Ok, so during the week I am like a machine, I follow my food plan to a T. I am not tempted at all. On the weekends though, I allow myself to have a few small bite tortilla chips (a few is all I can do), or a few m&ms, or a few bites of the kid's ice cream, by NO MEANS do I pig out! Of course, these are all Carbs and as I have said before Carbs are what make me fat. During the week I follow 30g or less of carbs and fat and 60+ of Protein.

I go on vacation July 11th and I am petrified that I will not be able to stick to my plan. I do not WANT to go off my plan, I have no desire to have a vacation from my eating plan. I will be staying at a vacation home and my Mom (who is also an 18 year bariatric surgery veteran) will be cooking for the family for every meal. The difference with my Mom is that she can eat whatever she wants, just very little and does not gain weight.

I need some major good vibes that week! I have a goal to weigh 150 or less by the time i leave, that is 4 more pounds! I want to continue losing while on vacation, I do NOT want to see a gain AT ALL.

I have to write this down, my goal is to follow the plan and I want everyone to ask me how I am doing while I am on vacation. I weigh daily so this will also be a test for me as I will not have a scale.

It is a blessing that I will have all meals prepared at home, just need to come armed with my Protein shakes and all my good protein and stay on top of my game even while on vacation.

Oh, also, I would not mind having a few cocktails while relaxing at the pool IF I can find some that do not screw up my weight loss, I understand there are some low calorie, zero carb options. Anyone have any ideas? Alcohol is not a must, only a luxury if I can do a 100 calorie drink that does not impact me...

Thanks everyone! Sorry, anxiety is kicking in. Right now I hate getting out of my routine cause I know my routine WORKS for me.:001_unsure:

This scares the heck outta me - I thought one of the big points of having the surgery was to stop the severe all-consuming diet life style - this sounds like Atkins! I know that protein first is the mantra but are you saying that you gain weight or stop losing if you eat any carbs at all? I wonder if severe carb restriction can actually make you more susceptible to carbs - kinda like the theory that severe restriction for allergies actually makes people more susceptible to allergens. Good luck and vodka is low calorie, the olive in a martini should count for protein! =)

Thanks! Didn't mean to scare anyone! I should mention I am a "lightweight" so my weightloss is slower than some but I am working to avoid the huge stalls.

I do consume carbs, it is just in very small quantity and only through other foods I get like the carbs in a Protein I am eating. I rarely have fruit right now and I occassionally have a few Special K crackers.

I just know my body, I get fat on carbs. I know I cannot lose weight eating large amounts of carbs or fat.

I am also being strict because I do want to set good habits for myself and so far, this is really working! I am 7 weeks post op today and I can tell you that I do not crave any of the stuff I used to. I still fight head hunger and dont want to fall off the wagon so for now, it may sound severe to some.

Everyone will have their own way of doing things and we will all have something different that works!

Just enjoy your vacation. Worst case is you gain a couple of pounds. You are doing good and you know how to work your plan the other 51 weeks of the year. Don't let it ruin your vacation!!!:001_unsure:

You'll do great, update on Facebook while you're there, and I'll keep tabs on ya.

Vodka/crystal light for your cocktails. Nothing pre-mixed like margaritas, rum drinks are usually super high sugar.

1oz of Vodka is 65-70 calories depending on the brand. Grey Goose has 69 calories per ounce. It seems most of them are closer to 69 calories per ounce. I heard the orange early rise flavor and/or raspberry flavor mixed with vodka on the rocks is yummy. I'm not a vodka drinker, but that sounds pretty good. Of course, tank up on Water after drinking to avoid a hangover, or dehydration once you break the seal, and start urinating a bunch. I notice when I drink, oh lordy, I urinate 4 times as much. My surgeon advised me to avoid red wines. I enjoy Riesling, and Gewurztraminer wines. I tried some sangria couple of weekends ago, and all it did was make me sleepy.

