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!

—

Catch up on posts from earlier this week:
Awaken Your Consciousness
When You Can’t See the Signs, Feel Them
North Carolina Summer Vacation