Travel Advise

Hello!

I'm on Day 2 and feel great 😊

Next week I have a trip abroad and we are staying with friends. How do I stay on track? Am I open and say I'm on a diet ?

Getting a little stressed about the prospect and don't want to gain weight! It's only for a few days. Any advise? Experiences etc?

Thanks!

M x

[sueper]

Hi M, holidays are really hard especially if they are shortly after your started to try losing weight. I have to say that I kind of give myself a break when on holiday and inevitably gain weight and then get a little annoyed with myself.

I tend to tell people I am being a bit more sensible rather than say I am on a diet. I try not to make a big deal of it so saying I'm trying to be sensible seems to work.

Try not to get stressed as this will ruin your holiday and could end up with you eating more. If your friends wouldn't be put out, try and help with the cooking a bit and then you can keep an eye on what you are eating and maybe give yourself smaller portions.

Also remember that recently put on weight does come off pretty quickly. I am ashamed to say that I put on 9lb on my last holiday but lost it all again in 9 days! I really did go over the top though and I did drink a fair bit.

I am sure some more helpful advice will follow!

Good luck

[Hidden in reply to sueper]

Thanks so much for that advise! Really useful to know & thank you for sharing your experience! I will try and not get too stressed out 😊

M x

[Portlandprincess]

Hi Maria, opportunities for walking will help. Also, I wonder whether eating with friends will slow the eating down....talk lots during the meals and then you'll feel full without overeating....maybe even give away your chips to the masses. My downfall would be the wine. After a few glasses i loose resolve...if that's your trigger.....water it down?....enjoy your holiday! Lucky you!

[WeightWarrior]

If they are really close friends rather than acquaintances, I'd probably go for it and tell them you are trying to lose weight. You will probably find that they are supportive and will help you through it a bit if you get tempted. I have to say, we are hoping to go away for a few days in October and I shall be testing the water by not calorie counting my meals etc. I don't plan to buy shedloads of chocolate or anything daft, just to eat out, main meal, no starters, no desserts. Maybe if I do that and I happen to put weight on, it will be a stark reminder of what I need to keep doing to lose weight. In one way, having to take painkillers makes me lucky that I can't drink so I don't have alcohol and calories to worry about! Mind you, this is all theory because I only just started out too, part of the journey of discovery I guess. Good luck and try to enjoy your holiday a bit, then get "back to work" when you get home, maybe?

[Candystripe]

Hi Maria,

Yes it is scary, but here's how I have dealt with it and about to deal with it again as I am going to be away for three weeks from Monday.

I tell friends and family that I am watching my weight and counting on them for support. I am going to visit my sister and have asked that she have a supply of fruit, salad and fat free yogurt. Then it is up to me to make the right decisions which is the really tough part.

I will choose not to have potatoes or bread or indulge every day but will allow myself a treat. Obviously if I am given say a pork chop in cream sauce then I would eat the chop but leave the majority of the sauce saying how delicious it was, but it will really help to talk to friend prior to your visit so that she knows you are deadly serious when you say "No thank you"

I have no disillusions that I might put on a pound or two, but to get back to your routine immediately needs to be your aim.

Enjoy yourself and don't fret, after all, your holiday is all about being your friend and family not about what you mustn't eat. Your mantra is "Make the right choice Maria!"

Good luck and have fun X

[Hidden in reply to Candystripe]

Aw wow again you offer such sound advise thank you! I will probably tell them I'm watching my weight and adapt their dishes accordingly.

It's only for 3 days so not a hugely significant amount of time but as I'm new to the NHS 12 week plan I don't want anything disturbing my success!

I hope you have a fab holiday by the way!

M x

[Dave1961 25kg]

Maria these have all been great pieces of advice. I can't tell you what to tell your friends as I do not know the relationship you have with them but I'd probably be inclined to tell them - I wonder if you are considering not mentioning so you do not have to be accountable to anyone?

If you are using Myfitnesspal or similar I would still track your food. Don't get stressed about going over your calorie goal but at least if some alarm bells start to ring you can back off a bit.

When you are at meals be the last one to start eating. We tend to stop eating when everyone else does so that should mean you have some left on your plate.

Really ENJOY the food, savour every mouth full, put your knife and for down often.

Have a great time!

[Andyt2120]

I gained 10lbs on a five sday break and lost it all within a few days by being extra strict on my return. Had lots of hols this year, each time putting on weight but losing it again really quickly so I no longer worry about hols. I enjoy myself and I over indulge but never permenantly keep the weight on. I am not the only one on this site who has similar experiences so enjoy your break but get straight back on plan when you get home.