Hope this helps. Just stay on track, and do not beat yourself up having a cracker. I know you're trying to establish good habits, and I think it's great, but try to not let your vacation revolve around what's going in your mouth. I think you'll actually find that it's nice to not have to obsess about it once you're there. You'll find that you've laid a good foundation of new habits, and those will carry you through the vacation.

Great advice Tiffykins. :001_unsure: Don't forget to have some fun!! If you are headed to the beach put your toes in the sand and relax!

I just got back from a 4 day camping trip that included a large group of people and LOTS of food. I am 7 months out, but I agree with Tiffykins. You probably have already established some good habits that will carry you. I tried to focus on getting in some Protein at each meal (made chicken, salmon, brought string cheese, ate Beans when they were served even though they aren't my fave) and then ate fruit too, just cuz it is refreshing and healthier. I also ate whatever I wanted for Snacks, but I found that I would just have one marshmallow or one bite of a cookie and if it wasn't outrageously good, I just tossed the rest. Though I have to admit Pringles went down way too easily! oops! I drank for the first time and quite a bit, including high carb (I am guessing) lemonade and vodka. I felt like I was eating continuously and was amazed to come home and not have gained a pound.

Remember your Vitamins, I forgot mine and was annoyed with myself!

And have a great time!

Lighten up Angie! You are going on vacation. Enjoy yourself. You have very good habits established already, but your life has been quite hard this year. Let off some steam. Forget about the husband and let your worries go. That's what vacations are for. You can pick up where you left off, when you return. You deserve to have some fun....gurl.

Though I have to admit Pringles went down way too easily! oops!

I have decided that Pringles, Cheesy Poofs, and Chex Mix is all "of the devil". I'm serious, that crap is like my sleeve's crack addiction. . . I'm just glad that 5-8 chips satisfy me, but if I grazed them, I could put away quite a few of them.

You know what you should and shouldn't eat, a small infraction won't make you a failure. Have some fun!

Thanks to everyone for your comments! Vodka and crystal light, perfect! I am not wanting to get tanked, just hang with the adults and get a little relaxed!

lmmore, thanks for the reminder, yes, it has been a tough year, I truly NEED this vacation!

Support is so great hear! Love you guys and gals!

I went on vacation 6/11-6/18. I ate small amounts but I did have a michelob ultra 2 days during the time. I had been at a stall for the 2 weeks before and was glad to get home and find I had lost 4 lbs. Go, eat small amts of what you want and have a good time.

Angie -

I just came back from 2 weeks of vacation and lost! I tried to stop obsessing about everything I put into my mouth (which is hard for me) and just focused on eating healthy. I actually felt pretty normal, which was nice:) I also REALLY worked hard each day to walk or bike to make sure I was burning calories. I think you will do just fine - just make sure you aren't too hard on yourself.

Oh, most importantly my drink recommendation is vodka and cranberry (the light kind that is only 5 calories) and lime - yummy!

Have a blast!

VV2010

Great thread and advice, everyone. I am heading down to Seattle in about a month and while I am not worried, I do plan to plan .. I will not go unprepared. My hotel has a fridge (good for the protein snacks) and I will bring oatmeal for breakfast and other assorted healthy snacks (cheese, protein bars, fruit, etc.). Dinner out will always be soup. I'm psyched! :thumbup:

I was on vacation about 3 weeks ago and was SURE that I had gained. My stomach didn't feel as flat as it did when I was home drinking my 2 Protein shakes and one meal a day. I was eating 3 meals a day. But I could eat very little cause food would either get stuck, I'd get the slimes, or I would just stop like I'm supposed to when I get full.

Lo and behold, I came home 3 lbs. thinner. I acutally liked not having access to my scale every morning, and now know that if I just eat like I'm supposed to, I will be OK. You will too....vacation doesn't last forever, so just have fun.

The difference with my Mom is that she can eat whatever she wants, just very little and does not gain weight.

Angie, I think this part of your post says it all. Who's to say you can't be like your mom? That's the point of the surgery, right? :thumbup: