Vacation + dieting = disaster

Elizabeethan

Anyone vacationed lately? I'm heading out of town soon, staying with a relative, but won't be around 'home' much. Looking for suggestions on how to handle meals so that I don't derail! Thanks.

SmartAlec03211988

I'm going to Germany next month for a week.

I'm not going to sweat it. I'll eat sensibly but I'm not going to deny myself something I want. It's a vacation. I'll get back on it when I return.

MummaSue

Interested to see any suggestions - we're going on holiday soon too - in a hotel so pretty much all meals are going to be eating out. Hoping there'll be a local produce market so we can pick up some fresh fruit and veg for lunches.

Lillyeatslillies

Enjoying food on vacation is a part of vacationing but it doesn't mean you need to binge eat either. I say a couple tips would be when you are out at a restaurant ask for a doggie bag with your meal and put half of it in there before you start eating so it's only half a serving, order salads with dressing on the side, bring bananas oranges and apples to your hotel room. They don't need to be refrigerated and keep well. If you eat mean low fat turkey jerky is great for travel, protein bars and so forth. I hope this helps!

andyp79

Just got back from a 5 day break yesterday! I didn't bother tracking any food. Didn't think about calories. Tried not to go silly but didn't deny myself either. Only gained .75lb. Straight back onto mfp today feeling very relaxed and ready to go again! It doesn't have to be a disaster.

chevy88grl

I've been on vacation multiple times since starting on my weight loss journey. The first time, I went camping with my boyfriend and his parents. I had no control over the food (they provided everything) and boy was I nervous. I enjoyed myself, didn't obsess and simply tried to eat smaller portions of what was offered. I came home and I had lost weight.

We went to Cedar Point and camping last year, I have to admit that I loosened up and really enjoyed myself. I ate what I wanted, when I wanted it. Came home and while I felt bloated and blah, I had lost weight.

Go and enjoy yourself. Life is to be lived. Yes, losing weight is important, but so is enjoying your life.

Gestahl

My wife and I just had our first anniversary... and no, the food wasn't exactly low-calorie. But we tried to be reasonable and kept ourselves active (lots and lots of walking) and it all worked out. Neither one of us gained a whole lot of weight, and we were both losing again by the end of the next week.

Elizabeethan

Interested to see any suggestions - we're going on holiday soon too - in a hotel so pretty much all meals are going to be eating out. Hoping there'll be a local produce market so we can pick up some fresh fruit and veg for lunches.

Hi Sue ... I will have a rental car, so I had planned to pop into a store after assessing what I might need (like fruits and veg) to get me through the days too. I am meeting friends one evening and KNOW we're having pizza, so I'll just have to go easy the rest of that day. It's taken me forever to just lose the 6 I've lost ... I don't want to put it all back on in one day!

bjohs

Anyone vacationed lately? I'm heading out of town soon, staying with a relative, but won't be around 'home' much. Looking for suggestions on how to handle meals so that I don't derail! Thanks.

We went on vacation to Mexico last April for 10 days. It was an all-inclusive resort with 6 gourmet restaurants on the property and lots and lots of drinks. I didn't worry about calories the entire time because I had worked hard before vacation and wanted to indulge and enjoy myself. I ate/drank to my heart's content but balanced it by taking long walks on the beach in the morning and evening. Those walks were relaxing and something I wouldn't consider "exercise"... but it was enough to help me from gaining too much bloat weight. I gained maybe 3-4 pounds during that time but it quickly came off when we got home and I was back in my regular routine. If you find yourself indulging a little too much, maybe just find a way to get up and move for a while. Go for a walk, etc. Have fun!

mom2gar

In 5 days I leave for a cruise. I won't be tracking, but I will be mindful of what I'm putting in my mouth. If I gain, I'll move on and jump back on the tracking log and such. We all need breaks sometime.

dmpizza

Rule 1. Enjoy Yourself, if you feel deprived, you will only hurt yourself in the long run.
Rule 2. Eat what makes sense and what is unique. Don't order lobster in Ohio, , but do order crab in Maryland, etc....
Rule 3. Breakfast can be plain and simple.

