This past summer when we had to skip our annual family beach trip to put energy into the bakery, I was really, really sad. I LOVE THE OCEAN. The beach. Everything about it. I always feel calm when waves are in sight, and a year without touching the ocean breaks my heart. Those emotions are partly to blame for booking this Christmas-week vacation (although my family is sad not to be here with us!)
Four days before the new year, I dipped my toes, then ankles, then whole body in!
It was glorious, and I loved this mat and the mild waves that allowed me to float for an hour.
Well…almost ; )
[This is also about the time where Matt saw a sting ray and I raced back to the shore in fear!]
Before we hit the sand, we enjoyed an amazing buffet lunch. It’s no different than a Whole Foods salad bar here! They have sweet potato salads, bean salads, fish, and tropical fruit that I piled on top.
Mango sorbet to finish!
Then there was a whole lotta this:
And this:
And this:
And sips of these:
Late afternoon we had had enough lounging and we ventured over to the sports complex where I took a SPIN CLASS! How fun! It felt so good to be exercising again. Exercise is definitely on my list of relaxation techniques.
Balanced by cocktail hour:
For dinner we dressed up and enjoyed four courses: crab dip with sweet potato chips, salads, a seafood calzone and entrees: blackened mahi-mahi for me and steak for him. Desserts were banana bread pudding and a coconut chocolate pie! The portions here are really small, which is a blessing because even after all of that I wasn’t stuffed – just satisfied. The lighting in these restaurants is SO dark I resorted to flash – something I rarely do. But it helped clear the fog!
A walk on the beach..some evening entertainment..
And a run-in with El Tigre’s cousin!! Wish we had some Discovery Channel night vision cameras to capture him : )
See ya when I sea ya!
Looks like you’re having a blast! Be sure to bring some of that sunshine back here in 2012 😉
Looks like you’re having an amazing time – I’m jealous 🙂 That sorbet looks so refreshing. It makes me wish I was somewhere warm!
Hi Kath!
I’d like your opinion on something I’ve noticed when it comes to making the right food choices.
When I’m at the heavier side of my weight spectrum, I tend to choose the ‘wrong’ foods much more easily compared to when I’m already a little thinner and losing. It‘s like when I lose weight, I gain willpower :-).
Do you recognize this from your own experience with weight loss?
Do you consider it easier to make healthy choices now that you’re already at a healthy weight?
So overall, do you think maintaining your healthy weight is easier than it was achieving it?
To the both of you: have a great vacation!
PS: excuse my English, not a native speaker!
Wait until she comes back or email her because she’s taking a break on commenting on the bog!
I guess she does comment, sorry, I thought she said before she left that she probably couldn’t comment but she would READ all the comments…. my bad!
Hi Linde, I just wanted to pipe in and say I think you may find it easier when you have lost the weight because you will have developed healthier habits and will be more used to it. It’s not so much ‘willpower’ as it is just continuing the changes you’ve made. Also, you may feel more motivated once you’ve lost weight. In contrast, once you start gaining again, you may not feel as good about yourself and more likely to revert to old behaviors.
I love swimming in the ocean! I’m so jealous of your warm weather vacation – it’s way too cold here I’m shivering inside!
So jealous – the water looks amazing. We missed my family’s annual summer beach vacation because of our wedding, I can’t wait to get back to the beach! Enjoy!
outstanding guys! Glad to see you are having a good time…well earned!
Love your swimsuit and cover up!
You just reminded me that I also haven’t been in the ocean in nearly a year—which is total blasphemy since I grew up in Rhode Island! Glad you’re soaking it up (literally).
As I bundle up in layers to head to the gym, I am incredibly jealous of your tropical post! Enjoy the warm weather!
I’m glad to see they have such wonderful healthy choices there! Your meals don’t look much different than what they usually are. Enjoy the ocean and relaxation.
I love the ocean, too. So calming and peaceful!
I feel the exact same way about the ocean. I grew up a 5 minute drive from beaches in Massachusetts and missed it this past summer when I lived up in Vermont. Looks like you two are really soaking it all in, thats awesome, enjoy your stay!
oh gosh. that looks fantastic! I love the motion of the waves! Although I always feel it when I’m laying in bed at night! And that lunch salad looks delicious! It makes me want to go to whole foods!
What an amazing time you must be having! Continue to soak up the sun and enjoy every single minute!
Your vacation looks lovely. I also love the ocean, but I would have been out of there so fast if I saw a stingray! I’m such a wimp when it comes to fish swimming near me.
Nice to read this as I am grabbing my winter coat to head out the door.
The ocean looks lovely. Biologists say that generally stingrays are NOT aggressive; they DO NOT attack humans unless threatened, so you probably didn’t need to scramble back to shore!
Enjoy your holiday!
But they will attack if you accidentally touch them! I stepped on one and it stung straight through the back of my ankle.
