Jo,
Just had to tell you how much I enjoy reading your posts. Your wit and wisdom and ability to express your thoughts and experiences is such a great gift. Thank you for sharing it all with us.
Carmel
The MakeMeThinner Support Forum
Weight loss,health management and diet program. Terry & Nancy Pettit (Presidential Health Coaches)
Serendipity
by Serendipity » July 4th, 2006, 9:43 am
Ok, I'm between laundry loads, so I think I have time to talk about my strategy for eating on plan during vacation.
First off, Silver Fox.....thank you so much for your comments. It means so much.....you can't know how much.....but, yes, you probably can.
Anyway....here goes.
The single biggest factor in my vacation success is that I decided before going that I wanted to be compliant. I thought about what it would be like to go off my plan for over a week. I thought about how I would feel, about the struggle I would be sure to have getting back on plan, about what food has really come to mean to me.
If I had decided to go off plan during my vacation, I wouldn't have gained a ton. I would most likely have been set back a week or two. No big deal. But to me it would have meant so much more. It would have been an admission that all of this work I've done hasn't taught me anything about the importance of food in my life. If I've learned anything, I've learned that food is not the do all and end all of pleasurable experiences. I have had tons of fun while not eating. I've been to dinners, parties, picnics....you name it, and I've had a blast. Why then, couldn't I go on a vacation and have fun without blowing it? These things rolled around in my mind before leaving, but I can't say that I was even tempted to do anything but stay on plan. It just wouldn't have been right for me.
So having decided that, the rest was really quite easy. I packed a suitcase full of RTD shakes (enough for 3/day), 1 bar/day, 1 soup/day, 1 oatmeal/day. That's more than 5 supplements a day, but I wanted a little bit of choice. I came home with all of the oatmeal because it didn't really taste great with just hot water added. Each day started with a shake and room service coffee. Then at mid morning, another shake. For lunch I joined my husband on the Lido deck for lunch. Each day, I walked up to the buffet and looked at the great food, smelled the wonderful smells, talked to my husband about what he was going to pick that had a balance of protein and carbs and not too much fat, grabbed a bowl and spoon and got the heck out of there! I took my bowl and found us a table, then went to the drink bar and picked up a glass of hot water and 2 iced teas. I mixed my soup and waited for hubby to get back. I remarked to him one day, "You know, that food all looks good, but you know what else? This soup is really good, too! I feels all warm and is so tasty.....I would choose my Chicken and wild rice soup over what you're having". I meant it!
Late afternoon, more room service for hot tea or iced tea and my bar. That was great and I looked forward to it every day. I didn't even think about all the people up at the icecream bar or at the pizza bar. I enjoyed my bar just as much as they did....probably more because I had no guilt, lol.
Dinner on a cruise is so much fun. You dress for dinner and have a drink before at one of the lounges. Hubby always ordered a beer, I always ordered water with lime. The bartenders got to know me and just brought my water after a few days. (I tell ya, they treat you like a queen....I could really get used to it).
So dinner could have been a problem. I knew that normally, the portion of veggies was skimpy and that usually they were buttered up or coated with sauce. Same with the meat. Sauces Sauces, potatoes, all the wrong stuff. Soooooooo......
On the first night, I asked to talk to the head waiter. I explained to him that I needed at least 1 1/2 cups of a green vegetable each night and that it should be prepared with no added fat or sauces of any kind. I listed green beans, spinach, zucchini, and asparagus. He said that would not be a problem at all. Then I explained how I needed to have my meat prepared....again, no problem. He said that each night he would bring me tomorrow's menu and I could pick what I wanted and he would see to it that it was prepared to my liking. Dinner worked out so well. The first night and every night after, I was served all four of my vegetable choices! If we had salad, they brought low fat dressing on the side. My meat was perfect. That waiter got a good tip from us at the end of the trip. He made it so easy to stay focused. After a few days, he even started bring my husband the veggies because I had been sharing with him and the waiter saw, lol. I won't lie. There were dishes that I remember from past cruises that I could have scarfed down, but what I chose to do in the end was not a sacrifice. It was just a different choice. Each night our waiters (George and George from Romania) brought the dessert menu and promised me that all of the desserts were calorie free. I ordered coffee, lol.
After dinner, a show, or a stroll, or a drink, some music.....never a lack of things to do. Then back to the room for my last shake and bed.
It was so easy after the decision was made. I made it sound simple because it was. Like showering every day, or dressing, or exercising.....it was just what I did, no more complicated than that.
