No place like home

I've lived in the South for almost 20 years now, and while I've picked up a bit of a twang, developed a love for sweet tea and say "ya'll" more times in a day than I'd like to admit, one place out West still feels like home – Tucson, Arizona.

I was born in Tucson and lived there until I was almost nine, when my dad got a job and announced we were moving across the country. My mom still talks about how mad I was about it, and that I didn't speak to her for several days. (Sorry for being bratty, mom!) I guess it was a pretty big change for me leaving my friends, school and extended family. And that's a whole lot of people on my mom's side! She has six (yes, that's right) brothers and sisters, and our family just keeps growing and growing. I have 16 cousins on that side, plus their spouses and children.

It was always a loud, fun, chaotic time growing up when we got everyone together for holidays or spent a Saturday swimming in the pool at my grandparent's house. I truly cherish and miss those days, especially since my grandmother passed away in 1997, and my grandfather died in April of this year. Next week, I will be making my first trip to Tucson since his memorial service to attend my cousin, Ryan's, wedding, and I know it is going to be tough not seeing him at such a special family event.

I miss you dearly!

Traveling is never a healthy time for me, because for some strange reason, I tend to think my exercise and food plan need some R&R also. :) But I am truly determined to stick with it and not go crazy on Eegee's pina colada and strawberry frozen drinks (ahh…want one now…)

Or delicious, authentic Mexican food

I don't even want to think about how many calories this gigantic steak burrito JD and I shared on one of our trips to AZ this year was...shudder...

I'm already planning some healthy snacks to pack for the 6+ hour flight, and I fully intend to take my Weight Watchers books and record my points as usual. As for exercise, there are tons of hiking trails to get my cardio on, and my aunt has a room full of gym equipment at her house. Good to go!

Do you stick with a food and fitness plan when you go on vacation? What kinds of things do you do to keep extra pounds from coming home with you?