Vacation meal planning?

[wiiiifit]

OK. So, this morning I hit my lowest weight in years. Naturally, tomorrow we are leaving for our fall break vacation to Florida. To say I'm worried about the availability of reasonable choices is an understatement. We will be driving, going to amusement parks, eating out way more than usual and going in a group dynamic that doesn't really allow me to make all the planning decisions that I'd like.

Any advice? I want to eat sensibly, but have a few treats. I hope to be able to go with the flow of the group; yet I really would love to stay away from restaurants that push baskets of carbs/bread/junk. We will have a kitchen and I am packing some food and planning at least a few meals in the resort.

In an ideal world, I would keep a DD or two and maybe have one MD. I know I can do chili at Wendy's and at Taco Bell crunchy tacos aren't too bad. Just a burger at McDs might work in a pinch. But, I'm not sure what I would order at casual/family dining places...most likely pick any meat, any green veggie and try not to do starch/sweet/bread/junk. The amusement park trips will all be on high days, anyway.

Well, I have probably gone on enough. We don't usually eat out on low days...like pretty much never. So, if you know of JUDDD friendly restaurants and meal choices I'd love to hear about them. Thanks.

[LoCarbGal]

You could do salads and bring your own dressing. Or ask for grilled veggies using minimal oil or butter. Maybe snag a bite or two of protein from one of your travel mates. I'm sure you'll do great!

[KeirasMom]

Tips on Eating out on JUDDD DD

This link should help.

[sorenkkg]

If you have a smartphone (iphone, blackberry, samsung) I definitely recommend checking out an app to help you track your food and look up food options.

The beauty is that a LOT of casual dining chains have their info already input there-- so you don't have to guess, you can plan exactly what to eat at McD's or Taco bell or any of a zillion other places.

Having a kitchen is huge-- you can grab stuff at a local grocery store or target that you'd use at home-- almond milk, sugar free or fat free stuff, etc.

I think moderation is key... some people fast until dinner (is that called Fast 5?) and then have a moderate dinner on the DD, and just do whatever on the UD.

Hope it's fun ("magical" even, depending where in FL you're going) and whatever you do, any excess weight will come off super quick with some good rotations once you get home!

S.

[wiiiifit]

Thanks for the ideas, advice, links, etc. I do have a couple of different apps and that was a great list on that other thread. I think I am going to be ok. I just don't want to go into it with the idea that this vacation is a free for all. I have BTDT and had the size 2XL t-shirt for proof. This time around I have had to work harder for every pound that has come off and it just isn't worth it. I don't mind a little bounce; but too many pounds and too much carbfest will make for a harder time getting back into my rotations. Packing is almost done and I have stayed up late enough...I'll have to drive the night shift since I am the night owl anyway.

[piratejenny]

I would bring beef (or other type of) jerky. That and a cup of black coffee make a filling breakfast, lunch, or evening snack, and you can save some calories for another meal.

I also like sunflower seeds in the shell for when other people are eating potato chips, popcorn, etc, or if I just feel like snacking. They are much lower in calories than other nuts/seeds, and the shells slow you down so you can't eat hundreds of calories very easily!

Both of these are good travel foods (no refrigeration) and can be found at just about any gas station or convenience store. Many also sell hb eggs (2 for $1 around here), and that can be a reasonable snack.

Congrats on your low weight, and have fun!!!
You will probably do a lot of walking at the amusement parks, and that will help!

[Zib]

A friend who is a lifelong Weight Watcher has told me she would always order the same thing in every restaurant she and her husband visited when she first lost 100 pounds. She never took a menu from the waiter, just said "I'll have a grilled chicken breast and a green/dinner salad, no dressing." She brought her own dressing. She said not once did anyone question her or say we don't have that on the menu. It was a very basic choice that called for things readily available and simply prepared.

[Kissa]

How wise, and it clearly worked for her too.

[wiiiifit]

Just wanted to bump this up and update with the results. After my first good DD at home, I am up 4lbs...at least some of it is TOM on the way and probably still a little bit of salt/carb/whatever water weight. I'm not unhappy with the number or the way things went on vacation. Most of attempts at a DD turned into more of a MD by the time I had a night time splurge. But, I'm ok with it. The number is what it is and my main fear was that I would turn a week off plan into two, or a month or forever. I think I am over that fear and I did ok.

[Carly]

I find that it is really easy to get back to this WOE after vacation.

[sorenkkg]

Originally Posted by wiiiifit

But, I'm ok with it. The number is what it is and my main fear was that I would turn a week off plan into two, or a month or forever. I think I am over that fear and I did ok.

WTG Wiiiifit! You did do good (in my books anyway ) and I agree, the fear goes away, and the burning need to keep partying (with food) after your vacation goes away too. I usually start my DD again on a Monday, so I have 1 day or so after coming back from a trip where I don't worry too much about cooking, food shopping, etc... then BAM -- Monday and DD and back to rotation and it totally doesn't kill me.