I had plenty of time to people watch on this trip. I saw so many people that reminded me of me on my last cruise. Huge, miserable, trying to look inconspicuous. My heart broke each time I saw it, because I know how heartbreaking it is. There were several extremely obese people on the ship. I continually ran into one man who didn't fit into any of the chairs so to sit, he chose a bar stool and sort of leaned against it while still standing, balance a huge plate of food all the while. Heartbreaking. I saw so many huge plates of food, it made me wonder about how I would feel if I ate that much.......blah would be my guess. I was continually made aware of how fortunate I have been to find Medifast. I was a normal person on this trip. I was in better shape than most of the people there. Yeah, there were plenty of hard bodies, too, but I was the norm. It felt great to be "NORMAL" for a change.
If I had it to do over, my decision to eat on plan would be the same. It didn't detract one iota from my pleasure. There is so much more to life than a plate full of cakes and cookies. I'm not saying that everyone should do it, but it was so right for me.
First off, Silver Fox.....thank you so much for your comments. It means so much.....you can't know how much.....but, yes, you probably can.
Anyway....here goes.
The single biggest factor in my vacation success is that I decided before going that I wanted to be compliant. I thought about what it would be like to go off my plan for over a week. I thought about how I would feel, about the struggle I would be sure to have getting back on plan, about what food has really come to mean to me.
If I had decided to go off plan during my vacation, I wouldn't have gained a ton. I would most likely have been set back a week or two. No big deal. But to me it would have meant so much more. It would have been an admission that all of this work I've done hasn't taught me anything about the importance of food in my life. If I've learned anything, I've learned that food is not the do all and end all of pleasurable experiences. I have had tons of fun while not eating. I've been to dinners, parties, picnics....you name it, and I've had a blast. Why then, couldn't I go on a vacation and have fun without blowing it? These things rolled around in my mind before leaving, but I can't say that I was even tempted to do anything but stay on plan. It just wouldn't have been right for me.
So having decided that, the rest was really quite easy. I packed a suitcase full of RTD shakes (enough for 3/day), 1 bar/day, 1 soup/day, 1 oatmeal/day. That's more than 5 supplements a day, but I wanted a little bit of choice. I came home with all of the oatmeal because it didn't really taste great with just hot water added. Each day started with a shake and room service coffee. Then at mid morning, another shake. For lunch I joined my husband on the Lido deck for lunch. Each day, I walked up to the buffet and looked at the great food, smelled the wonderful smells, talked to my husband about what he was going to pick that had a balance of protein and carbs and not too much fat, grabbed a bowl and spoon and got the heck out of there! I took my bowl and found us a table, then went to the drink bar and picked up a glass of hot water and 2 iced teas. I mixed my soup and waited for hubby to get back. I remarked to him one day, "You know, that food all looks good, but you know what else? This soup is really good, too! I feels all warm and is so tasty.....I would choose my Chicken and wild rice soup over what you're having". I meant it!
Late afternoon, more room service for hot tea or iced tea and my bar. That was great and I looked forward to it every day. I didn't even think about all the people up at the icecream bar or at the pizza bar. I enjoyed my bar just as much as they did....probably more because I had no guilt, lol.
Dinner on a cruise is so much fun. You dress for dinner and have a drink before at one of the lounges. Hubby always ordered a beer, I always ordered water with lime. The bartenders got to know me and just brought my water after a few days. (I tell ya, they treat you like a queen....I could really get used to it).
So dinner could have been a problem. I knew that normally, the portion of veggies was skimpy and that usually they were buttered up or coated with sauce. Same with the meat. Sauces Sauces, potatoes, all the wrong stuff. Soooooooo......
On the first night, I asked to talk to the head waiter. I explained to him that I needed at least 1 1/2 cups of a green vegetable each night and that it should be prepared with no added fat or sauces of any kind. I listed green beans, spinach, zucchini, and asparagus. He said that would not be a problem at all. Then I explained how I needed to have my meat prepared....again, no problem. He said that each night he would bring me tomorrow's menu and I could pick what I wanted and he would see to it that it was prepared to my liking. Dinner worked out so well. The first night and every night after, I was served all four of my vegetable choices! If we had salad, they brought low fat dressing on the side. My meat was perfect. That waiter got a good tip from us at the end of the trip. He made it so easy to stay focused. After a few days, he even started bring my husband the veggies because I had been sharing with him and the waiter saw, lol. I won't lie. There were dishes that I remember from past cruises that I could have scarfed down, but what I chose to do in the end was not a sacrifice. It was just a different choice. Each night our waiters (George and George from Romania) brought the dessert menu and promised me that all of the desserts were calorie free. I ordered coffee, lol.
After dinner, a show, or a stroll, or a drink, some music.....never a lack of things to do. Then back to the room for my last shake and bed.
