Holiday tricks to maintaining or even losing weight

Dr_sparky

I'm going on holiday on Wednesday but as usual I dread the holiday lbs. Thinking of taking my scales with me to help with motivation, though it seems a little extreme to carry them across the Atlantic. Does anybody else have any tricks for making sure you stay on carlorific target while eating at restaurants and away on holiday?

tiptoethruthetulips

For works for me is eating light for a couple of meals and allowing one meal for higher calorie foods and a drink, plus making sure plenty of walking and non-calorie fluids.

Generally if only away for a short period any weigh gain is fluid retention, which reduces fairly quick on return on and if its a few pounds of fat, that too is lost within a couple of weeks once back on track.

rjan91

Still track everything. Even if it's on paper - although you should be able to still to record in MFP with your data off. Get out and walk as much as possible, or if where you are staying has a gym - get down there for a workout. Drink your water. Enjoy your meals out, but make the smart selections. I actually went to Italy and lost some weight! You can do it!!!!

DaddieCat

HappyCampr1 wrote: »

I don't generally log on holiday. I just make the best choices I can, knowing that I can expect to come back five pounds heavier after a week. 4 of that will be water weight and the last pound will be gone after another week or so of eating in a deficit.

pretty much this. It's temporary... I don't stress it and just enjoy the time with family.

ETA: I could easily and quite possibly will, eat my bodyweight in some side dishes. I will relish every moment and once the general discomfort passes, I will pick up the next day and move on as if nothing ever happened and it will rebalance in time

snowflake930

I have been on MFP for almost 4 years now.
You have gotten some great advice so far. Make good choices as much as you can, but don't dwell on it.
Remember it is only for a short while. When you get back, the important thing is to continue on with what has been successful for you.

riffraff2112

Drink water, eat fruits, walk as much as possible (often unavoidable depending on the nature of your trip). You should enjoy yourself, it is a holiday after-all but keep the same mindset that helped you lose weight in the first place.
Eat, drink, enjoy and deal with the few lbs of water weight when you return.

lizzocat

I don't typically worry about holiday weight gain, because it usually comes off within two weeks of coming back and going back to my routine. With that said, I don't go wild, I still try to make decent choices

Dr_sparky

Thanks for all the advice. I'm actually finding making good decisions easier than I thought. I've been to the gym a couple of times and My sister in law has just entered me, with the rest of the family, into a turkey trot. A 5k race before my first ever thanksgiving meal. I didn't even know that was a thing being as I'm British.

healthy_hermione

Try and stay active. For example, I'm going home for thanksgiving. There won't be a gym and I don't feel like packing my workout clothes for an at-home workout. My plan is to go for a walk with my dog when I wake up, and then another walk later on in the evening. This thanksgiving I'll definitely be going for a walk.

On the actual day I try and snack lightly and then make thanksgiving dinner my own big/main meal. I would say drink lots of water but I know I'm going to be drinking all the eggnog and all the apple cider

Michael190lbs

don't eat standing up.. Typically people grab small food off the table throughout the day or eat while prepping dinner and the calories add up quick. Just eat reasonably when your sitting at dinner.. My 2 cents

rosebarnalice

Logging faithfully keeps me honest. I focus more on weekly average calories than any one particular blowout day.

Noreenmarie1234

Ive never been one to gorge myself or over indulge on the holidays since I am a picky eater. I don't really like many thanksgiving foods such as mashed potatoes, turkey, gravy, stuffing, etc. I don't log though, I just eat what I want and enjoy the time with my family. If you fill your plate up with lots of lean turkey and veggies and a small slice of dessert, one day isn't a big deal.

karyabc

BecomingBane wrote: »

HappyCampr1 wrote: »

I don't generally log on holiday. I just make the best choices I can, knowing that I can expect to come back five pounds heavier after a week. 4 of that will be water weight and the last pound will be gone after another week or so of eating in a deficit.

pretty much this. It's temporary... I don't stress it and just enjoy the time with family.

ETA: I could easily and quite possibly will, eat my bodyweight in some side dishes. I will relish every moment and once the general discomfort passes, I will pick up the next day and move on as if nothing ever happened and it will rebalance in time

I'm so with u both ! I don't stress about it much