Latest news with #HeleneSula
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
A 38-year-old woman who had gained weight from traveling lost 50 pounds in a year. She shared 5 easy ways she did it.
Helene Sula has lost 50 pounds since May 2024, mostly by walking, hiking, and tracking her meals. The travel content creator, 38, said she doesn't deprive herself of yummy food in foreign countries. Sula shared 5 ways she lost the weight and is keeping it off, even with the occasional indulgence. Helene Sula has visited 60 countries and hundreds of cities worldwide for her job as a content creator. As much as sightseeing is part of her job, so is trying new foods. After living in Heidelberg, Germany, for three years, she returned to her hometown, Dallas. Over time, she began to notice changes in her body. "I've always fluctuated, but I especially gained a ton of weight when I moved back to America," Sula, 38, told Business Insider. Her weight gain pushed her to reflect on her relationship with food, exercise, and travel. "Food is part of a cultural experience," Sula, who now lives in Montenegro, said. "When I travel to a new place, I want to try the food. But I had to reframe my mindset and make it my mission to realize that I can try the food — I just don't need to eat all of it right then and there." After a year of exercising and revamping her diet, Sula has lost 50 pounds — and gained a world of self-confidence. "I am a very positive and outgoing person, but I think over the years, that has gone away a bit because I've been embarrassed," she said. "I feel like I've finally gotten back to myself. It's been really nice." Here are 5 things Sula does to maintain her weight loss. Sula used to eat fast food regularly and didn't pay a lot of attention to her portion sizes. "I'd eat a spoonful of peanut butter, and snacks like popcorn and chips straight out of the bag," she said. " I would never be mindful of how much I was eating or the portions. I didn't really think about that." Sula has become more mindful of her eating choices, attributing a big part of her weight loss success to portion control. "I thought I was eating healthy, but I was overeating," she said. "Now, instead of having three scoops of gelato, I have one." To monitor her food intake and ensure she's maintaining a calorie deficit, Sula uses meal tracker My Fitness Pal. It's available on iOS and Android and is free to use, though users, like Sula, can pay for a premium version. "I track breakfast first thing in the morning, and then, later in the day, I'll track what I eat for lunch and dinner," she said. The app has been a game changer in her fitness journey. "I don't try to be perfect with it — it's just a good tool to make sure that I'm staying on track," she added. Sula rarely stays in a city for more than a week. No matter where she is, she still tries to maintain a well-balanced diet. "My husband and I just went to Turkey," she said. "The food in Turkey is absolutely amazing. I still watched my portions, and definitely ate healthy when I could." For her, that means consuming enough protein, fiber, fruits, and vegetables throughout the day. Her favorite foods to eat on the road are: Eggs: While getting certain foods can sometimes be difficult to find in other countries, there's one food she can always count on — eggs. "My No. 1 is eggs in the morning, I'll go for an omelet of sorts," she said. Fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots: Sula likes to shop at local markets and grocery stores with fresh produce. Deli meats: She can get most of her go-to snacks, like turkey slices and fresh vegetables, in pretty much every grocery store. "I prefer turkey, just because it's somewhat healthy," she said. "I'll go up to the deli counter in a grocery store and have them slice it for me." She'll typically eat four to six slices, paired with roasted vegetables and a piece of fruit. If she's on the go, she'll have a protein shake instead. Protein shakes: Not all protein brands are available abroad, so Sula isn't picky. "If I'm in the UK, I like to drink UFit, and if I'm in Montenegro, I'll drink Protein Zott," she said. A big part of eating healthy is balance — knowing when to indulge or abstain, Sula said. "If I know that I'm going to have an indulgent dinner, for lunch, I'll go to a grocery store and grab an apple, protein shake, some turkey, and some nuts," she said. According to her, this short grocery list is fairly affordable in most countries, typically costing about $6. To ensure she doesn't stray from the menu, Sula keeps a grocery list in her iPhone notes app. She said it's a great way to avoid overthinking and complicating her eating decisions. "Having a list of the foods that fill me up makes the rest of my day great," she said. "It takes the guesswork out of having to think so much about what to eat. I also don't get hangry." Sula said that a lack of walking was one of the biggest contributors to her weight gain. "I went from living in Germany and walking or biking everywhere, to living in Dallas, where I wouldn't even dream of walking down to go to the grocery store," she said. Now, Sula tries to constantly be on the move. To help her maintain her steps and exercise, her