The Mommy Post: What Happens On Vacation Stays on Vacation!
Posted by Julie Kinney on Thu, Aug 19, 2010 @ 02:29 PM
This is my favorite time of year and my least favorite time of year all at the same time!
I love the time I get to spend with my children, the trips to the pool, the zoo, miniature golf, and the many weekends and weeks away on vacation visiting family and friends.
What I don't like is packing a bag for 5 people, packing the car, driving for what seems like hours on end, and getting off my routine. What always happens to me is picking up the pieces of vacation for weeks afterwards...doing laundry, sleep routines for the kids getting back to normal, and most of all exercising in my own environment, and eating MY foods on MY schedule.
Even when we have the best intentions of our behaviors on vacation, something can always get in the way. I take pride in my planning of car snacks and meals on the drive from Ohio back to Boston. I always pack turkey sandwiches and a cooler with fruit, all individually cut up and bagged for the kids. I also include a whole bag of homemade trail mix with popcorn, pretzels and raisins for the kids. Of course, water bottles are included in the cooler, as well as Benefit Bars for Mom and Dad. We try to avoid stopping along the way for meals as it is very easy to fall in the "GAP"! Wherever you turn, there are fast food restaurants and convenience stores.
When I plan for a trip, I always pack my workout clothes. I figure as a family we can get out for walks often, and since my husband would be around more than we are when we are home, I could get out for a solitary run or "sanity run" as I like to call it.
Since we are staying with family, I do the grocery shopping when I get there and am sure to stock up the shelves with OUR foods, as it keeps us in our routine and keeps our weight in check.
The most important skill that ALWAYS gets in my way no matter how hard I try to control it, is my record keeping. We all know that if you are not keeping records, you really have no idea what you are taking in for calories and outputting in physical activity.
This vacation was no different. I had a record keeping book with me and even though I did pretty well with my meals and snacks, and most of my plan was executed, things got in my way and my records were non-existent for almost 10 days.
The result...5 pound weight gain. BOOOOO!!!!
My work this week being back has been the hardest and harder than it would have been had I thought a little bit more about my records.
I am leaving that on my vacation and am back to my routine, my house, my schedule, and MY RECORDS. In one week, I have lost 4 out of those 5 pounds, but it has taken me a lot more work to get it off. In essence, it is going to take me 2 weeks to get out what I gained in a little over a week.
What is the point here? Let the bad behaviors go from vacation, and start fresh now. It is NEVER too late to make a difference even when you have a weight gain.
Have a great week!
Julie