Hey everyone! I'm baaaaaack!!! And very sunburned!
I wrote a few weeks ago stating that I was headed on a beach vacation for two weeks! I wanted to share my successes, woes and lessons learned from going on a beach vacay just a two months into my weight loss journey!
I started my weight loss at 210, and I left for vacay at 194.4 lbs. I had NO idea what to expect, as I had never been on an all-inclusive vacation before! I wrote myself a love letter for when I return, since I had no idea what sort of emotional state I'd be in. I had read of so many vacationers who take a break and never find their way out of the Diet Bermuda Triangle and I was worried a gain would derail me. I also didn't want to only eat celery on my trip!
Ultimately, I think I did pretty well with the food. My calorie intake is 1500 and I tried to aim for that ish, thinking "I'll still go over, but less so"? Sort of like telling someone who is always late to meet you at 7:00 when the movie doesn't really start till 8? My body was used to 1500 calories, so even with the buffet, that was fine.
The alcohol definitely put me over the limit, but I remember thinking on the beach "I want a pina colada. There are whales jumping near me and I am in Mexico and am I really going to look back on this moment and think 'good thing I had water' ?" In the end, I had the Pina Colada! It was delicious! I guess what I learned is that you've got to let yourself let go and enjoy the vacation, while still doing positive healthy things for yourself. I worked out at the gym 4 times while on vacation, and did one 4 km run (I felt like a dog at a leash-free park!) I also snorkelled, canoed, walked a lot, sweated a lot, danced a lot etc., and was overall more active than I would have been otherwise.
So, what was this morning's dehydrated, pre-TMI, sodium-filled, bloated weigh in? 195.3! Only 0.9 lbs higher than when I left. With some water and a visit from Aunt Flow, I may have actually LOST!
So, ladies, if I can give you one lesson: it wasn't the calories or the working out or the booze that either did me in or helped me maintain. It was my MINDSET and promise to myself that upon returning, no matter WHAT, I would continue my journey. I think the best thing I did of all was writing that letter telling myself it was okay if I gained and to keep at it anyway. I highlighted the 7 most difficult things I have ever accomplished in my life, and I said "If you can do those, beautiful, you can do anything!"
I'm glad to be back and look forward to sharing future struggles and successes with you all
Post-vacay Report: Tiny Gain!
That is awesome!! Sounds like you had a ton of fun and a huge blast! 
Okay... I admit I did tear up a bit at the end...