husband, who has a Master's in exercise science, created a workout schedule that she uses even when she's traveling. While it can look different depending on what country she's in and what she's training for, it typically looks like this: Monday: An interval workout of a three-mile walk, alternating between two minutes of fast-paced walking and two minutes at a slower pace. Tuesday: Cross-training, which typically involves swimming Wednesday: Rest day Thursday: A nine-mile walk Friday: An eight-mile walk Saturday: Rest day or 12-mile walk Sunday: Rest day or 12-mile walk "My workout schedule is very flexible," she said. "I don't really go to the gym very often. I have weights that I use at home, and I watch YouTube workout videos." "If I'm somewhere for more than a week, I might go swimming, so I have to find a hotel gym," she added. Typically, it costs her around $5 per visit. Sula has also added long-distance hiking to her workout plan. In 2024, she walked England's Cotswold Way, a 100-mile trail of rolling hills, woodlands, and farmland that runs from Chipping Campden to Bath, about a two-hour drive southwest from London. The walk took her 10 days to complete. "It's my goal to walk everywhere we visit," she said. "I'm doing tons of walking in Montenegro. I've done a ton of walking in France. Germany is also really good for walking." Sula's weight-loss journey hasn't been perfect, and she does have a few regrets. "For a decade, I kept gaining and losing weight," she said. "I had an all-or-nothing mindset," she said. "I told myself, 'You need to eat healthy, and if you don't, then you ruined everything,' but that's just not real life." "You can still try all the different foods and drinks, and still enjoy life," she explained. "The same goes for exercise. Building yourself up physically and making small changes makes a world of difference." Sula's biggest recommendation for those trying to lose weight or better their health is to listen to their body. "I'm still on a weight loss journey, but I think my No. 1 goal is to really just listen to my body and how I feel," she said. "I realize that food doesn't go away — it's always going to be there. You can try it, but you don't need to eat 55 croissants when you're in France." Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
20-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Business Insider
A 38-year-old woman who had gained weight from traveling lost 50 pounds in a year. She shared 5 easy ways she did it.
Helene Sula has lost 50 pounds since May 2024, mostly by walking, hiking, and tracking her meals. The travel content creator, 38, said she doesn't deprive herself of yummy food in foreign countries. Sula shared 5 ways she lost the weight and is keeping it off, even with the occasional indulgence. Helene Sula has visited 60 countries and hundreds of cities worldwide for her job as a content creator. As much as sightseeing is part of her job, so is trying new foods. After living in Heidelberg, Germany, for three years, she returned to her hometown, Dallas. Over time, she began to notice changes in her body. "I've always fluctuated, but I especially gained a ton of weight when I moved back to America," Sula, 38, told Business Insider. Her weight gain pushed her to reflect on her relationship with food, exercise, and travel. "Food is part of a cultural experience," Sula, who now lives in Montenegro, said. "When I travel to a new place, I want to try the food. But I had to reframe my mindset and make it my mission to realize that I can try the food — I just don't need to eat all of it right then and there." After a year of exercising and revamping her diet, Sula has lost 50 pounds — and gained a world of self-confidence. "I am a very positive and outgoing person, but I think over the years, that has gone away a bit because I've been embarrassed," she said. "I feel like I've finally gotten back to myself. It's been really nice." Here are 5 things Sula does to maintain her weight loss. 1. She tracks her meals on MyFitnessPal Sula used to eat fast food regularly and didn't pay a lot of attention to her portion sizes. "I'd eat a spoonful of peanut butter, and snacks like popcorn and chips straight out of the bag," she said. " I would never be mindful of how much I was eating or the portions. I didn't really think about that." Sula has become more mindful of her eating choices, attributing a big part of her weight loss success to portion control. "I thought I was eating healthy, but I was overeating," she said. "Now, instead of having three scoops of gelato, I have one." To monitor her food intake and ensure she's maintaining a calorie deficit, Sula uses meal tracker My Fitness Pal. It's available on iOS and Android and is free to use, though users, like Sula, can pay for a premium version. "I track breakfast first thing in the morning, and then, later in the day, I'll track what I eat for lunch and dinner," she said. The app has been a game changer in her fitness journey. "I don't try to be perfect with it — it's just a good tool to make sure that I'm staying on track," she added. Please help BI improve our Business, Tech, and Innovation coverage by sharing a bit about your role — it will help us tailor content that matters most to people like you. Continue By providing this information, you agree that Business Insider may use this data to improve your site experience and for targeted advertising. By continuing you agree that you accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . 