Tips on How to Stick to Your Diet While on Vacation

I can't believe I survived Sin City!  Before my trip to Vegas, I was terribly nervous. 

• Can I really go to a buffet and stick to my meal plan? Even if I could, do I want to?
• I can eat whatever I want because I'm on vacation.  Relaxing = French Toast, right?
• How am I going to order the food that I need to eat?  I would rather not be difficult. 

When I arrived in Vegas, temptation was everywhere.  They served us bread at every meal.  I absolutely love warm bread with butter!  One time my hand automatically almost went into the bread basket.  I totally caught myself before it happened.  I didn't need it, but I was on total autopilot (destined for mindless eating).   I also made us leave a Mexican restaurant because the smell of chips and salsa was just too tempting.  I knew that when they brought us that basket of salty crispy chips, I would be all over it.  I would feel horrible after.  So I chose to avoid that guilt by suggesting a steak house instead.

Here are some tips that helped me stay on my diet while vacationing:

• Chose a hotel with a gym and use it.  Schedule a massage after your workout.  It can be a treat for your hard work and also part of a way that you treat yourself while on vacation.
• While everyone is having bread before their meal, have a dinner salad. 
• Carry portable snacks with you.
• When ordering, ask for your food to be clean.  No butter, sauces, oil, or salt.  Be as specific to your diet as possible.  You pay the bill at the end, so don't feed embarrased! 
• Choose restaurants instead of all inclusive or buffets.  Steak houses are great restaurants to visit while vacationing.  You can ask for a lean cut of steak, chicken, or fish with a side of green vegetables.  Wala!  That easy. 
• While everyone has dessert, have a cup of tea.  Choose a tea that is naturally sweetened with pomegranete, berries, or citrus. 
• Recognize your triumphs everytime you stick to your meal plan.  I felt so good everytime I was succesful at dining out and sticking to my diet. 
• Walk through any tempting cheating from beginning to end.  For example, eating the chips and salsa would be so delicious at first.  After I finish the whole basket, I'll feel horrible about cheating on my diet.  Then it's the case of the F*@#$  it's and I might as well give up now.  I've worked way to hard and giving up is not an option.  So no chips and salsa thank you!
• Drink 3-4 glasses of water with every meal.  I normally carry a gallon size water bottle with me.  That was going to be a challenge while vacationing.  I didn't do so well in this department and only had a glass of water with my meal.  When I came back home my water level was low at 44%.  It needs to be at 50-60%. 

I had a wonderful time on my vacation enjoying time with family and also enjoying nice healthy meals.  Normally, I come back from vacation bloated.  This time I came back and I actually lost a pound!  In addition, my sense of empowerment over food is growing as I continue to make progress with my diet.  It really isn't as hard as it was at the beginning.  I still have cravings, but I can walk away from them more easily as I am starting to love the results. 

What's on my menu now?

Breakfast
Oatmeal
Egg Whites

Snack
Protein Shake

Lunch
Chicken Breast
Salad
Green Veggie

Snack
Protein Shake

Dinner
Steak or Fish
Salad
Green Veggie

Snack
Protein Shake