Eating while on vacation, would this option be rude?

I would not have a problem doing this, nor would I have a problem if I were the one preparing your meals. I have taken my own food/drink to restaurants.

Good luck!

I don't know if it's rude...but it is possible that you would make them feel uncomfortable that what they are providing is not good enough for you. I don't know where in the world you are, but there is a very good chance that it will be great home-prepared relatively unprocessed food. Why you would possibly prefer a processed shake over real food is something I find hard to understand.... but then that's my food philosophy, which you may not share.

If it was me, I would eat the food that was provided but just watch the portion sizes. Life is full of occasions where other people cook for you and you have to find strategies to deal with it. You aren't always going to have a protein shake handy. Treat it as a learning experience.

And remember that you should be able to eat up to your maintenance calories (including exercise cals) without putting on weight, so this gives you plenty of leeway to get through a couple of days where you don't have control over the food - and still not put any weight on. Would that be a big problem?

Could you not just eat less of what they're serving instead? Portion control?

If it was me, I would eat the food that was provided but just watch the portion sizes.

And remember that you should be able to eat up to your maintenance calories (including exercise cals) without putting on weight,

Exactly what I would do. I just got back from a week long vacation and the only meal I could control was breakfast. Other than that I just watched my portion size and ate what was available in moderation when it was really fattening. I was surprised to find that after an entire week of not knowing the exact calorie content I was eating I came back weighing exactly the same as the day I left.

There were a few meals I went a little overboard in but it's about your average for each day. Eat healthy when you can, push the food around the table and maybe just have a shake later after dinner or before when it's not right there in their face. I went to In-N-Out burgers today with some people at work. I just had an ice tea and didn't order a burger or fries. Once everyone else started eating it wasn't even brought up so they'll probably be too busy eating and talking to know you're just eating really light.

:flowerforyou: I hope you have a fantastic time and take care of yourself in the process. After all isnt this journey about learning how to best take care of ourselves? I think you have made great progress no matter where your weight loss number is, your thinking about whats best for you and that rocks! Good Job!

I don't know if it's rude...but it is possible that you would make them feel uncomfortable that what they are providing is not good enough for you. I don't know where in the world you are, but there is a very good chance that it will be great home-prepared relatively unprocessed food. Why you would possibly prefer a processed shake over real food is something I find hard to understand.... but then that's my food philosophy, which you may not share.

If it was me, I would eat the food that was provided but just watch the portion sizes. Life is full of occasions where other people cook for you and you have to find strategies to deal with it. You aren't always going to have a protein shake handy. Treat it as a learning experience.

And remember that you should be able to eat up to your maintenance calories (including exercise cals) without putting on weight, so this gives you plenty of leeway to get through a couple of days where you don't have control over the food - and still not put any weight on. Would that be a big problem?

I wish it was that easy, but I'm still learning about portion sizes and all that. I will be there for a week, and I'm very afraid that if I ate every meal they prepared I wouldn't be able to get back on track, so no I don't plan on having a shake for every meal, but when I just don't feel like I can have what they have made I would like that option. Like for example one day we usually have a spaghetti day for lunch, and there is no way I can eat that and have portion control let alone know how much is a portion and all that. So I wish it was as easy as you make it sound, but for me right now I just don't feel like it would be. Hope that makes sense!

I understand that learning portion control isn't easy... but surely that is all the more reason to practice it?

If we all said "riding a bike is too hard, I don't want to try because I won't be able to do it" - then we would never learn. Instead we hop on that bike, we fall off, we try again - and then it clicks and we feel fantastic because we tried something hard and succeeded!
To continue with the "riding a bike" analogy - most of us learn by having our mum or dad hold the back of the bike and run alongside - in other words we have support. It sounds as though your husband is supportive - could you ask him to serve out your meals and make a rule (in your own head) that you will only eat what he serves? Everyone else will think he is the most loving and helpful husband and you'll have support while you learn.

My other comment is that this process of losing weight is for you - it has an impact on the rest of your family but it isn't their "journey", it is yours. If it was me, I wouldn't turn my issue into their issue - emailing your father in law and making a big deal of it is making it a big issue for everyone and that just seems unneccessary. (Again) if it was me - I would talk about it with your husband then just get on and do it, don't make everyone else feel uncomfortable that they aren't eating healthy stuff and that the food isnt' good enough and that you are better (not saying you think you are, but that's how it can come across once people start talking about their diet, everyone else feels guilty and inadequate).

Of course, it's entirely your decision and I hope you find a solution that works for you. And that you enjoy your break, it sounds like a rare and special experience.

Yeah after looking at what everyone has said I need to have confidence that I can make the right choice, I have made great strides in just one week so I can do it there too. It will all work out the way it is supposed to and so much property there for me to not workout. Can't wait to update you guys that I didn't gain weight while on vacation, maybe even lost!!! It is all about the positive attitude and not living in fear. Whether I'm visiting our family, or eating out with friends, etc....I will have to learn to make healthy choices, and learn what my options are.

That's a great attitude, thinking like that - you've already succeeded!!

Instead of asking them to change the meals, possibly arrange so they can give you small portions? And not give you things like bread with the meal?