Your strategy when on holiday

logg1e
logg1e Posts: 1,208 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
For those lucky enough to have time off and going somewhere nice, what strategies have you considered, which have you opted for and why?

Also, anyone want to share the benefit of their experience and what they'd do differently next time?
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Replies

  • Booda101
    Booda101 Posts: 161 Member
    When I went to Vegas over the last Xmas holiday, I still watched what I consumed (limited fried foods, those with cream sauces, etc.). But I didn't obsess about it or even log my food for that week. I also allowed myself a couple of trips to those fabulous buffets. I did do alot of walking, so that helped to offset any gains for a zero lost/gained week. Of course once I was home, it was back on track.

    Most importantly, enjoy yourself on holiday!
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    For those lucky enough to have time off and going somewhere nice, what strategies have you considered, which have you opted for and why?

    Also, anyone want to share the benefit of their experience and what they'd do differently next time?

    For weight loss, eat a light breakfast (half a bowl of porridge with a little bit of honey?), for main meals stick to salads (just leaves, no dressing) and meats, perhaps a bread roll or handful of pasta as a side, go for diet colas with vodka if you want to drink.

    All inclusive holiday? Don't go. Or just eat and be damned.
  • logg1e
    logg1e Posts: 1,208 Member
    I think my plan will be to log as best as I can but don't worry about my calorie goal. Much as I want to over-eat, I really don't want to see the scales go up.

    Decisions, decisions.
  • logg1e
    logg1e Posts: 1,208 Member
    For weight loss, eat a light breakfast (half a bowl of porridge with a little bit of honey?), for main meals stick to salads (just leaves, no dressing) and meats, perhaps a bread roll or handful of pasta as a side, go for diet colas with vodka if you want to drink.

    All inclusive holiday? Don't go. Or just eat and be damned.

    That's pretty much my everyday plan.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Enjoy it.

    Vacation is meant for fun and relaxation.

    I went to Disney/Orlando last December. I enjoyed myself and had fun. I did log, but it wasn't in any way accurate, and I didn't care. I was 'mindful' of my food choices, but that didn't stop me from having something like and ice cream covered brownie at Seaworld either. I just didn't go crazy.

    After all the walking and and such, I came home 4 lbs lighter.
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    Depends on where you are going. My last two vacations were to developing countries, so I stuck with local foods prepared by the people with whom I was staying. I lost weight on both of those trips. I honestly have never tried to stick with a diet while travelling. I try to make good choices, but I would much rather have all my focus on where I am. Besides, there is so much walking around to do, that you work off pretty much anything you eat. Enjoy your holiday! :flowerforyou:
  • gypsy_spirit
    gypsy_spirit Posts: 2,107 Member
    Enjoy it.

    Vacation is meant for fun and relaxation.

    I went to Disney/Orlando last December. I enjoyed myself and had fun. I did log, but it wasn't in any way accurate, and I didn't care. I was 'mindful' of my food choices, but that didn't stop me from having something like and ice cream covered brownie at Seaworld either. I just didn't go crazy.

    After all the walking and and such, I came home 4 lbs lighter.


    Bingo. Do this.
  • sun_fish
    sun_fish Posts: 864 Member
    Enjoy it.

    Vacation is meant for fun and relaxation.

    I went to Disney/Orlando last December. I enjoyed myself and had fun. I did log, but it wasn't in any way accurate, and I didn't care. I was 'mindful' of my food choices, but that didn't stop me from having something like and ice cream covered brownie at Seaworld either. I just didn't go crazy.

    After all the walking and and such, I came home 4 lbs lighter.


    Bingo. Do this.

    Yep.
  • Icandoityayme
    Icandoityayme Posts: 312 Member
    I keep in mind that even though it's a holiday, it's still a meal like any other and moderation is the way to go. I pick the best choices and eat those. Also, even if you go over one day, one bad meal doesn't make you fat like one good meal won't make you skinny. It's all about moderation.
  • Inkratlet
    Inkratlet Posts: 613 Member
    I have two weeks of all-inclusive in Aruba in September.

    I am not logging but I'm not planning to go nuts either. I'll be mindful of what I eat but I'd like to enjoy my holiday and not stress over calories in vs. calories out. Whatever goes on in those two weeks can come back off.
  • kmorgan221
    kmorgan221 Posts: 206 Member
    I eat. I don't think about it, I enjoy my vacation.

    When I get back, I'm doing whatever I did before my vacation. I don't "get back on track" because I never got off track, just took a different track for a week.
  • scubasuenc
    scubasuenc Posts: 626 Member
    When I went on vacation in May I was not able to log (no internet access) and I really needed the mental break from logging. I made the conscious choice that I would try to eat within my maintenance level of calories. At the time that was another 1000 calories per day. Then I ate what I wanted with that sort of calorie goal in mind. I splurged on a few things, but there were other times where I consciously made better choices.

