Help! Going on vacation and won't have much control over food
In about 2 weeks, I am going to see my folks in North Carolina. They eat things like salisbury steak with gravy, mashed potatoes, some veggies, hamburgers, fried green tomatoes, hot dogs with sauerkraut etc. I've already told my dad that I plan on eating cereal with berries for breakfast (he usually cooks bacon and french toast) and that was acceptable to him. I am also planning on bringing my favorite salad dressing from home so that I can make salads every night for dinner (they don't eat salad). My dad likes to eat at buffets and I'm a little worried about that. I haven't had much luck controlling myself at those places!
I feel like I don't have much control over the food situation. I can't ask my dad to cook special things for me (and he wouldn't have a clue how to)...I don't want to put them to any trouble. I guess when we eat at their house, I can measure everything I eat in measuring cups and spoons and write it all down. I am going to be lost without my fitday software!
I'm trying to lose 5 lbs a month and I'm really worried about how this trip will effect my success at that goal.
1. Pack a TON of healthy snacks so that you can tell yourself, 'I really shouldn't have this, but I can go get _________ from my bag instead'.
2. Hit the store when you get there for fresh fruit/raw veggies.. keep easy things like apples, grapes, bananas, and carrots around
3. Be sure to drink a lot of water, irregardless of what you eat
4. Don't be insulting, there's no need.. there is nothing wrong with making yourself a salad and then taking a few bites of their food. It will satisfy your craving for home-cooked food, but you'll be making better choices. If you don't want to live off salad, add a bunch of steamed/sauteed/grilled veggies to the side of whatever they're making, and fill your plate up with those first, and then just a little bit of what they are having
5. Do not, and I repeat, do NOT go to the buffet!!
If you can't easily weigh foods, then exercise portion control. Are you allowed to fill your own plate? If so, then take, say, 1/2 burger, 1/2 your usual size scoop of potatoes (I use 1/3 dry cup measure for mashed potatoes), 2 TBS of gravy. And the rest can be veggies or salad. Skip biscuits. If someone else fills your plate, then only eat half of what's there. Draw a line, cut it up--whatever it takes.
Skip dessert--substitute fruit--or take the smallest amount possible, eat part of it, then leave the rest.
Remember, if you are cheerful and lighthearted about this, your family will be, too! They want to see you and see that you're pleased.
If you go to a buffet, which I agree is very hard, then again, portion control! Avoid some foods entirely--no dessert bar, no greasy foods, skip the bread. Usually you can find some chicken, some vegetables. Don't try to take a little bit of everything--sometimes that just does not work. Concentrate on the things you can eat with relatively good conscience.
If possible, keep a list of all foods you eat during the day and approximate amounts. Write it down that night. Then when you get back to your FitDay you can enter things and see what actually went on. This is a helpful exercise.
You may not be able to lose while you're on vacation. In fact, if you don't gain anything, it will be a win! Don't worry--just try to follow your plan of good eating as much as possible and you'll minimize the damage!
Can you cook? I go visit my ILs on a pretty regular basis and if I relied on them to make the food, then it would mean no veggies and lots of "meat and potatoes" type things. I take veggies and I cook for them. I think it is the only way they'd eat veggies.
I'm going to go visit my family cross country tomorrow and I know some of it will be a challenge and yes they will want to go to buffets at the local casinos . I hate buffets but they like them so I'll go along to make them happy. I know what I can eat, veggies and leaner cuts of meat.
Don't forget to exercise!! That is one thing you can control, so if you know you'll be eating not as well as usual up your exercise and be sure to make time to get it in every day!
I like taking a book to the table with me when i go out of town and writing everything down before i eat it. Wow....that makes you accountable. Too see so much food written down, it will keep you from wanting to eat so much. I did this all weekend. As i ate something, i wrote it on a peice of paper. That's how i know i didn't over eat.
Glory has a good buffet strategy - one plate of whatever you want, and anything beyond that has to be vegetables. Buffets can be an opportunity to get in some vegetables, but they can be a danger zone as well.
Wisher has a great point, too, you can always go for a walk or something!
Good luck. I'm on vacation this week too, and I haven't decided on what strategies to use.
First of all - don't even SAY that you "don't have control" - because that's just not true! - YOU always have control over what goes in your mouth. ALWAYS.
When on vacation, I just eat. I enjoy the food, and I watch that portion size, and I don't get crazy about being "off my diet" for a few days. I stick to my planned eating schedule as much as possible, and otherwise, I just enjoy myself. That seems to take off "the crazy pressure" and I find that I don't go overboard when I'm not stressing about it. It's when I start stressing (OMG! how will I handle that situation? What can I have for breakfast that doesn't "bother" others, etc....) that I really go off the deep end.
The only other suggestion I have is to just eat half portions of fattening things. Don't make it your goal to lose during the vacation. Make it your goal to maintain.
Thanks for the tips, guys. I think the first day when I get there, I am going to ask them to drive me to the store so that I can stock up on the healthy things that will nourish me. Jay, I think I will definitely measure out my food...it's the only way for me to stay honest. I have to remember if I go to the buffet that I DO NOT have to try everything. I won't die if I don't have xxxx or yyyyy. I like lum's suggestion of writing things down before I eat them. I think I will buy a little book to carry around with me. I agree with you, Jay...if I don't gain anything then I will be happy. Wisher---- I am going to try to exercise...I currently only get a little walking in, but when I am there, I am going to try to do the walk/jog thing in the mornings. But it may be too hot, it gets really hot where they live, even in the morning. Beach Patrol--- your right, it is ultimately my responsibility what I put in my mouth, but I don't think I can just totally relax over it, if I do it will be super hard to get back on plan when I get back. Maybe just relax once or twice.
Help! Going on vacation and won't have much control over food
and I find that I don't go overboard when I'm not stressing about it. It's when I start stressing (OMG! how will I handle that situation? What can I have for breakfast that doesn't "bother" others, etc....) that I really go off the deep end. 
