Do you log on vacations?
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Usually my vacations don't have cell service so I can't log. It's awful because when I stop logging my binge eating disorder comes back full swing and I never feel full and consume 5k calories a day. After all my vacations this last year it's taken me at least a month to get back on track.0
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I went to Disney last week, walked a TON and carried my daughter (~25 lbs) for a lot of it. Three days of Disney Vacation = 5 lbs gained. It's coming back off, and I don't entirely regret it, but if I had logged it I would've probably used more self control.
But with hand dipped corn dogs, mickey mouse beignets, churros, turkey legs, ice cream cones, those clam chowder sourdough bowls...mmmm it was worth it since it's our only big vacation.
(Pineapple dole whips are only 90 calories and a much better option than the ice cream cones, lol)0 -
Yes, if I'm in an area with a connection (mobile or Wi-Fi) and I'm not stressing about data or battery. So I might login once or twice per day and input all of my food then. The Fitbit will update when it connects. I don't usually worry about restricting calories, but just logging them.
No, if I'm in an area without a good connection or if my battery is dead. For example, if I go spend a week hiking in an area without a reliable mobile signal, I don't log. But then in such a circumstance, I know how much I ate because, like most backpackers, I am meticulous about knowing exactly how much food I packed and what I have left at the end. These are usually deficit days regardless because when I hike 10-20 miles with a 40 lb. pack, eating 3K-4K calories still keeps me at a deficit.0 -
What a great thread as I leave on Friday for a 2 1/2 week vacation to California and Utah. I've been logging in exercising daily now for 35 days and have lost 13 pounds and really want to at least maintain that loss while I'm gone. Logging is not a chore bother some so I do plan on logging hoping it will help me keep on track and stay where I want to be!!
I really appreciate everyone's comments and feedback I too am looking forward to visiting some of the unique local food places as is a first time trip for me to this area!!0 -
Not suuuuper accurate but I try to log most of my stuff even when on vacation. And for the record I ate steak, tacos, ice cream, pizza, Philly cheese steaks, chips, cookies, chocolate cake, etc on my last vacation (last week) and dropped .6 pounds. Soooo no, don't feel like I missed anything lol.
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When I went on vacation a couple weeks ago, I ate what I wanted, but I still logged it all using my MFP phone app.0
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maidengirl_ wrote: »I log when I eat out. If they don't have a nutritional menu, I don't eat there. Even on vacation. Because after the vacation is over, it's back to my regularly scheduled program.
IMO, one of the best parts of a vacation is trying local fare..stuff I can't really get at home, etc. No way in friggin' hell I'm going on vacation and eating at some piece of *kitten* chain restaurant I can eat at home (which I don't at home either...because chain restaurants suck *kitten*). Not to mention travel to exotic locals for which you're likely to not even have cell service, let along some crap chain with nutritional information posted on it's website.
I haven't logged anything in almost three years...even when I did, I couldn't imagine being this much of a slave to this diary thing.0 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »maidengirl_ wrote: »I log when I eat out. If they don't have a nutritional menu, I don't eat there. Even on vacation. Because after the vacation is over, it's back to my regularly scheduled program.
IMO, one of the best parts of a vacation is trying local fare..stuff I can't really get at home, etc. No way in friggin' hell I'm going on vacation and eating at some piece of *kitten* chain restaurant I can eat at home (which I don't at home either...because chain restaurants suck *kitten*). Not to mention travel to exotic locals for which you're likely to not even have cell service, let along some crap chain with nutritional information posted on it's website.
I haven't logged anything in almost three years...even when I did, I couldn't imagine being this much of a slave to this diary thing.
Some of us must log meticulously to ensure we are within our calorie goal and to understand when we are in a plateau vs. when we are over-eating.
As far as eating locally, I have that challenge when eating out anyway because there are mostly locally owned restaurants in my rural community. In the U.S., restaurants with fewer than 10 locations are not required to provide nutrition facts. That challenge exists whether on vacation or not. Having said that, there is definitely an appeal to eat at a small restaurant when traveling. That restaurant will not necessarily be like any where I live. Then there is also, for me, an appeal to eat at chains because they just don't exist nearby. When I'm traveling out east, I stop at Dunkin' Donuts a lot because I rarely am near one of those. When I'm in the southwest, I might stop by Del Taco. Other areas might be Hardee's/Carl's Jr., Popeye's Chicken, etc. For sit-down chains, Chili's and TGI Friday's are establishments I've not visited for years. For me, I can eat at a chain while on vacation and consider it something I can only do on vacation anyway.0 -
I generally don't. Though I can understand why some people would choose to log while on vacation.0
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Depends. In March, we're going to an all-inclusive for our honeymoon, for eight days. I'll probably never take a trip like this again--at least not in the next 5-10 years. I've kept my weight off for a couple of years, and am like 6 pounds from goal weight. So I'm not going to log, and assume I'll gain 5-10 pounds. I'm fine with it, and it's not gonna freak me out when I come back and I'm heavier.
