I’m trying a new approach of putting myself on maintenance calorie levels for this vacation. I still measure and track what I eat, and still keep up my activity in a way that feels good to me. Will see if it works to keep me from gaining.

I just avoided gaining weight for the first time ever on vacation, despite going to a really good food location and having a number of delicious meals. My vice is desserts rather than drinks. Here's what worked for me --

- Woke up and went to the gym for 30-45mins every morning. Did strength training, not cardio. More than the workout itself, this helped me stay in a healthy mindset every day.
- Indulged in hotel buffet breakfast (which I always love) but stuck to mostly healthy high protein foods with a bite or two of less healthy foods from DH's plate.
- Skipped or ate a small lunch on the go
- Tried all the local street foods I wanted to try but split them with DH. Didn't restrict myself from local desserts but kept them small and at nicer places (e.g. a piece of handcrafted chocolate vs. entire slice of cake).
- Walked as much as possible -- usually 20K steps a day.

I have a plan that DW hates. It might be a part of a mid life crisis, but who cares. I am just in a homemade smoothie mood right now. They're super low calorie, I'm losing weight, and they keep me full most of the day. Then for dinner we can eat steaks or whatever and I will stay the same or I can eat light and I will lose weight.

Anonymous wrote:Over the last year and a half, I've lost over 100lbs.

Here's my advice - don't obsess over a few pounds during your vacation. Do what you love and will enjoy (if that includes weight lifting and walking then do that, but if it doesn't - don't force yourself) The key is that when you're back from vacation go back to doing what you've been doing to lose weight.

I've gone on 3 vacations during my weightloss journey. What really helped was looking at a lifestyle change overall - but to not white-knuckle it during vacations or holidays. I may have gained a couple pounds during vacation but lost it really quickly after I got back because I went back to eating healthy and not having rich cuisine.

Have a great trip!!

+1

Enjoy your vacation. Life to short to go on vacation and worry about calories and a low number on the scale. Move your body because it feels good but don't obsess over it. I tend to stay active on vacation and honestly when I don't obsess over calorie counting I actually tend to naturally eat less.

Also keep in mind that a lot of the weight you think you gain on vacation is just water weight/boat from eat differently than you normally eat.

Just realize it will take you 3 times as long to lose it once vacation is over

It ain’t about the cardio. It’s about the calorie.ms. Enjoy your vacation, gain a little weight, then double down and lose it when you’re back. Nobody wants to vacation with a fuddy duddy at an all inclusive. Live a little.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The game plan would be enjoy your vacation and don’t worry about it. One week in an entire year of consistency won’t make a bit of difference.

The problem is that many of us don't only go on a 1 week vacation. I know I go on 4 5-7 day trips a year plus 2-3 weekends. That really messes me up because I spend a few weeks after trying to lose what I gained, then lose for a while until the next trip. Throw in business trips with expense account dinners and set breakfast/lunch meals and I feel like I'm on a hamster wheel with regard to weight.

Just a guess - but are you drinking a lot on these trips? If the weight isn't coming off easily you're probably overdoing it.

I really find that is the main culprit when trying to lose/maintain weight as I gotten older. I travel for business semi-often and when I don't drink or drink minimally I can pretty much eat whatever (within reason) as long as I exercise daily and do a lot of walking. I will even work out in my hotel room early in the morning if there's no other option. I gain water weight but it comes off within a few days of getting back on track.

Not a lot, but daily, which is more than my norm. At home I only drink on the weekend. On vacation and even on business trips, we have happy hour, wine with dinner, and usually an after dinner drink.

Anonymous wrote:Usually the food abroad is much healthier because it is less processed. In Europe there are more regulations about things like growth hormones and GMOs. Just don’t be a glutton and you will be fine.

The all-inclusive food is probably the worst in the world I've ever eaten...

This is a recent topic on Jordan Syatt’s podcast

The portions in all inclusives are small. Also, the amount of walking you do to get in between buildings is a lot. You’ll easily hit 10000 steps.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The game plan would be enjoy your vacation and don’t worry about it. One week in an entire year of consistency won’t make a bit of difference.

The problem is that many of us don't only go on a 1 week vacation. I know I go on 4 5-7 day trips a year plus 2-3 weekends. That really messes me up because I spend a few weeks after trying to lose what I gained, then lose for a while until the next trip. Throw in business trips with expense account dinners and set breakfast/lunch meals and I feel like I'm on a hamster wheel with regard to weight.

That’s fair. But in this case, you just gotta make your lifestyle extend to your vacations. If you can.

I spent the better part of 3 decades since I was a pre-teenager drinking excessively, eating poorly, at times lifting and running, and then I stopped except the poor lifestyle choices. Now, I’m in the best shape of my life and I can’t imagine a better way to experience a vacation spot then to have a good quality meal, early bed time, and wake up and ride a bike somewhere epic.

Usually the food abroad is much healthier because it is less processed. In Europe there are more regulations about things like growth hormones and GMOs. Just don’t be a glutton and you will be fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The game plan would be enjoy your vacation and don’t worry about it. One week in an entire year of consistency won’t make a bit of difference.

The problem is that many of us don't only go on a 1 week vacation. I know I go on 4 5-7 day trips a year plus 2-3 weekends. That really messes me up because I spend a few weeks after trying to lose what I gained, then lose for a while until the next trip. Throw in business trips with expense account dinners and set breakfast/lunch meals and I feel like I'm on a hamster wheel with regard to weight.

Just a guess - but are you drinking a lot on these trips? If the weight isn't coming off easily you're probably overdoing it.

I really find that is the main culprit when trying to lose/maintain weight as I gotten older. I travel for business semi-often and when I don't drink or drink minimally I can pretty much eat whatever (within reason) as long as I exercise daily and do a lot of walking. I will even work out in my hotel room early in the morning if there's no other option. I gain water weight but it comes off within a few days of getting back on track.

Anonymous wrote:The game plan would be enjoy your vacation and don’t worry about it. One week in an entire year of consistency won’t make a bit of difference.

The problem is that many of us don't only go on a 1 week vacation. I know I go on 4 5-7 day trips a year plus 2-3 weekends. That really messes me up because I spend a few weeks after trying to lose what I gained, then lose for a while until the next trip. Throw in business trips with expense account dinners and set breakfast/lunch meals and I feel like I'm on a hamster wheel with regard to weight.

Work out every day and then have a salad for one of your meals. Enjoy!