Vacation Time!

I just got back from vacation.  I was in the land of heat and humidity, aka, Florida.  I love going to Florida for a few reasons:  it's always nice to get away, it's always nice to annoy my son and I know all the good restaurants!

Sometimes, vacations can really screw up a diet and exercise plan.  I don't really follow my diet plan when I go away, but I do try to at least keep up with my walks.  The way I see it, if I'm going to eat everything bad for me, I'm going to walk off at least some of the guilt. 


Exercise is one of the most important things in keeping your weight down (I think I've mentioned this a time or two before).  True, you also need to watch what you eat, but at least the exercise keeps things manageable.  I've also noticed that the more I exercise, the less I really want to eat.


About 2 years ago, when I pigged out, I REALLY pigged out!  If I had pizza, I had 4 slices.  I had to have the biggest steak and finish all the fries or every ounce of the baked potato (with extra sour cream).  I could eat 1/2 pound of pasta in one sitting and when I made chili, meatloaf or meatballs, I used beef.  I wouldn't even consider using any sausage other than pork.  


Then, I decided to get back on track.  I reinvented my recipes.  I started using ground turkey breast for my chili, meatloaf and meatballs.  I discovered chicken sausage.  Once I got used to this new way of eating, I found that I actually liked it better.


This time, when I went out to eat, I had steak, but I had the 6 oz. sirloin instead of the 11 oz.  I ate 1/2 of my baked potato with the "normal" amount of sour cream.  I had salad.  When we went out for seafood, I had the broiled combo platter and took 1/2 home from lunch the next day.  Before this, I would eat everything on my plate and then some!  No more.  It's just a matter of getting used to a lesser pig-out.  I also noticed that when I finished my morning walk, I wasn't as hungry as I was when I started out.


Bottom line here:  I didn't gain weight on this vacation!  I walked 5 miles a day (first thing in the morning) and spent the rest of the day in the pool.  Every little bit of movement counts.


Right now, I'm on a bit of a plateau, but I'll push through it.  Since I've been home, I've been keeping up with my walks and I'm hoping to move past this.  On the plus side....I'm not gaining weight.  It's always a plus when I don't gain.  

Now that vacation is over, I'm starting to plan some new walking routes in my hometown.  I find myself walking longer and faster.  It's getting to be a habit to challenge myself to do more and I'm loving it!  Will I start running?  Not a chance!  Way too much stress on my back and knees.  I average a pace of 4.5 miles per hour, so I think I'll stick with that.  

I need to get back to my healthy habits and leave the steaks alone for a while.  Time to get off this plateau!!!!