2. She doesn't turn down food, but she balances treats with other items Sula rarely stays in a city for more than a week. No matter where she is, she still tries to maintain a well-balanced diet. "My husband and I just went to Turkey," she said. "The food in Turkey is absolutely amazing. I still watched my portions, and definitely ate healthy when I could." For her, that means consuming enough protein, fiber, fruits, and vegetables throughout the day. Eggs: While getting certain foods can sometimes be difficult to find in other countries, there's one food she can always count on — eggs. "My No. 1 is eggs in the morning, I'll go for an omelet of sorts," she said. Fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots: Sula likes to shop at local markets and grocery stores with fresh produce. Deli meats: She can get most of her go-to snacks, like turkey slices and fresh vegetables, in pretty much every grocery store. "I prefer turkey, just because it's somewhat healthy," she said. "I'll go up to the deli counter in a grocery store and have them slice it for me." She'll typically eat four to six slices, paired with roasted vegetables and a piece of fruit. If she's on the go, she'll have a protein shake instead. Protein shakes: Not all protein brands are available abroad, so Sula isn't picky. "If I'm in the UK, I like to drink UFit, and if I'm in Montenegro, I'll drink Protein Zott," she said. 3. She keeps a grocery list in her phone that she can use in any store around the world A big part of eating healthy is balance — knowing when to indulge or abstain, Sula said. "If I know that I'm going to have an indulgent dinner, for lunch, I'll go to a grocery store and grab an apple, protein shake, some turkey, and some nuts," she said. According to her, this short grocery list is fairly affordable in most countries, typically costing about $6. To ensure she doesn't stray from the menu, Sula keeps a grocery list in her iPhone notes app. She said it's a great way to avoid overthinking and complicating her eating decisions. "Having a list of the foods that fill me up makes the rest of my day great," she said. "It takes the guesswork out of having to think so much about what to eat. I also don't get hangry." 4. She walks, hikes, and swims wherever she is Sula said that a lack of walking was one of the biggest contributors to her weight gain. "I went from living in Germany and walking or biking everywhere, to living in Dallas, where I wouldn't even dream of walking down to go to the grocery store," she said. Now, Sula tries to constantly be on the move. To help her maintain her steps and exercise, her husband, who has a Master's in exercise science, created a workout schedule that she uses even when she's traveling. While it can look different depending on what country she's in and what she's training for, it typically looks like this: Monday: An interval workout of a three-mile walk, alternating between two minutes of fast-paced walking and two minutes at a slower pace. Tuesday: Cross-training, which typically involves swimming Wednesday: Rest day Thursday: A nine-mile walk Friday: An eight-mile walk Saturday: Rest day or 12-mile walk Sunday: Rest day or 12-mile walk "My workout schedule is very flexible," she said. "I don't really go to the gym very often. I have weights that I use at home, and I watch YouTube workout videos." "If I'm somewhere for more than a week, I might go swimming, so I have to find a hotel gym," she added. Typically, it costs her around $5 per visit. Sula has also added long-distance hiking to her workout plan. In 2024, she walked England's Cotswold Way, a 100-mile trail of rolling hills, woodlands, and farmland that runs from Chipping Campden to Bath, about a two-hour drive southwest from London. The walk took her 10 days to complete. "It's my goal to walk everywhere we visit," she said. "I'm doing tons of walking in Montenegro. I've done a ton of walking in France. Germany is also really good for walking." 5. She doesn't shame herself for indulging occasionally or enjoying life Sula's weight-loss journey hasn't been perfect, and she does have a few regrets. "For a decade, I kept gaining and losing weight," she said. "I had an all-or-nothing mindset," she said. "I told myself, 'You need to eat healthy, and if you don't, then you ruined everything,' but that's just not real life." "You can still try all the different foods and drinks, and still enjoy life," she explained. "The same goes for exercise. Building yourself up physically and making small changes makes a world of difference." Sula's biggest recommendation for those trying to lose weight or better their health is to listen to their body. "I'm still on a weight loss journey, but I think my No. 1 goal is to really just listen to my body and how I feel," she said. "I realize that food doesn't go away — it's always going to be there. You can try it, but you don't need to eat 55 croissants when you're in France."
