Faking It!

This was written on vacation in the Virgin Islands a few weeks ago. A bit of dieting wisdom to share...

It’s the morning after. I’m sitting on the wooden deck of my hotel room overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Last night was the Full Moon Party, and not just any full moon party. This was a monthly event attended by hundreds, sometimes thousands, held in a hastily thrown together shack made of driftwood, leftover lumber, signs, old license plates and ladies panties! Live reggae music blared, alcohol flowed, mushroom tea boiled in cauldrons over an open fire. The smell of BBQ ribs was in the air. This was the ubiquitous Bomba Shack. And there I was, on a diet, surrounded by French fries, rum and other delectable no-no’s. What’s a girl to do?

FAKE IT! (No, not like Meg Ryan in "When Harry Met Sally").

Here’s how. Order a drink, sip slowly – very slowly. Mine was a Mount Gay rum and club soda. Club soda – "0" points therefore only half an indulgence, right?

Nurse the drink, make it last. Then order another (for show) and carry it around so your friends think you still know how to party and have a good time even though you are on a diet. (Ever notice how they either feel sorry for you or offer you a taste of their calorie laden treats?)

FAKE IT!

They’ll never know the difference. Put your drink down and dance a while, shake your booty, it's great exercise. By now your ice has melted. Ask the bartender to throw in some more and, voila, a fresh new drink!

OK, so maybe you’re not having quite as much fun as your friends but remember – in the morning those friends will be hung over and you’ll be feeling especially good about yourself. So just hang in there and fake it, baby! It'll all be worth it in the end.