Elizabeethan

Enjoying food on vacation is a part of vacationing but it doesn't mean you need to binge eat either. I say a couple tips would be when you are out at a restaurant ask for a doggie bag with your meal and put half of it in there before you start eating so it's only half a serving, order salads with dressing on the side, bring bananas oranges and apples to your hotel room. They don't need to be refrigerated and keep well. If you eat mean low fat turkey jerky is great for travel, protein bars and so forth. I hope this helps!

Thanks for the great suggestions, Lilly.

Simone_King

I'm going to Germany next month for a week.

I'm not going to sweat it. I'll eat sensibly but I'm not going to deny myself something I want. It's a vacation. I'll get back on it when I return.

Where in Germany. Better have the cailories for it too.

xD

SmartAlec03211988

I'm going to Germany next month for a week.

I'm not going to sweat it. I'll eat sensibly but I'm not going to deny myself something I want. It's a vacation. I'll get back on it when I return.

Where in Germany. Better have the cailories for it too.

xD

Düsseldorf.

Sabine_Stroehm

I go extra clean when I travel. I focus on eating super healthy, and WHOLE foods and don't worry about the calories.

MummaSue

Interested to see any suggestions - we're going on holiday soon too - in a hotel so pretty much all meals are going to be eating out. Hoping there'll be a local produce market so we can pick up some fresh fruit and veg for lunches.

Hi Sue ... I will have a rental car, so I had planned to pop into a store after assessing what I might need (like fruits and veg) to get me through the days too. I am meeting friends one evening and KNOW we're having pizza, so I'll just have to go easy the rest of that day. It's taken me forever to just lose the 6 I've lost ... I don't want to put it all back on in one day!

Hi Elizabeethan (is that your name really?)
I know what you mean, I've taken so long to lose the weight I have, I really don't want to be putting too much back on (although I accept that some sort of gain is pretty much inevitable). I agree with most of the posters here, that holidays are to be enjoyed, and I'm certainly going to take that on board. I think trying to be sensible at the same time and getting a good bit of exercise should limit the damage!
Enjoy your holiday - let me know how you get on :O)

ElizabethRoad

Try to make wise choices but enjoy yourself. I've never gained weight on vacation.

monicamk1975

I'm heading back to Phoenix, AZ after a year and a half in Mexico this time and I'm certain I will put on some water weight possibly actually a little real weight too, from all the sodium filled chinese food and eating out we will do. That said, it doesn't take long to take it off and I will eat sensibly the majority of time I am back home in AZ.

But, I am so looking forward to American food again I can't wait. Enjoy your vacation

Elizabeethan

Interested to see any suggestions - we're going on holiday soon too - in a hotel so pretty much all meals are going to be eating out. Hoping there'll be a local produce market so we can pick up some fresh fruit and veg for lunches.

Hi Sue ... I will have a rental car, so I had planned to pop into a store after assessing what I might need (like fruits and veg) to get me through the days too. I am meeting friends one evening and KNOW we're having pizza, so I'll just have to go easy the rest of that day. It's taken me forever to just lose the 6 I've lost ... I don't want to put it all back on in one day!

Hi Elizabeethan (is that your name really?)
I know what you mean, I've taken so long to lose the weight I have, I really don't want to be putting too much back on (although I accept that some sort of gain is pretty much inevitable). I agree with most of the posters here, that holidays are to be enjoyed, and I'm certainly going to take that on board. I think trying to be sensible at the same time and getting a good bit of exercise should limit the damage!
Enjoy your holiday - let me know how you get on :O)

Hi again Sue ... my name is really Elizabeth, but friends nicknamed me Elizabeethan, or just "E". Terms of endearment I guess. I've appreciated everyone's feedback here so much! Great group of people. Feel free to 'friend' me. I'm taking your advice and going to enjoy my holiday, and maybe even a slice of pizza!