Ouch. How much did it hurt?
it looks like you guys are having a blast so far! i, too, just love the peaceful feel of the ocean and light waves. love your suit – very cute!
I want to go where you are! All the resorts that I’ve stayed in have had terrible food. Is yours all-inclusive?
how fun! looks like everything is just amazing… including the food. and really, is there anything better than a relaxing float in the ocean?!
I am so happy for you both. I know it is selfish, but I am so glad you are blogging on your vacation. I feel like I am there. Being in the bakery business myself, we work 300 days a year. There are no vacations. Occasional overnight camping trip is the max.
Have a great day. I just love seeing the updates! 🙂
Also, the food looks to die for. I think I will buy a coconut and mango in your honor.
Looks so, so relaxing!
And hey Kath, whose leg is whose in that last picture? It’s unclear…:)
Your drinks reminded me that I need to start putting pineapple slices in my iced tea. Had those in Hawaii and it changed my world! Enjoy your vaca!
Don’t you remember when we swam with the stingrays?
Ocean looks glorious. Glad you’re having fun!
Those were tame!
Quote: This is also about the time where Matt saw a sting ray and I raced back to the shore in fear!
Matt probably said that just to see you run out of the water!!!!
you know how guys are…..
Looks like a fabulous, relaxing vacation – so jealous here in northwestern Ohio…with our high today around 29 degrees! Enjoy the ocean 🙂 (bathing suit is adorable by the way)
Give me water, and I’m a happy girl. Right now, I’m vicariously happy. I miss waves, sand, wind, water! Time to book a vacation, I think:)
This is such a nice vicarious escape. Pretty dress by the way!
Glad you are enjoying some much deserved time off!! Just a note on the stingrays, unless you step on them there is really no threat. I live in Florida and schools of them frequent the shallow water. We do the ‘stingray shuffle’ which is just shuffling your feet when walking in the water as opposed to stepping. They will scurry out of the way. If you step on them you will likely be stung with the barbed tail. They are really very timid creatures. Enjoy!!
When you get a chance, PLEASE share which resort you stayed at! It’s perfect for me! I’ve been to Jamaica just once and the place we stayed at was a tiny joint. Thank you! P.S. I just noticed the check box to confirm I’m a real human! Ingenious.
Lol about the sting ray 😉 You look like your glowing from the relaxation and fresh air! Jamaica seems to serve some great, fresh food.
It looks like you are having a great time! And I’m loving the salads -probably many fiber-licious options to choose from! I bet it also feels great to eat something good-for-you while away. Have fun in the ocean. 🙂
Hi Kati! i just saw your name and wondered why it looked familiar — I’m also a CMU Grad and saw your story in the recent issue of Centralight. It’s fun to see you ‘lurking’ around the same blogs I read 🙂 Fire Up Chips!
What a small world! Yes, that was me – and this is definitely one of my favorite blogs to “lurk” around. Kath rocks.
Maybe I’ll see you around some other parts of the blogosphere as well. I’ll keep an eye out. Afterall, us Chips have to stick together. 🙂
What a pretty place! I miss salt water SOOO much!
Looks like an awesome vacation and what amazing food to have at a resort! You’ll have to tell us where you’re staying.
Also, it was fun to see your name and nutrition suggestions in my copy of Every Day with Rachael Ray that came in the mail yesterday!!!
Oh yeah!! What did it say!?
Sooooo incredibly jealous!!!
Just glorious! A treat to live vicariously through you 🙂
Looks like you’re having a wonderful time…keep it up!
Crab dip with sweet potato chips sounds incredible! That last shot of your toes is really cute. Glad you’re having a good vaca!
You seriously must have a cat magnet somewhere on you! How you can find them all (and they all look the same!) is crazy!
This place looks to die for. I’m literally sending my husband this link and saying once we find out where this is, I want to go. 🙂
Sooooo jealous 🙂 Your photos remind me of my honeymoon in Hawaii this past September! I wish I could go back….
p.s. I bought a $2.99 milk frother at IKEA this past week and I’m SOLD! My coffee will never be the same.
Beautiful pictures, looks so relaxing! Love the dress you wore! Enjoy the rest of your vacation!
I love hairy man legs!!!!!!!!!
Time in the hammock is the best way to relax!*
That water is so clear. You both even look relaxed. 🙂
You will come back, right? (haha)
I’m totally an ocean girl too! Love your swim suit! Where’s it from?
Sting rays are scary! I almost stepped on one in Charleston!
I recognize that resort from the pictures. My husband and I stayed there a couple of years ago. I am glad you’ve had a good experience with the food because it was an abomination when we were there. Absolutely horrific, even at the “nice” restaurant. We did love the athletic complex, though!
Ah I’m going to Jamaica next week and reading your vacation posts is really getting me in the mood! I can’t wait!!!
I think I feel more relaxed just looking at your relaxation!
