I’m a teacher by trade, and so I think in terms of learning intentions and next steps. One of the learning intentions that I had for myself for 2020 was to learn how to live on less food, and practice respecting myeslf by not treating oneself as a human garbage disposal. To throw food out rather than gorge myself on food I didn’t need or even want.
I must say that the last two weeks have sorely tested that resolve – though only really because I had brought so much other snack food that meant that I felt obliged to eat loads more than the three meals a day I was being served. I call this phenomenon ‘om-nom-bligation’. I’m really good at accidentally creating it, thinking I’m being ‘helpful’.
My ability to accurately predict how much food I will need in any situation, or how much I’ll even want, seem wildly unrealistic. Fueled by fear of hunger and a general love and appreciation for food and preparedness, I order enough for a full family rather than just myself. (Edit: having been in the country nearly three weeks now, and I’m still not finished all the bits and pieces I initially bought.)
Compound that with much less living of life than normal, therefore decreased appetite, and mindful eating and listening to my body becomes more important than ever. (She says as she snacks on a packet of toffee pops.)
I’ve taken to making it a bit of a game with myself – I reckon you only need half of this meal. I bet you can’t stop after 10 chips. Can you actually throw food out? Prove it, I don’t believe you.
Do you find when you’re actually not hungry, that you then go for the junk food anyway because if you’re like ‘Well if I can’t eat it all, at least I’ll eat the yummy stuff?’ No? Just me? Hahaha, probably explains a few things.
I blame the army guy on the bus – he said to just go with it while in Iso, then sort it out after. Who am I to stray from the official advice?
Loads of people have asked me how the food was. Given that it is served in a plastic container goodness only knows how long after it’s been served, I think it was quite good. I figured out how to use my jug as a bain-marie, which helped with heating leftovers and keeping meals warm until I was ready to eat them. And only resulted in my spilling gravy everywhere once!
Here is my collection of favourite meals I’ve had so far:
3.
1.
Sidle in closer, I have a secret to tell you.
I did it.
I booked a second exercise session for this afternoon!
I waited until about 11am to go down, figuring everyone who wanted one would have one by then, and asked the nice army guy what times they still had for the afternoon. 4:20 you say? Done.
I went out, and just read, but oh my goodness! It was warm! It is the first time I’ve been properly warm in such a long time – possibly since I went to Paris in Oct ‘19. Even the breeze was warm! It was such bliss. And I was so glad to squirrel back to my air conditioned corner afterwards.
The Shakti mat I ordered over a week ago still hasn’t arrived. This is going to get expensive. I have sent an email advising the hotel a few quirks in my room and telling them about the things I loved about their hotel – and to keep an eye out for my mat, as it will be coming but who knows when. Should’ve asked them to overnight couriered. *facepalm*
Everything is packed and ready to go. Every surface is clean. Every piece of clothing washed. I’m so very ready to be done with this.
Day 13 and I have finally figured out how to get the office chair to go down to a ‘me’ size. You better believe I’ll be using it to do a chair dance later. 😉