[devnet]

I'm leaving on vacation for 11 days tomorrow, and I'm kinda worried about how I'm going to be able to eat healthy while out celebrating and having fun with my boyfriend. Most restaurants are horrible, even if they have some not-so-horrid but still crappy items. (ie: 800 calorie salads, lol)

We'll be in a hotel, so we'll have a mini fridge. I can grab raw fruit and veggies at a grocery store and just keep them there, but that's about all on that front.

How the heck do you calorie count on vacation? I'm not bringing my computer with me AND I'm sure as heck not bringing a kitchen scale with me (helloooo neurotic, lol). I'm at a loss aside from just estimating, but...

Sigh, I just know I'm gonna come back home and see a gain. Any advice, anyone, pretty please?

[Arctic Mama]

Well I just came back from a week in Vegas and San Diego, and to be honest I didn't count or bother keeping track in any but the most passing way. I didn't go hog wild, either, but it wasn't worth the stress of trying to calculate food with no easy nutrition information available or substitutions around. The trick is that, now that I AM back home, I am back on plan immediately and moving on.

The vacation was fun, but it is over, as is the vacation eating. It only 'hurts' me if I don't return to the eating that makes me healthy once the situation is changed.o

[xxkaleidoscopic]

You obviously can't count, so don't stress. I would recommend a few tips:

Anything that looks extra creamy, cheesy, meaty, or breaded will add calories. That's how you tell the good salads from the bad - if they're covered with bacon bits, croutons, cheese, creamy dressings (like ranch), etc, then they're higher cal. Same rule of thumb applies to entrees. Breaded chicken as opposed to a small chicken breast without skin/breading. Etc etc.

Will you go over your typical limit? Probably. But those are some basic tips to at least cut back a bit!

[KatieC87]

In addition to what xxkaleidoscopic said, you could try to get in some exercise while on vacation. I'm not sure where you're going, but if it's a beach, you could go on long walks or runs, go swimming, etc. If the hotel you're staying in has a gym, you can get your work out on there. Exercise could help counteract some of the damage you (might) do.

I'm feeling neurotic planning for a two day vacation, so I don't know how y'all with the longer vacays do it!

[indiblue]

A few ideas:

- There IS more you can keep in the minifridge- low-fat cheese wedges, deli meats, Greek yogurt, hummus, etc.

- Perhaps decide on a meal out versus meal in exchange system... such as always committing to eating 1 meal from your minifridge (breakfast?), 1 meal at a restaurant where you've looked up the cals beforehand, and 1 "don't stress too much" meal where you try to choose a somewhat healthy option at a restaurant without being too restrictive. You can always switch up which meal is which- such as if you want to have a luxurious brunch one day and make your dinner a meal "in" that night.

- It may sound weird, but Intermittent Fasting helps me a TON when I'm on vacation. Usually instead of stressing over 3 meals and eating way too many high-calorie options, I will eat a large, balanced brunch at 11 or lunch at 12, not be hungry until 7, then eat a medium-sized dinner and get full quickly. It cuts out on the needless snacking and manages my meal sizes. I find when I eat fewer meals a day I am able to stay within calories more easily because I get more full more quickly. Personally I'd much rather have 2 enjoyable, full meals than 3 that I stress over and usually end up overeating

- Get in movement and exercise. Working out isn't going to counteract a 1500 calorie dinner, but if you guys are walking around the town, doing activities, renting bikes, etc you will at least contribute towards a caloric deficit, possibly curb your desire to overeat (because you feel so good from exercise!), and stay active. Sometimes just lying on a beach is super fun, but I love getting a lot of walking, biking, and exploring in when I'm on vacation.

- WATCH THE ALCOHOL! It's so easy to order that glass of wine with dinner or go out for drinks... if you drink perhaps limiting yourself to 1 drink a day at most.. and avoid the high-calorie pina coladas, margaritas, etc!

Have a great trip!