Back from Vacation - Getting Back on Track

rosseega

I started using MFP end of May/beginning of June to help me loose the last 10 pounds or so and have been very happy with the results. Lost about 12 pounds in the month of June eating at a 500 calorie a day deficit target.

Just got back from 1 week in the Domican Republic at an all inclusive resort ... the Excellence Punta Cana (http://www.excellence-resorts.com/caribbean-and-mexico-destinations/excellence-punta-cana/punta-cana-dominican-republic). Great resort to go to if anyone is planning a vacation.

Initially I had thoughts of using MFP while I was there but quickly abandoned those thoughts in favour of taking a break and enjoying the vacation!

A typical day at the resort included 3 fairly substantial meals, including all you can eat buffet for breakfast and lunch, and a few snacks here and there. I drank lots of water through the day and limited the alcoholic beverage consumption to a few drinks with or after dinner. I tried to make good food choices and include a decent amount of lean protein consumption with each meal. I am guessing but suspect I was probably consuming about 1000 calories per meal on average plus snacks plus 2-3 drinks so my daily calorie intake was probably somewhere around 4000+ calories.

I ran 5 or 10k on the beach in the morning every day after breakfast ... barefoot in the sand so it was slow going but a great workout.

I also walked an average of about 10k per day on the beach with my wife. We typically would walk about 3-4k before my run and another 6-8k afterwards.

I also got a decent strength/weight training session at the resort fitness centre every day while my wife was enjoyng a late afternoon siesta. The resort had a fairly decent fitness centre as compared to other resorts that I've been to.

My first weigh in when I got back from the vacation was about 8 pounds heavier than the last weigh in before I left which suprised me a bit ... I expected to put on a few pound but not quite that much. This morning my weigh in was about 3 pounds lighter than yesterday so I am feeling a bit better about it. I am assuming that some of the weight gain was just due to water retention ... lots of salt in the food at the resort compared to what I am used to. I also think that I've gained a bit of lean muscle mass which accounts for some of the weight gain.

Just using this weekend to get reaclimatized to pre-vacation eating habits. Still not 100% back to the strict adherence to my daily calorie target but will be back on it and tracking excercise and food intake tomorrow!

Joysuzhou

thanks for sharing the experience! i am going on a vacation shortly and was looking for tips

rosseega

Thanks. One week later and I am back down to my pre-vacation weight.