But I don't do that every vacation. Our last vacation was in Chicago, and I logged everything, because it wasn't so special.
Eta: Of course, it's different for everyone--I've been at this a long time and stuff doesn't throw me now the way it might have when I was newer to all of this. So find what works best for you!0 -
I lost 8 pounds before going on a trip for a week and despite kind of paying attention, I gained most of it back. Probably because my body wasn't used to my thinner self yet. It took a lot of work to get it back off, then continue on with losing a total of 35 pounds.
On my next two vacations I'll be in maintenance. I plan on keeping an eye on what I eat, but definitely indulge more. A filet mignon doesn't have a huge amount of calories, paired with steamed veggies, I'll totally have room for some dessert.
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Yes I do. You be surprised how much you eat and how little you walk. All those restaurants add up. I don't always stay within my daily bounds but logging it right after the meal (when possible)keeps me honest; and every once in a while I actually think a meal will be more caloric than it actually is. Besides, it gives you a fair shot at hitting the gym if you feel like you need to, or take a long walk on the beach (even better, IMO).0
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I didn't log when I went to Disney 2.5 years ago but I wish I had, because I lost my streak... but to be fair, I really had no idea how many calories were in anything and just didn't want to bother... I've logged everything during my two vacations since.0
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midwesterner85 wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »maidengirl_ wrote: »I log when I eat out. If they don't have a nutritional menu, I don't eat there. Even on vacation. Because after the vacation is over, it's back to my regularly scheduled program.
IMO, one of the best parts of a vacation is trying local fare..stuff I can't really get at home, etc. No way in friggin' hell I'm going on vacation and eating at some piece of *kitten* chain restaurant I can eat at home (which I don't at home either...because chain restaurants suck *kitten*). Not to mention travel to exotic locals for which you're likely to not even have cell service, let along some crap chain with nutritional information posted on it's website.
I haven't logged anything in almost three years...even when I did, I couldn't imagine being this much of a slave to this diary thing.
Some of us must log meticulously to ensure we are within our calorie goal and to understand when we are in a plateau vs. when we are over-eating.
As far as eating locally, I have that challenge when eating out anyway because there are mostly locally owned restaurants in my rural community. In the U.S., restaurants with fewer than 10 locations are not required to provide nutrition facts. That challenge exists whether on vacation or not. Having said that, there is definitely an appeal to eat at a small restaurant when traveling. That restaurant will not necessarily be like any where I live. Then there is also, for me, an appeal to eat at chains because they just don't exist nearby. When I'm traveling out east, I stop at Dunkin' Donuts a lot because I rarely am near one of those. When I'm in the southwest, I might stop by Del Taco. Other areas might be Hardee's/Carl's Jr., Popeye's Chicken, etc. For sit-down chains, Chili's and TGI Friday's are establishments I've not visited for years. For me, I can eat at a chain while on vacation and consider it something I can only do on vacation anyway.
I logged meticulously too...the vast majority of the time...I never saw a weeks long vacation as being terribly material to the bigger picture.
Also, if you're traveling to the SW and eating Del Taco, you're doing it wrong...it only vaguely resembles the actual local cuisine here.0 -
nordlead2005 wrote: »nordlead2005 wrote: »I lose my phone, my computer, my lap top and all other devises, except for my e-reader only kindle. What part of "on vacation" don't we get?
So, reading an electronic book on a limited purpose computer is vacation but reading a website on your cell phone isn't? Using a cell phone to look up restaurants, find directions and communicate with others in your party isn't vacation?
I'd love to hear the logic explaining this.
My read only kindle don't ring. Like I should explain myself to you.
And my phone does, doesn't mean I have to answer it as there is this amazing technology called voice mail, you may have heard of it.
If you don't want to explain your judgmental attitude, then don't, but don't judge people for enjoying their vacation how they please either.
As I said, enjoying food and logging are not mutually exclusive. Logging never is and never will be 100% accurate, do it if you want, don't if you don't want. Don't be an old person scolding younger people that item X (that you didn't have in your youth) is what is wrong with the world today.
