I'm always up a bit when I come back from vacation. It's clearly due to more intake. I know I am less self-restrictive when I'm away, the food is usually of the higher-calorie type, and there's always more alcohol. I don't usually feel bad about my choices, as I find finding kosher food for all of my meals enough of a challenge without having to add to the anxiety by finding low-calorie kosher food!

I guess this is one of the "lifestyle" choices that we all have to confront. At home, I do my best to be careful about my intake. When I'm away, I "allow" a bit of a vacation from weight management, too (although my vacation choices are still so much better than they were before I started WW!).

We used to lose weight on vacation since we were so active, generally hiking, etc. We would be careful about our intake, but splurge for a couple nice dinners. Now I can't do most of that stuff so it is a challenge. We still watch our intake but it is hard to lose. The challenge is to get back on track ASAP when coming home.

It’s been quite a while since I’ve been tested by a vacation. Back in the day I used to go to a vacation version of CORE.

Usually up after a vacation. We usually nix business with our vacations. I know that sounds a little weird but that's just us. That being said I usually come back a bit higher than I left. The key is getting back on the program.

So I stepped on the scale at my normal 6 AM and was actually down by half a pound after vacation, I am thrilled by that!

I'm always up after vacation. While I do show some restraint, there is definitely more eating out, drinking and indulgences. When I get home, I know the scale news, so I try not to let it bug me.

As for planning for my return (to my home and to my diet) I make sure there's some plan-aheads in the freezer. They have to be satisfying enough to win out over the impulse to go out to eat. I also make a grocery list, usually while sitting in the airport, so I can easily restock with good choices.

Invariably, I lament the amount of time it takes to lose the vacation weight compared to the week or two it took to gain 🤷. We travel 4 to 8 times a year, and in my 5+ years of doing WW (to some degree or another) I've only returned once without a gain.

On a side note, I have three vacations coming up during a 6 month diet bet I'm in. One is the FL Keys. The plan there is lots of walking and seafood. One trip is a long wine weekend with our 'kids'. That's going to be trouble, but we'll at least do some cooking in our rental. And the third is the Bourban Trail (?) in Kentucky and a few days in Nashville with a few couples. That's going to be the trickiest by far. My only strategy is to walk and dance a lot, and watch food choices, but we'll see. I know I'll be disappointed if I gain much on these trips, but we'll see if I behave enough to not!

And I really appreciate your post @minimyzeme ! Your mention of your sister reminds me, two of our trips are with a friend that struggles (also due to health concerns). I feel for him but he can also be motivation for me. And you also made me realize, I have to get to where what I consume is not so important to my enjoyment. Esp because the more I indulge, the less mindful I am, so the less i actually enjoy it! If I can remember that, it could be a game changer! Thank you so much for the questions to get me thinking! I really appreciate it!

minimyzeme wrote: »

Hey, @linmueller , glad you found this helpful. I'm another one who used to use vacation as free license to indulge. It's hard for me to believe but it actually feels better to make healthier choices, especially when in the company of someone whose health is challenged.

And I'm so glad you commented on this so i could go back and re-read it. I'm a slow learner 😜