Why I was happy to gain 3 lbs.

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Are you one of those people that can go on vacation and not worry about coming home with extra pounds?? And I'm not talking about the kind you have in your overstuffed suitcase...If you are, good for you...I aspire to be like you...but at this point, I'm not! I'm one of those people that gets into 'vacation' mode very quickly....and out of 'trainer' mode. I decided to share my most recent experience with you, in case you are like me, and come home with extra baggage that reminds you of all the chocolate you ate while away :)

Most people would not be happy about gaining 3 pounds. It's not something that you would typically hear your trainer say....but I was thankful to have done it! Life is all about progress and not perfection...and gaining 3lbs on a vacation was great progress for me.

Holidays and vacations mean a change in schedule and food EVERYWHERE. Make that vacation 10 days on a cruise ship, and that has usually equalled disaster for me. I'm the type of person that doesn't work out if gym clothes aren't the first thing I put on in the morning. Things get in the way during the day for me, and I won't get it done if it's not first. Trips and holidays make it too easy to get in the mode of "I'm on vacation"....and waking up to the smell of cinammon rolls and assorted pastries can easily start the day off in a bad way.

Cruises are a funny thing. Most people eat about every 20 minutes then go lay on a chair next to the pool. Get up, eat, lay down. Seriously couldn't be MORE difficult to not gain weight :) We love crusing though, and this was my 5th one. It was also the longest one I've been on, and the least amount of weight I've come back with ~ so I wanted to share with y'all why it was different this time! Let me first say that I was NOT neuroticly counting calories and thinking about it 24/7. I absolutely enjoyed every minute and had lots of yummy treats that I don't have on a weekly basis. There were just a few things I decided before I went that I would do differently, and they worked! The average person on a cruise that length comes back with between 8-15 lbs...I was determined to not be one of them.

Here are 5 things that I did differently this time ~ so I didn't come back with lots to lose!

• I chose my splurges. I decided that since breakfast was going to set the tone of my day and how I felt in the afternoon, I would fill up on healthy protein and complex carbs. They had an omlette station and I ordered egg white omlettes filled with veggies (minus the chz) ~ had a couple of bites of the scalloped potatos that looked yummy and the rest of the plate was filled with fresh fruit. This kept me feeling well and full until lunch.,.and I didn't have that carb/sugar crash to contend with mid-morning. I enjoyed the dinners in the formal dining room so I knew I'd enjoy a 4 course dinner and could wait until then for dessert.
• I worked out (almost) every day. Packed my charged ipod and before leaving downloaded some new music to keep my interest during the workout. I worked out right after I woke up, so that I wouldn't miss any of my sun time in the chair ;) and I got them done FAST but pushed myself hard. I did a tabata each day, since I can't stand to get on a stationary cardio machine, and lifted weights. If you need accountability, sign up for a fitness class at the gym/spa and try something new!
• I didn't pack clothing that allowed me to gain extra weight. When I shopped for the trip, I bought all my shorts in the size I wanted to be when I got home, and didn't give myself room for much weight gain. My shorts were a bit tighter but I could still get into them on day 12.
• My focus wasn't food. Since it's "free" on the boat and there are limitless buffets, it's super tempting to eat and eat and eat...because you are getting your moneys worth right? :) There are 24hr pizza buffets, hamburgers all day on the deck w/ fries, etc. Since I knew dinner was going to be in the formal dining room, a 4 course meal prepared by the chef and really great food, I was happy to do a lighter lunch with lots of fresh fruit.
• I chose activities that got me off my rear! We had excursion options that required effort on our part ~ and some are a great workout! Kayaking is something that I can only do on vacation, as well as snorkeling....find something that sounds fun and that you'll break a sweat.

It was a great feeling to come home and not find myself in the same situation that I have EVERY single time...so when I got on the scale (which I never do - but I knew that my clothes were a bit tight and I wanted to know) and saw that it was only 3lbs I had gained, I was ecstatic. That was progress for me ~ and I got it all off within the first week back with my de-tox with Shakeology which was easy and do-able.

Hope these little changes will help you stay on track while you're away ~ If you have other ideas that have worked for you, comment below and share with others!