Baby's got more back than she wants..
You know when you go to university or college and you celebrate your first taste of freedom by drinking ALL THE TIME for 8 months straight and then you inevitably gain weight and they call it the "freshman 15" ? Because if they give it a cutsie name it makes it ok, right?
Well couldn't someone have warned me about the British 10?
I mean really.
I'm blaming it on the beer.
In France, I rarely ordered beer when I went out because, well, I never saw a French woman do it and I caved under the social pressure. Oh and also, David said he wouldn't hang out with me if I did. The only time I did was when I was out with Cindy because together, it was nothing but good times, and that's just how we rolled.
Then I moved to Britain, where babies are weaned on beer and Yorkshire pudding is considered a light snack. (Ok, I exaggerate. But only a little.)
So, I reintegrated myself into beer drinking society, but I still couldn't seem to shake the French influence.
Nowadays, I never order a full pint, only a half. (I am just so dainty and ladylike now--thanks France!)
Listen, I'm half Canadian and half Belgian, so this is a big change. Beer runs through my veins, you know.
But it seems, even though I'm only ordering half a pint at a time, the calories still count.
Who knew?
So, the British 10 has reared its ugly head. Ok, it's more like 6, but it feels like 20 and a bag of chips.
This girl has got some work to do.
Otherwise I'm going to need some new pants.
I mean trousers.
Well couldn't someone have warned me about the British 10?
I mean really.
I'm blaming it on the beer.
In France, I rarely ordered beer when I went out because, well, I never saw a French woman do it and I caved under the social pressure. Oh and also, David said he wouldn't hang out with me if I did. The only time I did was when I was out with Cindy because together, it was nothing but good times, and that's just how we rolled.
Then I moved to Britain, where babies are weaned on beer and Yorkshire pudding is considered a light snack. (Ok, I exaggerate. But only a little.)
So, I reintegrated myself into beer drinking society, but I still couldn't seem to shake the French influence.
Nowadays, I never order a full pint, only a half. (I am just so dainty and ladylike now--thanks France!)
Listen, I'm half Canadian and half Belgian, so this is a big change. Beer runs through my veins, you know.
But it seems, even though I'm only ordering half a pint at a time, the calories still count.
Who knew?
So, the British 10 has reared its ugly head. Ok, it's more like 6, but it feels like 20 and a bag of chips.
This girl has got some work to do.
Otherwise I'm going to need some new pants.
I mean trousers.
posted by Michèle at 3:00 PM
11 Comments:
you are so cute!
:(
Canadians must be more "dainty" than Americans; in the States they call it the freshman fifteen!
But Alisa is right, you are super cute.
eheheh. I spent 1 year at uni in Hull what seems like a lifetime ago and do I know the feeling (besides, if you've ever been to Hull you'd probably understand, and deeply approved, the need to drink yourself into oblivion!). What do they say? When in London do as the Queen does...wait, I picked the wrong royal, I meant William and Henry...
one question: why 'freshmen 10'?
Alisa, aw, you still like me with a little extra junk in my trunk? shucks. ;)
Chris, well said my friend. Well said.
Tea, oops, I think it is called the freshman 15. Although blogger seems to be refusing to let me republish!
Ales, its actually called the freshman 15 (I goofed)--and it refers to the 15 lbs you are likely to gain from your new "lifestyle" away from home!
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
hi Michèle,
I used to read your blog back when you lived in France and thought you had discontinued it. So I had a very nice surprise last week when I discovered more oswego tea!
Your entry made me smile - I'm Belgian myself and have lived in London for almost 6 years now. No 'British 10' for me though, I'm not a big fan of the stuff they call beer here. But every time I visit Belgium, I get the 'Belgian 5' (or 10, or 15, depending on how long my visit is) - I'm a big fan of Seriously Strong Belgian beers. And chocolate, bakery stuff, and all the things I can't get here in London...
Inne, I must admit even though Im in Britain now, I still don't venture very far off from the Belgian beers--Hoegaarden and Leffe are among my usual choices. They are surprisingly not too hard to find. Thank goodness, because like you I haven't really developed a taste for the English beers either!
Michele,
We are going through the same experience. After two years in Paris we moved to Bath over Easter weekend. Discovered sprouting broccoli at the farmers market and my partner and I have already gained the first pounds (she loves the local cider).
The best bit has been discovering that British cheese has improved so much - great fresh unpasteurised goats cheeses, lovely farmhouse chedders etc. A pleasant revelation.
Regards,
Phil
Oh man, do I relate. The year I lived in London, I gained AT LEAST ten pounds. And that was the year that it was extremely hip to wear very tight shiny black pants everywhere. Or is that every year? It was NOT a good combo. It was almost entirely due to the beer. And also to Safeway brand frozen pastries - they make this sort of cherry danish thing that I used to buy because it was cheap and wolf down all the time. And of course, digestive biscuits. BAD BAD news. There's something about being in the UK that makes you feel okay about eating, say, a bacon sandwich with butter that doesn't happen so much in other places. C'est la vie.
Post a Comment
<< Home