How do I stay on track while on vacation?

So I've been doing really well eating and exercising, and I'm really happy with my progress. On Saturday, I leave for a one week vacation to Florida with a few friends. I'm so scared that I'll end up pigging out the whole week!! I know we'll be eating out many, many times, and there'll always be opportunities to make huge slip-ups. Anyone have any advice on how to stay on track while I'm away? How about motivation to keep exericising, or even what should I do to exercise?? I really don't want to come back too much heavier than when I left... yikes!

Tue. Feb 28, 6:18pm

I alway lose weight on vacation, and here is how- I only eat what I cannot eat at home. Florida will have great produce, eat up, try the local dishes that I cannot get at home. I know I can have a hamburger at home, but I cannot have (insert special local thing here) so I will have that and a huge salad with say oranges. Say you are going to go out and drink, try to have only 1 or 2 drinks a night, again the famous local ones, and drink water with lime the rest of the time.
This works for me, you might want to give it a try

Tuesday, February 28, 2006, 7:10 PM

When I travel somewhere that's is fairly different from where I live (for ex. I live in Ontario, Canada so when I visit Arizona I make a decision to do this) I like to go for walks. I usually end up being somewhere where I can take in some sights just by walking.

If you plan on doing any shopping, see if it's possible to walk to the mall or shopping area...in my experience it's easy to put in a few hours browsing in another city and not realize how much exercise I've put in.

Be sure to enjoy yourself though, it IS a vacation don't spend all your time worrying about weight and food.

Tuesday, February 28, 2006, 9:01 PM

Sometimes when we go out, I and my friends will try to just order a few entrees and a couple appetizers (depends on how many friends you are with) and then dine family-style with small portions. This is usually 6 of us or so.

I used to travel quite a bit though, so I know eating well on the road can be tough. Try for a light breakfast, simple lunch and then maybe don't be so careful at dinner (where it seems much harder to order 'light' than the other two meals)? Alot of times I will do lunch at a grocery store where I can get some fruit and a sandwhich and control my portions better. Hopefully FLorida should offer quite a bit of recreation. If your hotel has an exercise room (many do) then make an effort to get down there in the morning and bike or walk/run on the treadmill for 1/2 hour.

Above all have fun and allow yourself a few 'special' nights. I usually go pretty light and then treat myself to one or two (depending on how long vacation is) REALLY nice dinners. I mean I research restaurants and pick out the best, freshest local cuisine I can find. Citysearch is a good resource for the ones the locals think are best. Once I have that to look forward to, I am not nearly so tempted by convenience.

Tuesday, February 28, 2006, 9:03 PM

All great suggestions above! I'd also add that you should get your friends to help you. Tell them that you don't want to undo all the good you've been doing and really want to eat healthy on this trip. Ask them to help you make good selections at your meals, keep an eye on your alcohol consumption, and make sure you're physically active every day on the trip. If they're truly your friends they will be happy to help you succeed.

Just knowing that you're facing a challenging situation and getting prepared for it is so commendable! You've got the right attitude! Congrats.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006, 11:02 AM

If you're doing a driving trip, try this to help (both moneywise and waist wise).

My hubby & I will bring a cooler with us (collapsible if you are traveling by plane or get a cheap styrofoam one for the time you are in the other city-- if you have a car available).

If We're doing a road trip, we'll load up at home with bottled water (Freeze it to make "ice" that you can drink later), fruits & veggies, some good whole grain bread, deli meats or cold cuts, tomatos, pickles, lettuce, etc...)
We make sandwiches and pack them into a fanny pack or back pack for the daytime. Snack on fruit (Bananas, grapes & Apples are easy to carry and eat--less messy than oranges). We also will cut up some celery & carrots (or get mini carrots, grape tomatoes, etc.)

We tend to "graze a lot" while on the road, so stocking the cooler up with "healthy snacks & goodies" will keep you from eating so many chips and stuff like that. ;-)

Plus, if you pack your own lunches, it is far less expensive than hitting a deli for a sandwich.... If you are somewhere warm, even a peanut butter & jelly sandwich will do--that way, you don't have to worry about refrigeration. :-)

Wednesday, March 01, 2006, 12:47 PM

Note:
Obviously, some places will not allow you to bring in food. (such as some theme parks). We still try to sneak it in-- I'll bury it deep into my pack (under a light jacket) so that (hopefully) I can sneak it in... :-)

Otherwise, make sure to stay well-hydrated (buy bottle water, stay away from pop (soda) or juices-- drink some kind of electrolyte solution (i.e. gatorade or powerade) if it's hot outside, or just make sure to eat some salty snacks with the water... opt for healthier options like salads (sans the cheese, sunflower seeds & croutons or fatty dressings like ranch and 1000 island-- go instead for a vinegar & oil (light on the oil) or vinagrette dressing on the side--dip your fork in to the dressing so that you don't use as much.

Since you are aware of your temptations, just listen to that inner voice-- and don't forget-- you'll have to log it into PT, so be good to yourself! ;-)

Wednesday, March 01, 2006, 12:57 PM

Oh, and the side benefit to "packing lunch and breakfast" is that you'll have more money (and calories) to splurge on dinner (and other fun stuff!). :-)

Above all, if you plan to splurge, then truly do so--what I mean is, get good quality food that is worth the money-- something that you will truly appreciate, vs. just eating something because you wanted to splurge (make sense?)... :-)

Wednesday, March 01, 2006, 1:01 PM

Florida should have plenty of fresh fish options, which are low in carbs and high in protein. Stay away from the continental breakfasts! Stick with cereal and fruit. You also might want to pack some healthy snacks for the plane instead of eating the goldfish crackers and peanuts they usually give out. As for alcohol, if you drink vodka or rum, mix it with soda water or diet coke to cut down on the excess calories.

But, most of all, HAVE FUN!!

Wednesday, March 01, 2006, 2:33 PM

YOU DON'T...

Unfortunately going on vacation is an invitation to do everything that you normally wouldn't do...to some degree ;-)

Just don't go nuts...but enjoy yourself...try new things, indulge...for goodness sakes, it's only a week of misbehaving! Besides, you'll be busy running around and having fun, you'll burn off those calories effortlessly!

Friday, March 03, 2006, 5:23 PM

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