Do we watch we eat on Vacation

mazdauk

I'm so glad you posted this. I have a cruise booked on the 14th and I have completely freaked myself out over eating. I read an article where a girl gained 17 pounds while cruising. I'm so nervous about gaining that kind of weight but I think because I'm so freaked out I won't. I truly hope I can let my hair down and enjoy the food (within the MFP limits). I've already phoned the cruise company to make sure the gym is adequate so hopefully I can get some work outs in. My last trip I was told there was internet and turns outs it was hit and miss (more miss). So my logging was disastrous. I hope I'm able to log on this one.

don't panic, you wont gain 17lbs, that person obviously ate EVERYTHING in sight and didn't walk much...just don't over fill your plate, be aware that they add an awful lot of salt to everything so drink loads of water - just be aware of quantities and make good choices ok - just enjoy it, its the best holiday experience you can have on a cruise ship and the food is outstanding :-D

This! You'll be fine if you make sure you do some activity every day rather than sit around waiting for the next snack

cappri

I track everything and try to keep my exercise routine as much as possible even on vacation. That doesn't mean I don't indulge or go over my calories while on vacation, because I do, but I like the accountability of tracking it all to keep myself in check.

lsmsrbls

I always log, but I do try to switch to maintenance calories while I'm on vacation. Sometimes I wind up spending so much time walking or swimming or whatever while I'm on vacation that I end up at more of a deficit that usual, anyway.

chezjuan

I track if I have internet access, and kind of mentally estimate if not. I don't deprive myself of anything, but I watch portions and try to stay within my daily goal. That's not to say I don't let loose every once and a while on a trip, but I do try to be mindful and make up for big days when possible.

Personally, I do it because 7 years ago I was in decent shape and watching what I ate (not tracking though), and it was a vacation that started my undoing. I didn't watch anything while on the trip, and didn't really gain anything, but it made me feel that I didn't need to be as careful. I ended up putting on about 10 lbs. a year for the next 6 years... something I don't want to do again.

Mr_Excitement

I usually come back from vacations about 5lbs. lighter, and that's completely blowing off all dietary concerns. I'm usually lugging scuba tanks all over the place, climbing in and out of the water, etc., and I'm exhausted at the end of each day. Even beer and fried garbage hardly keeps me fueled. :P

casmithis

I'm so glad you posted this. I have a cruise booked on the 14th and I have completely freaked myself out over eating. I read an article where a girl gained 17 pounds while cruising. I'm so nervous about gaining that kind of weight but I think because I'm so freaked out I won't. I truly hope I can let my hair down and enjoy the food (within the MFP limits). I've already phoned the cruise company to make sure the gym is adequate so hopefully I can get some work outs in. My last trip I was told there was internet and turns outs it was hit and miss (more miss). So my logging was disastrous. I hope I'm able to log on this one.

don't panic, you wont gain 17lbs, that person obviously ate EVERYTHING in sight and didn't walk much...just don't over fill your plate, be aware that they add an awful lot of salt to everything so drink loads of water - just be aware of quantities and make good choices ok - just enjoy it, its the best holiday experience you can have on a cruise ship and the food is outstanding :-D

This! You'll be fine if you make sure you do some activity every day rather than sit around waiting for the next snack

Thanks for the encouragement and advice. I've heard wonderful things about cruises. Very excited.

MidWestMissy

I am teaching myself to live a new life, not dieting... so yes, I watch what I eat. I don't go all out simply because it's a vacation, I learn to enjoy myself with my new lifestyle.

This is probably the way I will tend to care for our upcoming vacation. I will make use of gyms at the hotels. There will be plenty of swimming, and walking, and such. I will drink/eat as I have been for last year. Will I enjoy things I haven't "indulged" in awhile. YEP!! But you better believe I will log and take into account.

iplayoutside19

I usually come back from vacations about 5lbs. lighter, and that's completely blowing off all dietary concerns. I'm usually lugging scuba tanks all over the place, climbing in and out of the water, etc., and I'm exhausted at the end of each day. Even beer and fried garbage hardly keeps me fueled. :P

While we don't scuba dive. But, our vacations are usually packed with hiking, climbing, fishing, and paddling. We also cook 75% of our meals. I've never gained on vacation, and usually come back a little lighter.

zinatara

The last time we went on vacation to Greece I came home 5 kg heavier. We had all inclusive at the hotel and they had great food. So I ate too much and drank calories too. I don't want that to happen when we go to spain this year. So we are going to go with self catering this time and shop in a supermarket. We will still go out to eat, but not for all our meals.

Also I'm going to swim and play with my kids, go hiking and go for walks. So I'm not planning on laying on a sunbead all day.

liloldDee

I am so glad you posted this too as its something that is very much on my mind right now. Usually after a weeks holidays I come back with about 4lbs on even though I do loads of walking. I blame the breads/pasteries. At the moment I am watching my carbs in order to get a few extra pounds off before we go away and I am worried that I will pile on even more weight than ever, we are off to Italy for 11 days but we are self catering so I do hope to have more control on what I eat, I think most of the damage I do is at breakfast so hopefully having no buffet to choose from will be a help. I will stock up on food for breakfasts and lunches when we get there and try and do so on a full tummy so hopefully I will not buy too much that will tempt me.

