Adjust to Changing Situations
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
So, I should have written this post earlier since it is a day off & I want to get out of the hot house & enjoy the day with my hubby BUT I failed to do that. So, I thought I would write a short post about adjustments I made on my playcation that brought me home with no weight gain & I still did not feel deprived.
I think the thing we have to realize with new situations, vacations or just changes in our bodyis that we always have to be ready to make adjustments to meet the situation. Now, if you go on a vacation with plans to just enjoy, hey, that is fine if that is your plan. For me, I had planned to take off completely from exercise & I exercise a lot so I knew if I wanted to maintain my weight, just playing with the kids was not going to do it all. I also had to make adjustments to my food.
So, here is what I did while on playcation. I was still keeping busy non-stop and I was moving & moving a lot PLUS I was lifting little ones & such. That #7 was my weight workout!
BUT, I also adjusted my food intake. I planned to eat less than I normally do on one of my heavy workout days. Also, we had a fridge in the hotel room that I kept stocked with water, mini organic carrots, whole grain bread, protein bars that I brought with me, Greek non-fat yogurt AND chicken I made at one of the daughter's house. On our first night on playcation, I bought skinless, boneless chicken breasts & made them up all up in advance & took them with me wherever we were meeting for dinner. The girls had fruit & other things at their house so I could grab that as well. I still ate mini meals the best I could & I really did not feel deprived while I was there. Our hotel also had breakfast as part of the room charge so I was able to get fresh fruit there as well. I like my bread better than theirs so I just toasted the bread I brought with me. I came home equal!
As for my hubby, he decided to enjoy but since he does not work out like me, all the craziness & activity with the kids brought him home weighing less AND he was able to eat & enjoy while he was there. At home he tries to eat pretty healthy in general.
So, the take away from this is that in any situation, if you think through what you will be doing for activities & plan ahead for food, there is no reason why you need to gain weight on playcation or in other situation as well. Adjust as best possible & try not to stress about it!
Also, I must provide a correction to my Sunday post, Words of Wisdom for all to Remember. Dr. J was kind enough to let me know that yes, Regina did write those words of wisdom BUT she was 50 when she first wrote them & added a few more at 53. Hey, the lessons in the words are still good! Thx Dr. J!
So, I should have written this post earlier since it is a day off & I want to get out of the hot house & enjoy the day with my hubby BUT I failed to do that. So, I thought I would write a short post about adjustments I made on my playcation that brought me home with no weight gain & I still did not feel deprived.
I think the thing we have to realize with new situations, vacations or just changes in our bodyis that we always have to be ready to make adjustments to meet the situation. Now, if you go on a vacation with plans to just enjoy, hey, that is fine if that is your plan. For me, I had planned to take off completely from exercise & I exercise a lot so I knew if I wanted to maintain my weight, just playing with the kids was not going to do it all. I also had to make adjustments to my food.
So, here is what I did while on playcation. I was still keeping busy non-stop and I was moving & moving a lot PLUS I was lifting little ones & such. That #7 was my weight workout!
BUT, I also adjusted my food intake. I planned to eat less than I normally do on one of my heavy workout days. Also, we had a fridge in the hotel room that I kept stocked with water, mini organic carrots, whole grain bread, protein bars that I brought with me, Greek non-fat yogurt AND chicken I made at one of the daughter's house. On our first night on playcation, I bought skinless, boneless chicken breasts & made them up all up in advance & took them with me wherever we were meeting for dinner. The girls had fruit & other things at their house so I could grab that as well. I still ate mini meals the best I could & I really did not feel deprived while I was there. Our hotel also had breakfast as part of the room charge so I was able to get fresh fruit there as well. I like my bread better than theirs so I just toasted the bread I brought with me. I came home equal!As for my hubby, he decided to enjoy but since he does not work out like me, all the craziness & activity with the kids brought him home weighing less AND he was able to eat & enjoy while he was there. At home he tries to eat pretty healthy in general.
So, the take away from this is that in any situation, if you think through what you will be doing for activities & plan ahead for food, there is no reason why you need to gain weight on playcation or in other situation as well. Adjust as best possible & try not to stress about it!
Also, I must provide a correction to my Sunday post, Words of Wisdom for all to Remember. Dr. J was kind enough to let me know that yes, Regina did write those words of wisdom BUT she was 50 when she first wrote them & added a few more at 53. Hey, the lessons in the words are still good! Thx Dr. J!
What are your strategies for playcation or any other situation like work travel? Do you plan ahead or just wing it? Winging it for me never works BUT it may for some of you. Oh, and yes, that is some of the group in the picture above. We don't have the camera ones ready yet.
I think it's so great that you showed how you can adapt your own healthy eating to almost any situation, rather on vacation or traveling for work.
That picture is awfully cute too!
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for me it depends on the trip!
BUSINESS TRIP? I plan ahead and bring workout stuff or protein powder etc.
vaycay? time to relax? I give my bod a break. wing it. veer off path and ENJOY EVERY MOMENT and return to routine when Im home.
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The only constant is change, right? I tend to get MORE neurotic about my food and exercise when I'm on vacay so my challenge is to be flexible - and it sounds like you did a great job with that!
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So you're in front of Cracker Barrel, right? LOL! (they have the best bacon and grits)
I'm actually trying to wing it in an effort to practice discipline and portion control. I've made good strides, but also trainwrecked a few times, but overall I think this is a good strategy to condition myself to tackle any foodie situation that gets thrown at me. Then I'll ready to handle it!
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LOL Josie.. was just about to say about the pic being in front of a Cracker Barrel. So funny how they all have the same little porch thing going on!
my vacation time is usually for traveling back home for a family function, or to see or pickup/drop off my son, so as far as getting a full "X" amount of days to myself hasn't happened in over 10 yrs. I try to do little things as the days/weeks/months pass me by.
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When I plan a trip I always check out online the facilities so I can plan my exercise. If I'm travelling for work I'll try to book into a hotel that has a gym and pool then I can take my gear and swimmers. However, if I get caught in meetings sometimes my best intentions go out the window. I agree you have to be a bit felxible and realise the routine you have at home may just not always work on holidays.
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Diane, I have learned to adjust all thru this process!
Miz, I totally understand that break from all! Me, my tummy really reacts if I go too off base so I have to balance it.
Charlotte, so true, The only constant in this "game of life and fitness" is change!
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Josie & Cher, yup, that was Cracker Barrel. My hubby was thinking about that since last trip & the kids & little kids love it! I like the store!!! Yes, I ate first & had coffee there. Not my type of food but I always take a bite or two off of the hubby's plate!
Kellie, good thoughts!
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I usually wing it. My only "rule" is to be aware of what I'm doing. If everyone else is having pizza, and I *want* pizza, I'll have a slice. But if I really want that yummy-looking grilled chicken salad on the menu, I'll order that and be odd girl out. So far, that's worked well for me. I usually lose a couple pounds or gain a couple, but nothing that doesn't level out when I get back into the routine of it.
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Great way to handle it. I like that!
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