ARGH - vacation weight!!

ttkg

So, I have been on MFP for over a year and last year had great success using the online diary combined with working with a trainer. Last fall I lost my father to a heart attack and in 3 months had gained the almost 20lbs I lost all back. I didn't beat myself up about it as it was an emotional time and I needed to cope anyway I could, after 3 months I got back on MFP and started back with my trainer. For whatever reason it has been so much harder to drop the weight this year...although I had started losing again and was feeling stronger with my weight training efforts and was putting in effort to log every day, it was still slow going and sometimes very frustrating. But I know that it takes time...

Anyways - I just got back from a 2 week vacation in Europe and for the first week I was walking at least 4-6 km's a day sightseeing and actually felt like I lost weight. Then in the last half of the vacation I was in Paris, using the subway to get around, sitting in cafe's etc and enjoying wine and Parisian food, as you do on vacation! Well, all my efforts for the last few months went out the window and i put on 9 lbs (I am sincerely hoping some is water weight and have been chugging water for the last 24 hrs since I got home).

This morning when i got on the scale I felt so dejected. It was the vacation of a lifetime so I am not going to look back but I am finding it really hard to get motivated. Can't believe I blew what little weight loss i had out the window! It seems like such an uphill battle...anyone else have a smiliar experience and if so, what did you do to get your motivation back after an overindulgent vacation?? I have a hometown 'gathering' next week-end and would really like to feel good about myself (Like I did before I left for vacation) so I appreciate any friendly advice you have...thanks!

ttkg

PS - I realize there is no quick fix for my event next week-end...just want to feel better about myself and need some motivation to turn these feelings around and get back on the right path. Again any advice is appreciated...thanks.

tallen3687

I just got back from a cruise a week ago. I also gained weight, but loved every minute of the vacation. I struggled to get back on track but I just had to tell myself that I still have a ways to go and that getting healthy is important. It is slow going, but I know I will be back to the way I was soon. Just don't beat yourself up and keep using MFP. You did it before and can do it again. Good Luck to both of us!

FabulousFifty

Drink alot of water....I betcha in 4-5 days you will drop 4-5 pounds just eating at home. Eating out is chalked full of sodium. Drink up....with water that is! Cheers!:drinker:

anthony438

Just got back from vacation on the 11th - I had gained 12.8 lbs in 1 week. Most of it was water and, as of yesterday, I was back to my pre-vacation weight.

Don't sweat it, just get back at it, and you'll be right as rain.

calimari

Some of that vacation weight is really just temporary. Give it a few days of being back to your normal life & some of it will drop off, and you will not have gained as much as you thought.

Sometimes life throws you curves - some good (Paris!) some bad (your Dad). We have to cope as best as we can & can't expect to be perfect throughout.

Pam3

hi...i started this journey on MFP last august....it started out slow, but by december 2010 i had lost 15lbs....by the end of the holidays i got the flu was in bed for several days, and just ate whatever....from january to february i gained back 8 of the 15lbs(had alot going on) it took me til may to come back to MFP since then its been slow...i do log in everything i put in my mouth, the tracking is so helpful...the best i have done for my self is getting back to MFP....i do work out 6 days a week ...i give myself a rest day, if needed two rest days....please just get back on the horse and start tracking, exercising...its is slow but somehow the slower we lose the more we learn...good luck

jaimeroach

From what I understand, from my Herbal Life coach, is that to gain weight you have to consistently eat 500+ calories over your Basal Metabolic Rate. For example, you would have to eat 500+ calories per day for 1 week to gain 1 pound... so that would equal 3500 calories, so to gain 9 lbs you would have had to eat 31500 calories EXTRA in one week. Most likely you did not do that, so what you are seeing is probably from water retention, muscle growth (from all that walking), and bowls that have not fully processed food you have eaten.
You mentioned that it has been harder to lose, but you also mentioned that you have been working out. Muscle weighs more than fat. Do not just rely on weight to measure loss, but measurements too. If you have not lost on the scale, take out a measuring tape and see if you lost some inches anywhere.
Hope this is helpful
Jaime

sweetCJ

Sorry to hear about your Dad.

Have you measured yourself??? If your at the gym 3-4 a week, you're building muscle mass.

Just don't give up. I'm not losing weight fast or easily either. Take one day at a time, but don't give up.

ttkg

Thanks to all of you...it was helpful to hear about other experience and that YES - there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Especially the person who got back to their pre-vacation weight in a week...PHEW. So, gym today, gym tomorrow, 3 litres of water each day and I will continue tracking and gobble up some nutritious fruits and veggies to get rid of this lethargy. This was exactly what i needed all - many thanks!

nikkih_89

I don't have a similar story however I am afraid I will next month. I just wanted to yall you to not feel discouraged. U realized what went on that would make u put that weight back on but don't give up. You've been working very hard from the sounds of it and this is just a little bump in the road. Mfp is still here along with all of your friends and were ready to cheer you on!! So get back on the sattle and keep on riding

ttkg

PS - yes, i have lost inches but for whatever reason the number on the scale is always more meaningful...maybe I will throw it in the closet for a month and just concentrate on logging here, following what my trainer says and see what happens...again - thanks for the encouraging and kind words, I am feeling motivated already. It is amazing what a few words from others can do for yourself...

symphonika

First off, I AM SO JEALOUS OF YOUR VACATION! I would of easily gained that much weight as well...it is the chance of a lifetime so in the aspect be glad that you got to experience it. I used to live in Europe, so I know the food is so tempting and delicious, therefore it is so easy to endulge.

I just recently went on a 1 week vacation and gained 4.5 pounds, it took a little while for me to get back into the swing of things, but you have to make yourself!! Also, try not to splurge, think to yourself that all your splurge days were used in Europe so therefore it's time to be good! Hopefully the weight will come off, stay active, drink your water, and push harder than you pushed before.