Do you think its strict if I count calories on holiday?

wasveganvictoria88
wasveganvictoria88 Posts: 249 Member
edited December 21 in Health and Weight Loss
I didn't go abroad last year so I have 2 hols this year - woop! 23rd July for 1 week in Menorca and 12th Aug for 2 weeks in Thassos, Greece. My goal weight is really for the second holiday (130lbs) and I don't want to ruin it after that to get to my UGW (121lbs - I'm short!) sooo do I count calories on holiday? I don't want to go two steps forward 1 step back!
«1

Replies

  • nuttyfamily
    nuttyfamily Posts: 3,394 Member
    I count calories every day no matter the occasion. It keeps me from thinking just because I am on vacation that I can eat what I want.
  • crazy8ts
    crazy8ts Posts: 360
    If counting calories has become part of your daily existence, and part of your existence is going on holiday, then keep counting calories during your trip. Don't obsess over it or allow it to adversely affect your enjoyment of your time away. If your goals don't change with the change of your longitude and latitude, then you'll keep moving forward where ever you go!
  • wasveganvictoria88
    wasveganvictoria88 Posts: 249 Member
    Thanks for your advice :)
  • trud72
    trud72 Posts: 1,912 Member
    keep an eye on them and if you over induldge just do a bit of exersice!! :):bigsmile:
  • minime2b
    minime2b Posts: 168
    While I may cut lose a little more, I count everyday. Times like this are a great exercise in making good food choices. The important thing is to enjoy yourself without being a glutton :drinker:
  • Jain
    Jain Posts: 861 Member
    I count on hoilday, but give myself a little lea way so if I want a treat I can have it.

    And you're going to Greece. Think fill up on yummy greek salads ect.
  • Martucha123
    Martucha123 Posts: 1,089 Member
    I count every day.
    even if I'm on vacation at my mom's and get to eat whatever I want (I go only 3 times a year, so when I go I go nuts food wise)

    If you feel like you need a break from counting - don't
    if you feel like not counting might be challenge - do
  • RipperSB
    RipperSB Posts: 315 Member
    If you bite it, you write it!
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    By all means, count cals while you're away if you want to - but don't let it take over your holiday, and don't let it impact on anyone else's holiday either!
  • Jenncoc86
    Jenncoc86 Posts: 203 Member
    no, if you have a goal stick with it.We have to learn to eat right even on holidays.
  • auntygill
    auntygill Posts: 108 Member
    I counted mine when i was on holiday , but if i wanted a treat or went over a bit i didnt let it bother me ,you are on holiday and should be able to relax a little . This is a lifestyle change and it will allow you to see how you are in different situations , so yes count.x
  • Ralphrabbit
    Ralphrabbit Posts: 351 Member
    How about going to maintenance calories and doing some exercise if you go over? That way you have some control of how bad the result of the holiday is!!
  • How about going to maintenance calories and doing some exercise if you go over? That way you have some control of how bad the result of the holiday is!!

    I was going to ask a similar question about holidays and perhaps staying at a maintenance calorie intake. How would I go about finding out the amount of calories to consume without gaining weight? That way I could continue loosing when I got back but not add any extra on?

    I agree to keep counting as its amazing sometimes how shockingly high some foods are.
  • I went on holiday recently and was terrified that I would put on extra weight and struggle to get it off again. This spoiled my holiday a bit since I had to watch what i was eating all the time and get so depressed when I indulged a bit. When I got back, I had put on 3kg. I went straight back into calorie counting and I lost all the excess weight in 1-2 weeks! So, my advice is to enjoy your holiday, eat what you like and just get back on the 'wagon' when you are back! If you like counting calories while on holiday, then by all means do that but I feel holidays should be for relaxing and not stressing about weight.

    13698903.png
    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Weight Loss Tools
  • wasveganvictoria88
    wasveganvictoria88 Posts: 249 Member
    If you bite it, you write it!

    Haha love this!
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    I think this is very individual.

    In my opinion, if you've got a competition coming up, if you've got some serious health issues that are weight related, or if you're incapable of getting back on track after a "free day", then these would be good reasons to continue tracking on holidays.

    But I also think that "taking a break" has value for some people for mental reasons.


    Speaking just for myself, I don't track on holidays. I also take occasional days off as well -- again for mental reasons.
  • Tara_Janel
    Tara_Janel Posts: 48
    I would at least keep aware of how many calories you are eating each day. I am moving next month and we will be "homeless" IE: traveling and visiting for a month. It will be difficult but I plan on logging as much as possible!
  • wojewok
    wojewok Posts: 38
    I'm going on holiday for 11 days on Wednesday am I'm not taking my phone to be able to access MFP

    My plan of attack is I've planned what I'll eat for breakfast and lunch each day, in the evenings I'll eat what I want without binging and will do exercise whenever I can.

    Will let you low when I get back if it works!x
  • Guitarjon
    Guitarjon Posts: 204 Member
    I have a holiday booked for next August (2013). In fact its our honeymoon and I intend to treat my self royal style. We are going a Royal Carribean Cruise and I am working towards that date. It will be 2 weeks of solid eating and drinking what I want. When I get home I will continue then!

