Activity Holiday: Do I Log?

LJFitzSimmons

I'm not sure if 'getting started' is the correct area for this topic, but as I'm a newbie I thought I'd ask here... if I need to move the topic somewhere else, let me know!

First off, I know I'm going to get varied opinions on this, as everybody works in a different way, but that's what I'm counting on... I'd love people to give their own advice based on what they'd do, so I can consider options and make my decision about what will be best for me.

In May, I'm going on a three day activity holiday with work... I'll be constantly on the go, gorge scrambling, climbing & abseiling, kayaking, canoeing etc. I'll also have my meals provided for me, so logging calories will be difficult. As I'll be constantly active, should I just write those three days off and not log them, or do you think it would be best to estimate calories eaten and burned, so that I stay on track?

Let me know what you'd do, or what you did if you've been on a similar kind of trip.

darleneasher328

I would just go and enjoy myself, sounds like you will be getting plenty of exercise. you can put counting cals on hold for a few days. just tell yourself you have to get back on track when your back home

Pirate_chick

Log in and track a cup of water in the morning so you don't lose your streak.

The_Sandra

Personally, I'd log the food at least. Even if you have no idea the ingredients/preparation/calories, it would help me to be mindful of what I'm eating and help me to not go completely off the rails.

Ever have one of those days where you go shopping and spend a bit here and a bit there, and have a dollar amount in your head of what you spent in total, only to take a look at the actual numbers and be WAY off? Same thing here.

holliebevineau

:drinker: Sounds like Your gonna have fun!!! If it were me I would log my activities and meals just to see how the numbers read.

aNewYear123

That sounds like fun.

Track during the holiday or not based upon which is more important to you. Which would make you more comfortable when you are examining your log later for trends? It sounds like this is going to be very different than your standard food/exercise cycle, so while it might be interesting to see at the end, it's not really useful when trying to change habits. Also, since your meals are provided you are really only going to be able to use the data to see what you did, not to try and control it by planning meals ahead of time.

How much of a pain is it going to be to log? To be consistent are you planning to log the activities as well? I like having data, but don't let trying to track it interfere with enjoying the holiday.

bobbiejof33

I have the scosche arm band and it tells me how many calories I have burnt, and I would try to log what you eat. If it were me, I would go off for those 3 days, and not come back for 3 months. Keep track, you will be happy in the end that you did

blc1971

If you can log, I would do it. As another person posted, it would keep me mindful even if I didn't have control over what I was served for meals. Even estimates may help you to stay on point.

I will be going to Jamaica next month for a week-long vacation. I just found out cell phone use will be crazy expensive there and the hotel only has wifi in certain areas, so I won't be able to log. I currently have a 445 day streak going, which I hate to break, but I'm viewing this as a test of my maintenance and mindful eating skills. I plan to enjoy myself but not go overboard, so we will see how it pans out when I return.

Whatever you decide, good luck on your Holiday and good luck on your journey!!

SB4Hope

I would go and have a good time. Time away can be busy enough without worrying about logging everything down. If I am busy doing something, I just skip that day and start up again when my schedule gets back to normal. You will stay plenty busy.

Capt_Apollo

sounds like you'll be staying active and having fun. if you have internet access and want to try and log in to track calories or maintain your streak, then go for it. but if not, i wouldn't sweat it.

in january i went on a snowboarding trip to vermont. i had internet access, but i said 'eff it' and didn't log in or anything. just decided to chuck my streak and have fun all weekend and not be glued to my phone.

yo_andi

I want to work at your company!!!

Carry on then.

fourtwingles

I would just go and enjoy myself. Then get back on track when you return. Sometimes you have to just have fun.

wannakimmy

I personally did not log anything from my last holiday because I didn't have internet access. I was worried about what I was eating and how many calories were in everything. I still have lost weight for the week, but I was nervous most the weekend. If you are comfortable not logging, and with all that exercise that is planned I say just enjoy yourself and get back into the routine when you return. If you are worried about the logging, or still unsure of portions and whatnot, take the time to log if you have access to MFP. To each their own

LJFitzSimmons

Thanks for all your opinions!

I think the best plan for me at the moment is making a note of what I eat, and what activities I do, so that I'm logging something, but not worry about calculating my actual net calories... I don't know how I'll feel about it in May when it actually happens however so I might change my mind by then.

I probably will have internet access, but if I don't it's not much of a worry for me, as I'm not too concerned with breaking a 'streak', I'd rather enjoy myself than worry about it... if I can't access the internet, I might just jot down in my notebook what I eat and add it to my notes on here later

bobbiejof33

If you can log, I would do it. As another person posted, it would keep me mindful even if I didn't have control over what I was served for meals. Even estimates may help you to stay on point.

I will be going to Jamaica next month for a week-long vacation. I just found out cell phone use will be crazy expensive there and the hotel only has wifi in certain areas, so I won't be able to log. I currently have a 445 day streak going, which I hate to break, but I'm viewing this as a test of my maintenance and mindful eating skills. I plan to enjoy myself but not go overboard, so we will see how it pans out when I return.

Whatever you decide, good luck on your Holiday and good luck on your journey!!

To OP and you ^^, have a GREAT Time!

LJFitzSimmons

I want to work at your company!!!

Carry on then.

Haha, it's quite a new job and they want us new youngens to team build with the rest of the (mostly much older) staff....

Definitely not complaining!

SarahWSU36

When I go on vacation I do not log anything. Have a great time!

LJFitzSimmons

If you can log, I would do it. As another person posted, it would keep me mindful even if I didn't have control over what I was served for meals. Even estimates may help you to stay on point.

I will be going to Jamaica next month for a week-long vacation. I just found out cell phone use will be crazy expensive there and the hotel only has wifi in certain areas, so I won't be able to log. I currently have a 445 day streak going, which I hate to break, but I'm viewing this as a test of my maintenance and mindful eating skills. I plan to enjoy myself but not go overboard, so we will see how it pans out when I return.

Whatever you decide, good luck on your Holiday and good luck on your journey!!

Have a brilliant time in Jamaica! And good luck to you too

coloradoartstudio

Have fun and if you can log, great. If not, don't sweat it.

My hubby and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary in May and we are taking a trip to San Francisco. I plan to try to log my food and exercise - I know we'll be walking a lot and eating out everyday. I've only been logging for a few days, but already, I am starting to get the picture of what a portion size is to stay in range to lose 1-1.5 lbs a week.