Elizabeethan

I'm heading back to Phoenix, AZ after a year and a half in Mexico this time and I'm certain I will put on some water weight possibly actually a little real weight too, from all the sodium filled chinese food and eating out we will do. That said, it doesn't take long to take it off and I will eat sensibly the majority of time I am back home in AZ.

But, I am so looking forward to American food again I can't wait. Enjoy your vacation

Thanks Monica! Enjoy your time state-side too!

wasveganvictoria88

Be honest -say you are loosing weight and you've done well so far and say you are not being rude but small portions are a go go!

hooperkay

just got back from florida for 8 days. Lost .4 guess its better than gaining. I snacked on fruit alot. Since I was in florida I ate alot of fish/ shrimp. Ate ice cream few times, got one scoop and left some. I didnt feel deprived and I'm glad now I did do it. I know me, if I didn't track there, then I probably would have stopped. Have fun

nxd10

I've been in Sweden for two weeks now. I think I've lost several pounds while here (I sneaked on a bathroom scale today and fully dressed in late afternoon after a huge lunch, things were looking good). The first time I gained a lot of weight (20 years ago) was while travelling - and I travel a lot for work. I have a couple suggestions I've come up with over the years.

- If you're eating out, order (in this order, depending on availability) vegetarian, fish, chicken, other meat. Go for things without sauces - which tend to be fatty and salty. Always eat the salad first without dressing (or with vinegar or a light vinegrette). When I used to eat out on someone else's dime, I ate what was special or unusual for me - usually heavy meat with sauces or really fatty stuff. Don't do it. You can eat a lot of veggies or fish for relatively few calories, even if you're not counting.

- Eat a big breakfast of things like muesli, yogurt, cereal with nuts, bread without butter, or lots of fruit that will give you some protein that keeps you full enough you don't overeat later in the data. Besides - breakfast is the cheapest meal to stock up on.

- Don't snack. If you must snack, carry fruit and nuts. A few chips, cookies, or cake will sneak up on you.

- Walk a lot. It buys you lots of extra eating.

- Drink water, tea, or coffee instead of soda or shakes.

- Eat anything you want - just not that much of it. I had an awesome time at a smorgesborg and dessert bar in Stockholm yesterday. But I had ONE of everything, not two, and a tablespoon of everything, not a cup.

- Log your food so you know when to cut down. I went out today for a great roast duck lunch with potatoes and fika of delicious, rich ice cream and strawberries with whipped cream. Counted up my calories and didn't feel like a long walk so I just had an apple and some tea for dinner. If I'm hungry later, I'll have something else filling, but light. I'm under my calories for today.

- Eat really tasty stuff. You can eat less of it and it's really satisfying.

- If you eat too much one day, you'll probably be less hungry the next. Listen to your body.

And don't sweat it. If you're mostly careful and just eat what you're hungry for, you'll survive - especially if you keep exercising. And walking counts.

Discoveri

I'm getting ready to go on vacation next week. Here are some of the things I have done to prepare: I have already google mapped the area and I found a good place for me to go for walks everyday. We will also be swimming at the beach. I'm gonna track my exercise but not my foods. I will also not be drinking any fruity drinks, although I will definitely be having some light beer when we are there. I think having a game plan in advance of your vacation will help in terms of not going overboard.

patkterry

I am a teacher so I have summer's off ( sort of- I have a part time job and I been doing several workshops this summer) I have also been going out of town as well. 3 or 4 day trips. I was really good and stayed within my calories the first trip. The next 2 trips to the beach- not so much. I just tried to stay really active but enjoy within reason when eating. When I got back I fixed filling and nutritious Soups that I can eat for several days to slim back down to the pre-weight before vacation.
I also ate fruit, and low fat Special K cereal for snacks and breakfast.And of course the gym- I have really stepped it up on the elliptical etc ....
Im not sure what else to do... What do you do when on vacation??

darcygooding

Vacation + Dieting is really hard!! I tend to give myself a free pass on eating but try and make up for it with exercise. I'll always opt for activities and site seeing that envolve tons of exercise!