I am so.freaking.jealous.
I am so happy that you are in my country – Jamaica! I hope you are having a wonderful time – we are a warm, friendly people and I want you to know that you have a fan here in Jamaica who enjoys reading your blog every single day. Have fun mon!!!!
What a small world…Hi Jodi 🙂
Hi Karen!
So cool!!! Thanks for sayin hi!
You are welcome! Have fun!!!!
How cool!!!!! That floating thingy looks so fun~Hehe, love the comment above me by Jodi 🙂
Gorgeous – these posts are making me long for a beach vacation! I actually learned to swim when we went to Key West a couple years ago, the shallow, calm water + the added bouyancy from the salt water gave me the extra courage I needed to give it a shot, and by the end of the trip I was swimming around the fresh water pool at our bed and breakfast. Nothing like floating on the ocean!
Looks so so amazing! Love the dress 😀
Wow, looks like an amazing vacation! Warm weather vacations during the winter months are the best 🙂 Enjoy!
Glorious!! I too to have always been infatuated w/water, which is why I love living a few blocks from Lake Michigan. Water represents tranquility in my mind and calm overcomes me at the sight of it (though 80 degree temps work this trick better than the current 35 degree Chicago temps 🙂 ) Hope you guys continue to have fun recharging!
Everything looks wonderful, Kath! Swimming in the ocean….just yesterday I was doing that and right now I am freezing my butt off and yes, it’s “warm” in San Diego compared to say Fargo but it’s still a shocker to me after not being in anything other than flipflops for a month 🙂
Thanks for posting the great vacation pics so I can keep the vacay vibe going!
And using flash…just the fact that you’re taking pics in a restaurant while on vacation is appreciated. Who cares if there’s flash 🙂
I’m so glad y’all are getting this time to relax!
love the dress!
Wow Kath you are really rocking that bikini- looks great!
i love all of your beach wear! and now i’m wishing i had an excuse to pick up some beachy flowy dresses for myself…
You guys do vacation right! That salad is gorgeous.
I love your vacay so far! =)
Keep enjoying yourself!!!
Where are you staying? It looks wonderful! Enjoy the sun!
I love being near water…so calming, soothing…it’s where I like to go to clear my head. Enjoy!
Mmm that water looks delightful. Enjoy your vacation!!!
Enjoy your vacation. It looks fabulous! I have that same swim floaty at home, and it’s pretty much my favorite possession.
I can’t wait to find out what resort you’re staying at – it sounds and looks incredible! So glad you guys are enjoying yourselves. 🙂
Oh my goodness! Looks like you’re having an amazing time. And I am here having an amazing time living vicariously through you! 😀
I’m so jealous of this vacation – it looks amazing! Glad you’re having an amazing time! 🙂
Love your last pic! My husband and I always take feet pics whenever we are on beach vacations. Bare feet and sand = pure bliss!
You look gorgeous!! And it looks like you’re having so much fun 🙂
Whoa!!!!!!!!!! (last picture). Kate and the Yeti 🙂 LOL
Oh how fun! What a great way to relax. You deserve it, girl! Thanks for giving us a peak into your fantastic vacation!
Hot body! Courtesy of bofy pump and short runs? You look amazing!
Looks fantastic – both exciting and relaxing! Enjoy your time!
Flash or without, your blogging skills are so commendable. Enjoy your vacay — so well deserving 🙂
Hello, I happen to fall upon your blog today while I was researching some online work for a project and what was to be a very short visit turned out that I spent a good 20 minutes on your site. You have a way in sharing your life which is so enjoyable.
You certainly have created a site around pictures, making each picture tell a different story, yet each photo shares what you have been doing in a sequence which is like a picture book. What a great way to share passing moments with friends. I use a flickr.com account and this has given me an idea on how to share my journey through life in pictures on my blog too. Thank you for this beautiful experience today. Claude Fullinfaw.
Coming from someone who lives quite close to the ocean, I completely know what you mean about it having a calming effect! There is nothing more peaceful than floating in the salty spray of gently, lapping sea water 🙂
Great Post!
Couples Resorts are wonderful. We’ve never stayed at Swept Away where you’re at, but we’ve been going down the past 6 years in a row and have visited the other 3 and they’re all amazing. Make sure to do the trading places day trip over to Couples Negril, it’s a great resort.
If you want an amazing picture, go to the bar and ask them for a couple of “Bob Marleys.” Be sure to also get a reaction photo as soon as you’re done drinking it. You’ll see. 🙂
Your trip looks amazing, must get out of the freezing New England ASAP! I have that swim suit too, it’s so cute!
Floating on a raft in the water looks sooo relaxing!
You and Matt are going to have tans in the winter 🙂
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
I love both your sun hat and your sundress/bathing suit cover up in this post! Can you share where you found them, please? Thanks!
They are both from Target 🙂