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Vacation is a time of indulging. Indulging in extra relaxation, extra sunlight, extra food and drinks. It is also a time of letting go.  Letting go of worries, to-dos, and should-dos.  I allow myself freedom.  Freedom from everyday routine.

During our vacation, I did have those extra summertime frozen drinks I talked about ☺.  Strawberry Daiquiris, Pina Colada, Margaritas and new-to-me Iced Tea Vodka and lemonade.  Let’s just say there was plenty of added sugar during that week.  I discovered Sunset Slush- so YUM!  We stopped there on more than one occasion during our visit to North Carolina.  My favorite flavor- blue raspberry!  As far as I’m concerned Sunset Slush is a must-go!

As many of you know I completed a Vegan trial a few months ago and since then have decided to stick with it for the time being.  Many of the benefits talked about take 3 to 6 months to take effect, and I am curious whether I will experience them.  I’m not worrying about the rest of my life, only now.  Right now I am happy with my decision.

On vacation I did my best to stick with a Vegan diet.  My family was super helpful and accommodating.  Aren’t they great?!  They bought me some quick and easy Amy’s California Veggie Burgers and Amy’s Non-Dairy Rice and Bean Burritos.  There were lots of fruits and veggies and whole grain breads. 

My sister, Rachel looked up restaurant menus for me before we headed out.  When we ate out at restaurants I tried to order Vegan friendly meals.  I am sure a little bit of dairy probably unknowingly ended up in my meals but I came pretty close.

When we returned home late at night from vacation my husband pointed at the scale and said “I’ve got a date with you tomorrow morning!”  On vacation he discovered hushpuppies.  Apparently well-known in the South, but new to us Northern peeps.  I was definitely wondering how much my added sugar and indulgences were going to add up on the scale?  In our home we are not anti-scale.  My husband and I probably weigh ourselves on average 2 to 3 times per month.  We use it as a loose gauge of how we are doing with our eating habits, because we don’t measure food or count calories, so the scale helps keep us aware. 

My husband got on the scale first.  The usual vacation extra poundage showed up and it encouraged and motivated him to get back on a healthier eating regime.  When it was my turn I full out expected to have gained a few pounds.  The question in my mind was how much?  To my shock I was the same weight.  I didn’t gain any weight on vacation!  That has probably never happened to me before.

Doing my best to maintain a Vegan diet on vacation is why I believe I was able to avoid the extra vaca pounds.  It kept me away from the ice cream and traditional baked goods that normally lure me in, all the while I didn’t feel deprived (well maybe just a tincy bit deprived when I saw the potato salad   ;-).  The frozen concoctions were such a treat.  I’m not sure how they didn’t add up but maybe I was a little more active than usual, although I felt like I lounged lots.

If you are looking for a way to maintain your feel great weight this summer on vacation, consider eating a mainly Vegan diet while you are away.  It saved me, and who knows?  It might just work for you too!

 


Comments

07/14/2011 7:20pm

Wendy, your post is so encouraging.
I'm still struggling going vegan all the way. Only the thought of no ice-cream or my baked goodies makes me crave them even more :((
I already told hubby when we get back home I'm decided to go vegan. Fingers crossed!

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07/14/2011 7:58pm

I think I be a vegetarian, but I don't think I could ever be a vegan, meat I can do without, but not cheese...sigh
I applaud you for being able to stick to it, I'm sure you will feel better in the long run because of it.
I'm happy to hear you had a nice vacation, it is nice to get away and NC is a beautiful state.

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07/15/2011 5:41am

Your post will been encouraging to many who fight to maintain weight while on vacation. I'm so glad you had a good visit home.I hope you have a great weekend. Blessings...Mary

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07/15/2011 5:48am

That happens to me on vacation too!!! I know there is research regarding cortisol and stress levels. I think when we let loose, let go and not concentrate it helps us naturally nourish our bodies. Sometimes its Firefly (Sweet Tea Vodka) that nourishes us best.... hahah.

I think variety also helps us keep our metabolism tuned up- The contrast in foods and day-to-day when on vacation shakes our body up out of the norm. You are better able to metabolize the not so healthy stuff when its a "vacation" occurence and not the everyday!

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jessielynn
07/15/2011 7:14am

So proud of you Wendy! Glad you had a wonderful, well-deserved vacation ;) xo

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07/15/2011 10:58am

Good for you! I have ordered some Vegan cookbooks and I bought some ingredients yesterday. I believe that my Banana Bread that I made yesterday was pretty vegan and it was awesome! When I post I will let you know and you can tell me if it's completely vegan :)

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07/15/2011 12:26pm

@friends

Thank you so much for the love friends! I really appreciate it. It was a great vaca all around.

@Dee - I would love to look at your banana bread recipe!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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07/19/2011 11:23am

This is so interesting! Very inspiring as I head off on vacation - while I don't think I could go completely vegan, it will definitely make me think twice when filling up my plate.

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07/19/2011 4:51pm

@Patty-

It works really well! Enjoy your vacation :)

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05/16/2012 5:08am

I respect the efforts and firmness in decision, but I believe vacation is a time to relax and eat a different variety of foods, rather than sticking to one type. Though that gives a little extra weight, still vacations are planned after a long period of work and should be completely worry free.

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