At the end of each summer I always feel like a plumpkin. I know, you thought I’d wax on about how sad I am that it’s over, how the onset of fall makes me feel depressed or perhaps that I’m thrilled to have my children finally gone. Nope. At the end of each summer I always feel overfed. Not pleasantly plump but virtually stuffed.
Pleasantly Plump
My late husband used to say “it’s so hard to gain weight in the summer because of all the physical activity.” 20 years ago that was also rather true for me. However, the intervening summers sadly tell a different story. Despite all good intentions of keeping my weight the same (or less!) come September I’ve never really quite managed to do that.
Yes, it’s been my experience that as the years pass the end result is always the same (I’ve packed on some souvenir pounds) but on closer review the causes are different. Over the twelve summers that my two children swam competitively at summer swim club they would get fitter as I got fatter. There were several reasons for my expansion. First, the hours of the endless week-end swim meets. The swimmers had to be on deck for warm ups at 6:00 AM. That’s pretty early for breakfast. By 10:00 I was ready for lunch and by 3:00 it was dinner time. Naturally my two athletes would be starving at the proper dinner hour of 6:00 PM so I’d join them in a bite or ten. Second, with only the coaches being paid all parents were expected to volunteer at the meets. If it wasn’t our meet (where I was the announcer) I’d sign up for timing. All timers were fed. Profusely. By volunteers walking around with platters of deck food. After two solid days of never ending eating, Mondays were always hell. I was strict with myself but it was hard. My stomach was begging for a second breakfast come 10:00.
Fast forward to the trips east to help my children get settled into college life. I recently wrote about my observations of the top 10 college parent fails. I should have done 11. “Overfeeding 101.”
It’s my fault. I insist on staying at the same Bed and Breakfast each time. Why?
The food is outstanding. Breakfasts are a wonder. They are the perfect trifecta of eggs, salad and scones. But the food on offer doesn’t stop there. The above photo is a sample of the daily 4:00 tea time.
Cognizant of my tendency to over indulge my daughter chatted up the delights of biking locally. Excellent. We biked only about 12 K (just over seven miles) but it was a highlight of my trip.
Imagine my delight on discovering the above confection in the local bakery, 3000 miles from the city in which they were first conceived. For the uninitiated, these gems called Nanaimo Bars are pure gold. They consist of a wafer crumb-based layer covered with a layer of vanilla or custard flavoured butter icing and topped with a lovely thick coating of melted chocolate. Look again at the photo. Normally Nanaimo Bars are HALF this size, maybe even a THIRD this size.
Pleasantly Plumper
Our biking delights didn’t end with the Nanaimo Bar. Oh no. We also discovered this bakery sold Butter Tarts. Another true Canadian nugget.
Think butter, sugar, raisins nestled into flaky pastry and covered with a gooey, crunchy top.
Back to normal land thank you very much.
It would be a falsehood if I had you thinking that I eat like this all the time. I don’t. ONLY from June through August. That’s why at the end of each summer I feel like a plumpkin.
So yes, as with every previous September for the past 15 years or so, it’s back to the real world of healthy fruits and vegetables for me. The world that I usually pushed on encouraged for my children. I’m more than ready. I’m tired of waistbands feeling tight, wearing baggier than normal tops and feeling jittery after coming off multiple sugary highs.
Care to join me? You’ll find me here:
This post was inspired by the Finish The Sentence Friday prompt of “At the end of each summer I always feel like …” Thanks so much to our lovely hosts Kristi Campbell at http://www.findingninee.com and Stephanie Sprenger at http://
40 Responses
You’re so funny – I never met anyone who considered fall the season of veggies:)! Only in the last couple years have I embraced fall veggies (LOVE Brussels sprouts). I gain weight over the summer too, because I don’t; have the time to exercise like I do when the kids are in school. Also – more wine in the summer.
Thanks Allie! I also love Brussel sprouts! Oh and butternut squash! And cabbage! Don’t get me startedI guess I do consider fall the season of veggies. Funny. Yes to more wine in the summer as well. That’s a big one for me. This past month my daughter divulged she loves sangria so we shared a pitcher or six of them, too.
