Dieting in the school holidays is haaaaaard!

[PassTheTwiglets]

This is really hard, dammit! I was doing perfectly well whilst they were at school but in the holidays so many things seem to revolve around food :( Yesterday was lunch in the cafe after swimming (I just a sandwich but it was still swimming with mayo and was loads of bread etc.) On Monday the kids wanted to decorate cakes, then yesterday they made blackberry crumble... next week we're going to London and there will be lots of meals out and so on and so on... too much temptation about!!

I've managed to maintain my weight so far (balancing out the high-cal days with some v.low-cal days) but I don't have time to just maintain, I need to carry on losing! I have so much to lose (1 stone down, 2 or 3 to go) that it's going to take me long enough as it is - I can't waste the better part of 2 months.

Anybody else struggling during the hols?

[foreverondiet]

I thought this yesterday when I made muffins with the DC.

1. Need to be more organised - if you go swimming, and think you'll be hungry take snack with for you, eg apple. Don't eat in the cafe, order a coffee or tea if you need to have something. Same on days out, just take all your food with. I take food for DC too, its cheaper too. When I was doing the strictest part of my diet and was on holiday, if they didn't have something fitting in with my diet in a cafe I ordered a skinny latte. If they didn't have skimmed milk for the skinny latte I had a herbal tea (or with semi milk if I was hungry). I ate lunch later etc.
   

1. Don't eat any of the stuff you are baking. Just don't touch it. There really is no need.
   

1. In terms of meals out go for something like chicken salad, or tuna salad. Ask for dressing on side and don't have it. Work out what where and when you are doing to eat each day.

[PassTheTwiglets]

You are completely right about point 2 but I hate the struggle. Don't eat it... but I want it... but there's no point, you'll only regret it... yes but I want it... etc., round and round in my head!

As for ordering salads when eating out, that's the one thing I've never been able to do - I simply cannot order a boring diety meal when there's something I'd rather have. I can usually avoid dessert and I won't choose the most obviously-fattening thing on the menu but I just can't deny myself when I'm eating out. Maybe because I'm paying for it or maybe because we don't get the chance to do it very often. But I'm not going to Belgo, the home of mussels, chips and mayonnaise and ordering a bloody salad :o Major kudos to those of you who can though!

I think you've hit the nail on the head when you mention planning. I will have to think ahead and be better-organised. Thanks for your ideas, forever!

[foreverondiet]

Thats funny as for me 3. is the easiest. The temptation is short and before the food is in front of me, although would allow myself if it was a rare treat, just not if every day for a week, plus I love salads!. 2. is hard as the temptation is constant, for days after in my case as the muffins haven't been finished yet! 1. Is easy as I am used to it now, and I wouldn't be remotely tempted by some not very nice sandwich when I could have a drink (even if its a diet coke ) and eat properly when I get home.

[PassTheTwiglets]

I like interesting salads but they usually have more WW points than the actual main courses! eg. in Pizza Express, the Nicoise salad has more points than a pizza!

[poppin]

I had this problem at the week-end. During the week, at work, I manage to stick to 1200 calories per day but at the week-ends (with kids and food) I would totally lose control and eat loads. I have now started not eating carbs at the week-end, seems to be working.

[GettinTrimmer]

I successfully lost weight but the school holidays last year were the beginning on piling it back on again

forever I agree planning is important, I am taking some children to park tomorrow with a picnic and I will pick up a healthy bean salad to have while they are eating their sandwiches