We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Vacation

violet_wister
violet_wister Posts: 34 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey! I was wondering how people approach vacations, as I'm about to take my first while using MFP/losing weight. I'm 15lbs down in 3 weeks which I'm really happy with, and going on vacation soon to a city with famously great food.

Do you
a) Stick strictly to lower-calorie foods and try to continue your weight loss pattern as normal
b) Eat what you want and take a vacation from weight loss
c) Try to make good choices within the parameters of still having a good time/participating in the food culture/not wanting to spoil other people's fun?

I'm leaning towards taking a c) approach, because if this is going to be permanent, I have to accept that sometimes my routine will change, I'll put a bit on, but it doesn't have to mean I throw in the towel on my weight loss journey.

Any vacation thoughts/opinions/ideas/experience welcomed!

Replies

  • Pinkylee77
    Pinkylee77 Posts: 432 Member
    I would not say to heck with it I would watch what I ate for breakfast and lunch and eat a happy dinner so "c" is close to what I would do. Healthy eating is not an all or nothing proposition.
  • runningalice
    runningalice Posts: 71 Member
    I'd say a balance of B and C. Obviously try to make healthy choices but if one evening you want something that you know isn't healthy go for it and maybe have a smaller portion? or share the food with the person you are going with? If it is a lifestyle change then some days are going to be indulgent and other are going to be frugal. and Enjoy your holiday!! :)
  • StealthHealth
    StealthHealth Posts: 2,417 Member
    C

    Incidentally, if I've been trying to lose weight before the holiday I try to incorporate a couple of weeks at maintainance cals before the holiday. This, I have found helps me to maintain control of my eating and drinking in the first few days of the holiday and means that any bloating from the increased cals/carbs has typically dissipated by the first day of the holiday.

    Also, although I stay active during holidays and will often go out for an early morning run or two or even (if the mood strikes me) do a few sets of push-ups, burpees, or chair dips, I don't continue my normal exercise routines whilst on holiday.
  • Jonna13
    Jonna13 Posts: 288 Member
    I didn't track or limit any food options on my vacation. I just had a good time and figured I'll get back on track when I'm home. I gained 2.8lbs, but within a week I was back to pre-vacation weight without much effort. It was likely water weight/food weight, and I would say I "maintained" during vacation.

    Just enjoy your time!
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,488 Member
    I am a C girl all the way.
    You are correct, this is a lifestyle not a diet and you have to learn to handle vacations and festivities to make it work for you.

    Cheers, h.
  • violet_wister
    violet_wister Posts: 34 Member
    I think c) is the way to go. Thanks for the responses so far!
  • kettiecat
    kettiecat Posts: 159 Member
    I just got back from a cruise where I denied myself nothing, buttery rich food, triple desserts, pizza lunches, 3 large full course meals and ice cream snacks for 7 days.... But I was more active. Three days after being home and I weigh less than when I left.

    Vacations are a break for me. I don't think a week set back is a big deal when you look at a life long health change.
  • tkphotogirl
    tkphotogirl Posts: 245 Member
    I was away from home for a month over December/January with no internet for the majority of the time and no access to a scale, so I decided to just wing it and see how good I was at guesstimating for maintenance. So c), I guess :)
This discussion has been closed.

Categories