Weight Watchers Get Healthy Freestyle Journey

Enjoy Your Vacation Without Blowing Your Diet
When you take a trip your diet doesn’t have to go on vacation, too!

After my long absence, I knew that I had to stay on task this week to get my self-confidence back. Then, just before our trip Hurricane Florence shows up! What a week this has been. However, it did give me a chance to buy lots of water and we now have a large supply of paper and plastic products filling our closet. Thankfully, the days of preparation for the storm were a practice run for the next weather event. Which here on the coast will be sooner rather than later. But for now, we will focus on our upcoming vacation. Since this is the first one we’ve had in ten years this will be a new experience for me. Vacation and dieting? How will I manage that! Keep reading to learn more about how I plan to enjoy my vacation without blowing my diet.

Also, if you’ve missed any of the posts in the recent weeks be sure to check them out. In the last few weeks, we’ve talked about a new product called “KISS Your Cravings Goodbye,” how much food it takes to gain weight, how to overcome sugar cravings and gotten tips to fight obesity in children and teens. We’ve also learned how long it really takes to form a habit and how gut bacteria influences your weight and weight loss. As well as, the importance of hydration, where sugar is hiding in your food (aka sugar bombs), and looked at the benefits of shopping at farmer’s markets. 

In addition, we’ve explored the importance of milestones, how to stay motivated, the smart use of free foods, some tactics for dining out, surviving the holidays while dieting, the benefits of a 5% weight loss, diabetes, the importance of exercise. We’ve started an exercise routine, learned some beginner exercises, and gotten safety tips for exercising in the summer heat. Since beginning my weight loss journey in January, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day, the fourth of July, and Labor Day have come and gone. 

Plan Ahead – Planning ahead is always the best idea if you want to stay on track. Research restaurants in the area and find out diet-friendly foods you can get at each one.

Be Realistic – Realize that vacations can be unpredictable and something unplanned will come up. Be ok with that. One meal, one day, even one week will not undo all of your progress. Try to eat good 80% of the time, but realize there is going to be 20% of the time where you may indulge a bit. Just don’t let it get out of hand and you’ll be just fine.

Once you arrive, find a local market and stock up on,

1. Fresh fruit. Having it in your hotel room and in your daypack for breakfast and snacks will stave off hunger and prevent trips to the vending machine.
2. Protein bars. You can put them in my pocket or daypack and take them with you. Plus, you don’t have to worry about having to mix with water like a powder.
3. Convenience Foods. Tuna, jerky, instant oatmeal, and healthy snacks, like nuts and dried fruit, not junk food. 
4. Foods that can microwave and eat in the room. Get things like rotisserie chicken, heat and serve products like rice or veggies.
5. Milk. cheese, and eggs. Milk for cereal and drinking. I can only have noncow’s milk so having a carton of my milk in the refrigerator will allow me to have my morning cereal. If your hotel doesn’t offer healthy cereal choices pick up a box while you’re at the market. I’ve tried the preboiled eggs in the dairy case. They pack a lot of protein and they’re not bad tasting. Some low-fat cheese and a piece of fruit make a great snack.
6. Bottled water. Be sure to take a few bottles with you when you’re on the go so you’re not tempted by all those high-calorie drinks. It will also prevent dehydration which can be mistaken for hunger. For more on hydration while dieting read this post about the importance of hydration.

Eat Smart – You won’t want to eat all your meals in your room so try find local restaurants with low-calorie options. McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Applebee’s, Subway, Logan’s, Cracker Barrell, Outback, and Chick-fil-a are national chains that offer diet-friendly menu items. If you’re at a restaurant and don’t know what to get to help you stay on track, lean meat and veggies or a side salad is always a good choice and is something you can get pretty much anywhere you go. Order smart and stay away from the fat, sugar, and carb-laden items. Before ordering ask how it’s prepared. Request that extra butter and oils not be added. Get your sauces and dressing on the side. For more tips check out these smart tactics for dining out.

To stay on my diet and still enjoy my trip I plan to choose the foods I eat wisely, make moderation my vacation mantra, and with all the events I plan to stay as active as possible during our trip.

Stop focusing on the scale! Our weight is just a number and it doesn’t define who we are. Rather than just focusing on our weight, we should be focusing on the bigger picture — on our general health and wellbeing.

Weight Watchers Freestyle Progam – Learn more.

How my freestyle weight loss week went:

With Hurricane Florence behind us and our big trip just two days away, I stepped on the scale to confirm that I was back on track. I was excited to see that I am on my way down again with a small but important one pound loss this week. My next weigh-in will be the day we return from our trip. Wish me luck! Until next week… Remember to stay positive and keep looking forward.

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DID YOU MISS LAST WEEK’S POST?

Weight Watchers Freestyle Journey – GOT CRAVINGS? -Find Out How To KISS YOUR CRAVINGS GOODBYE

Check out the entire series of educational and inspirational Weight Watchers Posts.

I am not a medical professional. The contents of this website are for educational purposes and are not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

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