Going on Vacation....

KatiePeca
KatiePeca Posts: 314 Member
edited September 2024 in Motivation and Support
Starting tomorrow, for 8 days, we'll be on a big family vacation. Ideally I'd love to keep losing weight while I'm away, I don't want to lose any momentum. But, I'm also a creature of habit and a part of me is looking forward to a relaxed "eat whatever" time.

And, because I've been struggling with my weight for my whole life, I have recognized that I have a very distinct pattern, where I get started with good intentions and after a week or two, my resolve starts to break down, I start feeling deprived and a little miffed that I have to do this "diet" thing at all, and I usually end up binging, then quitting, and having to start all over again.

I've lost 12 pounds in a few weeks, I'm well on my way to making my goal weight a reality, and I'm afraid I'm going to go on vacation and gain weight, or worse, give up all together, and have to start again later. I want to be good, but I don't want to feel deprived :(

Any suggestions? I really need some strong motivation to hang onto during the next 8 days!

Katie

Replies

  • SoldierDad
    SoldierDad Posts: 1,602
    Ot wont be easy, no doubt. But remember food doesnt equal fun. Yoru family is your fun.
  • Holton
    Holton Posts: 1,018
    I would strongly encourage you to pick 2 days to splurge and for the rest of them, each as healthy as you possibly can; hopefully this would allow you to still experience your vacation mode. AND wake up thinking each day how great you are going to look if you will just stick with it one more day! ALSO if at all possible, try to plan your meals the night before so that you enter each day with a plan. Not sure what type of vacation you are going on or what diet plan you are following, but would certainly try to stock up on nuts, fruits, fiber bars, and tons of bottled waters to ensure that you always have something healthy close at hand! Good luck and have an outstanding vacation! Hope you are going somewhere warm!
  • lgblack
    lgblack Posts: 73 Member
    :smile: Just arrived back from 7 days in Mexico with my husband. We have been at this fitness pal stuff since the beginning of Jan, so a habit is being formed...but we were on vacation, right?! Well after losing 11 lbs before leaving, I was only up 2 lbs when we returned. What do I attribute that to? Keep busy. Do lots of walking. We walked the beach every day, took 40 minutes each way...so that helped. Resort was big, so we likely did more walking there than we would have at work/at home. We went snorkelling twice, so again...just more activity during the day to try and ward off the extra calories. Now about them buffets...as a mom/wife we know how nice it is to not have to cook for anyone!!! So, I just tried to remember to manage my portions. Actually, I think watching what I eat for the past month and a half has shrunk my stomach anyway! I tried to eat more veggies, and stay away from the carbs, and go for fish more. I don't think they do a great job on desserts at resorts in Mexico anyway, so skipping dessert was easy. At the a la carte dinners, I just ate until I was content. No full. Just content. So what if I left food on my plate! When we were there, temperatures hovered around 22 C and windy, so in my books not sweltering hot. Therefore I was not downing drinks like crazy. I enjoyed myself, never felt deprived, and never felt I was on a path to reversing all the progress I had made before going down there. 2 lbs to work off...I can handle that. So good luck to you. Hope you have a great time and just keep everything in perspective!! Hola!!!
  • kiffypooh
    kiffypooh Posts: 1,045 Member
    I'm so glad you posted this. I'm going on vacation next month and had a similar question, although I have a solid plan. We are going to where we use to live so there are MANY places we miss and can't wait to eat at.
    Here is my plan:
    1. Bring my laptop so I have to log into MFP and remind myself of my goals (not sure if I will log my food or not, although I know I should)
    2. Eat a late breakfast, a very small (mostly fruits and veggies) lunch and a good early dinner. I know dinner is going to be where we go to those places we want to eat, and it is my favorite meal of the day, so I know I'm going to splurge and I'm planning for that.
    3. I'm going to work out. We paid $10 extra a night to stay at a hotel with a gym that has an elliptical and I'm brining a mini DVD player and Jillian Michaels with me :O) If I do BFBM I burn 600 cals and I will be doing lots of walking
    4. I'm planning a gain a few pounds. I'm working my butt off now so I don't go back into the 200's, but I know I will gain. I haven't been on a vacation since Jan 07 and I want to enjoy the food as much as the company and sites I will be seeing.
    5. When I step off that plane back home I will take a few moments to remind myself I am back home and back on program! I WILL meet my goals!!

    You are worth it, you will be fine because you've been practicing for this. Make a plan and stick to it!!! If you don't, get back on here and ask us to remind you why you want to get back on track! You are not doing this alone!!!

    Have a great time!!!! Let me know what works for you.
  • katielouhoo
    katielouhoo Posts: 676 Member
    you might look at mfp to see what you'd need to eat in calories to maintain your weight. that might give you more of an idea of just how far you can push your splurge without gaining again.

    last time we did a weekend away, i tried hard to watch breakfast & lunch and then gave myself a little more leeway at dinner (because those are the meals we were out somewhere special). and i tried hard to keep alcohol to one small glass of wine, skip extra courses (appetizers & desserts), skipped fried things and rich snacks.

    i was over my daily allowed weight loss calories, but by making choices (i really want the baked potato, will skip the roll) about where i wanted to expend the extra calories; i was able to keep from sliding back and gaining.

    good luck. try to push yourself to keep up your water intake. and take any chance you get to exercise, walk or take the stairs (it will help). overall have fun, if all you can think about is food, you will miss out on the good part of being on vacation together.
    -katie
  • KatiePeca
    KatiePeca Posts: 314 Member
    1. Bring my laptop so I have to log into MFP and remind myself of my goals (not sure if I will log my food or not, although I know I should)
    3. I'm going to work out. We paid $10 extra a night to stay at a hotel with a gym that has an elliptical and I'm brining a mini DVD player and Jillian Michaels with me :O) If I do BFBM I burn 600 cals and I will be doing lots of walking
    5. When I step off that plane back home I will take a few moments to remind myself I am back home and back on program! I WILL meet my goals!!

    You are worth it, you will be fine because you've been practicing for this. Make a plan and stick to it!!! If you don't, get back on here and ask us to remind you why you want to get back on track! You are not doing this alone!!!

    Have a great time!!!! Let me know what works for you.

    I am also bringing my laptop, so I can get online and track my food, and hopefully that will help keep me in line!

    I'm also bringing a workout DVD so I can sneak off and workout (we're renting a big vacation villa)

    We'll be playing the tourist and doing a lot of walking around amusement parks, so that should help.

    And, as soon as I get home I will remind myself that my work is not done, and I am not done with this change and my effort, I have nearly 60 pounds more to lose, and I cannot give up!

    Katie
  • esarah23
    esarah23 Posts: 7
    I say HAVE FUN :) !!! but just watch your portions and stay active, you will be fine :D
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