Vacation abroad

surpanakha

So I have just lost 20 lbs since I started my weight loss journey (only 16 lbs recorded on my ticker). I plan to lift and continue with circuit training and cycling, as well as clean eating from now on until the entire month of May. My problem is I will be going to the US on June up to mid-July.

Question 1: How do I prepare for this vacation so that I will not gain weight? I have now until the month of May to prepare my body.
Question 2: When I'm there, how do I control my eating? I do not want to be the tourist on vacation who still logs her calories and is the ultimate killjoy. Also, how do I workout? I might not have access to weights and dumbbells on most days, so any suggestions?

Basically my goal for May is to lose weight and during my vacation, to at least maintain the weight I have lost.

cbhubbybubble

It may help to know where you are going, where you are staying, and what kind of vacation it is. If you're staying with friends, managing will be different than if you're in a time share, which will be different than staying in a hotel. The type of activities you have planned will make a difference, too.

I went on vacation for a week in late March and I guess I was a killjoy cuz I still logged everything. Was just vacationing with the hubby, though, so didn't really worry if I was being a killjoy lol Might be harder with friends.

joeboo81

I would practice moderation when you can and make cuts where you can. If you know you are going out to dinner that night, eat a healthy breakfast and lunch. Try to take a walk if you can.
On most people's vacations, there's a lot of moving around and doing things, so you'll be getting rid of calories that way too.
2-3 weeks on vacation is a long time and can throw off the diet, but the worst that happens is that you gain a few pounds while you're gone. Just come home and get back at it again, and enjoy the memories of the vacation.

WanderingPomme

I went on a two month vacation in the US last year. Iworked out extra hard before leaving because I know I was going to gain. LOL I didn't mind logging! It made me aware. I got to eat what I wanted though! I was over a bunch of times but I think the walking around malls, tours etc. may have helped. I only worked out like 5 times when I was on vacation. Also, logging was I don't know... more fun? Since almost everything is in the database! Lol Almost all places in the US have nutrition facts so yeah.

Enjoy your vacation! I gained 2-3lbs when I got home from that vacation btw, but the weight came off like after a week or two!

surpanakha

thanks a lot for your replies!
Additional details: it will be a vacation with relatives. We'd probably be staying in hotels most of the time, moving from state to state and basically visiting the tourists attractions. I would still like to be able to do weight resistance exercises while I'm there, though access to weights and equipment may be hard.

I already told my uncle there that I wanted to go climb a mountain when I get there, so maybe that's a start

Athena53

Check out the TRX- a set of portable resistance bands you can hang over a door and use for all kinds of exercises. They're pricey, but when I visited the Web site I got a banner ad here for 20% off. Most hotels have decent fitness facilities, though.

Beware of the huge portion sizes at the chain restaurants- unlimited breadsticks at Olive Garden, giant desserts on top of giant meals elsewhere. It's harder when you're traveling because you can't box half of it and take it home. You may want to share a dessert or even an entrée. They charge a little extra but you won't be eating food you don't need, or throwing it out. Check the appetizer section, too. Sometimes 2 appetizers (one that's mostly green vegetables or something else low-cal) make a decent, healthy meal. DH and I also occasionally pick up things at grocery stores like pre-made salads and sandwiches, so we're not eating in restaurants all the time.

You'll probably be doing a lot of walking, which helps, too.

acpgee

I try to get a hotel with a gym around half of the time. Failing that I will buy day passes to a local gym. The hotel will usually have special deals with one, if they don't have a gym themselves. I work out in the morning before breakfast while the other half sleeps in.

I usually log, so I am a killjoy. If I don't have access to a gym I will try to do a lot of walking while sightseeing. There are a lot of apps which can log walking (runtastic, runkeeper, endomondo), but they do eat up a lot of phone battery.

On my profile page I've got photographs of the view from every piece of cardio equipment I used during my last vacation. Two ellipticals, a treadmill and a plunge pool big enough for swimming laps.

WakkoW

When I travel, I will visit a local gym when I need to lift weights. Most gyms will let you work out for one day for $5-$10. Some even have weekly rates for visitors. Most hotel gyms suck, but they usually have an adequate elliptical trainer or stationary bike if you need cardio in a pinch. Sometimes you get lucky, and they have a treadmill that works.

Food will really be the hard part. Will most of your traveling be in a car? I'd invest in a cooler to pack your food and hit up the grocery stores for salads and baked chicken.

There are places to stay with kitchenettes. If you stay in these, you can do some of your own cooking. Eating out all your meals for such an extended time would be so tiresome!

Have fun!

Shropshire1959

Just because some of the locals eat large portions doesn't mean that you have to!! Know your limits and stick to them.

Enjoy your holiday.

Francl27

A lot of restaurants have 'light menus' so if you stick to chains it should be pretty easy to eat properly. I'd still try to log your food if you can though, it's easy to go over when you go out all the time.

I still highly recommend that you have a piece of cheesecake though. And some ribs. Maybe Maryland Crab cakes if you're in the area.

mwmix

If you don't have access to gyms in hotels, do a quick search to see if there are any hiking trails around the places that you're visiting (alltrails.com). This is not just a good way to burn some calories, but it's a great way to really see the different landscapes of the US and spend time with your family!