You're being kind of judgmental yourself, and this is coming from someone in their 20's.0 -
I log everything. Guesstimate what you are unsure of (eating out, etc.) along with exercise. I will be traveling overseas to Croatia in a couple of months and I'm already stressing about being unable to log while I'm there!0
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As far as not knowing what's in the "local" cuisine... Come on people. You can take your best guess based on similar items from chain restaurants. You could even probably ask for an ingredient list and figure it out on your own, at least close enough for vacation calorie counting. Or choose things you know are generally lower in calories like grilled fish and vegetables.0
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As far as not knowing what's in the "local" cuisine... Come on people. You can take your best guess based on similar items from chain restaurants. You could even probably ask for an ingredient list and figure it out on your own, at least close enough for vacation calorie counting. Or choose things you know are generally lower in calories like grilled fish and vegetables.
When I was in Vietnam and Cambodia and you are eating from street vendors with ingredients we can't even get back home then logging was fruitless. Many of the places I choose to travel too do not lend itself to logging so I opt to just enjoy the vacation and get back to it upon my return. When travelling in places like North America and Europe it is easier and then I might consider looking up items to have an idea.0 -
As far as not knowing what's in the "local" cuisine... Come on people. You can take your best guess based on similar items from chain restaurants. You could even probably ask for an ingredient list and figure it out on your own, at least close enough for vacation calorie counting. Or choose things you know are generally lower in calories like grilled fish and vegetables.
When I was in Vietnam and Cambodia and you are eating from street vendors with ingredients we can't even get back home then logging was fruitless. Many of the places I choose to travel too do not lend itself to logging so I opt to just enjoy the vacation and get back to it upon my return. When travelling in places like North America and Europe it is easier and then I might consider looking up items to have an idea.
I'm pretty sure you can figure out what is a lean protein...what is a grain...what is a starch...what is fat, etc...you don't have to know the exact food to get a good estimate of what you're actually eating.0 -
Heck no! On vacation I eat whatever I want, I don't count calories, and I workout like usual.0 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »As far as not knowing what's in the "local" cuisine... Come on people. You can take your best guess based on similar items from chain restaurants. You could even probably ask for an ingredient list and figure it out on your own, at least close enough for vacation calorie counting. Or choose things you know are generally lower in calories like grilled fish and vegetables.
When I was in Vietnam and Cambodia and you are eating from street vendors with ingredients we can't even get back home then logging was fruitless. Many of the places I choose to travel too do not lend itself to logging so I opt to just enjoy the vacation and get back to it upon my return. When travelling in places like North America and Europe it is easier and then I might consider looking up items to have an idea.
I'm pretty sure you can figure out what is a lean protein...what is a grain...what is a starch...what is fat, etc...you don't have to know the exact food to get a good estimate of what you're actually eating.
You must have mad skills if you can figure out exactly what's in a dish with 10+ ingredients. I sure can't.0 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »As far as not knowing what's in the "local" cuisine... Come on people. You can take your best guess based on similar items from chain restaurants. You could even probably ask for an ingredient list and figure it out on your own, at least close enough for vacation calorie counting. Or choose things you know are generally lower in calories like grilled fish and vegetables.
When I was in Vietnam and Cambodia and you are eating from street vendors with ingredients we can't even get back home then logging was fruitless. Many of the places I choose to travel too do not lend itself to logging so I opt to just enjoy the vacation and get back to it upon my return. When travelling in places like North America and Europe it is easier and then I might consider looking up items to have an idea.
I'm pretty sure you can figure out what is a lean protein...what is a grain...what is a starch...what is fat, etc...you don't have to know the exact food to get a good estimate of what you're actually eating.
I could for some of the more common style dishes like lemongrass chicken etc however we tried many foods that we couldn't. Meh..... I lost weight on the trip and loved all the new food we tried so worked for me.0 -
I don't "log" per se...but i'm so used to generally what in things, and how my stomach/body should feel when it's slightly restricted from full calories, that I know when to stop. Eat slowly, eat kid's portions. If it feels like a hassle, don't do it. If it feels nerve-wracking NOT to log, go ahead and do it. There's no right or wrong answer here, except what's right for you.0
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I went on a big 3 week vacation last summer when I was still fairly new to logging. I set my calories to maintain and did my best to log, even though I realized it was often a wild guess. It did help me realize some of the good and bad choices out there. I also found that if I was eating something I'd had before, I could log even without cell or wifi service. I was surprised at that.0
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Absolutely not. My vacations are 75% about food and there's no way in hell I'm going to stay at (or under) maintenance. I usually end up "gaining" a few pounds, but a lot of it is water and the rest goes pretty easily over the course of a few weeks.
