Keeping with your diet on Vacation

meghan1789
meghan1789 Posts: 81 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
So I'm out of town this weekend and don't have access to a kitchen or fridge or anything, so I'm buying most of my food. And it's only been one day but I'm already having trouble sticking to my plan. I have done a lot of walking being a tourist and all, but it's still really hard. I also finding it hard to record my calories when eating out, since I don't know exactly what went into what I'm eating.

What strategies do you have for sticking to your diet when you are on vacation?

Replies

  • phlower
    phlower Posts: 103
    I always keep water with me, because staying hydrated helps keep me from snacking mindlessly. I also carry snacks, like fruit and snack bars- Fiber One bars, Larabars, Luna Bars are all high in nutrients that keep me from getting too hungry in between meals. When I eat out, I order big salads with some kind of lean protein like fish or chicken, dressing on the side. Hope this helps!
  • meghan1789
    meghan1789 Posts: 81 Member
    Bump!

    Day two and it's not really any easier! :S
  • NaomiWhite77
    NaomiWhite77 Posts: 238 Member
    When I travel I try to maintain. If you want to stick to your plan try ordering salad with chicken and dressing on the side. Maybe fish with veggies and a baked potato. Eat half the bread of a sandwich without cheese or mayo.. stuff like that MFP has meal from many restaurants so you can look them up before you so, go many restaurant website list nutrition now. Just remember what is lower in calories and fat and try to choose those items.
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    I just accept that fact that I'm going to gain a few pounds.

    It's really not the end of the world.
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    If you have to eat out for every meal, try to order the foods with the least ingredients, like nothing with an unknown sauce. Ask how the food is prepared before you finalize your order. Nothing like ordering an omelet to find out they added pancake mix to make it fluffy (iHOP and Waffle House in particular!). You should be able to find something comparable in the database to at least get an estimate of what you're eating. I've never gone away where I didn't at least have access to a fridge and microwave, but like the PP said, you can buy healthy bars for in-between, and fruit and bottled water to keep on hand and pre-made protein drinks, like Special K or Slim Fast. Good luck!
  • Tara4boys
    Tara4boys Posts: 515 Member
    When I travel I try to maintain. If you want to stick to your plan try ordering salad with chicken and dressing on the side. Maybe fish with veggies and a baked potato. Eat half the bread of a sandwich without cheese or mayo.. stuff like that MFP has meal from many restaurants so you can look them up before you so, go many restaurant website list nutrition now. Just remember what is lower in calories and fat and try to choose those items.

    This. Maintain.
  • RedHotRunner
    RedHotRunner Posts: 850 Member
    I pack my running shoes. No better way to sightsee then to run through the city.

    I'll be running the 7 mile bridge in the Florida Keys and the Golden Gate bridge this year.

    I'm pretty darn excited about both.
  • LuckyAng
    LuckyAng Posts: 1,173 Member
    I just accept that fact that I'm going to gain a few pounds.

    It's really not the end of the world.

    This. Not that I throw all caution to the wind, but I definitely enjoy myself. It IS vacation, after all...
  • Bentley2718
    Bentley2718 Posts: 1,689 Member
    If you travel all the time (like for work) it's one thing, if it's just a once in a while trip, I don't worry about it. I eat sensibly (or maybe not even that) and enjoy myself. I have the rest of my life to count calories, a week of having fun, being a tourist, and not stressing about a diet that is hard to control is worth it, even if you gain a couple of pounds. (This isn't permission to eat every cheesecake you meet or something, but enjoy yourself.)
  • abyt42
    abyt42 Posts: 1,358 Member
    I always keep water with me, because staying hydrated helps keep me from snacking mindlessly. I also carry snacks, like fruit and snack bars- Fiber One bars, Larabars, Luna Bars are all high in nutrients that keep me from getting too hungry in between meals. When I eat out, I order big salads with some kind of lean protein like fish or chicken, dressing on the side. Hope this helps!

    I travel often (a week or so a month), and this strategy is closest to mine (snacks that don't require refrigeration, including apples and cuties, gum, water.)

    I splurge and get skinny coffee drinks if I'm "vacationing" rather than "working" on my trip, because I really do still associate food with fun, though I'm working on it.
  • pg1girl
    pg1girl Posts: 268 Member
    Water, water water. I always take my workout gear and go for a run first thing in the morning. Then you have calories burned if you want to go for a great dinner. Like others said, try to maintain at least and eat lean and clean.
  • funkycamper
    funkycamper Posts: 998 Member
    If you travel all the time (like for work) it's one thing, if it's just a once in a while trip, I don't worry about it. I eat sensibly (or maybe not even that) and enjoy myself. I have the rest of my life to count calories, a week of having fun, being a tourist, and not stressing about a diet that is hard to control is worth it, even if you gain a couple of pounds. (This isn't permission to eat every cheesecake you meet or something, but enjoy yourself.)

    This!

    I just got back from a week in San Francisco and I enjoyed, totally guilt-free, every wonderful meal I had. Gained a couple of pounds which were quickly gone once I got back to eating and exercising normally. Of course, we walked a LOT so that probably helped. I didn't even look up meals or log onto MFP during that time even though I have the Android app on my phone. I was just having too much fun to bother.
  • RUN2CJ
    RUN2CJ Posts: 64 Member
    Enjoy yourself!! I am going on my first cruise in less than a month... And you can bet that I am not gonna stress about the weight I know I am gonna gain!! Remember that you don't put on the weight overnight, so whatever you gain you can always lose once you get back from vacation... Take a load off and knock a few shots back for the rest of us!!
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