did it!  Team ShapelyGirl completed the Broad Street Run on Sunday.

It wasn’t pretty sometimes; there were tears, momentary breakdowns, blisters, shin splints, an argument or two.  But we all made it across the finish line last Sunday. We made it through all 10 miles of this race that Philadelphia hosts every year to benefit cancer research. It was really something to see.  There were over 20,000 runners at the starting line.  Some of the world’s elite runners were there, but there were also many ordinary Philadelphians who took part.  They came in all colors, ethnic backgrounds and ages; soccer moms, CPA’s, and school teachers.  And of course, ShapelyGirls.

It was almost 10 weeks ago that I came up with the idea for a ShapelyGirl challenge: Would plus size women be interested in training to power walk or very lightly jog the Broad Street Run?  Would they take the challenge?  And even with the training could they do it?  I’ve done it every year for the past 9 years and I know how difficult it can be.  I knew that the biggest obstacle would most likely be a lack of belief in their own ability.  Anyone who knows me knows that I truly believe that larger women can and should be fit.  But would the world take us seriously?

For a while it wasn’t looking good.  I started to talk about the race in February in my workout classes and although some of the workout participants thought about it, none came forward and actually signed up. I was very emphatic in telling them that if they trained properly they could get through it and finish and how much time it would take to do 10 miles.  Slowly I began to see a spark of interest and a few girls filled out the paper work.  Then a few more made the leap and team ShapelyGirl was born.  I mapped out a training regimen for the14 of them and we got to work; nights, early mornings and every weekend.  For 8 weeks in a row they’d be mine.

The physical and mental training were equally important.  They began to realize that I believed in them and in that it was OK to believe in themselves. This group was so dedicated and motivated that it was inspiring to me.  And inspiring to the hundreds of thousands of people who learned about their courage in the Philadelphia Inquirer and on Channel 6 Action News.  When the team went out to dinner the Friday before the race people in the restaurant recognized us and came over to wish us well.  I was so proud of these women.

On race day they continued to make me proud.  What a glorious day it was. It was supposed to rain.  I was nursing a cold.  But the crowds were cheering, the great energy of the volunteers, the runners and my ShapelyGirls pushing all the way – how could it not be fantastic?  The sun finally came out.  As the end got closer it was me, one of my team members and another woman we’d kept encouraging not to give up.  The 3 of us joined hands and crossed the finish line together…literally the last 3 to do so before they re-opened Broad Street to traffic.  Most of the team had finished further up in the pack.

I take my hat off to those team members who kept me motivated and wanting to work harder.  We showed the world that curvy women could do it.  Since then I have had many e-mails from women who say they want to be part of the team next year. Well, we might not wait until next year.  We just might do the Half Marathon in September.  Are you in?