I tend to eat less in summer just because I spend a lot of time outside and get hot then nothing sounds good. For some reason that didn’t happen this summer – maybe because it was too hot for me outside so I stayed in more and ate!!!
Interesting Kim. Although I can’t imagine you gaining any weight. Ever. Thought of you this morning as I charged up the hill on my dog walk. It was really hot out and I was thinking “Come on, Kim is probably doing 47 things harder than this!” So thank you. You made me walk faster!
Oh this is so true ! I usually don’t eat as much in the summer when it is hot, as I don’t have the same appetite, and don’t want to turn the oven on. For some reason though, my sweet tooth has gone a little crazy. Those pictures of your treats from your trip had me drooling !
Still thinking about yesterday’s scones … and the jam … and the cookies … and the salsa. So delicious. You look wonderful so whatever you’re doing is working Jane!
Thanks Kelly, you always do too ! I can still taste yesterday’s delicious treats too !
You’re kinder than kind. My pants’ waistlines tell a different story. As for those chocolate/mocha cookies … oh man. So good.
Totally made me smile at the title, because usually I am better during the summer, but this summer I definitely a gained a few pounds myself and yet am pleasant about it, because I did totally enjoy gaining that weight with all the great places we ate at and foods we did, too. So, yes I too am pleasantly plumper this fall and as much as I am hoping for a bit of a break the holidays are around the corner with all sorts of yummy food, too 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment Janine! Lovely to reconnect. My pants’ waistlines tell me I need to put in a bit of work before I take on the pumpkin spiced latte season. However I, too, have some wonderful summer memories and no, wouldn’t change a thing.
I gain weight in the summer, too. I blame more lunches out with my little boy, and having a really busy schedule, so instead of making a nice salad, it’s too easy to grab a meal on the go and of course my weakness for Taco Bell bean burritos don’t help. I love the term “plumpkin!!” Awesome!
Ohhhhhh I’m liking the sound of Taco Bell bean burritos!
When on vacation EAT and eat JUNK. Yes that then I find myself a plumpkin at the end of the season too. I fight to get it off and I’m good until the holidays where we celebrate lots of birthday’s in December and travel again. By the time I’m getting the winter off, it’s summer again. It’s a never ending cycle and some of the gained is retained season after season. Waaaaah!
Yes – you’re right Kenya. It is a never ending cycle indeed. Joining you with a resounding Waaaaaaaaah!
Those look fantastic, and NO, I could not have resisted any part of those treats!
Food makes us happy, we don’t need any excuse or permission. Enjoy. It goes by fast, my motto is “Eat the cake!”
Joy – you’ve made me joyful. I have a pal who refuses to let bread cross her lips and I’m always harping on her case. So I should really listen to my own advice shouldn’t I? It does go by fast.
It is logical that summer time would be active, outdoor activity time that should, in fact result in weight LOSS. Ha! First of all, most of that activity surrounds food – a day at the beach must obviously be followed by ice cream on the boardwalk and after a long bike ride it is imperative to stop for pastries to regain your energy for the ride home! And then there are the endless cookouts – hot dogs, chips with dip and cupcakes aren’t going to eat themselves. They count on us to do that. And I just can’t disappoint a cupcake.
Save a spot for me in the veggie aisle!
Hahahahaha! YES Mo! I, too, can’t disappoint a cupcake. Or a slice of coffee cake … or a Nanaimo Bar… It’s the struggle with the willpower with me. If it’s not there I don’t miss it … Saving that spot for you here beside the cauliflower …
I can relate, Kelly. We go out for ice cream or snowballs a lot in the summer, and vacation and parties don’t help the waistline either. I’m with you on the road back to un-plumpkin-ness!
Snowballs are something that really only appear here in December or January. However, I have sampled my fair share of your version while in Hawaii and I adore them! Since writing this post I haven’t strayed too badly on the road back to un-plumpkin-ness … not much at any rate. Fingers crossed for us both.
