You know what amazes me is how much people eat at ball games. Have you ever notices? Baseball, football, it seems like some people only go there to eat. We went to a game last summer and some people in front of us had a different snack in their mouths every inning. I couldn't believe it. And I know what you are saying about the HUGE portions of soda and the Huge bags of popcorn. How can people eat all of that! Pretty incredible.

But my husband and I are not big eaters. We LOVE food, but we cannot go to a resaurant and eat an appetizer, then a salad, the bread, then the main course, and then eat a dessert and order a cafe au lait to finish. Many people can eat like that. I can barely finish the main course, in fact very seldom do, and no room for the extra courses. Oh well, different strokes.

We can't eat at Ruth Chris or those kinds of places either bc the portions are so generous and unless we can race home and put the remains in the frig (which we can't) we just don't feel like it is worth it.

Just some thoughts on American eating habits. And some places, like Cheesecake Factory give you a serving that could feed four people, IMO. Who can eat that much food???

That's the beauty of food in Europe, generally speaking. They haven't mega-sized things and use fresh natural ingredients.

Heavens, I think you will be pleasantly surprised with what you find in Paris food-choice-wise.

It is entirely possible to lose more weight on vacation than the deficit in calories would account for. First, depletion of glycogen stores causes loss of water as well. Second, depletion of fat stores causes loss of water from fat cells. Third, eating less means a smaller mass of food in the stomach and intestines than a person might normally have. And, finally, the rigors and strains of traveling often leads to dehydration, especially if one does not take care to consume enough fluids. Walk off a long trans-Atlantic flight in a dry cabin after days of walking constantly and not eating and drinking as usual, step on a scale, and one could easily be surprised at the poundage lost.

Heavens, we just returned from eating at a restaurant and I agree with the portion control issues. Until pretty recently, I've been pretty averse to taking doggie bags (a culturally-based distate - nothing wrong with it), but now we usually take food home and make at least another meal out of it! It makes eating out "almost" cost-effective....

REgarding walking lots and losing weight in Paris - probably the reason why it had no impact on me is that I already live in a city and walk at least 2-3 miles a day. I'd say we walked twice as much daily in Paris (strollers are such a pain on metros that we walked everywhere with our son) - so maybe my body wasn't shocked or fooled into separating with some of its excess adipose tissue!

Sandykins and Scheraulei, if I ate as what you lucky ladies did, I would have gained even more!! My idea of a treat was a (ONE!) croissant for breakfast and then a crepe nutella every few days as an afternoon treat. Our dinners were pretty simple - perhaps a jambon/beurre sandwich or some cheese/baguette and fruit. Our lunches were usually the "big" restaurant fare - perhaps a pizza and dessert! I envy you your wonderful metabolisms...may they keep humming!

Walk, walk and walk some more! Its the best way to burn the calories. Also, it may help to have your larger meal in the afternoon.

Reading this made me wonder if travelers who don't usually work out or walk at home are the ones who lose weight on a trip.

I think it may be due to changing to a more active schedule that makes some lose weight.

I never lose on a trip and I work out all the time at home and walk, etc.

Who wants to think about losing weight or amintaining weight on a trip, you go on trips to get away from all that and just relax and do sinful things!!

Hmmm,good point, as long as I can still button my pants near the end of the trip, I'll go along with that.

SeaUrchin, i noticed that too. that at least some of the posters above who report larger weight loss on vacation specifically mentioned that they don't get much exercise at home.

Chances are - you will not eat as much as you think and you will get more exercise than normal - so you will be okay.

I managed a 10 day trip to Germany over Xmas (and I LOVE beer!) and came home at my normal weight. Can't say the same for my husband....while I was eating salads for lunch...he was enjoying sausages and sauerkraut!

BUT - if you do come home with a little extra and anyone notices....just say you "picked it up in Paris" and then let them be jealous!