News18
12-05-2025
- News18
No Starbucks, No Small Talk: US Tourist Shares Montenegro Culture Shocks
Last Updated: The vlogger also observed that people in Montenegro generally do not engage with smiles or greetings from strangers. Montenegro, a captivating Balkan nation renowned for its majestic mountains, historic medieval towns and the stunning Adriatic Sea, attracts millions of tourists annually. However, beneath its picturesque places, this country in southeastern Europe has a few cultural nuances that might surprise the average American tourist. Wondering why? Travel vlogger Helene Sula, who visited this European gem nearly 3 months ago, shared her insights about Montenegro that amazed her. The travel vlogger highlighted six 'culture shocks' that Americans will experience if they travel to Montenegro. Her engaging Instagram video, titled 'Things in Montenegro that would send an American into a coma," sheds light on the distinct ways of life in this southeastern European country compared to the United States. The first and perhaps most shocking difference for Helene was the local morning ritual of people in Montenegro. She said that people start their day with a shot of strong liquor, most commonly rakia. It is a type of fruit brandy popular throughout the Balkan nations. Believe it or not, but the woman revealed that people consume it before breakfast. Another notable culture shock for the vlogger was the prevalence of smoking. Unlike the increasingly stringent regulations in the US, smoking remains common in Montenegro and surprisingly, it is permitted indoors in many places. Next, Helene pointed out the absence of ubiquitous American fast-food and coffee chains – Starbucks or McDonald's. 'If you're craving a Big Mac or a Pumpkin Spice Latte, too bad. There are no McDonald's or Starbucks chains here. And there are no Apple stores either, not even in the capital, Podgorica," she revealed. A peculiar belief regarding air conditioning also surprised Helene. She noted that people in Montenegro believed that air conditioning could make them sick. 'I've had so many people tell me they got sick from their air conditioning when they went to the USA," she said in her post. The vlogger also observed that people in Montenegro generally do not engage with smiles or greetings from strangers. She clarified, however, that 'It's not rude, it's just the Balkan way." Lastly, Helene expressed her shock at the country's driving culture. In the video, she revealed that one has to navigate narrow, winding cliffside roads without guardrails and the Montenegrians drive at what she described as 'Fast and Furious' speeds, a particularly jarring experience. Despite these cultural differences, Helene concluded her post with a heartfelt appreciation for Montenegro's 'insane beauty," acknowledging the country's undeniable natural allure. 'Despite being about the size of Connecticut, Montenegro is full of insane beauty. Mountains, beaches, lakes and so much more." First Published:
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
American tourist reveals 6 culture shocks she's faced in Montenegro: No McDonald's and more
Nestled between rugged mountains and the shimmering Adriatic Sea, Montenegro is a hidden gem of the Balkans. This small country in southeastern Europe is known for its natural beauty and medieval towns, receiving millions of tourists every year. However, as with any other country, there are things about Montenegro that will shock the average tourist. Travel vlogger Helene Sula revealed six such things – or 'culture shocks' – that Americans will experience if they travel to Montenegro. Her Instagram video, titled 'Things in Montenegro that would send an American into a coma,' reveals the many ways in which life in the Balkan nation is different from the US. For Helene, the first and most shocking thing she experienced was people starting their day with a shot of liquor - rakia, to be more precise. Rakia is a type of fruit brandy that is popular across the Balkan nations, and the American woman was shocked to see people consuming it before breakfast. Smoking in Montenegro is still prevalent and popular. In fact, unlike the US, smoking indoors is allowed. Next, she spoke about the lack of popular food chains in the country - Montenegro has no Starbucks or McDonald's. 