Confessing...

[shirlc]

I've been staying away from the daily weigher thread because I am really not proud of my month of February. We went on a cruise Feb. 3-17. Two days before we left, I was at a low I haven't seen for years...127.5. When I weighed in on Feb. 18 on our return, I weighed 142! While on the cruise, I just ate everything and anything I wanted, and it was mostly carbs...sweets, bread, ice cream. Since we returned, I've been strictly on JUDDD except for a couple single binge days:

2/18 - 142
2/19 - 140.5
2/20 - 137.5
2/21 - 137.5
2/22 - 136
2/23 - 136
2/24 - 135.5
2/25 - 135 - UD - went out to dinner and binged
2/26 - DD - 139.5
2/27 - UP - 136.5
2/28 - DD - 136
2/29 - UD - 135.5
3/1 - DD - 135
3/2 - UD - 133.5
3/3 - DD - 136.5 - had company and binged
3/4 - UD - 135
3/5 - DD - 135
3/6 - UD - 134.5
3/7 - DD - 134.5
3/8 - UD - 133
3/9 - DD - 133
3/10 - UD - 132

Anyway, FWIW, I'm feeling pretty good about where I'm at now and would love to get down to about 125. The thing is with me, though, I am so darn obsessive about either totally being on this plan or really falling off. Trips are the hardest for me as the high calorie carby choices are always so much more tempting than the healthy stuff (when one can find it). This is my main struggle.

[sterlinggirl]

Originally Posted by shirlc

I've been staying away from the daily weigher thread because I am really not proud of my month of February. We went on a cruise Feb. 3-17. Two days before we left, I was at a low I haven't seen for years...127.5. When I weighed in on Feb. 18 on our return, I weighed 142! While on the cruise, I just ate everything and anything I wanted, and it was mostly carbs...sweets, bread, ice cream. Since we returned, I've been strictly on JUDDD except for a couple single binge days:

2/18 - 142
2/19 - 140.5
2/20 - 137.5
2/21 - 137.5
2/22 - 136
2/23 - 136
2/24 - 135.5
2/25 - 135 - UD - went out to dinner and binged
2/26 - DD - 139.5
2/27 - UP - 136.5
2/28 - DD - 136
2/29 - UD - 135.5
3/1 - DD - 135
3/2 - UD - 133.5
3/3 - DD - 136.5 - had company and binged
3/4 - UD - 135
3/5 - DD - 135
3/6 - UD - 134.5
3/7 - DD - 134.5
3/8 - UD - 133
3/9 - DD - 133
3/10 - UD - 132

Anyway, FWIW, I'm feeling pretty good about where I'm at now and would love to get down to about 125. The thing is with me, though, I am so darn obsessive about either totally being on this plan or really falling off. Trips are the hardest for me as the high calorie carby choices are always so much more tempting than the healthy stuff (when one can find it). This is my main struggle.

Great job getting control again... the important part is you had a good time.. and yes you gained weight.. but..... you have the tools with this WOE to take all of that off agin and then some!! Forgiving yourself for having a great time does wonders for the spirit!HUGS GF

[Gweebles]

The best part is you came back on plan and started losing again. Congrats on that!!

[sophiethecat]

Hey Shirl You have done an excellent job, imo.

And there are different ways of looking at this rather than that you are struggling. It seems you enjoy yourself on cruises and vacations, and then you know how to get the weight off. That seems normal to me - we all tend to overindulge on vacations and when going out to eat or parties or whatever. But the difference is, some people who are on other diet plans or no plan may be TRULY struggling with themselves because they know they have no sure-fire way to get that weight off again once they go a little nuts on a special occasion. That can lead to guilt and hopelessness. But you have this knowledge and method of JUDDD to lose what you put on. You eat what you want and enjoy yourself. Then you return to JUDDD (but did you ever really leave, because the sirtuin enzymes are still active while you're off having fun, lol) and lose the weight.

Over time, I believe JUDDD encourages the opposite of obsessive or bingey behavior because it helps us relax more about food. I know my own attitudes have changed for the better toward food as I get further into this woe and wol.

You really did an excellent job though of losing the weight after the gains.

[adillenal]

Dr. J uses a cruise analogy in his book. I think he said the average weight gain on a cruise is 8 pounds.

Anyway, congrats on getting back on plan and already dropping 10 pounds. That is great.

[Yam-Yam]

What a great thread!! Thank you so much for doing this, talking about gaining vacation weight, and then posting your stats.

You are a great example of how to get back on track after enjoying time away and food.

This is the first plan I actually look forward to getting back on after time off whether it's a long vacation out of town or just a celebration day that goes up up and away!

And I have to say the openness, honesty and sheer joy of all the JUDDers is something I'm getting addicted to! I just love it here. It truly is a caring community.

[gotsomeold]

NORMAL people (whatever they are), regular, never really been a pound over in their lives people gain weight on fancy vacations. The important thing is, they have a great time then take the weight right back off.

The important thing is YOU had, I hope, a great time and are taking the weight right back off! Congratulations. You are normal.

