Vacation coming . . . need advice on timing

[porkfatrules]

I'm on VLCD28 here, and have lost 24 pounds. I am beyond thrilled!

I have three weeks of vacation coming up -- first a romantic week with my husband (yahoo!) and then shortly after another trip with my childhood girlfriends (another yahoo!).

Vacation starts July 11. I was planning to do a 40 day round anyway, but am trying to figure out my options here.

One is to do forty days VLCD (this takes me to June 16), two days VLCD no hHCG, and start P3 on June 19. Three weeks on P3 puts me starting P4 on July 10, the first day of vacation. Sounds like the stars are lining up, right?

ON THE OTHER HAND . . . I would love to lose as much as possible before going away (swimsuit on the beach, cute dresses for dinner . . . ) so I could extend P2 for longer and start vacation in P3?

Or, do a shorter P3 (does that ever work?) and then start P4 when vacation starts?

Give me advice, you veterans!!!

[Zbunny]

Not a veteran, but I'll chime in if you like. I would do this one: One is to do forty days VLCD (this takes me to June 16), two days VLCD no hHCG, and start P3 on June 19. Three weeks on P3 puts me starting P4 on July 10, the first day of vacation. Sounds like the stars are lining up, right?

The stars would line up perfectly, and you'd have your losses from 40 days -- and feel great about them -- plus, more importantly, you'd be MAINTAINING them, which really is the key for all of us, right? You wouldn't have to worry about having a cocktail or two, you could eat more variety, and, let's face it, you pretty much need room for flexibility when you are traveling b/c restaurant meals, etc. are not always easy (sauces may be questionable, etc.). And after your 3 weeks, you can start P2 again for more losses!

[emel]

I'd make it a point to be on P4 for vacation, for 3 reasons:

1) as long as you weigh daily and adjust if you go out of your window, there's no foods that are off limits on your vacation.
2) It is a very good idea to do P2/P3/P4 as written, especially for your first round. Our bodies need time to rest, and to get the benefit of good solid nutrition from all of the food groups.
3) I'd be scared I'd lose my opportunity for a permanent hypothalmus reset if I went too far beyond the time guidelines for P2. To me, it makes sense to do the plan as it is laid out. I have to remind myself sometimes that this isn't a race, and that P3 and P4 are essential parts of the protocol, be it prescription or homeopathic. I'm planning on having this miracle be a forever thing, and never having to diet again.

That's what I think about it. OTOH, with your wonderful losses, maybe I shouldn't be telling you what to do. You've done so well! Congrats.

[nurseypoo5]

Originally Posted by emel

I'd make it a point to be on P4 for vacation, for 3 reasons:

1) as long as you weigh daily and adjust if you go out of your window, there's no foods that are off limits on your vacation.
2) It is a very good idea to do P2/P3/P4 as written, especially for your first round. Our bodies need time to rest, and to get the benefit of good solid nutrition from all of the food groups.
3) I'd be scared I'd lose my opportunity for a permanent hypothalmus reset if I went too far beyond the time guidelines for P2. To me, it makes sense to do the plan as it is laid out. I have to remind myself sometimes that this isn't a race, and that P3 and P4 are essential parts of the protocol, be it prescription or homeopathic. I'm planning on having this miracle be a forever thing, and never having to diet again.

That's what I think about it. OTOH, with your wonderful losses, maybe I shouldn't be telling you what to do. You've done so well! Congrats.

what she said I too am going on a 10 day vacation starting june 19...sooo i'll be doing p2 until the day i leave, then p4...i have a bad feeling i'll gain, im going to the beach, i will drink a little and i will eat more than a little mexican food...buttttt...i'll have a beach house and can do a couple of fasts so my gains wont be extreme...if i gain 5lbs or less i can take that off in a few days. When i get back i'll do another couple of weeks of p4 so that i can get mainanence under my belt..then start again

I did read somewhere where there was a way to vary some fast days...i THINK it was like
steak day
p3 day
egg day
p3 day
apple day
p3 day....

that should get the wieght off in the first week for me to go back into p4 for a couple and be all good...im rogue tho, so this is peachy for me.

[C'Marie]

I'm with Emel on this one, for sure. P3 is great, but depends on food sensitivity issues and things that you may be eating you aren't 100% sure what went into them. You'd be really bummed out if you didn't stabilize properly due to being on vacation and gained back some of your great losses.

[porkfatrules]

*sigh* You all are so . . . so . . . SENSIBLE! I've got the angel on one shoulder saying exactly what you've (unanimously) said -- do it right! stabilize! have more fun on vacation! And, the devil on the other side is saying, "But if you buckle down, you could be another 10 pounds lighter before vacation! Fit into that cute (smaller-size) dress you bought!"

Anyway, you're all wise, and I think I'll do it the smart way. Thanks!

[emel]

Originally Posted by porkfatrules

*sigh* You all are so . . . so . . . SENSIBLE! I've got the angel on one shoulder saying exactly what you've (unanimously) said -- do it right! stabilize! have more fun on vacation! And, the devil on the other side is saying, "But if you buckle down, you could be another 10 pounds lighter before vacation! Fit into that cute (smaller-size) dress you bought!"

Anyway, you're all wise, and I think I'll do it the smart way. Thanks!

Good girl.
Don't forget to take your turn talking the rest of us into this exact same right thing next time it comes up in our lives.