'If you're craving a Big Mac or a Pumpkin Spice Latte, too bad. There are no McDonald's or Starbucks chains here. And there are no Apple stores either, not even in the capital Podgorica,' she revealed. A post shared by Helene Sula - Travel and Lifestyle Blogger (@heleneinbetween) For Helene, another culture shock was the belief in Montenegro that air conditioning can make people sick. 'I've had so many people tell me they got sick from their air conditioning,' she said in her Instagram post. She was also surprised to find that people in the small European country did not smile or greet each other, even a little. 'It's not rude, it's just the Balkan way,' she clarified. Finally, she was shocked by the country's driving culture, where tiny cliffside roads are navigated with no guardrails. To top it all, the locals drive fast - fast like 'they are in the Fast and Furious,' revealed Helene. She ended her post with a word of appreciation for the country's 'insane beauty.'
Business Insider
10-05-2025
- Business Insider
I've been to hundreds of cities worldwide. My favorite is an underrated European gem that's an ideal mix of old and new.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Helene Sula, 38, an author who runs travel-advice blog Helene in Between. She and her husband, who moved from Dallas to Europe in 2016, currently livein Montenegro. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. For the past 10 years, my husband and I have been traveling around the world. We live a nearly nomadic lifestyle, spending about 80% of our time on the road. We've visited dozens of countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, and explored hundreds of cities — if not more — including Bangkok, London, New York City, Aix-en-Provence in France, Munich, Marrakesh in Morocco, and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Of all the places we've been, Heidelberg, Germany, stands out as my favorite. When I was 25, my husband and I decided to move abroad. We spent three years saving and planning, and in 2016, we finally made the move to Germany. We had never set foot in Germany before, and we chose Heidelberg as our new home without knowing how long we'd stay. But the moment we began walking through its streets, we fell in love. Heidelberg is absolutely beautiful. It's a 17th-century town with cobblestone streets, a river running through it, and a castle perched above. It felt like stepping into a fairy tale. Heidelberg has a charming, classic vibe We spent an entire year researching where to live in Europe, and Heidelberg felt like the best fit for us. It truly was — we ended up living there for three years. I think the city is incredibly underrated, especially for American travelers. Bigger cities in Germany tend to be more popular because they offer a lot of attractions. They're also beautiful and easily accessible. Take Munich, for example. You can fly there from almost anywhere. It's close to the Alps, hosts Oktoberfest, and has stunning architecture. The churches are absolutely amazing. While I highly recommend visiting Munich, I think Heidelberg offers more of that true, classic, charming German feel. It's a place rich with culture that you can fully experience in just a few days without feeling too overwhelmed. Heidelberg, with about 180,000 residents, is not technically a small town, but I'd still call it more of a medium-sized city. It's easy to get around, and you quickly start to feel like you know the place. The city sits among hills with countless trails for walking and hiking. Our favorite trail is the hike up to Philosopher's Walk in Neuenheim, the oldest part of the city. It's a steep incline through really nice homes, and you get a good view of the Neckar River and Heidelberg Castle. The weather in Heidelberg — and Germany in general — has been getting warmer over the years. It can actually get pretty hot in the summer. While temperatures usually hover in the high 70s, it's not unheard of for them to reach the 90s, though that's still relatively rare. Many of the buildings and businesses still lack air conditioning, and sometimes, you can't find ice, which can be a bit of an inconvenience. I find the winters to be very manageable. Temperatures can drop into the 20s and 30s Fahrenheit, but generally hover around the 40s. Snow is rare, occurring maybe once a year. It's a down-to-earth university town with friendly locals One of the main reasons we chose Heidelberg is that it's a university town. Heidelberg University is one of the oldest