tara3056

I'll second what Tom said - you have to be careful about gaining it when you come back from Paris! I gained 3 or 4 pounds right after coming home, I think because my metabolism was still so high from walking miles and miles every single day for the past month... I got home and was still hungry as if I were still walking that much, but I wasn't. Voila, weight gain. I've just about lost the weight I'd gained back, but it's not much fun.

hdm

Actually, now that he mentions it, Tom is right. I had the same experience -- no weight gain on my trip but since then? Yes, definitely. So enjoy the trip but be extra careful when you get home and try to maintain the walking.

ira

Hi M,

We lose weight when we go to Paris.

Stay away from Italy and the Germanic and Nordic countries.

Luisah

I had the same experience many others did. I've never gained weight in Paris and lost five pounds one year while eating whatever I wanted (chocolate croissant every morning, Amorino, Berthillon, an occasional pastry, etc.) but walked miles that year, including up and down the stairs in the metro to change stations.

As another poster wrote, the meal portions are not as large as here and I rarely ate any rich sauces, more like roast chicken or duck with salads and vegetables.

Have a great time, stay active and you'll be fine.

Therese

That weight gain that you experience when you return home reflects, I think, your return to your tedious and stressful everyday life. Or at least I think that's the case for me.

My body's "set point" when I'm happy is lower than my body's "set point" when I'm stressed.

MissZiegfeld

I always end up losing weight when I'm in Paris, or anywhere else in Europe for any exteded period of time. Portions tend to not be as big, and you do a LOT of walking (well, at least I do). Especially my last trip to Paris--one week staying in Montmartre--lots of walking up those stairs! I came back and had lost 5 pounds! (I also tend to not eat very much when I travel--usually a light breakfast and a late lunch and sometimes a snack later on in the day)

travel2live

Have never gained weight in any European countries, even Germany, Austria, etc. Always lose some. As most others have said, it is all that walking, steps, etc. The most I have lost on a European vacation was 9 pounds in three weeks.

TahitiTams

Never have I gained weight in Europe.
Always lose about 5 pounds.

khermann

I came home 12 pounds lighter on the scale after 2 weeks, and I ate a lot of cheese and chocolate and bread, along with a lot of salads. But I walked way more than I ever do in my normal routine, from early in the morning until late. I think a big portion of the weight loss came from one day in Versailles, including a long walk to and around Marie Antoinette's domain, under an all-day broiling sun, the hottest day of my trip. And like others on this board reported, I came home back to the desk job and sitting in the car commuting more than an hour every day, and gained some of it back. It did change my habits though; I drank lots more water there, and no diet sodas, and since coming back, have maintained that habit.

PalenqueBob

None in Paris but i lose lots of pounds in London

tuscanlifeedit

I never gain weight when traveling, and I eat everything I want. My activity level is much higher, I walk all day, and I agree that the stress level is different.

That said, I gained a horrible amount of weight AFTER my trip to Paris last February.

It is very hard for me to lose weight, and I had been strenuously dieting before the trip, due to a poor set of blood test results a few months earlier. I was pretty slim (for me) when we hit Paris.

In Paris, I ate everything I wanted, but nothing in noticeable excess. BUT, I am an addictive eater. During those months of dieting, I did not eat any of the things that I eat addictively: ice cream, dairy fats, and white flour.

Eating those things in Paris woke up my sleeping addiction monster. It had a taste of what it likes, and wanted MORE. I am sorry to say that I gave in.

Now I am back to healthy eating, and it has been a few months. The weight is coming off more slowly, and I walk about 4 or 5 evenings a week, and do a lot of yard work.

I would like to lose another 10 pounds by the time we leave for Venice around October 9.

I can do it, but I am a little afraid of waking up that monster again in Italy.

It is a drag.

Aduchamp1

Like so many we never gain weight while traveling. In Europe we usually have our "continental dinner." While padding about during the day we purchase some combination of wine, cheese, chocolate, meat, fruit, and bread and feast back in the room.

hiho322

If I gained a pound in France, it was a lot. We were there for two weeks just a couple of weeks ago and ate at fantastic restaurants. We walked a lot, which we're quite used to, living in Manhattan, but we'd also brought a stability ball and a hand pump to do a bunch of stomach crunches every night (part of our home workout routine). That had nothing to do with losing weight, but our clothes certainly fit a lot better!

Feel free to eat and drink all you like, walk as much as you can, know that their food doesn't have additives like ours, so their food is closer to organic than our regular food supply (not just in France, but in Spain and Italy, too). SO much healthier; that's prob why no one seems to gain weight there.

skinurse

Did so much walking that I never gained a pound. In fact, I think I lost weight.

tinabina

Okay,
I didn't go to France/Paris, but went to GB/ London and gained 5 pounds in 2 weeks...becuase of the PINTS...aaagh next time I am going to Paris

orangetravelcat

It's been five years since I was in Paris. Didn't gain any weight there because of all the walking we did.

Momof5

Thnak you again for all of your answers, this makes me feel so much better. I am going to bring a workout bands to do at night and walk a ton. SInce I started watching my wieght nearly a year ago I drink a lot more water and this is what I am sticking to. If I need a sweet drink I will bring my Crystal Light and probably offend the waiter. I plan to eat a lot of cheeses and fruit during the day. I guess there are places or open air markets to get this easily.

My down fall will be the bakery called Paul I loved that last time I was there. I do plan on weighing before I leave in a week and will let you all know of any weight gain or lose. I am going to LOndon for 4 days and last time found lousy restaurants, we will see this time around.

Keep delivering the tips I love them. And again thanks for answering my silly question.

JeanneB

Get yourself a pedometer.

In the 4 times I've been to Paris I've always lost weight. As all have said: it's the walking.

My brother-in-law brought a ped when we were there for 4 days last fall. Sis has a knee problem and was worried about the walking. They were astonished when we clocked 7 miles the first (half) day. The next 3 days came in at between 12 and 16 miles. We were actually walking rather slowly for sis' benefit. I think the difference is "destination" walking vs. "exercise" walking. If you exit the metro and have to walk 2 miles to the art gallery, you really don't even notice. Your attitude is entirely different than the exercise mode where you just want to get it over with.

We weren't really focused on "calories". But I would imagine just knowing you've walked 12 or so miles would put your mind at ease when the dessert tray comes around!

kfusto

I never gain weight in Paris as I dislike French food. Other than steak tartare, bread without butter and cheeses, there is pretty much nothing that appeals.

coldwar27

I became a grape when I was in France for 3 weeks because of all of the wine I had consumed. If you mix the wonderful wine and food with walking, you should be fine.