    It paid off. At the end of the vacation I'd put on 1 lb of water weight. Why do I know it was water? Because the following week I lost more than 5 lbs.

    I'm going to continue that strategy on future trips - enjoy my vacation, but not use it as an excuse to go over board.
  • maasha81
    maasha81 Posts: 733 Member
    I never log or consciously track cals on vacation. I do enjoy occasional desserts and buffets but never really overdo it.

    However, most of my vacation entails a lot of walking so most time I actually either maintain or lose weight.
  • thecrushinator
    thecrushinator Posts: 76 Member
    Don't stress, it's vacation. I don't know about you, but most of the food / exercise work I do is for vacation ;)
    At the same time be reasonable, you won't have fun if you make your self sick. Try to get a work out in, a lot of hotels have gyms or pools, or just pick an active vacation like swimming or camping.
  • Snip8241
    Snip8241 Posts: 767 Member
    When we go away I make sure I stay with my breakfast routine. Eat a light lunch or if lunch is at a restaurant , say seafood by the water, I go for a light dinner.
    We are also much more active than we used to be. Fishing, kayaking, walking, bike riding. I also get in at least three workouts in the week.
    After all of that....I am not really restricted. I will drink wine and have some desserts. It is a vacation isn't it?

    Have fun, rest and come back refreshed, that is the main idea.
  • FancyPantsFran
    FancyPantsFran Posts: 3,687 Member
    I just got back from 10 days in Ireland... I really enjoyed myself. I logged but didn't obsess about it. I was mindful of my choices. ENJOY your vacation. I tried local foods and of course a pint or two
  • TMM211073
    TMM211073 Posts: 153 Member
    1) Weigh myself on the morning of departure and take a note of it

    2) Forget counting calories & logging food

    3) Eat crap

    4) Swim

    5) Drink alcohol

    6) Have at least one bag of fish and chips

    7) Have ice cream walking along the beach

    8) Walk loads

    9) Create memories that last longer than the extra lb's I might gain during my holiday

    10) Weigh myself the day after I get back from holiday

    This is a lifestyle and life changes, I have spent money and invested time on organising my holiday and I intend to enjoy every second and every mouthful of food whilst I'm away..... 7 days away in not going to undo 20 months of hard (but very pleasurable) work.....

    xXx
  • AdamFoureyes
    AdamFoureyes Posts: 18 Member
    i walked miles around and around the pool while reading, probably annoyed the hell out of all the people lying down on loungers!
  • Ideabaker
    Ideabaker Posts: 531 Member
    I continue to honestly log whatever goes into my mouth during holiday (I'm on one now!). I like that it helps me to stay aware of what I'm consuming, plus my fantastic MFP pals can and will see if I'm going off a deep end, lol, which is another motivator to stay on track with my nutrition and fitness!

    I wear my Fitbit for an awareness of how much I'm moving (or not!).

    I prepack healthier choices in my carry-on bag with both sweet and savory choices to prevent myself from buying a bunch of junk in transit.

    In airports, I take the stairs, walk the long halls (rather than standing on those human conveyer belts), and wander around to look at the shops (from the outside, to keep my wallet from losing weight) rather than sitting round the food court.

    Once at my destination, like other posters have mentioned, I do tend to walk a lot during holiday, and I try to work in at least two workouts (in my room or a hotel gym if one is available) a week as well.

    Like others, with these strategies I tend to maintain or even lose weight when on vacation.
  • acpgee
    acpgee Posts: 7,994 Member
    I try to get a hotel with a gym, and do some cardio while the other half sleeps in. Failing that I will get day passes for a local gym. If that is not available then I will try to do a lot of walking.

    When confronted with hotel breakfast buffets, I keep asking myself if I am really enjoying my food. There is no point over eating mindlessly just because food is plentiful.
  • logg1e
    logg1e Posts: 1,208 Member
    i walked miles around and around the pool while reading,

    How??

    The holiday I have planned involves a lot of lying down, reading and scribbling. I think we can find time to do some walking too.
  • Padzster
    Padzster Posts: 75 Member
    My first time going all-inc this year and for 2 weeks! There is no way I'm going to PIG OUT, but I won't be eating like a budgie either. I'm planning on going to the gym and/or running in the morning before brekkie. Breakfast can be poached eggs, cooked hams and fruit (yum). Spend a lot of the day doing watersports & swimming. Salad for lunch, and loads of it! but minus the mayo/creamy stuff I usually love. Going to drink plenty of booze, and dinner can be steak/fish/chicken/seafood with plenty of veg & salad which I love!

