Sep 8, 2015 3 min read

The passing of Labor Day means our hazy, hot, humid swimming pool days will soon disappear.

The upshot is we will no longer be barraged with ads and articles urging us to lose weight because, “Bikini season is right around the corner!” Bikini season ended for me years ago. Still, I did manage to lose 20 pounds over the past few months by going hardcore on a zero carbohydrate diet. I never thought I could do it, but giving up cereal, potatoes, bread, fruit and dessert was totally worth it.

As I packed for my recent vacation to the Florida Keys, I was happy that I could fit into clothes I hadn’t worn in a long time. Usually I have to pick clothes I know won’t be too tight.

Using food as a reward for losing weight kind of defeats the purpose, but I couldn’t help myself. I knew that staying on a “no carb” diet while on vacation would be nearly impossible, so I decided to enjoy myself and eat a few treats. The endless supply of grouper, shrimp and mahi mahi at every turn in the Keys was wonderful, and I managed not to fall off the diet wagon too hard. Then came the Key lime pie.

I hadn’t eaten Key lime pie in years and simply forgot how much I love it. This delicious creation of Key lime juice, egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk and tons of sugar comes nestled in a graham cracker pie crust. Resistance is futile. I tried one tiny bite of my friend’s serving and then another. Our group eventually went down a path of indulgence that involved trying Key lime pie at every restaurant we visited.

The high point came in Key West at a shop specifically devoted to Key lime pie. Two of my friends decided to share a piece. After the first bite, one of them announced it was so delicious that he had to have a piece all to himself. I decided that if I was blowing the diet, it was either go big or go home. So I ordered chocolate-covered frozen Key lime pie on a stick (complete with graham cracker crust under the chocolate). I can say without hesitation it was one of the most heavenly things I have ever eaten.

The day after my trip, I went to Kennywood and completed the epic diet fail by eating Potato Patch fries covered in cheese and, later, an ice cream cone. I am happy to say that after all of that indulgence, I only gained back two pounds. Now, I am back on the “no carb” wagon and enjoying my veggies and protein. The next big carb blowout will come Thanksgiving Day. I can already taste the mashed potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin pie.

Kristin Emery can be reached at kristinemery1@yahoo.com.