    Have a break once in a while. As long it isn't all the time.

    I should mention I haven't been anywhere for the last 3/4 years due to saving for houses and weddings and now honeymoons etc so I really am going to be treating myself!
  • NoAdditives
    NoAdditives Posts: 4,251 Member
    I take frequent breaks from counting and logging. While I'm losing I take 1-2 days off each week. (Right now I'm not really logging. I'm breastfeeding and am not trying to lose.) I don't worry about parties and I probably wouldn't worry about a vacation. I'm not going to log every single day for the rest of my life, and I won't count calories forever. I'm using my time here to learn how to approximate proper portion sizes and how to estimate caloric content of foods.
  • Brandicaloriecountess
    Brandicaloriecountess Posts: 2,126 Member
    It really depends on what feels right to you. Last year I went on a cruise and I was really careful about what I ate until the last day. Then I was like you know, forget it and I indulged. Now when I go on vacation I don't worry about it. For me I think of it this way, it's not what I do sometimes that makes a difference it's what I do most of the time. When I was fat I would eat well occasionally and workout sometimes and guess what, I was still fat. Now I eat well and workout most of the time, i went out of town a few weeks ago and didn't worry over it, I was up a few pounds when I first got home but now ten days later I am below the weight I was the day I left.

    So it's really whatever you feel like doing that you should do.
  • yeahfatty
    yeahfatty Posts: 228 Member
    i'm going to portugal in a week & definitely counting calories .. i mean you can still have an awesome time with healthy food right?
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    I log every bite, every day-vacations included. But I do cut myself some slack and not stress when I go over on special occasions. I find it actually helps me to realize that even though I'm eating too much and not as well as I could, I'm really not far over maintenance even on the worst days. So logging actually helps me realize that although I'm not meeting my goals for loss-I'm also not gaining 15lbs either.
  • EricNCSU
    EricNCSU Posts: 699 Member
    I read this thinking Holidays like in America (Thanksgiving, Christmas etc), but I guess the same would apply on a holiday (vacation). I did my best to count what I ate at Christmas, so why would it be any different than any other day? Other than what I ate, I tried to eat small portions and limit myself when it came to desserts and wine etc and have a sensible day and still enjoy myself.

    As far as your vacation, you don;t have to be super strict and if you make healthy choices you may not have to "count" much, just know that you are doing well.
  • picantecreative
    picantecreative Posts: 12 Member
    I count each and every day. Denial and/or not paying attention is what gets most of us into trouble, and holding ourselves accountable/paying attention is what gets us out of it. It's too easy to slide on holiday and regret coming home with unwanted "baggage." By all means, let yourself splurge a bit — call it a metabolism reset, if you like. But try not to go into denial or pretend the calories aren't there. Enjoy them, but still acknowledge them, and keep yourself from getting too far off target. Find a balance! You'll be glad you did when you get back to real life. Be ready to hit the ground running and avoid the post-vaca slump.
  • From past experience even going off of my regular routine from one day can completely throw me off. I find myself having a hard time getting back to being "good".

    For example, I went to my aunt's house for 3 days and thought since I was on vacation that I would let loose. BIG MISTAKE. It literally took me 1 1/2 years to get back into counting my calories and working out on a daily basis. I know this is extreme but it is my reality. SIGH.

    I know now that in the future, whenever I go on holiday, I know that I cannot throw my counting calories completely out of the window. I have to be accountable to myself.
  • MNguerita
    MNguerita Posts: 199 Member
    I do. Doesn't mean you can't indulge...just make up for it with other meals...that't why I still do it, so I know hat I have to work with...if it is not convenient to log, then just remember to mak mindful choices.
  • Hayesgang
    Hayesgang Posts: 624
    I count calories everyday, holiday or not.

    If I know it's going to be a bigger calorie day, I make sure I get my workout in early and eat a bit lighter through out the day. I think "cheat days" or not counting is a slippery slope. Eat what you love and make it fit into your calorie goals.

    Have fun!
  • MelMena
    MelMena Posts: 152 Member
    Well, I will be going to Cuba for 2 weeks next month and I will not be ABLE to log in!! (Internet is VERY limited in Cuba) It will be the ultimate test. I will try to keep a daily journal of what I eat, but I know that I will be fine. For the most part when on vacation I do not go over calories because I am keeping very busy walking, swimming, etc. I also don't drink much so that helps A LOT.

    Good luck to you but in my opinion just do your best and get right back on track when you get home.
  • KeriW626
    KeriW626 Posts: 430
    Im going on vacation from june 30th to july 7th. Im not so concerned about what I will eat as my friend has a garden, or we will purchase the produce, also on the menu is crab meat and healthy meats/fish. I will be in S.C. I have more concern with what I will be drinking. My friend makes very good wine. However, he has a pool, where I will burn many calories. In the end all involved will be logging calories and excercise. :)
This discussion has been closed.