Isn't this a fine kettle of fish!

I returned last Friday from 2 weeks in Africa. While I was there, I gladly feasted on everything that was served.

This being my first trip to Africa (Botswana to be precise), I did not realize that they are accustomed to serving their UK guests.... so, here was the feeding schedule:

5:30 a.m. -- Coffee to your cabin with a small bite of cake.
6:00 a.m. -- Must be at the lodge for your hot breakfast!
10:00 a.m. -- Halfway through the game drive, guide stops and sets up a table with coffee, tea, biscottis, etc.
11:30 a.m. -- Guide must rush you back to the lodge for your hot lunch!
3:30 p.m. -- Up from your siesta and time for high tea! (all manner of drinks and sweet and savory appetizers)
6:30 p.m. -- Toward the end of the evening game drive, guide stops for a *sundowner* (wine, beer, hard liquor, jerky, chips, etc.)
7:30 p.m. -- Back to the lodge for cocktails!
8:00 p.m. -- Time for your fantastic three-course dinner!!

WOW!

Yes! I feasted and feasted and of course there were no scales, so I figured I had put on ten pounds!

Guess what.... I got home and weighed myself instantly to find out I had not put on one single solitary pound. Nothing. Dead flat. Same as when I left. 279. Not great, but not the 289 I was expecting!

Thrilled!

So, what do I do? I START MAKING UP FOR THE TIME I WAS IN AFRICA BY EATING ALL THE GOOD OLD AMERICAN FOOD I CAN POSSIBLY MANAGE!

Why on earth would I do that?! I figured that because I hadn't gained anything I had a FREE PASS! And since I started doing this, I then rationalize by saying "Oh, it's okay if I do it for one week! Just to ease back into things!"

Wrong!

Pleeeeeease..... give me the magic words to reverse this trend so I get off this number and start decreasing again!

THANK YOU!!!!

How about "well, that was fun. But now I'm getting back on plan. Period".

You have to decide to do this. There are no magic words, doll - just dedication and the commitment to make this a lifestyle change you stick with for good.

You can definitely do this. Just jump back on and stick with it a couple days, and you'll find it easier and easier. But you have to get through making the commitment first.

Vacations are magic -- I often find that when I go on vacation, even if I eat like mad, I still stay the same or even drop a couple of pounds. I suspect it's because people tend to do a lot more walking about have more physical activity while on vacation (after all, who's going to sit around and watch TV halfway around the world?!). Also, I've heard vague rumors that eating unfamiliar foods can temporarily prime the body to lose weight (it sounds kind of bogus, but the Shangri-La diet [which in practice is terrible, and please no one ever try it!] is kind of based off of this observation)

But just because it worked on vacation, doesn't mean it'll work here. Don't let yourself slip into the groove -- even if you haven't been eating well since you came back, remind yourself that every bite is a choice, and from this moment on, start making the right choices for your lifestyle. (Plus, come on, back in America -- how about some good old American veggies! Buy up some of the produce that's nearing the end of its season and feast on that, freshly and simply prepared!)

It sounds like a vacation of a lifetime! So glad to hear you enjoyed yourself and didn't gain any weight.

Time to get back on your plan. You can do it. No excuses!

What a fabulous trip! Keep it as the good memory it deserves to be by not turning it into ... what a great trip, but then I gained 20 pounds ... keep the memory pure!

All of you really DO know the magic words!

I always wondered why people would come back to 3FC saying that leaving was part of the reason they gained a bunch in their absence.

You guys are great! I will stop humiliating myself with excuses now and start digging back in to the proper, healthy rhythm.

THANK YOU!!!

HEY!!!! COOL! I'm going to Africa on Jan. 5th. I'm from the US though (longer flight, groan!) Did you have an AWESOME time or what?!?!

Ahhh... coming back from vacation and still being on a vacation from your diet! Remember when you made the decision to start losing weight? You've come WAY TOO FAR to stop now. Take the one step back onto the treadmill, get a little sweat goin' and remind yourself why you started in the first place! You can do it!

Nods -- I noticed how it was confusing in my original post. I'm actually here in the U.S. also! I meant to say that in Botswana they must be used to all the *high teas* and what have you that they do in the UK. Too many snack opportunities for a weak-willed American like me!

I'm back on board with the program now and just suiting up to take a brisk walk!

Where are you going in January?

Iconoclast,

I went through the same thing. Not a vacation, but a period of many celebratory meals and a weekend away. Gave myself permission to go up a maximum of three pounds. I didn't. Somehow rather than becoming a source of happiness, it triggered an eating binge.

Ironically, after my biggest eating day on Sunday (finally up two pounds on Monday) I felt horrible and had a great eating day on Monday...Tuesday I was back to the original weight and this week the scale has just dropped...Monday is my official day and I expect to be lower based on this point in time.

It doesn't make sense...but if we are to maintain we need to learn to maintain. I want to lose, but even more I want to maintain what I have lost...forever!

Oh yeah, now I look and see you are from Dallas TX.

I'm doing the Tanzania Safari thing in January and after that a couple days in Zanzibar. One of my best friend's was just in Botswana though. She LOVED it!

Most of our time we are staying in a campground in a dome tent. But the first two days we are there we are staying at a place on a coffee plantation near the Kenyan border that has fences and running trails so I know I can try to get a little exercise and shake my legs out.

I'm worried about eating way too much on this vacation! Full room and board, breakfast lunch and dinner! ACK!

I'm glad you got some exercise in yesterday! Welcome back!

Pandora -- You hit the nail on the head! That seems to be the direction I'm going. I've straightened up now and I'm actually down a pound! I will wait until Monday morning though before I officially record it on my ticker.

Nods -- Thanks for the encouraging words. I will wager a bet that you're going to have a splendid time in Africa. Can't wait to hear everything on your return! Good luck!