Kaytee Says… Eat!

1) Quality time together
I found myself wondering what happened to all the activities I used to do. In previous relationships, quality time together meant long walks at the park, two-stepping, swimming, rock-climbing, tandem bike rides, bowling- basically being active. Now spending time together means vidchatting (while sitting on your ass), instant messaging (while sitting on your ass), talking on the phone (while sitting on your ass), watching tv “together” (you guessed it… while sitting on your ass). When you get into a long distance relationship, your time spent online is going to increase by a ridiculous amount. That is, if you’re like me and have no willpower whatsoever.

2) Eating for one
Spending so much time alone totally messes up how you eat. You don’t feel like cooking just for one person, so you go pick something up (or order take out, like someone I know). You sometimes even forget that you’re supposed to eat. And that appetizer or dessert you’re used to splitting between two? Now you’re eating all those calories yourself. And there’s no one there to call you out on it, either.

3) Pity Parties
Once every few months… okay weeks, you throw yourself a pity party. You eat way too much ice cream or you drink an entire bottle of wine or you eat an entire pizza.  If you’re like me, you replace those real kisses you’re missing with Hershey’s Kisses. Because you deserve it. You’re lonely. And you need it. I won’t elaborate too much, because honestly? It’s pretty embarrassing. But I do it and I know other girls who do it too. Long distance relationship or not.

4) Elastic waistbands
There’s really not anyone to impress, so you go to class in your yoga pants. You pick up your groceries in your pj shorts. It doesn’t make any difference and those suckers are com-for-ta-ble. But you know what’s both wonderful and horrible about elastic waistbands? They stretch. They forgive you for those extra few pounds where your favorite pair of Levi’s does not. So you don’t notice when you’ve put on a few… and then you wonder why said Levi’s are just a little too snug when you’re getting dressed for girl’s night out.

5) Week-long high-calorie binges
This is my favorite thing on the list. Food has always been a highlight of our trips to see each other. Nice dinners out, lunch at places we’ve been dying to try, dessert, wine, breakfast with friends… it all adds up. And when we eat at home- do you really think I want to make him a salad? Nope- huge enchilada casseroles that could feed eight are made just for my favorite person. After all, this is a special occassion and you should let yourself enjoy it and eat whatever you want. At least, that’s what I tell myself. This is the one thing on the list that I’m not willing to change. In fact, I’ll be getting a cannoli as soon as I am off that plane.

Now, I’m not complaining about my relationship by any means, but of course it has its ups and downs like any other.  There are a lot of days that are really hard, but it’s worth it. Because he’s worth it. These extra pounds, however, totally are not.