Vacation Eating - HELP!!!!

[xecutech]

Ok, I am heading to Jamaica in about 3 weeks. I have been on atkins for 7-8 weeks and have not cheated once. I have lost some weight and feel pretty good.
When I go to Jamaica, I am going to try to be good, but do wish to enjoy some food, other than the atkins allowable foods. If I eat some carbs, will it make me sick?
I was going to be good for breakfast and lunch, but eat some carbs for dinnertime. Then, when I get back, start back on atkins again.
What will this do, and can it harm me in any way? I am assuming I will get sick again when I go back on the diet?
I keep telling myself that I won't eat bad there, but feel like I will just blow it.
I know alot of you are going to tell me not to cheat, but I feel like I may do it, so need some advice on doing it...

Will I put the weight I lost back on? I am only going to be there for 5 days, so am I just worrying myself over nothing? I know alot of folks cheat on their diets, but this is the first time I have made it this far on atkins.

Should I ween myself back on some carbs before diving into a bread basket or pasta bowl?

[not2late]

Re: Vacation Eating - HELP!!!!

How far have you gotten in your OWL? It really depends how far you've gone on the Carbohydrate Ladder during your OWL. If you've gone through the ladder, then small amounts of bread or rice or starchy veggies won't be a 'shock' to your system. And you will be able to stay on your Atkins while enjoying those foods.

[xecutech]

Re: Vacation Eating - HELP!!!!

I have been on extended induction, but this week moved to owl and eating more veggies. I was considering doing a new level before going.
I don't think I am going to eat bad, but I am going with my wife and friends and they love to eat. Me and my wife started atkins together and have done well together, but she said shes eating some fruit and having some fruity drinks. I told her I was going to behave on the trip, but it's easier when you have someone on the diet with you...

I guess I would like to hear from someone who has dealt with this and eating on vacation. I think alot of Jamaican dishes are served with rice, and I too would like some fruit and drinks too. Red Stripe beer doesn't have a low carb version of their beer!

[xecutech]

Re: Vacation Eating - HELP!!!!

Well, anything? I am concerned and getting frustrated. I almost wish I never started atkins. Is there a safe way to ween yourself back off the diet... without gaining a ton?

[ValidRouge]

Re: Vacation Eating - HELP!!!!

A true, by the book Atkins plan is one for life. The plan was designed such that we learn on the Ongoing Weight Loss phase, the Premaintenance phase and the Maintenance phase how to add all the foods back to our diet (except for sugar and white flour) so that we can maintain the new, low weight for life.

When you return to the bad food choices that got you fat to begin with, you WILL gain the weight back. It doesn't matter if you do Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers, American Heart Asociation diet or the Cabbage Soup diet. When you return to the bad eating habits that got you fat to begin with, you WILL get fat again. Sorry, but that's the bottom line on ANY weight loss plan--low carb, low fat, low calorie.


Now, if you go out on a gorge fest on vacation you'd probably get sick. But I'm not hearing you say that. However, if you'd go ahead and move through the rungs of OWL, you could legally have RICE. You could legally have fruit. Maybe not the fruit syrupy drinks, but you could have some fruit juice as mixer and not feel guilty.

[xecutech]

Re: Vacation Eating - HELP!!!!

Thanks for the info. I think I am going to try to stay on atkins during the vacation. I was just hoping to have the option to indulge a little bit. I wasn't planning on staying off the diet.
I just feel like that if I can never have a piece of birthday cake, a couple of slices of pizza, or never enjoy any of the foods I have eaten in the past, then maybe atkins isn't for me.
I have lost weight with it and with other programs in the past.
I had hoped that one day, that I wouldn't have to be on any diet, but watch what I eat and remain active and exercising, and have the freedom to choose what I want to eat.
Now, I am just depressed. First I felt imprisoned in a fat shell, now I feel imprisoned in a diet plan!

[speedyturtle]

Re: Vacation Eating - HELP!!!!

I am planning on small endulgences after I get to my goal weight. Not sugar tho, am too much of an addict to go there. And thats my choice not my prison, its more like freedom from something that tells me to eat sugar. I am in charge of what I eat not the other way around. I found that I can have fun at a social morning break and not eat that doughnut. Its a beautiful thing. I would think (don't know) but think they would have some wonderful seafood there.

[Theperfect10]

Re: Vacation Eating - HELP!!!!

I thought I'd share my story with you. I started Atkins in November 06' and by January 07' had lost 25lbs. Then I went on holidays for two weeks and decided to take a break. This break lasted until three weeks ago when I not only had regained those 25lbs but an additional 5lb.
When I think of where I would be on my goal had I just avoided temptation, it annoys me. But I thought I'd be the one to beat the odds, and could have a break for a fortnight and if I put on 10lbs - big deal, I'd do induction when I got home. The problem was I Kept telling myself I'd get back on track next Monday.... that never happened.

This time I'm doing atkins with a different perspective. Its not about the weight loss only - its my new WOE and the health benefits far outweigh any short term glorification of some crusty bread!

Its not easy for sure - on holidays I wish I had allowed myself to have a few drinks - but just said no to the breads and cakes etc..... I'm sure I would have been still on track right now and probably an additional 30lbs lighter.

I hope this helps a little bit..... maybe not what you want to hear, but I'd hate for you to undo all your good work.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Vacation Eating - HELP!!!!