    I am a bit scared of over-indulging, but am determined to hit the balance of not missing out on any fun but still being careful!

    My mantra will be DO NOT FILL GUILTY! It's only 2 weeks! :)
  • mactaffy84
    mactaffy84 Posts: 398 Member
    I'm on a Disney vacation as I write this. My question for others: how can you call your "weight loss journey" a "lifestyle change" if you "forget about logging and calories" while you are on vacation? It doesn't make sense, the two are mutually exclusive. If you are changing the way you eat and exercise, then it shouldn't matter if you are home or if you are on vacation. I'm trying to incorporate my changes while here. There is a fitness center at Wilderness Lodge, I'm using it every morning. I get up earlier than the family, do my workout (they have Mickey Mouse weights!), then go off to a park for the day.

    If you can't stick with your goals whole you are away from home, regardless of the reason (I.e., vacation, business trip, etc.), then you haven't changed your " lifestyle". How can you really expect to succeed?
  • kmorgan221
    kmorgan221 Posts: 206 Member
    1) Weigh myself on the morning of departure and take a note of it

    2) Forget counting calories & logging food

    3) Eat crap

    4) Swim

    5) Drink alcohol

    6) Have at least one bag of fish and chips

    7) Have ice cream walking along the beach

    8) Walk loads

    9) Create memories that last longer than the extra lb's I might gain during my holiday

    10) Weigh myself the day after I get back from holiday

    This is a lifestyle and life changes, I have spent money and invested time on organising my holiday and I intend to enjoy every second and every mouthful of food whilst I'm away..... 7 days away in not going to undo 20 months of hard (but very pleasurable) work.....

    xXx
    #9 is pretty much the key.
  • mymodernbabylon
    mymodernbabylon Posts: 1,038 Member
    I'm taking a diet break. They are good to do - I took one over Christmas and ended up staying the same weight. It's not that I'm going crazy eating or drinking, as I've learned good habits over the past six months. But I won't be logging. As I'm heading to the States and most likely to eat out quite a bit (some time with family), I will keep an eye on my portion sizes. I eat what I want now, though perhaps a bit healthier than I typically do on holiday, so it won't be a major change. I'll also be making sure to do exercises - bodyweight and cardio.
  • laineybz
    laineybz Posts: 704 Member
    Enjoy it.

    Vacation is meant for fun and relaxation.

    I went to Disney/Orlando last December. I enjoyed myself and had fun. I did log, but it wasn't in any way accurate, and I didn't care. I was 'mindful' of my food choices, but that didn't stop me from having something like and ice cream covered brownie at Seaworld either. I just didn't go crazy.

    After all the walking and and such, I came home 4 lbs lighter.

    I'm off to Disney in Sept. I'm not going to worry about my calories, i want to enjoy myself. Plus with all the walking i expect to be doing, hopefully it won't cause too much of a gain. But if it does, it does.
  • Tillyecl1
    Tillyecl1 Posts: 189 Member
    Am doing a charity event, climbing 3 mountains and cycling 550 miles for my week long holiday this year. Will eat pretty much whatever I like.

    If I was having a "proper" relaxing holiday I'd just chill out, not worry about it, enjoy my holiday and getting to spend time with the people I love.
  • logg1e
    logg1e Posts: 1,208 Member
    If you can't stick with your goals whole you are away from home, regardless of the reason (I.e., vacation, business trip, etc.), then you haven't changed your " lifestyle". How can you really expect to succeed?

    Well that's cheered me up.
  • Tillyecl1
    Tillyecl1 Posts: 189 Member
    If you can't stick with your goals whole you are away from home, regardless of the reason (I.e., vacation, business trip, etc.), then you haven't changed your " lifestyle". How can you really expect to succeed?

    Well that's cheered me up.

    Lol :-)

    I am away from home a lot for work and manage to eat well and exercise with no problems and yes if I used being away as an excuse to slack then my lifestyle might suffer.

    BUT there is no way I'm giving up ice creams and virgin pina coladas on my holiday. 1 week a year is not going to mean I fail. 1 week a year is not going to make my triathlon times slower. I will have 1 week a year where I am totally relaxed and not worrying about food or training. Happy happy days :-)

    P.S have lost weight and maintained it for ~5 years now so I'd say I was pretty successful despite my holidays :-)
  • Daisy471
    Daisy471 Posts: 409 Member
    I wouldn't worry about it. I'm going to Europe for 2 weeks and I'm not going to log anything. I'm not going to overdo it, either, but I do plan on trying local dishes. It helps that we are staying with friends and won't be eating out all the time. Hopefully we'll be doing a lot of walking too because I am also taking a break from running while on vacation.

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