Isn't JUDDD great?

Originally Posted by Carly

I find that it is really easy to get back to this WOE after vacation.

exactly Carly! It just seems to make sense, and you know it works, and it's not hard to do. And usually after a great vacation, you want a bit of structure and getting off of the food-party train, part of getting back to "normal"

Well done WIII

[Yam-Yam]

I'm back from a long week in Florida. I had every intention of sticking to strict rotations, but alas, that only lasted a few days.

The scale was up 4 pounds but after just one DD so far it's back down 3. I need to have a good OP week because on Saturday I'm off to Monterey Bay. It's a business conference/vacation combo so there will be social hours, fancy dinners and lots of temptations.

I do love Monterey and plan on having a great time. Then once again it will be back home to a welcome routine.

This is all about living the life we have and making it work.

You did great! I'm a bit weary of all my recent travels and hope November will be a time to spend several weeks straight at home and on plan.

[wiiiifit]

It is true. It was really easy to get back into it this time. I was kind of surprised that my body just wanted the DD and I had had enough of the junk (for a little while anyway.) I think it might take a couple more rotations to get back to that lowest weight in years. But, that is ok. Sometimes it takes me a couple of rotations for just a day or two off plan. Whatever. The week in Florida was worth it. We must have been there at the same time Yam-Yam.

[sorenkkg]

Originally Posted by Yam-Yam

This is all about living the life we have and making it work.

You did great! I'm a bit weary of all my recent travels and hope November will be a time to spend several weeks straight at home and on plan.

well said Yam that's how I felt about October, and I was able to get down almost to my lowest weight... got one more vacation coming up, and I fully intend to eat whatever I want, and then I'm back at it in December, b/c I'm so used to ignoring seasonal treats that this year won't be any different

[zipp2play]

I would call that a HUGE SUCCESS!!!!

[wiiiifit]

Today's miracle? I lost another pound, even after my UD and in spite of the pending cycle. Loss after an UD is pretty rare. Loss near TOM is pretty much unheard of for me. I have been doing a homemade detox bath and I think it is working! 3 pounds to go!!

[Kissa]

JUDDD really is magic!

[sorenkkg]

Originally Posted by wiiiifit

Today's miracle? I lost another pound, even after my UD and in spite of the pending cycle. Loss after an UD is pretty rare. Loss near TOM is pretty much unheard of for me. I have been doing a homemade detox bath and I think it is working! 3 pounds to go!!

What's a detox bath?

[wiiiifit]

A long, hot soak in the bath with epsom salt, baking soda and apple cider vinegar. There are a lot of recipes online. Some people add other herbs, minerals, etc. Ginger is supposed to make you sweat out toxins big time. I have seen recipes where people add lavender, chamomile, glycerine, sea salts, essential oils, coconut oil, and much more. Some people recommend weekly or a couple times of week, every other day and every day. I am going to do one more tonight (3 days in a row) and probably switch to every other day for a while. What I have noticed most is less tummy bloat.

[sorenkkg]

Do you rinse it all off at the end? How long do you sit?

Anything ingested to go along with it, or all external? Sounds like a bath in one of my chai teas

[wiiiifit]

Yes, I rinse off in a quick shower. The epsom salts might make you itchy if you don't. Depending on your ingredients it is a little like soaking in an herbal tea. I even saw a recipe for one using milk and honey. Sticky. lol. Definitely rinse that off. Most recipes say soak for a minimum of 20 minutes but up to 40 minutes for maximum detox through sweating. A lot of articles I have read say to drink water while soaking and afterward to rehydrate. Here's one pretty basic link I found. (I hope links are allowed?)

In The Lyme Fight: Round 7: Daily Detox Baths

[b_lou_who]

Soren, you have to sit in an epsom bath for at least 20 minutes for skin osmosis to happen. Great way to absorb magnesium which helps with sleep, mood, and WEIGHT LOSS woot. I love at least two cups epsom salts, and 10 drops organic lavender oil. Sometimes in the winter I add a couple drops of rosemary oil (especially if I have a cold). In the summer a couple drops of peppermint oil added has a serious cooling effect (thank you hot flashes).

[sorenkkg]

This is great info! Thanks W and B

wiii-- links are generally allowed as long as nothing's being sold, advertised (? I think) or it's not another forum/group somewhere. I think personal blogs and FB pages are ok.

[Carly]

I will have to check out those detox baths. I take a very hot bath most DDs due to severe shivers. I could add some beneficial goodies!

[wiiiifit]

I am loving the detox baths!

For an update, I did make it back to my pre-vacation weight by the end of last week's rotations!

[LoCarbGal]

WTG wiiiifit!

[gotsomeold]

Originally Posted by wiiiifit

I am loving the detox baths!

For an update, I did make it back to my pre-vacation weight by the end of last week's rotations!

Ain't JUDDD wonderful?

PS I adore detox baths! Never thought of using them as a way to speed up return to weight loss after an extended celebration though. GOOD idea!