Going on vacation for 3 weeks... Afraid I'm going to gain

hoofnerd

I have worked really hard in the last 2 months... 1100 calories and low carb ( under 75 grams a day). This plan has worked well for me- my sugar and carb cravings are gone... I'm haven't been hungry. I've lost 14 pounds so far which is phenomenal for me. I'm ecstatic about this weight loss and have dropped 2 dress sizes. I'm going on vacation for 2 1/2 weeks... To a destination known for great food !!! I want to enjoy myself but I don't want to gain any weight. I'm leaving in 2 weeks... Are there any strategies that will help my body adjust to a higher caloric intake gradually that can sort of rev my metabolism ? I'm not planning on going nuts with the food on my trip... But it's hard when you are eating out 3 meals a day!

vismal

Unfortunately when you lose a good deal of weight while doing low carb, then you do a period of time where your carbs are moderate to high (vacation) you will indeed gain weight. Most of it is in the form of glycogen and water, not fat. To gain fat you must eat more calories per day then you burn (around 3500 more to gain a lb of fat). Fortunately, after the vacation ends, you'll eventually drop the water weight and the only real weight gains you'll be left with are the ones from eating over the amount you burn. There is no real way to "rev the metabolism". You can slowly up calories to maintenance which might help a bit. You could also slowly reintroduce carbs so the water weight gain isn't as dramatic. Unfortunately at the end of the day its calories in vs calories out whether low carbing at home or enjoying yourself on vacation. I personally still workout on vacation because I enjoy it. That helps a bit with calorie burning. I also usually eat only 1-2 big meals on vacation and try and keeping snacking to a minimum.

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hoofnerd

Thanks for the great advice! I don't mind gaining water weight... That comes off easily. I can gain 2 lbs overnight if I have too much sodium! . I do understand calories in vs. calories out. Although i swear cutting the Carbs makes all the difference for me- mostly because I crave them... once I eliminate them that goes away.
I'm very active at home due to my job! So that will be another issue- im sure ill be walking alot, but not burning calories like I do working. I will begin to increase my caloric intake by 100 calorie increments and reintroduced carbs.
I do feel like I could do 1100 calories forever here at home when I have control over my meals ... I have had a few cheat meals over the course of the last couple months so I never really feel deprived. My energy is through the roof since I cut the carbs and calories!

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RET68

I don't know where you're going, but you can make it work. We have a kid who has real severe food restrictions for a health issue, and we wanted to drive across America. You know just once with them, see the grand canyon, go to New Orleans. We drove from Whole Foods to Whole Foods, had fabulous steaks in Texas, and Jambalaya and Etoufee in New Orleans. Yes we ate Beignets, only once with cocoa. But otherwise, you know Salad bars, fish, there's always something on a menu. "No bread basket, Can they cook it without Fat, What's under 500 calories, You got a fruit plate" You can do it. Enjoy. Buy some new clothes if you're down two sizes have fun. :flowerforyou:

hoofnerd

Good point MrM27... I'm not planning to eat 1100 calories for the rest of my life... I have just felt great while doing it. I do drink raw veggie/ green juice ( that I make myself) so I'm getting a lot of nutrients.
I'm going to Southeast Asia... No whole foods market there :-) luckily I won't be eating pizza or pasta either. However I might be indulging in some fragrant rice, curries and satay !!!
So I'm going to up my calories gradually to about 1600... Is that pretty safe for maintenance?