Even four years after being lapbanded, the idea of going to an all inclusive beach resort
makes me more than a little nervous – seven days and nights of unlimited food and drinks.
My only fear was navigating the open bars, the restaurants, and the buffet. I painfully remember all the vacations that I didn’t really enjoy because I hated the way I looked; I was embarrassed to be seen in a bathing suit. Depending on where I was in my yo-yo dieting cycle, I’d either be starving myself, or eating and drinking everything in sight, and loathing myself for it!
I was reminded once again that it’s all about my choices. There are good choices for me and there are bad choices for me. I know what they are.
Good Choices - cooked to order eggs
Bad Choices - these are my trigger foods
I had a great vacation. I didn’t feel pressure. We had fun. We laughed, we played, we swam, and we kicked back. I am proud when I see my healthy, fit, active kids loving an active life.
I came home last night. I weighed myself this morning and much to my surprise I was actually down 2 pounds! Now to be honest, I think that those 2 pounds are really a result of the work I did prior to vacation that didn’t show up on the scale until now. But still I didn’t gain weight on vacation! I had a great time even if I still haven’t made peace with the loose skin on my thighs.
unlimited high calorie drinks at the pool bar could have been a problem for me. My friend and our girls.
What I re-learned is that it’s still all about choices and having a plan. Here are some tips that worked for me on vacation:
- My band still restricts high quality solid foods even in a Caribbean paradise but…liquid calories – especially frozen drinks could easily be my downfall; water is the best choice at the pool bar.
- I kept up my physical activity – I used the gym, swam, joined in on the water aerobics and had fun keeping up with my kids.
- At the buffet – I walked the buffet without a plate. I surveyed the choices and developed a plan for what to put on my plate. There were lots of good choices but I had to “just say no” to my trigger foods.
- I didn’t deprive myself. I allowed myself small portions of some of the treats I REALLY wanted – one bit of my daughter’s profiterole; a mini-scoop of ice cream. (These are not triggers for me; my triggers are starches, breads, pastas, chips etc.)
- I wasn’t afraid to ask for what I didn’t see on the menu – no plain salad at the seafood grill was easily resolved.
- I brought protein powder – I always had my plan “B.”
- I had a great time and allowed myself to enjoy living in my body!
- Even if I had blown it, I would have gained a few pounds, but I wouldn’t have returned home at 232 lbs; I still have my lap band and I know how to use it.
Patty and Me
So, I went on vacation to a tropical paradise with my best friend. We’ve been best friends since 7th grade. Growing up she was tall and skinny and I was fat with a “pretty face” and always yo-yo dieting. When I look at the picture of us standing together, she’s still tall and in great shape and it’s hard to believe that really me standing next to her. My eyes are welling up with tears. Yes, that’s really me but I’m still surprised when I see a photo.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
QUOTE:
“I am responsible for me and what my body needs.”
That’s so important. Nobody else can do it for us.
Best wishes to you.
Gloria, i have been reading a bit about your story, congratulations. I was 320 lbs at my heaviest and I now maintain at about 270 and I go up and down, not being under 260 in 6 years now. I am 43 struggling(i GAVE UP IN FACT) I am considering the lap band, but I am struggling with the expense and my biggest issue is that if you have to exercise and watch what you eat, how does the lap band help? Could it not be done with just watching the food intake and exercise with out the band? How does the band make this an easier task? I am so frustrated, to the point , I sometimes feel like If this is it for the rest of my life, I just don’t want to live like this(not that I would do anything to myself) I just don’t have the will anymore. I feel like the walking breathing dead. I hate my life, I hate myslef, I am so angry and miserable, that I am making the people in my life feel like I do, alienating everyone. Any advice would greatly be appreciated. I tried to join, but it said I had to enable cookies and seems I am not sure what that is, I did not want to do anything.
Tamara