Vacation Conquest

At the end of my August blog, I mentioned that I would be sharing how I did on our vacation to Colorado this year.  Last year whenever we went, I gained 10 pounds back of the 50 I had lost on the HCG diet in one week!  That’s how I knew that HCG wasn’t going to be sustainable for me.  I joined Weight Watchers shortly after I got back home last September.

Well I’m happy to report that this year I lost over 4 pounds while we were on vacation.  Not only did I reach my 100 pound mark, but I actually exceeded it.  What a difference.  I stayed on program almost the entire time.  If you’re thinking I only ate carrots and celery, you are mistaken.  We ate out at least 7 times and met two different friends in their homes for lunch on two other days.  Rebekah and I also cooked meals during the week in our cabin.  We made out menus for 3 meals a day.  My son actually asked me if I was really going to eat all of the stuff that was on there.  My response was yes, in some sort of variation and my portions may be a little different than yours.

We had a great time and I never felt deprived.  I’m telling you that it can be done by changing the way you think, and refocusing your attention on something other than food.  We rode bikes and we also did some walking to earn activity points.  Riding a bike in Colorado is truly a workout for me!  The air is thinner and you start sucking air almost immediately.

One other change that Jerry and I have done is when we stop at rest areas while we’re traveling; we take a 10-15 min walk around the parking lot.  No more stopping for double stuff Oreos, candy and Dr. Peppers.  After we walk, we grab some fruit or a healthy snack and we always, always drink water.

As I’m writing this blog, we are actually on a weekend camping trip.  I have stayed completely on program the whole time.  How is that possible?  I plan for success.  I even knew it was supposed to rain this whole weekend so I brought more reading material, games and healthy snacks to keep us busy.  It’s so funny to look in my camper refrigerator and see stuff like lettuce, raw veggies, low calorie dressing, fruit, turkey products, grilled chicken, etc.  These are items that I use to NEVER take camping.  Now they’re staples for me.

I honestly love my new way of life.  My body is responding to the daily exercise it now gets and I feel so much better.  I have currently lost 145 pounds from my heaviest recorded weight.  I have a goal to be in One-der-land by Thanksgiving.  I’m thinking I’ll actually arrive there early.  Check back next month and see if I did.