It was so easy after the decision was made. I made it sound simple because it was. Like showering every day, or dressing, or exercising.....it was just what I did, no more complicated than that.
I had plenty of time to people watch on this trip. I saw so many people that reminded me of me on my last cruise. Huge, miserable, trying to look inconspicuous. My heart broke each time I saw it, because I know how heartbreaking it is. There were several extremely obese people on the ship. I continually ran into one man who didn't fit into any of the chairs so to sit, he chose a bar stool and sort of leaned against it while still standing, balance a huge plate of food all the while. Heartbreaking. I saw so many huge plates of food, it made me wonder about how I would feel if I ate that much.......blah would be my guess. I was continually made aware of how fortunate I have been to find Medifast. I was a normal person on this trip. I was in better shape than most of the people there. Yeah, there were plenty of hard bodies, too, but I was the norm. It felt great to be "NORMAL" for a change.
If I had it to do over, my decision to eat on plan would be the same. It didn't detract one iota from my pleasure. There is so much more to life than a plate full of cakes and cookies. I'm not saying that everyone should do it, but it was so right for me.
jo
276/135 since December 1, 2006
"Grandma, how did you make yourself so little?", My grandson, Jake
276/135 since December 1, 2006
"Grandma, how did you make yourself so little?", My grandson, Jake
-
Serendipity - Preferred Member - #140 Club
- Posts: 3552
- Joined: November 20th, 2005, 9:22 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh Area - !!!GO STEELERS!!!
by Arklahoma » July 4th, 2006, 9:57 am
So glad that you've been so level-headed about the weight loss process. Staying compliant on vacation is tough and I'm so proud of you for your accomplishments.
-
Arklahoma - Preferred Member - 70# Club
- Posts: 2414
- Joined: March 22nd, 2006, 10:40 pm
- Location: Madonna-Land
by Karli » July 4th, 2006, 12:23 pm
WOW (!!), Serendipity, thanks so much for sharing with us. I got chills as I read through your post.
My hubby and I went on a cruise for our honeymoon when we got married three years ago. I was eating vegan then (plus no sugar or starch of any kind), and the waiters did the same thing for me as what you described above (though, it was a little harder to find variety in vegan, no sugar, and no startch on that cruise). As you were explaining your experience, my mind filled with pictures that reminded me so much of my own experience of staying (*mostly*-- in my case) compliant on a specific diet, while doing something like being on a cruise.
I remember how good it felt, too. It really felt good to not be one of the masses just gorging myself at every meal. Remembering that feeling for myself is important for me, it seems. And your description of your great experience brought it all back for me. I remember feeling everything that you described, and knowing that in the end, I was not sacrificing what's important to me by siding with the eating decisions that were actually mine, versus the hypnotic temptations of buffets and fancy, evening attire.
Thanks,
Karli
My hubby and I went on a cruise for our honeymoon when we got married three years ago. I was eating vegan then (plus no sugar or starch of any kind), and the waiters did the same thing for me as what you described above (though, it was a little harder to find variety in vegan, no sugar, and no startch on that cruise). As you were explaining your experience, my mind filled with pictures that reminded me so much of my own experience of staying (*mostly*-- in my case) compliant on a specific diet, while doing something like being on a cruise.
I remember how good it felt, too. It really felt good to not be one of the masses just gorging myself at every meal. Remembering that feeling for myself is important for me, it seems. And your description of your great experience brought it all back for me. I remember feeling everything that you described, and knowing that in the end, I was not sacrificing what's important to me by siding with the eating decisions that were actually mine, versus the hypnotic temptations of buffets and fancy, evening attire.
Thanks,
Karli
- Karli
- Preferred Member - #50 Club
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Hi
by dede4wd » July 6th, 2006, 9:14 pm
Jo,
I DID love your cruise post! I'm so thrilled for your compliance during your cruise, you made it sound so EASY and so fun! I can't tell you what an inspiration it was that you were able to stay compliant!
DeDe
I DID love your cruise post! I'm so thrilled for your compliance during your cruise, you made it sound so EASY and so fun! I can't tell you what an inspiration it was that you were able to stay compliant!
