Lesson 1:LIMITED CHOICES

Tokyo is the capital of portion control:

Training begins early

I had to laugh when I saw this at Chase’s Japanese doctor’s office. If you have ever been to a pediatrician in America, at the end of your visit, your child was probably shown a Costco-size bucket of stickers, or just an array of rolls like this:

Good for keeping you around for another 10 minutes

I was thinking about this this morning, because like the good American that I am, I believe “if a little is good, then more is even gooder.” So I swear, I literally jumped out of bed to turn my microdermabrasion kit on and use it on my elbows. I forgot that area my last Me-Monday, so I had to hit it first thing. If they come out with a home laser kit that’s any good, I’m going to be in real trouble. CRY-FOR-HELP: Please friends, if I start looking really horrible, “Save Me!” I am spending some of my microderming urges on Chase. He thinks it feels funny and I have brain-washed him into thinking I am literally saving his face so he lets me do whatever.

Lesson 2: EAT OFF PLATES NOT PLATTERS

Knowing that restaurants are going to feed you more portion-appropriate sizes is sort of a relief too. You don’t have to think about it anymore. You don’t have to feel badly about finishing your plate because it isn’t a platter. Most things here are sold and meant to be eaten in 1 or 2 bites!:

Seasonal Dumplings

Initially, the reduction in food portion size is a little shocking, but after a while, you get used to it and suddenly you understand again that satisfied does not equal stuffed. I’m starting to believe thinking itself is over-rated. I think that’s also why I like trainer-led exercise classes.

Lesson 3: DON’T FORGET TO CLEAN UP IN THE END

Chase, also being a good American required a lesson in portion control regarding toilet paper. It’s one of those things you never think you need to teach until you have to call the plumber because it looks like a mummy died in your toilet.

What does your technique say about you?

In the spirit of Tokyo and instruction manuals and portion control, I explained to Chase that we like to live 3-sheets to the wind. He then shared a very traumatizing memory of some toilet paper malfunction which evidently left him scarred and traumatized. Despite being pretty disgusted, I held him and told him to get over it.

Until next time…