I still have a lot of weight to lose, so I don't want to come back from holidays with loads of weight on and feel dejected. I wish I could bring my scales on hols!!

traceytwink

I log what I eat every day of the year, but then I eat what I want when I want every day of the year too ????

lbuseth

I went to Italy with my parents for 10 days last year. My father lost 17lbs, my mom lost 10lbs and I lost 5lbs (didn't need to lose at). With all the walking and how hot is was we still ate like we were on vacation and enjoyed the food and wine. I think as long as you are being active you can enjoy and don't have to be strict about what you consume.

Monny287

I don't bother to count calories while on vacation, but then again, I'm not explicitly trying to lose weight, just be healthier. I just went back to my hometown to see the folks for Memorial Day and ended up having a long cheat weekend simply because my family doesn't eat nearly as healthy as I do and I didn't want to put them out. That and my grandmother was really excited to cook for me. If you're trying to lose weight, I'd enjoy the good food and watch your portion sizes.

And I'm going to have a cheat day tomorrow, which I feel bad about, since it's so close to my 3-day cheat last week. But as tomorrow is my birthday, I'm not going to feel TOO guilty about it.

cwolfman13

Vacations are good opportunities to practice intuitive eating and portion control for maintenance. I eat the same whether I'm maintaining or cutting...just the calorie count is different. I eat pretty much the same whether I'm on vacation or at home...lots of veg and fruit, some whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats...it doesn't change just because I'm in a different city or whatever.

I do not log on vacation, I have better things to do. Plus, I usually end up losing anyway because I'm way more active while on vacation than I am at home sitting in my office all day 5 days per week.

jamielynas

Going to a 4 star hotel in Spain for a week in the middle of the month, it's all inclusive, 24 hour a day buffet, not a single morsel will be logged, nor f@ck given :P

fluffykitsune

See it as a time to eat at maintenance and refeed your metabolism. Then when you come back there will be no plateau and weightloss will be nice and smooth! Make sure to drink a lot of water, I always get really dehydrated on vacation lol!

momzeeee

I don't track my food/calories right now, as I've found doing 8:16 IF keeps me in my maintenance range without needing to track. We have a week long road trip from MI to TX this summer and I'll literally be eating out every meal for 7 days, all fast food except for a nicer rehearsal dinner and reception meal (but both restaurant/caterer prepared)). I'm still planning on doing 8:16IF for the trip, but realize that all that fast food is probably going to mess with my weight a bit. I'll correct any gains after I get back and then move on Not stressing about it-much more worried about sitting in a car for that long ugh, lol.

PJ64

I still log and will try to do as much walking as possible. I often get day passes at a local gym as well and workout in the mornings. I will indulge in the local food though and just try to net within maintenance on the indulgent days.

THIS:drinker:

chelstakencharge

YES I do!!! I log my food and I cautious of what I eat. I even pack my scale!

samntha14

I tend to not log my calories on vacation and I do eat pretty much what I want but I still watch my portion size I split my desert. So I am a bit more careful but don't make my life and those around me difficult. I also will also make sure I eat one meal a day this is smaller and lighter most often breakfast.

I agree. This process has taught me to make better choices in general including how to make smart selections from menus, even fast food menus. However, when on vacation I will splurge a little on local treats, or a nice dinner. not too much mind you. ANd I do track. I've been watching the scale very slowly go in the wrong direction after being in maintenance for six months, so I know vigilance is key.

leeanneowens

We are going on vacation in a few weeks. It will be the first vacation since I began my weight loss. I I am pretty sure I will log what I eat but I will not stick to my regular calorie intake. I will still be careful and try not to go crazy.

Crystaleyed

I think it's a case of what you feel comfortable with at the end of the day.
I am not comfortable with those sit around and do nothing holidays so I can afford to be a little less strict on the eating front because I know I've done the exercise. Having said that though, I do still try and stay healthy and I do keep tabs on what I'm eating, but I think that's a force of habit more than anything.
All I can really suggest, in your circumstance is try to get some exercise in during the day so you can keep the damage to a minimum, but don't worry about it too much. Enjoy spending time with your family, not worrying about calories

Timshel_

I do have some pretty heavy meals, but I plan out most and try to mdoerate by having lighter meals the rest of the day.

oceanbreeze22

I log in everyday and exercise. Still gained on our last cruise though, but lost it within a few weeks.

eagergirl

I'm going on vacation next week for two weeks. I am kind of nervous, because I don't have that strong of will to stay away and say no. I'm doing great at home, but we will be eating out most meals! HELP!!!! I need some support!!

TheStephil

I went on a four day vacation around Memorial day weekend. I tracked to the best of my ability (most of the places didn't have nutrititional information so I had to guess) but i still ended up gaining a pound that I can't push off despite being at a deficit. I thought it was sodium but that seems unlikely.

tubaman58

I log and try to be reasonable, but I don't worry about going over on calories

Jesstruhan

I definitely DO NOT watch what I eat on vacation. Vacation to me spells FREEDOM from having to do anything I am supposed to do. The funny thing is that when I am on vacation, I don't want as much. I am way more relaxed and the cravings don't seem overwhelming.

marhattap

I totally agree with you. Thanksgiving comes once a year. I'll be damned if I pass up artery clogging mashed potatoes, for ones made with chicken broth.

Edited to fix quote.

Absolutely no way! A holiday is a holiday. If you can't let your hair down on a break, when will you ever let your hair down?

sammi674

I sure don't! But because this is a life-style change, I have habits that keep me from gaining while on vacation. I'm use to much smaller portions, always order Iced Tea at restaurants as I don't drink things with calories, etc...! I never lose weight while on vacation, but I don't gain either!