So, I'm actually pretty good at losing weight. I'm sure a lot of us, like me, are just really bad at keeping it off. I'm prone to yo-yo dieting and massive regains. It just so happens that I'll be out of the country for 3 months smack in what I hope to be in the middle of my weight loss journey. I have 40-50 pounds to lose, and I go abroad in 5 months. I aim to be 20-25 pounds down by then (losing 4-5 pounds a month, fingers crossed). Meanwhile, I'll be working on the emotional side, but I do best when I have a routine and traveling might really throw a wrench in the works.

So, I'm looking for advice for people who have successfully traveled and kept it off? Joining a gym won't be possible, as we're going to 3 different countries in 3 months (Ghana, Spain, and Morocco). Furthermore, I doubt I'll ever be going back to these places for a very long time as I'm not rich and am going on a research grant, so I know I'll have the mindset "when am I ever going to eat this (local food) again?! And indulge over and over. I'm HOPING I'll be in the Green Zone by then, so that will at least help with hunger. Will be doing lots of walking as exercise. I'm worried about not drinking for 30 minutes to an hour after eating since it will be hot and we will be doing lots of walking. But I really want to maintain the weight I do lose and not get knocked off course so I'm already dreading it and trying to mentally prepare myself. What are some habits I should be trying to build NOW that might be well-ingrained by then? (besides the monster I'm already dealing with--eating when I'm not hungry).

Any tips/advice would be much appreciated.

You can't go in to this 1. Thinking about food. That habit has to go away. You're not living to eat anymore you're eating to live. You do nothing different when traveling that you do now. You eat small portions and control your eating habits. Just because you can eat doesn't mean you have too. You have to have some self control in this journey the band won't do everything for you it is just to help you.

I'm really going to try to change the way I look at food before going on the trip. I'm just afraid because usually, I can do pretty well when I have a fixed routine, but go off the rails when that is disrupted. But that's life, so I need to figure out why and how to stop that. I will be doing two major things differently-I won't have access to my gym and I won't have access to a kitchen, so I won't be able to cook for myself. Additionally, I won't be able to go to a doctor if I need a fill. I know that I can still exercise without a gym and still try to eat healthily eating out every meal, but I am trying to mentally prepare myself for the troubles that can arise from breaking away from a routine.

Thanks for the input

Taking an extended time away from familiarity and your drs will be challenging but not impossible. I would continue to eat my portion sizes and not deviate from your plan too much so you continue to lose. You can still count calories and measure portions anywhere in the world. In fact you can bring the proper measuring devices with you.

It's all about how badly you want it to work. If you want to lose weight then you will because you will do the things necessary to its success....and you could do that on the moon if you wanted. Of course if you find you are in need of a fill you will be pretty much out of luck so that's where your will power will have to come into play.

Best wishes for a successful journey

Though I have not traveled for that length of time post op, a few suggestions that helped me on my relatively short sojourns were to plan ahead. I always travel with a few bottles of Water to stay properly hydrated and to help stave off hunger if it's too soon to have my next meal.

Keep healthy Snacks with you in the event that you are delayed with having your next meal. Nuts travel well and don't need refrigeration. Be careful to continue to watch your portion sizes, and get some exercise as often as it is possible.

The most important thing, as Cheryl shared is to revise your thinking about food; yes you will be traveling to exotic places...but is the local food really the main reason you are there? How about looking at the local customs and scenery your priorities, along with your research the priorities...

Safe travels...

Every time I travel, I actually loose weight!!!

And I travel a lot both on business and pleasure....

That's because I have to eat in restaurants all the time, which limits my already limited food choices....

At home I can at least plan and shop for the foods that are band friendly.....It is very hard to find enough food choices when out....and when away from home it is worse....

And, I never let up on my daily exercising ....no matter where I am.....no excuses!.....so I am always burning my daily calories requirements, even exceeding them........

Once you've started your journey and been at it awhile, you will understand the thinking we are trying to explain here. Most of the successful bandsters have gotten to the point where food is not a priority anymore. We don't worry about the food we are missing out on. Most of us are very content to try a little bite of something that we really want and be done with it.

We have have accustomed ourselves to listen to our bands and don't over indulge anymore. That is the one thing that you have to train yourself to do in those 5 months before you go on your trip, so you can use those skills while you are there to continue your journey.

Once you've started your journey and been at it awhile, you will understand the thinking we are trying to explain here. Most of the successful bandsters have gotten to the point where food is not a priority anymore. We don't worry about the food we are missing out on. Most of us are very content to try a little bite of something that we really want and be done with it.

We have have accustomed ourselves to listen to our bands and don't over indulge anymore. That is the one thing that you have to train yourself to do in those 5 months before you go on your trip, so you can use those skills while you are there to continue your journey.

Agreed.....the food I eat, and do not (cannot) eat, 24/7 does not change because I am on vacation or traveling for business.....if anything, the options become less when I'm away....

I agree options are less while out eating. I tend to have more issues while dining out, so now I mostly stick with soup and Salad. I have a pretty limited food choice, but am ok with that... I will try a tiny bite, then that's usually it :-)

I agree options are less while out eating. I tend to have more issues while dining out, so now I mostly stick with Soup and salad. I have a pretty limited food choice, but am ok with that... I will try a tiny bite, then that's usually it :-)

Agreed....I stopped eating red meat after being banded, had trouble with it and figured it was a good thing to give up...everyone kept telling me so anyway...

So when eating out, that's 1/2 the menu.....

Then take away breaded, fried foods....get stuck on those.......

Take away breads and doughy things, rice, globby melted cheese products, all those things on my "Do Not Eat" list because of getting stuck, and what's left on a menu??

Very limited......

Now eat off a menu 24/7 for a week, and that is why I always LOOSE weight when traveling...

(also, I never stop exercising)