The problem is that, for most of us, the "one little indulgence" turns into weeks, months, or sometimes YEARS of "little indulgences" and in turn, we return to the blood sugar instability, weight gain and bad health.

I've been here, I've seen it time and time again...AND I've done it myself (from 220 lbs to 268 lbs). This time I'm doing the plan right and have gone through the OWL rungs. I eat fruit. I eat pasta on occasion. I eat beans and even potatoes on occasion. So do the others who have GONE THROUGH THE OWL phase.

I Choose not to eat sugary/floury stuff because of the way it makes me feel, the cravings afterward for DAYS are HORRENDOUS and if I try to feed the cravings it only makes it worse. So, I choose to not even go there. Been there, done that, my new body is far far far more important to me than that "indulgence". You have to decide for YOURSELF which is more important.

[SandyL2002]

Re: Vacation Eating - HELP!!!!

Thanks for the info. I think I am going to try to stay on atkins during the vacation. I was just hoping to have the option to indulge a little bit. I wasn't planning on staying off the diet.
I just feel like that if I can never have a piece of birthday cake, a couple of slices of pizza, or never enjoy any of the foods I have eaten in the past, then maybe atkins isn't for me.
I have lost weight with it and with other programs in the past.
I had hoped that one day, that I wouldn't have to be on any diet, but watch what I eat and remain active and exercising, and have the freedom to choose what I want to eat.
Now, I am just depressed. First I felt imprisoned in a fat shell, now I feel imprisoned in a diet plan!

I just want to say.. You can do this... You have come so far.. My fear is if you eat some of the stuff you haven't been eating you are going to have a very upset stomach while on vacation. And a lot of bathroom visits and that isn't going to be fun. The food is not why you on a vacation.. All the FUN in the beaches and the tropical are is

Go to a carb counter.. Atkins has one.. And see how much carbs would be in something you might cheat on... Go on the trip with a mindset.. I am going to stick to the program.. IF you should fall off.. Don't let it be a open door to going crazy the whole vacation or you are going to have to go through withdrawals again. Tell yourself that the fruit drinks aren't worth putting back those lbs that you have lost. You have done great. You will probably find that they are too sweet to even touch.

Now this weekend I am going away... I just did a check on how much carbs are in certain fruits.. I am not planning to cheat.. But if I ate some fruit I wanted to know what kinds of fruits would be better and lower on the carb count.. For example. .I didn't know Raisins were so HIGH in carbs... That would be something you would think might be low in count.

Hang in there you can do this!

[ValidRouge]

Re: Vacation Eating - HELP!!!!

That's great advice Sandy.

That's what we call around here Carb Harm reduction. Making the lower carb choice. The other part of that is getting RIGHT BACK ON PLAN the very next meal. Don't wait for tomorrow. Don't wait for next Monday. RIGHT THAT MINUTE, get back on plan.

xec--One of the ways vacation really interferes and we get off plan easily is that we don't focus on the water portion. Make sure you have lots of water and are drinking that. Thirst often comes through from the brains signal as hunger. Don't mistake thirst for hunger.

[SandyL2002]

Re: Vacation Eating - HELP!!!!

That's great advice Sandy.

That's what we call around here Carb Harm reduction. Making the lower carb choice. The other part of that is getting RIGHT BACK ON PLAN the very next meal. Don't wait for tomorrow. Don't wait for next Monday. RIGHT THAT MINUTE, get back on plan.

xec--One of the ways vacation really interferes and we get off plan easily is that we don't focus on the water portion. Make sure you have lots of water and are drinking that. Thirst often comes through from the brains signal as hunger. Don't mistake thirst for hunger.

Thanks Joy I must be learning something around here..lol I will be away this weekend too and I have to make sure I keep drinking my water even if it means a zillion trips to the bathroom.. I think when you are eating out there is a lot of salt and stuff in the foods..

[xecutech]

Re: Vacation Eating - HELP!!!!

Well, I am going to see where I am weight wise before the trip. I am going to move up the rungs over the next few weeks and see where I am.
On the trip, I am going to avoid the sweet drinks and fruit. I plan on eating atkins healthy for breakfast, lunch and snacks, but see whats on the menu before I decide what to eat that day for dinner. I will drink only water and have rum and diet cokes for drinky time.
I will avoid the desserts, as I haven't craved anything sweet except a Krispy Kreme doughnut, but they won't have those there!
I plan on hitting the gym there every morning and doing alot of walking and swimming.

Then, when I get back, I will weigh myself and maybe do induction again if I gained weight. I don't think I will, but I want a backup plan. I may need to re-evaluate this diet to determine if it's the lifestyle I wish to live for the rest of my life.

I'll let you know how it goes...

[Belori]

Re: Vacation Eating - HELP!!!!

I think you're viewing Atkins in the wrong way. Atkins isn't about deprivation. It's about the same things all diets are about. It's about portion control and making good food choices. I don't see Atkins as the "I can never eat _______ again" WOE. I plan on having some of the treats I enjoy again but I also plan to make sure a treat stays just a treat (and not some daily ritual) and that the portions are reasonable.

This WOE is not about banning food but understanding how our bodies react to food so we can make better choices for our bodies. It's about breaking those unhealthy eating habits and replacing them with the knowledge and understanding to make good food choices.

Everyone is "bad" from time-to-time but for every bad choice you make you must make many more good ones or no WOE is ever going to work for you.