Vacation worries

Francl27
Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
We're thinking of going on a vacation in a month... Unfortunately it would imply 4 days of driving (pretty much 17 hours each way), eating on the road those 4 days, with a night at a hotel each way, and 3 days at a hotel once we are there (but visiting family also, and I'm not sure how healthy they eat).

Some of the hotels will have a 'fitness' room so I guess I can have one hour on the treadmill... but I'm not really sure what kind of exercise I'll get the rest of the time.

Tips? I have some willpower, but it got limits...

Replies

  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    Relax and have fun. It's a vacation. An hour on the treadmill each day is plenty.
  • MJ1975CA
    MJ1975CA Posts: 31
    Move as much as you can, eat as good as possible (with a few treats) and have fun :) It's vacation! If you gain a little it will come right off when you get home.
  • willrun4bagels
    willrun4bagels Posts: 838 Member
    You've lost 80lbs, you can do this! Plan ahead and prepare some easy snacks to take with you for the days on the road that you don't need a fridge or microwave for. Pieces of fruit, nuts / nut butter, crackers or pretzels, protein bars, protein shakes, things like that to pack with you. You may luck out at some of the places you stop on the highway on the road - they might have yogurts or things like that for sale.

    As far as the 3 days with family, enjoy it, log as best as you can, but don't drive yourself nuts! Using the treadmill or other equipment at the hotel gym would be a good idea too. It's a vacation, enjoy yourself!

    I'd also say to stay away from your scale for the first few days back... eating any takeout or different foods that are generally higher in sodium will cause water retention! :)
  • Sarah4fitness
    Sarah4fitness Posts: 437 Member
    Competitors travel all the time; they pack their meals ahead of time and carry them in coolers. If you REALLY WANT TO STICK TO IT, you can do that, and do bodyweight exercises when not driving.

    Or you can enjoy your little minbreak, and accept you'll gain a few lbs of water weight, then hunker back down when you get home and continue with your journey.
  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    I went on a cruise last year, a 5 night cruise, and ate whatever I wanted to and walked everywhere. Back at home gained 7 pounds, lost all of it 2 days later. :bigsmile:

    Just enjoy your vacation. :flowerforyou:
  • jimbmc
    jimbmc Posts: 83 Member
    Just dont worry about it. Youve got this far, taught yourself how to lose weight and eat properly, just go on Holiday, forget about MFP, enjoy yourself and when you come back, get back into your routine.

    I do this every year. Worrying about my weight, and excercise whislt on Holiday, can ruin things for you. Go enjoy yourself an be happy with what you have achieved so far :) YOU know how to get back into it when you get back :)
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I went on a cruise last year, a 5 night cruise, and ate whatever I wanted to and walked everywhere. Back at home gained 7 pounds, lost all of it 2 days later. :bigsmile:

    Just enjoy your vacation. :flowerforyou:

    Yeah, but you walked a lot. 34 hours in the car and visiting people who mostly play board or video games is going to suck.
  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    I went on a cruise last year, a 5 night cruise, and ate whatever I wanted to and walked everywhere. Back at home gained 7 pounds, lost all of it 2 days later. :bigsmile:

    Just enjoy your vacation. :flowerforyou:

    Yeah, but you walked a lot. 34 hours in the car and visiting people who mostly play board or video games is going to suck.

    A few months ago a family member was in a hospital and I stayed in a hotel for 2 weeks, there wasn't a whole lot places to walk so and the hotel had no gym, so I just walked around the outside of the hotel. Lost 4 pounds in those 2 weeks.

    Find time to take walks, ask family member to go long with you. When you are traveling take some time when you can and do a little bit of walking.
  • jrose1982
    jrose1982 Posts: 366 Member
    I went on a cruise last year, a 5 night cruise, and ate whatever I wanted to and walked everywhere. Back at home gained 7 pounds, lost all of it 2 days later. :bigsmile:

    Just enjoy your vacation. :flowerforyou:

    Yeah, but you walked a lot. 34 hours in the car and visiting people who mostly play board or video games is going to suck.

    I have similar trouble every time I go home to visit my family. My solution: "I feel like going for a walk, anybody care to join me?"
    If there are no takers, go anyway. Do this every day and eventually somebody might join you.

    You can also google some tourist spots nearby. Chances are good that your family doesn't often visit the tourist attractions. So if you suggest it, they might want to go with you.

    Try for maybe once a day, suggest doing something moderately active. Maybe somebody will join you, maybe they won't. Don't let it frustrate you if they don't.

    If anybody gives you crap for wanting to do stuff instead of staying in the house, don't take it personally. Just give them a hug and say "I love you, but I go crazy if I don't get a little exercise". People seem to respond to that better than "I'm trying to lose weight/improve myself/be healthier" because the latter seems to infer the person you're talking should also be trying to lose weight/improve themselves/be healthier.
  • amm8589
    amm8589 Posts: 55 Member
    When I go on vacation I try to make healthy food choices but I don't stress over it. Try to get exercise when you can, such as walking or biking, but again, don't stress. Once you get home, start right where you left off, and you will be fine. Enjoy your trip!
  • I live 1000+ miles away from my family, so driving home is a 2 day thing. If I'm by myself, I pack a cooler with foods to eat while traveling (usually sandwich stuff that's quick and easy to eat at a rest area picnic table, mostly because I'm cheap and rest areas are expensive as heck because they know they've got you!) and I always park as far from rest area buildings as possible so I have to 'hike' across the parking lot to the restroom, it feels good to move after sitting still for hours on end.
    If my boyfriend is with me, it's a whole other ball game! He pouts if we are more than 4 parking spots from the building, and usually insists on eating at one of the restaurants there. I just get the healthiest thing I can find. Once I get home it's a controlled free for all. I don't see my family often and LOVE my parents' home cooking! I eat a little of everything from every meal and just watch my portions.

    Enjoy your vacation, MFP will still be here when you get back! :flowerforyou:
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    IN Feb I went south to an all inclusive....

    my only worry was getting in enough alcohol to relieve the stress...I did it. 4lbs gained on my first monday back...was gone in just over a week.

    Just enjoy it...maybe not the 17hours of driving but just relax and remember it's vacation and if you do gain it wont stay long...it is hard to eat that much food really.
  • Beautifulbridgittlee7
    Beautifulbridgittlee7 Posts: 352 Member
    Is there any sightseeing you can do on vacation? The treadmill idea sounds great, maybe there's something active and fun you can do on vacation like swimming or something like hiking.