Now, the really important thing is, where did you go????

[hockey_gal]

I do this all the time. I started "dieting" in Aug 11 and I have probably done this like 5 or 6 times in my weight loss journey. I am always tempted to beat myself up about it...then it dawns on me that I am now 40 years (wow, getting used to that number) and I weigh what I weighed when I was in my 20s. So big picture, I'm doing well.

I had a rough Feb myself. I did 12 hours of exercise on a ski trip and gained 4 lbs! In three days! I was feeling kind of bad about it and when I got to work someone called me "thin"...I am not thin. But I am thinner than anyone my age at work. I am even thinner than most of the 20-somethings. I try not to compare myself to people bc I don't think it's healthy. But it did make me realize that just maybe I'm being too hard and too critical of myself.

You are doing great! You are 5'5 and 13X lbs!!! You probably look fantastic. Just because you are not 125 lbs doesn't mean you aren't successful. You are successful and you are getting healthy

[Truffles]

Great job losing after the cruise and getting RIGHT BACK ON TRACK!!!

I did a cruise Feb 19-26 and gained like 6lbs.

The important thing is that you got Right back on track!

[KeirasMom]

Thank you for sharing! I know it took courage, but look at all the people you're helping. It actually helps people like me who are so afraid to go off plan that we never even try it. I look at your experience and think, "Hmm, maybe I need to loosen up a little bit." I think you're doing great!

[shirlc]

Thanks so much for your responses everyone...brought tears to my eyes!

[shirlc]

Originally Posted by gotsomeold

Now, the really important thing is, where did you go????

We went on a Holland America Panama Canal Cruise. Stopped at Aruba, went through Panama Canal, of course, Huatulco and Cabo San Lucas, both in Mexico. We were supposed to stop in Acapulco, too, but they took that one off the agenda because of being too dangerous.

We have taken cruises before, but this was the first one on a big ship. We decided it's probably not our thing...didn't like that there were so many days at sea. I've heard others say they just love the days at sea, but we prefer to see new things most of the time, instead of all that water!!!

[Cruzcrzy]

Shirl, WTG with getting back on track.

I understand about cruises(hence my cruzcrzy name, lol). I've taken over 20 cruises, one as long as 24 days. I am 50 pounds lighter today than I was this time last year. It is hard on cruises. I've pretty much decided we won't be doing too many more, lol. Half the fun for me on a cruise is eating/drinking. Our last cruise was last November, just a 5 day cruise. I gained 5 pounds, and I was "watching it", and still gained. It is so hard when all that food is everywhere.
I told my dh we will be taking more active/healthy vacations in the future. He does want to do a full Panama Canal transit and Alaska(i've been, he hasn't), so we'll probably do those two, but, not many more......

[shirlc]

Originally Posted by Cruzcrzy

Shirl, WTG with getting back on track.

I understand about cruises(hence my cruzcrzy name, lol). I've taken over 20 cruises, one as long as 24 days. I am 50 pounds lighter today than I was this time last year. It is hard on cruises. I've pretty much decided we won't be doing too many more, lol. Half the fun for me on a cruise is eating/drinking. Our last cruise was last November, just a 5 day cruise. I gained 5 pounds, and I was "watching it", and still gained. It is so hard when all that food is everywhere.
I told my dh we will be taking more active/healthy vacations in the future. He does want to do a full Panama Canal transit and Alaska(i've been, he hasn't), so we'll probably do those two, but, not many more......

Wow, 50 lbs. in a year is fantastic!!! It certainly is true for me that half the fun is eating. I consider myself fortunate that I really prefer to eat at home where I can control the menu.

We want to do Alaska, too, and will probably have to do a large cruise ship as I think a small cruise ship would be too spendy for us.

[Kissa]

Good to see this post Shirl, it is so important to remember that vacations happen and that JUDDD awaits us when we get back. It is great for us all to be reminded that it can be done.

I am with you on big ships, I prefer smaller ones.

[Cruzcrzy]

Originally Posted by shirlc

Wow, 50 lbs. in a year is fantastic!!! It certainly is true for me that half the fun is eating. I consider myself fortunate that I really prefer to eat at home where I can control the menu.

We want to do Alaska, too, and will probably have to do a large cruise ship as I think a small cruise ship would be too spendy for us.

We mainly eat at home. We prefer our own cooking, and don't care to spend the money on eating out.

We hope to do a cruise/land vacation when we go to Alaska. I did some solo cruising in past years, and I went on Holland America to Alaska. Most of my solo cruises were on Holland America. It is a very "mature" crowd so I felt very secure. Also, at the time their solo rates were very reasonable. In fact, my 24 day cruise was on HAL, the Prisendam. Dh is a GEM to not mind me doing some solo cruising. I did miss him on that long cruise though. My internet bill was HIGH, lol.

[shirlc]

Originally Posted by Cruzcrzy

We mainly eat at home. We prefer our own cooking, and don't care to spend the money on eating out.

