Me this month in Düsseldorf for Karneval
I’m officially down a little less than 30 pounds since starting Weight Watchers last April. I’m happy the weight loss was slow because what I really needed from the experience was to change my lifestyle and approach to eating completely. I grew up pretty slim—looking back on pics some might even say I was skinny-ish (and mad tall…lol) and then into high school and college I stayed pretty slim aside from the freshman year weight I gained and lost. Then joining the work force full time I guess maybe I went off track but I’d let myself never get beyond a certain weight/dress size before I’d work to lose the weight. I always knew what to do to lose weight but I never maintained many lifestyle changes that would help keep it off. By the time 2009 rolled around, I was doing so well at eating properly and working out. Then I got into a car accident that kept me out of the gym for a bit. And shortly after that I quit my day job and started blogging and freelancing full time and my lifestyle went from somewhat active to scarily sedentary. At some points I was still managing to work out regularly but my diet was that of an 8 year old boy…lol. Needless to say I gained over 35 pounds.
Me in Barbados last year pre-weight loss
But now I’m pretty acclimated to the Weight Watchers way of life (yup, those Jennifer Hudson commercials from years back definitely got me…lol). You can read all my posts on my progress and how it’s helped me here. But one thing I’ve found challenging is staying on track while I travel internationally. I was SO good when I was in Georgia for two weeks visiting family during the holidays—my YMCA membership worked at the location like 5 minutes from my family’s house so I went at least three times a week. I made sure to stay on track with eating—I was SO good especially since a trip to Georgia with all its Zaxby’s and Gladys and Ron’s and Chik fil A to tempt me usually doesn’t end well…lol. But after Georgia I spent about two weeks in Grenada where drinks were really good and inexpensive and I was tasting ALL the foods…lol. I probably gained about 5 pounds :x Thankfully I got it off but I can’t be having hurdles like that blocking my weight loss thrive…lol.
Then in Germany I did okay because most of what we ate consisted of some protein and veggies. I steered clear of drinking because all that BEER would have been my demise…lol. I also tried to steer clear of sauces and anything fried because they tend to rank high in points and if I eat them they don’t fill me up as much so it would be just a recipe for disaster.
What also worked in Düsseldorf was that we walked a ton. There was a gym in the hotel and I brought some workout clothes but I never made it there…lol.
I plan to do tons more travel in the near future and I’ll be damned if my dreams of seeing more of the world will but a hinder on my dreams of staying fit…lol. So after these last two “test run” trips, I think I’ve devised a plan to help me stay on track:
(these are also things that might help even if you’re in your hometown)
1. Go for the veggies and lean protein first. I might get a little dessert especially if it’s a local delicacy, but I want to be filled with the good stuff first so I don’t OD.
2. Steer clear of sauces, fried food, and alcohol. Only have them in small doses. These things typically carry too many points and I’d rather eat my points than waste them with sugary cocktails or a bunch of french fries. Even though french fries are SO good. Mmmmm…delicious golden french fries. With mayo AND ketchup. Or truffle mayo like I had at dinner at the Hyatt Regency in Düsseldorf. But yeah, I try to stay away from french fries the best I can because I love them so much and eating some makes me want to eat more. And then more. And then more…lol
3. Stay hydrated. This isn’t hard because I do this all the time anyway but drinking water helps prevent me from making the mistake of confusing thirst with hunger (yup, this is a thing—look it up…lol).
4. Get as much exercise as possible. I’ve found that losing and maintaining weight is more about what you eat but you also want to workout as often as you can. Walk more if you can—if not you can always jam to your cellphone playlist in your hotel room for at least 30 minutes a day or just head to the fitness room.
5. Keep track of everything I eat by snapping pics or writing in my notepad. Part of what makes Weight Watchers work for me is I keep track of everything I eat and can easily look up its point value via the Weight Watchers app. But what happens when I’m overseas is that there’s times I’m not getting wifi and I don’t want to always turn my data on and have some big bill when I get back. Then when I do have wifi, I’ll add everything into the app. But it’s super important to stay on top of what I’m eating.