I get one vacation a year and I'm not going to spend that time thinking about macros/calories. They'll be waiting for me when I get home. I don't find logging to be a chore at home, but vacation is about letting loose for me. This year we're going to NYC for the first time. If I'm under 4000 calories on any given day, I'd be genuinely shocked. Give me alllllllll the food.
I stopped worrying about things like vacations and holidays over the past couple of years. I no longer worry about the scale or freak out about fluctuations. It'll all even out in the end as long as your macros are on point more often than not. And if I gain a few pounds, it's not the end of the world. I'll be back on track when I get home and the world isn't going to end because I packed on some vacation weight. Long game, baby.0 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »As far as not knowing what's in the "local" cuisine... Come on people. You can take your best guess based on similar items from chain restaurants. You could even probably ask for an ingredient list and figure it out on your own, at least close enough for vacation calorie counting. Or choose things you know are generally lower in calories like grilled fish and vegetables.
When I was in Vietnam and Cambodia and you are eating from street vendors with ingredients we can't even get back home then logging was fruitless. Many of the places I choose to travel too do not lend itself to logging so I opt to just enjoy the vacation and get back to it upon my return. When travelling in places like North America and Europe it is easier and then I might consider looking up items to have an idea.
I'm pretty sure you can figure out what is a lean protein...what is a grain...what is a starch...what is fat, etc...you don't have to know the exact food to get a good estimate of what you're actually eating.
You must have mad skills if you can figure out exactly what's in a dish with 10+ ingredients. I sure can't.
At what point did I ever say "exactly"? I said you should be able to reasonably estimate......being able to judge a dishes estimated contents is pretty common sense IMO...and I cook a lot so I can kind of figure out various sauces and what not...I mean, not "exactly"...but I could give you a pretty good run down of what's in something with a taste or two...certainly I will be able to tell if it's a fatty sauce or a sugary sauce or both...I mean, probably won't be able to tell you "exactly" how many thyme leaves are in it or anything like that...not that it matters.
I haven't logged in over three years and haven't had an issue with "exactly"....ever. And even when I did log, I just didn't worry about it on vacation...I'm in *kitten* St. Maarten for *kitten* sakes...I'm not concerned with knowing "exactly" what's in the jerk sauce on my chicken.0 -
As far as not knowing what's in the "local" cuisine... Come on people. You can take your best guess based on similar items from chain restaurants. You could even probably ask for an ingredient list and figure it out on your own, at least close enough for vacation calorie counting. Or choose things you know are generally lower in calories like grilled fish and vegetables.
When I was in Vietnam and Cambodia and you are eating from street vendors with ingredients we can't even get back home then logging was fruitless. Many of the places I choose to travel too do not lend itself to logging so I opt to just enjoy the vacation and get back to it upon my return. When travelling in places like North America and Europe it is easier and then I might consider looking up items to have an idea.
I totally agree with how you approached that. I was speaking to the people who refuse to try the local food and choose the chain restaurants instead.0 -
As far as not knowing what's in the "local" cuisine... Come on people. You can take your best guess based on similar items from chain restaurants. You could even probably ask for an ingredient list and figure it out on your own, at least close enough for vacation calorie counting. Or choose things you know are generally lower in calories like grilled fish and vegetables.
When I was in Vietnam and Cambodia and you are eating from street vendors with ingredients we can't even get back home then logging was fruitless. Many of the places I choose to travel too do not lend itself to logging so I opt to just enjoy the vacation and get back to it upon my return. When travelling in places like North America and Europe it is easier and then I might consider looking up items to have an idea.
I totally agree with how you approached that. I was speaking to the people who refuse to try the local food and choose the chain restaurants instead.
No worries. I knew what you meant. :-) I was just sharing my experience. Now I want to find some Vietnamese food.... LOL0 -
I "log" everyday on vacation, even if it's a token entry. I like to keep the habit, if nothing else. That said, I've had cell service each time.0
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If I eat it, then it gets logged. For me, it is essential to keep myself honest by logging in all calories. I am more concerned about keeping track about carbs. You have to figure out what works best for you. If it stresses you too much to log on vacation, then okay to not log in. But, don't let this be considered your free ticket to blow your diet. Stay on track with nutritional goals as much as possible and be mindful of what you are eating when not logging... Stay strong!0
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