Oh what a fabulous word – plumkin! This has been an exceptionally plumkin summer for me too, although I can’t say I quite had the pleasure of those fabulous treats you managed to find. Personally I think it would require superpowers to say no to those. But here we are with autumn in the air. Keep your eyes peeled – I may be meeting you at the veggie stand. 🙂
Thank you Deborah. With you on the need for superpowers to resist the call of the Nanaimo Bar. I have friends who moved to Australia and they continue to make them each July 1, Canada Day. Yes, do join me at the veggie stand. There are some magnificent examples of kale and chard which make for delicious smoothies. Hello Magic Bullet.
A bite or 10. Hee hee! All I can say that summer, winter, fall or spring I seem to be getting plumper as my 40s–and all the joys of that hormone-filled, metabolism-slowing decade –take hold of me. But it’s okay. Until I’m pushing 70yo and I’m 30 pounds heavier!
No worries Katy. By the time you hit your 70s there’s bound to be marvelous, fashionable, wear’em on the outside Spanx equivalents that make your 30 pounds disappear in a blink.
P.S. I see all these bloggers participating in “Finish the sentence… ” and I want to play to! How do you find the next writing prompt? I feel like I’m clicking around blindly and not finding what’s the next one. Thanks for any guidance.
Very fun! I’ve alerted Kristi of Finding Ninee that you’re keen to join so hopefully she’ll include you on FB asap. Let me know if you haven’t heard back from her and I’ll reach out to her again! Lovely to have you onboard!
I’m 100% with you on feeling like a plumpkin this year! Despite trying to stay active, I ate A LOT this summer…and the wine? Let’s just say I rarely went a night without a glass of wine. Or two…So, last week my husband and I decided to start the Zone diet. It’s really more about eating better, etc. and so far, it seems to be working. I feel better already. But, I must say if I came across that Nanaimo bar, I would devour it! That looks amazing!! Where can I get one of those in NY???
Yes, Yes, Yes, the wine. I forgot about the wine. I could write a whole post on the delights of the wine and their effect on my waistline! Thanks Emily I’ll check out the Zone diet. I can send you the recipe for Nanaimo Bars if you like. I’ve got an amazing one!
Yes, I would LOVE that recipe when you have a chance!! I hate to cook, but I love to bake, especially anything with chocolate. 🙂
Perfect. Ok if I send it to your [email protected]?
Yes – great. Thank you so much!
Fired the recipe off! Enjoy!
Your reason for coming up with the word plumpkin makes so much sense and it’s a funny, creative word. 🙂 As our activity levels change over the years and what foods we eat, I can definitely see how it happens over time. I’m glad fall is coming so that you will feel more able to get to where you want to be with your eating and activity. Though I think you look quite gorgeous. You wear college mom quite well. 🙂
Bless you Brittnei. Thank you for your lovely compliment. Made my day. I shan’t think about the fact that the photo was taken two years ago …
I’ve always been a winter-gainer, not a summer-gainer, and was always perplexed about why people gained weight in the summertime. Now I know. I’ll blame it all on swim practice! Oh, and Nanaimo bars! Seriously, when I used to get Nanaimo bars up in Seattle, they were like a quarter of the size of the one in the photo. And about half as tall. Wherever you were, they sure know how to do Nanaimo bars right!
Those Nanaimo bars were indeed triple the size of the normal ones Harmony. My daughter is so thankful she has to board a ferry to get to them.
Oh man, do we relate. We were just having this conversation a few weeks ago, actually (which probably was a good 5 less pounds ago!). It is so easy to overdo it in the summer! Meanwhile, we are practically drooling on our keyboards at those tasty treats shown above!-The Dose Girls
Honestly the Nanaimo Bars at this bakery must have been created by one skinny cow (why yes, I have just reread your skinny cow post!) They were huge. Huge. 3 times the normal size for the usual price. My daughter is very glad she has to take a ferry to get to them …
Eating, alas, is a year-round sport for me. Cutting back for a day or two to healthy portions and times makes me ravenous. Those photos look delicious.
Oh and they were delicious!