Tips on weight loss during vacation?

mariesofi4108
mariesofi4108 Posts: 31 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone! I'm going to the beach California next week, and I'm only 4 pounds away from my goal weight! I want to drop my body fat percent from 26% to 23% and that's all I have left. I want to stay motivated and on track while also enjoying vacation. I usually run so I'll try to keep that up, as well as hiking and learning to surf. but any advice in eating while on vacation? The hotel has breakfast so maybe eat that, skip lunch or eat light, and then enjoy a healthy dinner. Ice cream is my weakness haha, so how much can I treat myself without falling off the boat? Tips from people who have lost weight on vacation before? Thank you!!

Replies

  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    I've lost weight on my last four vacations (just got back from my most recent one). I didn't calorie count, but I did stay active and tried to make better choices when eating. I did enjoy some treats (cheesecake, etc), but occasionally, not daily. If you've gotten this close to goal, then you know what to do. Just don't allow it to be an excuse to be complacent, or to go all out and eat everything in sight. Even if you gain a couple pounds, it's manageable.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    I've always lost weight on vacation, because I don't think about dieting and healthy food, but about enjoying local meals and sustaining myself for the activities I want to do.

    Doctor Melissa says so to (even though I don't agree with all her tips towards the end): https://toomuchonherplate.com/combine-vacation-mindful-eating-peace-food/
  • mariesofi4108
    mariesofi4108 Posts: 31 Member
    Should I avoid the free breakfast and save those calories towards lunch maybe?
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    What are you doing now? Personally, I like having breakfast, I would just go light, and then have a bigger lunch. If skipping breakfast is going to make you ravenous and out of control later, that won't really be saving you anything because you are less likely to make better choices.
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    WhassgoodSun wrote: »
    mariesofi4108 wrote: »
    Should I avoid the free breakfast and save those calories towards lunch maybe?

    I rarely skip breakfast and I don't think you should as well.
    Breakfast will get you through the day and should be the meal where you have the highest caloric intake; dinner should have the least calories. It's free too?! Jackpot.

    Unless OP is an elite athlete or has a metabolic condition such as diabetes, this is old wives tales.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    WhassgoodSun wrote: »
    mariesofi4108 wrote: »
    Should I avoid the free breakfast and save those calories towards lunch maybe?

    I rarely skip breakfast and I don't think you should as well.
    Breakfast will get you through the day and should be the meal where you have the highest caloric intake; dinner should have the least calories. It's free too?! Jackpot.

    Meal breakdown is personal preference. Dinner is almost always my highest calorie intake.

    OP, personally I'd just relax and eat at maintenance. You still might see a gain due to increased sodium intake and traveling, but it'll be water weight and easy to shed once you return.
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    If you really wanna keep your deficit going, you should know how to do that by now. Log your food. Eat light during the day if you want to indulge at night. Stay active. Limit alcohol. Calorie cycle if you don't plan on going out every night to bank calories. If you're eating in the hotel, bring a food scale if you want. There are many ways to stay in a deficit on vacation, if that is something you want.
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    WhassgoodSun wrote: »
    You guys clearly missed my point.

    No we didn't
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    WhassgoodSun wrote: »
    You guys clearly missed my point.

    Nobody missed your point. Your point was incorrect for the vast majority of people.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    WhassgoodSun wrote: »
    My point was that unused calories/exceeding the limit to your caloric target leads to stored body fat and weight gain. The poster's concern was in regards to the meal which they stated was "breakfast" and was concerned in regards to his diet throughout the day. My response was that high caloric intake before sleeping, dinner, leads to a higher chance of gaining weight due to the reasons listed above. Not entirely sure why everyone is so against my view and opinion...

    Again, no. If you're in an overall calorie deficit, it will not be stored as fat. That's not an opinion, it's science.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    edited June 2017
    WhassgoodSun wrote: »
    My point was that unused calories/exceeding the limit to your caloric target leads to stored body fat and weight gain. The poster's concern was in regards to the meal which they stated was "breakfast" and was concerned in regards to his diet throughout the day. My response was that high caloric intake before sleeping, dinner, leads to a higher chance of gaining weight due to the reasons listed above. Not entirely sure why everyone is so against my view and opinion...

    Because you're completely wrong, that's why. Your metabolism doesn't stop working at night. If it does, you're dead, and then you have bigger problems to worry about than what the scale will say in the morning. There is no net fat storage while in a caloric deficit regardless of what the macro composition is or what time you eat it. That's simple physiology.


    [ETA:] Another amazing physiology fact: Guess when your body burns the highest percentage of fat for energy?


    (Hint: At night. While you're sleeping.)
  • watts6151
    watts6151 Posts: 924 Member
    I eat 50-60% of my cals after 8 pm
    And I'm cutting down nicely
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    I eat 20 minutes before bed, and a big dinner at 7:30. Cutting down as well.
  • LauraInTheWater
    LauraInTheWater Posts: 477 Member
    I would say enjoy yourself, exercise plenty (CA coast is great for long walks and, if you want to, you generally burn more calories running on dry sand than you would at the gym) and no alcohol. I've found that when I vacation in walkable cities or go to the beach, I'm almost always able to not stress about extra calories as long as I stay out of the car, don't drink, and don't eat anything fried.
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    edited June 2017
    Enjoy your vacation, keep active, watch your portions, indulge in your favourite foods (not everything), avoid buffets if you can't control yourself. Do you have a specific event when you come back? I wouldn't pressure yourself too much..worst case just pick up where you left off once you get back on schedule. I always look so much better after a vacation... The combination of a great tan, relaxation, lots of drinking and yummy foods just hits the spot. :)
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    I'm having cognitive dissonance. Is "weight loss on vacation" even a thing?

    Pack your scale, I guess.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    JeromeBarry1 wrote: »
    I'm having cognitive dissonance. Is "weight loss on vacation" even a thing?

    Pack your scale, I guess.

    I'm with ya! OP, go on vacation. Have fun. Take a break from everyday pressures. It'll do you good mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Relax and have fun. Get back at it when you get home with renewed vigor and focus. It's only 1 week. Enjoy it and make the most of it!
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    WhassgoodSun wrote: »
    mariesofi4108 wrote: »
    Should I avoid the free breakfast and save those calories towards lunch maybe?

    I rarely skip breakfast and I don't think you should as well.
    Breakfast will get you through the day and should be the meal where you have the highest caloric intake; dinner should have the least calories. It's free too?! Jackpot.

    With respect, based on posts I've seen from you, you might want to consider refraining from dispensing advice until you have done significant further study. Your posts are generally filled with myth and inaccurate, non-science based info.
  • SusanMFindlay
    SusanMFindlay Posts: 1,804 Member
    JeromeBarry1 wrote: »
    I'm having cognitive dissonance. Is "weight loss on vacation" even a thing?

    Pack your scale, I guess.

    If you have the kind of vacation where you're walking around cool places all day? Easily! It's difficult* to out-eat that sort of increase in physical activity.

    *Difficult. Not impossible. Large amounts of alcohol would likely make it easier.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories