When you go on vacation....

[Zarabelle]

Do you eat any differently or do you stick ridgedly to the plan?

I am going on hols next Wednesday and was wondering what you guys do? I definitely don't want to go back to eating bread, potatoes etc. but do you allow yourself more fruit, veg etc. when on holiday?

I am committed to this WOE for the long haul and so appreciate there are a couple of times a year (vacation and Christmas for me) when you may want to have a bit more choice.

Can I hear what you guys do?

Going completely off plan and then 'recovering' on Induction is not an option. I feel I have got past that mindset.

[kate58]

Re: When you go on vacation....

For me choice comes later. I stayed on plan over Christmas and on a short holiday since and one before. It does help when you are a little up the OWL ladder, as you automatically have more choice then. I deliberately moved up the ladder before Christmas, despite being tempted to stay longer induction, so that I'd have those choices while still staying strictly on plan. I didn't much fancy an induction Christmas, but with the extra choices (I was on the berries rung by the time it came around) I was fine. I was on induction on a long weekend away, it wasn't a major problem.

I figured that if I was to genuinely embrace this as a way of life I will always have to deal with holidays and special events, and that making exceptions for them at an early stage was just setting a very bad pattern for the long term.

[shininstr984]

Re: When you go on vacation....

I went on a trip my first week of induction to visit my mom who is out of state. It was a long drive, and I stuck with it. (mcd's burgers, no buns, hot dogs from the gas station) it does suck...but then my mom didn't have much that i could eat while i was there....i had meatloaf...which isn't really low carb. so that was the only thing i did that was a little naughty. didn't really affect my weight loss i dont think

i wouldnt recommend going off the wagon in any circumstance really..

[Zarabelle]

Re: When you go on vacation....

Guys, I have done this by the book. Been super strict. I celebrated my birthday with induction legal foods and sparkling water!

I am not going to go off plan. I was just wondering if at any time you allowed yourself some extra veg or fruit. Bread, pasta, potato etc. etc. etc. is not an option.

I will probably stick to plan 100% foodwise but just wondered what people truthfully do on a vacation of a lifetime.

Thanks.

[SandyL2002]

Re: When you go on vacation....

Hi zara.. I try to stick to plan..cause I know it only takes 1 bite to get me off track..That being said.. I have had Nuts when I wasn't on the nut rung.. Fruit that was lower in carbs... Try to do your best and don't stress out about it..it won't be a fun Holiday if you do...

[sadie147]

Re: When you go on vacation....

Guys, I have done this by the book. Been super strict. I celebrated my birthday with induction legal foods and sparkling water!

I am not going to go off plan. I was just wondering if at any time you allowed yourself some extra veg or fruit. Bread, pasta, potato etc. etc. etc. is not an option.

I will probably stick to plan 100% foodwise but just wondered what people truthfully do on a vacation of a lifetime.

Thanks.

If you are talking 'lifetime' there are many things you can have if you didn't have issues with them on OWL. I was just away for a couple of days and had potato skins in a restaurant, as well as whole grain bread at breakfast. You can also have fruit once you have gone past the proper rungs. I probably eat a bit more when on vacation then I would at home, IE I had the potato skins as well as the bread in the same day, not something I would noramally do, but I was also walking for hours on end so getting in lots of exercise.

In maintenance there are very few things i cannot have, I just have to have them in moderation...when on vacation as I said i may have a bit more than i would..but I wouldn't go offplan then back on when i return, there really IMO is no need too.

I also don't go back to induction when i return, I just go back to the way i would normally eat and continue my exercise. I usually do try to make sure i incorporate some exercise when travelling as well

Having more food choices is a HUGE reason for moving onto OWL.

[DuchessOfDork]

Re: When you go on vacation....

The only way I'm cheating when I go to the beach this summer is if I am at my goal weight, or if I have the "look" I want. If not, there's no point.

[SugarFreeSheila]

Re: When you go on vacation....

My eating experience when traveling (domestically or abroad) is every bit as strict, but upgraded. There's more variety and I don't have to cook! I usually return home a pound or two lighter.

[Zarabelle]

Re: When you go on vacation....

OK, so I think the answer is to be completely strict. That is fine. Was planning to do that anyway. I was just wondering what people did. I have always been an 'all or nothing' person and so if I did cheat - I would probably think what the **** and fall off the wagon!

I didn't want to open a can of worms. I have read several posts where people have (bravely) admitted to going slightly off plan on hols and I just wondered how common it is.

I guess the only time you can waver at all is when you reach goal!

Zx

[spazzyhilo]

Re: When you go on vacation....

There have been times when I've allowed myself more veggies. Either cause I want something to snack on or just cause I cant resist broccoli. I'm on Owl Nuts rung though so having more veggies doesn't bother my system at all.

There is a good chance that when I'm allowed fruits that there might be some occasion where I will have a little more than whats allowed. Really just depends on how my body handles fruit in the first place. Last time I was on Atkins my body LOVED berries and since I was drinking a lot of water and getting plenty of excercise it never caused me to stall.

I love OWL because of being able to have more choices in my food and being able to add variety to my meals. It also helps to ease the stress of having "just one more piece of celery"

[stephbob]

Re: When you go on vacation....

For me, I'm either on plan or off plan, it's very black and white. USually, I end up with a carbfest on the plane, but I try my hardest to stick to my diet when I'm there as best I can.

It's been easier to visit my in laws recently, since the rice and potato for breakfast-lunch-and-dinner mother has also tried to eat low carb, so I no longer offend when I say I can't have something lol

I drink a lot more diet coke than usual though, the water and ice tends to upset me :s

[APanthesilia]

Re: When you go on vacation....

Being on a plane is the hardest for me! I'm a very frequent flyer and I still haven't found the best thing. I get so hungry on the flight when they bring around the trays for the other people and I say I don't want one. Not that it's good food anyway! For any holiday though I recommed bringing some legal snacks because you never know what you are going to be able to find once you get there! Where are you going??

[Zarabelle]

Re: When you go on vacation....

We're going to Bermuda. It's a long flight but we're going club so should be able to request legal food more easily (last time on the WOE, they made me a gorgeous breakfast in first class and bought it down the plane!). I will eat a big, high fat lunch before boarding. I am not overly worried about it - what's seven hours?!!

[stephbob]

Re: When you go on vacation....

Only 7 hours?! Damn! I'm jealous. I fly Florida to UK and back every month and it's at least 10 hours, sometimes 12...and it's not that much difference!

Try to call the airline/travel agency in advance if you can, because they still need to make sure the food is available on the plane for you. I always ask and I never seem to have any luck, and get stuck with pasta or something just as evil, and that's in first class too. Sucks!
I managed to sneak some food on the plane with me last week though, not sure if security missed it or if we're allowed to bring food again, but it was good lol

[Zarabelle]

Re: When you go on vacation....

I already asked BA weeks ago and they do not have a low carb option. I am honestly not worried about the plane journey (or the holiday), I will have a big fry up at the airport and then take snacks (cheese etc.) for the journey.
x