traveling without internet--tracking suggestions?

just4me123456
just4me123456 Posts: 35 Member
in Goal: Maintaining Weight
Good morning! I am new to MFP, but am currently about 7 pounds from my goal weight. I've been working hard and tracking and measuring my food has been key to my success. (I've been doing WW).

This summer I'll be traveling to my partner's family in the midwest. For about 10 days, we won't have internet access (we'll be out in a cabin in the woods--yeah!). If I'm not yet at my goal weight, I'm not going to try to lose while I'm there and just maintain, but I also don't want to unravel my hard work either. Do you have some ideas of how I could stay on track? So far, here is what I have:

--pick two or three breakfasts and lunches that I could eat that I know the calories and nutrients of (My partner is getting there a few days before me and can do some shopping for us). Dinner, I'll probably be eating what other people are eating.

--add in some extra workouts: running/canoeing, etc.

--maybe track with pen and paper? If so, is there a good resource that I could use (book or kindle book)?

Also, I'm leery about measuring my food--I don't want to look obsessive. My partner's parents are quite overweight and I'm sure they would find that odd (although maybe not: my partner's mother mentioned the other day she'd like to lose weight). But at the same time, I know that weighing my food and tracking what I eat is crucial for me.

Thank you for your collective wisdom!

Replies

  • logg1e
    logg1e Posts: 1,208 Member
    I think that you're on the right track. Plan and measure a few meals in advance, record everything whilst you are there and perhaps set yourself some exercise goals. Could you take a pedometer?
  • airangel59
    airangel59 Posts: 1,887 Member
    I'd pre plan pre log what I knew or thought I'd be eating ahead of time, that way gives you a heads up where your cals/carbs etc will be.

    I use a copy of Calorie King http://www.calorieking.com/products/books/ I keep a copy in the car and an older one in the house as reference when I'm not online and need to check food stats.

    I would track in a memo book or something, do your best on the amounts, there are pictures/descriptions that tell you what a serving of cheese, or meat should be etc. Not sure if Calorie King book has this but WW should have in their intro booklets

    You can only do your best. Have a great time this summer. I'm sure you'll be at goal by then, and if so, should be able to eat a bit more to maintain.
  • svandever101585
    svandever101585 Posts: 188 Member
    It sounds like you have a great plan already. It might be slightly inconvenient doing extra prep work and spending time writing everything out but it will help keep you on track. Best of luck and enjoy your trip.
  • TiLo0905
    TiLo0905 Posts: 34
    What I do (when travelling the dreaded 24 hour road trips to see the in laws) I keep receipts in the car of places I've been to. Then when I get home I can add it all up. If it a particularly good one I keep them as references to use later if I have to stop.. Just decide ahead of time what places you will comfortably stop at, and pre plan your order. I know my red light places to avoid and I know the green light places I am comfortable with. Just think...familiar routine no surprise menus!

    as for portion sizes, just follow your hand. Minus your fingers is a portion of protein, fingernails are good for sugar or spices, and your thumb is great for an ounce of cheese. A closed fist is good for a fruit portion too. It might not be totally scientific but at least it gives you a visual. I also keep measuring spoons in my cereal and pasta boxes, and use those to scoop out what I need. Hope this helps!

    Safe travels! :bigsmile:
  • Timelordlady85
    Timelordlady85 Posts: 797 Member
    you sound like you have a good plan set up. extra activities and some planned meals and track the best you can on pen and paper. Focus on having fun and staying active and I'm sure you will do fine. edited for spelling errors.
  • SarahxApple
    SarahxApple Posts: 166 Member
    Take photos of the nutritional content or food that you eat.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    I think you'll do just fine. When I started my journey, I didn't know mfp existed, so I got this little book of what the average calories where in foods ( obviously it will vary a lot, but it gave me a good idea about roughly what I was eating)so I'm sure you'll be able to purchase an app or even a book to help guide you along, encase you have any questions. For example, now I have an idea of how many calories are in an apple, so Even if you can't weigh and measure, you'll still have a rough estimate.
  • sodakat
    sodakat Posts: 1,126 Member
    Are you positive you won't have internet access? Most of the Midwest is covered by AT&T or Verizon. I live along a lake on the SD/MN border and my friend owns a resort in northern MN -- both of us have internet access.
  • eslcity
    eslcity Posts: 323 Member
    .... If I was you would be take a small vacation from your diet paperwork...... just eat what you think is good.. limit your portions... smile and have fun...take extra long walks with your wife in the evening... before going to bed... and weigh yourself in the morning... to remind yourself of your goals..

    If becoming healthy is a lifestyle change.. you'll be ok.. remember it is only 10days... enjoy..

    with that said.... one trick i use for measuring things is i carry something I know exactly weighs 100grams and i compare i know it is guesstimating but at least it is better then nothing...

    Also.. remember if they use big plates leave some food on the plate after your done... ^^
  • Deipneus
    Deipneus Posts: 1,854 Member
    For what it's worth, the MFP app works without Internet. At least I am able to add frequent food, recent food and saved meals. It just won't update the website until you get back.
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  • glassgallm
    glassgallm Posts: 276 Member
    For what it's worth, the MFP app works without Internet. At least I am able to add frequent food, recent food and saved meals. It just won't update the website until you get back.

    Mind Blown! Thanks for this!
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    For what it's worth, the MFP app works without Internet. At least I am able to add frequent food, recent food and saved meals. It just won't update the website until you get back.
    I didn't know that either! Thank you! In that case.. pre-plan things and save them as meals leaving a few calories a day for surprises.
  • toe1226
    toe1226 Posts: 249 Member
    I work as a wilderness guide and spend lots of time (months of the year) out of service.

    I always keep a small book where I track my meals and exercise for the day as well as how I'm feeling (generally) and my period.

    I also keep a measuring cup and a tablespoon with me.

    If you have the ability to preshop, things like a Fage yogurt and a granola bar to break up into it are great - I like using granola bars instead of a bag of granola because then I have a set serving size and it can still crumble up like granola (ie a kind bar)

    Common meals at night, definitely great to stay included - just be portion concscious and don't go for seconds!

    Sometimes I'll keep a 1-2 cup tupperware with me so that I can have a set portion of dinner leftovers for lunch the next day, or I'll have a sandwich with a big piece of lettuce as the wrap instead of bread.

    enjoy your vacation!
  • jmv7117
    jmv7117 Posts: 891 Member
    If you have the MFP phone app it will save data locally then sync it to the main MFP site when you do have internet access.
  • just4me123456
    just4me123456 Posts: 35 Member
    Thanks, everyone, for the great ideas. Great to know that you can track and it'll upload later.

    We've stayed at this place before, so I know there isn't internet. There is a bar with internet down the road a few miles, but I'll definitely blow my hard work if I hang out too much there :)

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