Tips for going away.

[MintTeaMascara]

What do you all do when you go away?

I just want to enjoy eating out, enjoying the food and ordering what ever takes my fancy while I'm away. No restrictions.

This was the start of quite a quick gain of a stone for me last time and my struggle is that it takes me a long time to lose but it can go back on very, very quickly.

To break the cycle of putting back on, for good, would be the fix for me.

I'm thinking I should cancel my fast days while I'm away, skip breakfast and have a super light dinner on the days I go out for lunch, and skip breakfast and lunch (maybe with a snack for lunch) on the days I go out for dinner. And just generally, otherwise, try to keep it healthy.

Does this sound like a good plan?

[SewMore Restart August 2024]

I think it’s best to plan what you will choose to eat ahead of getting to the restaurant, for example pizza, just a small one, but not wine and tiramisu. Then just log everything when you get back to the hotel. Then the other time, you might decide on salad, plus tomato mozzarella. In other words focus on what you plan to enjoy rather than not eat. I also bring my own Tupperware of emergency almonds for snack attacks. Moderation is key, then hopefully you can still relax and enjoy the holiday.

[MintTeaMascara Healthy BMI in reply to SewMore]

I won't be able to plan ahead as we'll be spontaneously dipping into places that catch our attention.

[Pebbles77 Visitor]

On the whole, I enjoy the food I have every day so I'm not looking for something very different. It's nice to have someone else cooking, though.

I go for a big breakfast then I don't need to eat during the day, maybe a stop for a coffee, and I look out for somewhere to eat that has my kind of food. The biggest difference is I'd have wine with my evening meal and that can take its toll!

[Lytham 3 stone in reply to Pebbles77]

Aahh ! I'm exactly the same as you, the food isn't a problem, it's the blessed wine ! x

[MintTeaMascara Healthy BMI in reply to Pebbles77]

I want to enjoy and explore food I wouldn't normally have access to and we'll be going out during the day to eat. I wouldn't feel like I'm enjoying myself just sitting with a hot chocolate or a mint tea.

Did you find skipping lunch helped balance things out a little?

[Pebbles77 Visitor in reply to MintTeaMascara]

True, if I’m abroad I want to try local food.

If I knew I’d be eating at lunchtime, I’d skip breakfast as it’s likely when I’m eating out that it will be bigger than a normal meal. All depends on the situation 🙂 And I’ve heard that thing that it’s what we eat 90% of the time that counts, not the odd days off

[Smithy999]

Hi, I've just had a week away and put 2 lbs on. I generally ate two meals a day, usually a brunch which I made myself and then we ate out on a evening most nights. I don't really drink, but did have a couple of ciders. I tried to be good, had side salads with meals, but I still thoroughly enjoyed my fish and chips and sticky toffee puds, and didn't feel guilty. It was just one week, and I know I can lose it again as I'm back at the gym and prepping my own food again. Enjoy your holiday x

[MintTeaMascara Healthy BMI in reply to Smithy999]

That's exactly what I want to do.. Just enjoy my food without guilt or worry.

Thanks. Maybe that's what I need to do.. Get strong with my mindset for being back home.

[SofaJockey]

I had a good breakfast, kept lunch to a snack and had an enjoyable but mindful dinner. Plus I walked a good deal.

My last week away doing this I put on a couple of kilos but it wasn't ingrained weight and it came off again in the week following.

[MintTeaMascara Healthy BMI in reply to SofaJockey]

Okay, thanks. Seems skipping meals is a strategy quite a few use and you were also okay with putting a little on because you knew you'd get back on track?

[SofaJockey in reply to MintTeaMascara]

Exactly. I didn't skip lunch totally because I did have a pre-prepared nibble, but lunch was the meal I had least control over the food being healthy or of a quality, so it made sense that I'd rather eat less than rubbish at that time of the day.

[MintTeaMascara Healthy BMI in reply to SofaJockey]

I hear you

[jd65 2lbs Restart Feb 2025]

Our evening meal is usually a big part our holiday but I don’t eat much in the day so I can make the most of local delicacies later in the day. I skip breakfast and have a light early lunch - usually a salad. I don’t drink alcohol in the day either but will have a cold beer before getting ready to go out in the evening. That combined with walking more and swimming means that even before I started my new healthy eating diet meant I’ve rarely put weight on on holiday.

[MintTeaMascara Healthy BMI in reply to jd65]

Thanks. I think I'm going to do the same/similar

[IndigoBlue61]

Something I try to stick to is two things at dinner, a main course and either a starter, a dessert or a drink . . . Not all four! Usually for me it’s a main and a drink. Also eat slowly and enjoy, but be prepared to stop when you’re full . . . Not easy and still a work in progress for me 😬

[MintTeaMascara Healthy BMI in reply to IndigoBlue61]

😊 Sounds good. I really need to work on eating slower too.

I have digestive problems so couldn't stomach all four even if I wanted to, it must be a blessing in disguise.

Good advice though and food for thought. Thanks