DeDe
Age: 37 Ht: 5'10"
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dede4wd - Preferred Member - #50 Club
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- Joined: March 14th, 2006, 11:08 pm
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
by Serendipity » July 7th, 2006, 5:12 am
Thanks, Dede. Staying compliant made me feel like I could tackle any situation and win. I didn't expect that reward at all, but it feels great......dare I say the albatross is gone from my back.....it's still hovering like a vulture and probably always will be, but at least it's not weighing me down anymore.
jo
276/135 since December 1, 2006
"Grandma, how did you make yourself so little?", My grandson, Jake
276/135 since December 1, 2006
"Grandma, how did you make yourself so little?", My grandson, Jake
-
Serendipity - Preferred Member - #140 Club
- Posts: 3552
- Joined: November 20th, 2005, 9:22 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh Area - !!!GO STEELERS!!!
by Serendipity » July 7th, 2006, 10:54 am
Oh Man! The oddest thing is happening. I have lost 2 pounds since Monday and I could swear that every last ounce of that 2 pounds has dropped off of my stomach! I've never noticed so much of a change in such a short time or with such a small amount of weight. Needless to say, this chicky is happy. 
Those of you who are frustrated with the stuff that is hanging on for dear life.....there's hope! It has to go somewhere if you keep losing, lol.
Side note to turkey: My muffins are shrinking before my eyes!
Those of you who are frustrated with the stuff that is hanging on for dear life.....there's hope! It has to go somewhere if you keep losing, lol.
Side note to turkey: My muffins are shrinking before my eyes!
jo
276/135 since December 1, 2006
"Grandma, how did you make yourself so little?", My grandson, Jake
276/135 since December 1, 2006
"Grandma, how did you make yourself so little?", My grandson, Jake
-
Serendipity - Preferred Member - #140 Club
- Posts: 3552
- Joined: November 20th, 2005, 9:22 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh Area - !!!GO STEELERS!!!
by wildtrk » July 7th, 2006, 11:03 am
Serendipity wrote:Side note to turkey: My muffins are shrinking before my eyes!
Gobble....Gobble....
327/247/199
MF Start Date 4/14/06
10# - 4/26 40# - 5/25 70# - 7/27
20# - 5/04 50# - 6/18 80# - 8/31
30# - 5/15 60# - 7/1
New Start Date 1/22/10
Starting weight 355/345/199
10# - 2/2/10
"How long does getting thin take?" Pooh asked anxiously.
MF Start Date 4/14/06
10# - 4/26 40# - 5/25 70# - 7/27
20# - 5/04 50# - 6/18 80# - 8/31
30# - 5/15 60# - 7/1
New Start Date 1/22/10
Starting weight 355/345/199
10# - 2/2/10
"How long does getting thin take?" Pooh asked anxiously.
-
wildtrk - Preferred Member - #10 Club
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- Location: 3rd rock from the sun
by TheShadow » July 7th, 2006, 11:09 am
Your post about your cruise was great. I'm getting ready to go on vacation next week and I know I will be compliant. I am going to be sure to ask for extra veggies and although there have been temptations up to now and there will be more, I will make it. You did just great. I've been on cruises and I have seen all the food that they are throwing at you at every turn. It is like a bad memory now when I see a heavy person who is sitting on the sidelines. I feel so much of their pain in a sad nostalgic way. I am so glad that I am leaving that behind. But I wish more people knew about MF. COngratulations and I'm so glad that you had a good time.
TheShadow
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by Serendipity » July 7th, 2006, 11:10 am
wildtrk wrote: Gobble....Gobble....
I don't speak turkey.....what's that mean?
jo
276/135 since December 1, 2006
"Grandma, how did you make yourself so little?", My grandson, Jake
276/135 since December 1, 2006
"Grandma, how did you make yourself so little?", My grandson, Jake
-
Serendipity - Preferred Member - #140 Club
- Posts: 3552
- Joined: November 20th, 2005, 9:22 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh Area - !!!GO STEELERS!!!
by Serendipity » July 8th, 2006, 5:57 pm
I went to a graduation party today. Didn't really want to go. It was a beautiful day and we were so enjoying our backyard....but obligations, oh well. Anyway, the usual preparty thoughts never entered my mind. In fact I was parking the car when it occurred to me......I had none of the anxiety that is usually associated with my going anywhere public! Wow, I think my brain is catching up to my body. I didn't have to try on 10 different things to see which one made me look skinniest (term used very lightly, lol). Here comes that word again.......I felt NORMAL today!
jo
276/135 since December 1, 2006
"Grandma, how did you make yourself so little?", My grandson, Jake
276/135 since December 1, 2006
"Grandma, how did you make yourself so little?", My grandson, Jake
-
Serendipity - Preferred Member - #140 Club
- Posts: 3552
- Joined: November 20th, 2005, 9:22 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh Area - !!!GO STEELERS!!!
by jump4joy » July 8th, 2006, 6:10 pm
It's a very GOOD THING when normal FEELS normal! Love your journal, Jo. I've become a regular fan of yours....I think you (and Jen) have a natural gift for writing and expressing yourselves.
Joy
Joy
Motto: The time will pass whether I diet or not.
- jump4joy
- Preferred Member - #30 Club
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