universities in Germany. It brings a vibrant, youthful energy to the city, with a great mix of students, artists, and people interested in music and culture. The city has a rich literary tradition, thanks in part to its status as a major university city. Fun fact: Mark Twain actually spent quite a bit of time in Heidelberg. While people often associate him with floating down the Mississippi River, he also floated down the Neckar River here in Heidelberg. He loved the city, and his time there even inspired some of his writing. Heidelberg is quite an affluent area, so you get the best of both worlds: a well-maintained city center and a variety of events. I think it's a really eclectic mix — there's some nightlife, not wild, but enough to keep things interesting. As for the people, I think Germans can sometimes come off as cold — it's a cultural thing. But one-on-one, they are genuinely incredible and kind. Once you form a friendship, it's very real and straightforward. For example, if a German says, "Let's get coffee," they mean it, which is very cool. In contrast, Americans might say that casually without intending to follow through. It's an affordable town to visit and live in Another reason I love Germany is that it's one of the cheaper European countries. Germany is rarely talked about in terms of budget, but I find the food and lodging in Heidelberg to be quite reasonable. When we moved to Heidelberg in 2016, we rented a one-bedroom apartment with a large living area downstairs and a furnished kitchen for three years for $1,300. The landlord never increased the price. Food is affordable in Germany, too. I mean, you can get a delicious butter pretzel for $1.69, or you can have a cup of coffee and cake — "kaffee und kuchen," as they call it — for under $3.39. You can even get a full meal for under $23, and that's going to include your glass of wine. Germany is still very much cash-based, but it's changing. Germany has an amazing public transportation system, which is an inexpensive and great way to get around. However, we moved our dogs abroad, too, so if I want to take them into the countryside for a walk, that can be really difficult. To get them out to the country — a journey that should take 15 minutes by car— can take 45 minutes to an hour by public transportation. I moved to Germany thinking we wouldn't buy a car. Once we arrived and lived there for six months, we learned the necessity, especially for taking the dogs around and getting to smaller, more rural places. Gas in Germany, and Europe in general, is pretty expensive compared to the US. Right now, it's $1.04 per liter in the US, versus $2.21 in Germany — so it's double the price. There's always something to do in Heidelberg Heidelberg has incredible castles, something you just don't find in the US. The most famous is Heidelberg Castle, which has a lot of myths and legends. One involves the town mascot, a court jester named Perkeo from the 1800s. According to local legend, he is said to have only ever drunk wine, and the moment he took a sip of water, he died. You can spot Perkeo all over the city. He's featured on the Christmas market displays and appears in various decorations at the castle and local restaurants. Heidelberg has amazing food. You've got your typical sauerkraut and sausages. But there's also Käsespätzle, which is basically an elevated mac and cheese. Also, since Heidelberg is so close to the border with France, one of my favorite things to eat is Flammkuchen, which is kind of like a pizza, but has a very thin crust with sour cream and bacon. It always made me laugh how often the city shuts down for festivals or markets. Heidelberg has many festivals, not just Oktoberfest: There's a spring wine festival featuring "new wine"; a castle festival with fireworks that light up the city in summer; and the autumn festival, Herbstfest, in the old town — one of my favorites. Another of my absolute favorite experiences is the Christmas market. Before moving to Germany, I had no idea how magical these markets could be. The stalls are hand-carved wooden huts, filled with music and glühwein, which is hot, spiced mulled wine. I love Heidelberg so much that I return every year, even though we now live in Montenegro. My husband and I organize river cruise ships, and we bring our Instagram followers to the city. I think everyone should experience the magic of Heidelberg, especially at Christmastime.