We hope to do a cruise/land vacation when we go to Alaska. I did some solo cruising in past years, and I went on Holland America to Alaska. Most of my solo cruises were on Holland America. It is a very "mature" crowd so I felt very secure. Also, at the time their solo rates were very reasonable. In fact, my 24 day cruise was on HAL, the Prisendam. Dh is a GEM to not mind me doing some solo cruising. I did miss him on that long cruise though. My internet bill was HIGH, lol.

Your DH is VERY understanding. I sometimes take off alone for 3 or 4 days, and DH does, also, but I'm sure he wouldn't want me going on a longer trip without him!

We were on the Holland America Statendam. You're right about it being a mature crowd, but that's probably a good thing in a lot of ways! We're pretty "mature"...I'm 65 and DH a little older. He never wants me to say how old he is, but he's in way better shape than a lot of folks that are way younger!

[Cruzcrzy]

My dh is 63, and still working. We've been married 29 years, but, he robbed the cradle a bit,lol. I am not currently working so it was easy for me to get away. I think he plans to retire at the end of this year. It's a good thing I don't have my heart on much cruising because our retirement income will not support much travel. It's fine because we are very compatible, and just enjoy being with one another(remind me I said that, LOL). Most likely we will do any cruising on a last minute deal.

[mykidsteacher]

You could have seen that scale when you got home and just thought, "Whatever". And kept eating and gaining. But you didn't! You got back on plan, and got back in control, and lost 10 pounds! THAT is something to be proud of!

Cruises and special days are not the norm. It's ok to enjoy them. And then get back on plan and fix whatever effects they left you with.

I think it's wonderful that this plan helps us to do that so easily.

[shirlc]

Originally Posted by mykidsteacher

I think it's wonderful that this plan helps us to do that so easily.

^^^THIS seems too good to be true! For all the years I was doing low carb, I felt really stuck when I came home from a vacation and tried to take the extra weight off again.

[gotsomeold]

Last month we went to St Simon's Island for a long weekend with friends. I gained four pounds in four days. Took two DDs to hit a new low.

In May we are doing the Inside Passage again (did it first ten years ago). DH wanted to make it a sea/land adventure but the mean ole keeper of the budget said, "No." (That would be me.)

We usually cruise NCL and love the big ships. Three years ago, spur of the moment, we did the English Channel, came home, repacked and spent 12 days on the Med (pre-Arab Spring). DH will retire sometime soon. I suspect there is lots of cruising in my future (agree about wanting to go see places, days at sea get old.)

[Beeb]

Shirl, the way I am seeing it you have lost 10 pounds in less than a month!

I think that is something to about and realize that on what other WOE could you enjoy an amazing cruise, eat any and all of what you wanted, come back and get that weight off in record time!! It took me 7 months to lose 14 pounds on LC.

I'll take your cruise, gain and then loss any day, JUDDD BUDDD!

[Truffles]

Last cruise we took we had only 1 at sea day. We prefer 2 in a 7 day cruise. We work so much it is nice to not "have" to go anywhere!

[shirlc]

Originally Posted by gotsomeold

We usually cruise NCL and love the big ships. Three years ago, spur of the moment, we did the English Channel, came home, repacked and spent 12 days on the Med (pre-Arab Spring). DH will retire sometime soon. I suspect there is lots of cruising in my future (agree about wanting to go see places, days at sea get old.)

NCL...is that Norwegian Cruise Line? How do you like that one?

Originally Posted by Beeb

Shirl, the way I am seeing it you have lost 10 pounds in less than a month!

I think that is something to about and realize that on what other WOE could you enjoy an amazing cruise, eat any and all of what you wanted, come back and get that weight off in record time!! It took me 7 months to lose 14 pounds on LC.

I'll take your cruise, gain and then loss any day, JUDDD BUDDD!

Linda, thanks, it's nice to be able to reframe it in a better way!

Originally Posted by Truffles

Last cruise we took we had only 1 at sea day. We prefer 2 in a 7 day cruise. We work so much it is nice to not "have" to go anywhere!

We're all different in our tastes, that's for sure. I think a 7 day cruise would be better than the 15 days that ours lasted.

[gotsomeold]

Yep, Norwegian. Their suites are amazing. The 'room' we have for Alaska is over 500 square feet. DH and I tend to be expansive people - we each need space.

Agree I prefer seven day cruises to the long ones. Even decadence, pampering, and splendor get tiresome after awhile

We did Hawaii two years ago. Golly, that was a blast! But then, if I could I think I would live there!

[sazzie]

Shirl,

Your honesty is refreshing!

Coming home after a wonderful cruise can really be an eye-opener, and a lot of us have been there, but because of JUDDD, we can feel secure that within a bit of time, that weight is right back off.

You're already feeling good about where you are now on the scale, and just think, before JUDDD, would you have been able to get back down in this short amount of time?

Our last cruise was on the Azamara to Italy. Our children chipped in for our 40th wedding anniversary. It was an amazing cruise, but I still prefer the larger ships.

Looking forward to a Disney excursion.