FREAKING VACATION WILL RUIN MY DIET! HELP!

I'm going on vacation too in a few weeks. I always make sure I have some form of healthy snack with me or in my hotel room. If you go out always try to pick the healthiest thing, normally everyone has atleast one good item on their menu. And if its huge servings, just eat half, push the other half away and don't think about it. I'm sure you'll be able to find fruits and veggies.

I too leave August 31st for an amazing 3 month trip with land and cruise plans from my home in Tampa to Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, Tihiti, Figi ,Australia and New Zealand. I have been dieting and working out since mid March this year to be able to make this trip without my electric scooter. I have achieved being able to walk again (after 7 years of being chained to my electric scooter for mobility) with a cane or walker and lost 64 pounds but now this vacation. I know I can find healthy things to eat but I am afraid I will not get to the gym enough or those cruise ship buffets will tempt me. I plan on losing 15 pounds during the 3 month trip so any helpful tips would be appreciated.

even cruise buffets have healthy options.
I would just enjoy myself, eat moderately, and then deal with the consequences
be active. to the best of your ability. exercise comes in many forms. dancing, walking the deck, swimming, tours.

MABSCALL911 wrote: »

I too leave August 31st for an amazing 3 month trip with land and cruise plans from my home in Tampa to Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, Tihiti, Figi ,Australia and New Zealand. I have been dieting and working out since mid March this year to be able to make this trip without my electric scooter. I have achieved being able to walk again (after 7 years of being chained to my electric scooter for mobility) with a cane or walker and lost 64 pounds but now this vacation. I know I can find healthy things to eat but I am afraid I will not get to the gym enough or those cruise ship buffets will tempt me. I plan on losing 15 pounds during the 3 month trip so any helpful tips would be appreciated.

Cruises can be tough.

1) Don't eat at the buffet if at all possible. Go to the dining room and sit. The portion sizes on most cruise ships are fairly appropriate nowadays because of the rising cost of food.

2) ^this is particularly true at breakfast. The tendency of most people is to go to the buffet and eat a big plate of eggs, bacon, and sausage, maybe with a side of French toast or pancakes. This is boring, normal American food that isn't special. Don't waste your calories on mediocre food that you can get anywhere.

3) Ask your server not to offer you bread/rolls at dinner. Most lines don't have spectacular bread anyways, so you won't miss much.

4) If you order something, and it isn't really, really good, don't eat it! Again, there is plenty of food available, so don't waste your calories on mediocre food.

5) Split appetizers and desserts with your table mate.

6) Don't be afraid to ask your server for special accommodations. You can have the sauce left off a steak, or sub veggies for the potato. Make sure you understand how a dish is prepared when you order it. Did they sneak butter on your steak?

7) Sea days are for exercising! If you can manage it, walk around the upper decks and enjoy the sea views.

8) Careful around the snack stands/cafe areas. The pizza/sandwiches/burgers/ice cream can be tempting. Most lines have fruit somewhere close by, so look for that.

It's a vacation, you're supposed to enjoy it. I went to Mexico for a week last year and ate+drank like Jabba the Hutt every day. Gained 2lbs, continued my progress as normal afterward.

lord_emperor wrote: »

It's a vacation, you're supposed to enjoy it. I went to Mexico for a week last year and ate+drank like Jabba the Hutt every day. Gained 2lbs, continued my progress as normal afterward.

Yep - my husband and I went to New Orleans for our honeymoon JUST so we could eat and drink and we sure did. Gained 2 lbs and got back to my normal.

You stay and I'll go in your place.

Problem solved.

It's been a while, but when I was there i remember fresh seafood was served everywhere. It's not that hard to eat healthy in Thailand if you try.

Eat some of what looks good, but not everything that looks good. Enjoy yourself and have a treat here or there, just don't go crazy. And if you do...just get back on track when you return.

If you make sure your excursions involve more than just sitting on a beach, you should be fine. Both times I went on a cruise I ate what I wanted, did the excursions I wanted to do, and came home to the same weight. For the second cruise, the one we just went on a couple months ago, I did a basic calorie counting (what I could do since no internet bluargh), and found that for the most part, I was fine. The days I went over were usually because I had dessert at dinner. But it was chocolate melting cake, so screw it, I wanted to enjoy my vacation! If you spend your entire time worrying about your calories, you won't have fun. Just do your best to eat in moderation, if you have choices for food try to pick healthier options, and do laps around the ship on sea days. Enjoy yourself, that's what vacations are for!

Aren't Thai people often pretty slim? They must have a good variety of healthy food options.

You have been counting your calories, so you know your approximate portion size for most foods already. Use your knowledge and eat within reason, some things you can just have a taste of, not a full serving.
Holidays tend to be quite active with all the sightseeing. Use it to your advantage and walk where you can.

I love cruise ship buffets, some of the best salad bars around. Load up on that and some chicken or fish at lunch time.

There are usually heart healthy options, and plainly cooked options on the dining room menu. Opt for those most nights, but do allow for the extravagant meal also. You are on holiday after all.

I did a Singapore- India- Oman- Dubai- England- Scotland 3 month trip earlier this year that included a cruise. I got home with a 5 lb weight gain that disappeared within the month, most was water, a little was fat, but getting back to my regular lifestyle had everything back on track pretty quickly.
(I tasted everything I wanted to, and moved a lot on port days; sea days were recovery days.)

When one is lucky enough to have such wonderful travel opportunities, one should enjoy every aspect, including the food.

Cheers, h.

SuperLovebleach wrote: »

I will be going to Thailand in a few days and I'm super concerned with my diet. I have already been putting a few pounds recently and do not wish to continue along the trend. Any useful tips or reminders?

P.S I cannot bare to imagine how much calories I will be consuming in night markets and shopping malls

You shouldn't look at this as a diet & more so a way of life that will help you sustain your weight for the rest of your life. One day, a few days, or even a few weeks won't mess up your overall weight loss by much. If you happen to gain a few pounds while on vacation just go back to how you normally eat & it should even itself out in the end.

Enjoying the food of other cultures is part of the joy of traveling. I'd concentrate on limiting portions rather than doing without something. Eat half of everything you get. And remember that tomorrow there'll be something else new to try. It's never the " last " time you'll get to eat.