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Original poster

One month holiday in US - scared to get back on scales

86 replies

Plumers · 16/08/2025 15:03

I can see this being the undoing of my weight loss.

Over the last 12 months I have very slowly lost 65
pounds naturally. I was feeling amazing and had got close to my goal weight. I loved fitting into my pre kid work outfits and not recoiling at my reflection in shop windows etc.

Anyway, my sister lives in America and we took the opportunity to do a once in a lifetime American road trip. I was good for a few days - eating eggs, fruit and chicken salads. But at one point I decided to fuck it. We ate out A LOT. We did long road trips where we would eat out at fast food places and then restaurants in the evening. I was eating massive piles of pancakes for breakfast when I had become accustomed to just eggs 😳. Plus ice creams/snacks during the day etc. I started having a few drinks also at night (stopped altogether when losing weight). I really could have controlled myself but I enjoyed trying all the new foods.

i looked up one of my dinners I had one night and it was 950 calories for a tomato based
seafood pasta with salad!

I have definitely gained weight. I can see it on my thighs, face and my love handles have somewhat come back.

I don’t know why I’m posting. I’m just really freaked out. Obviously not all is lost. I can still fit into my old work clothes but they are definitely tight around the arms and boob area

Should I just bite the bullet. It’s really hard to get back into sensible mode. I find myself getting a lot hungrier than I used to.

Any kindness / advice would be lovely as I’m really stressed and upset

OP posts:
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TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 20/08/2025 21:05

I am careful on holiday by following a rota of:

1 day no meat/cheese
1 day no alcohol
1 day both
1 day neither

It means I can treat myself each day with nice wine/nice food, have a "free" day, usually followed by a "fast" day.

aCatCalledFawkes · 20/08/2025 20:58

Just 12 pounds is really great after a month, I'm sure you weren't as bad as you thought.

I came home from holiday on Sunday, I spent Monday drinking lots of fluids as I felt dehydrated and bloated. I stupidly decided to weigh myself on Monday night even though I knew I was bloated and full of fluid from the day. I freaked out because it was so much worse than I thought, like I had put on over half a stone in a week! Since then, I've returned to eating well, drinking lots of fluids and exercise. Weighed myself this morning before any food and I'm nearly back to where I was and feeling very much hydrated. I'm sure you would see a difference again weighing first thing,
,

KitsyWitsy · 20/08/2025 20:46

I put on 21lbs in a week and a half in America. A lot was water but even so. Took me ages to get it off.

MrsTerryPratchett · 19/08/2025 20:47

Plumers · 19/08/2025 15:47

Oh my gosh I just weighed myself again after this morning and I’m ALREADY down 1.5 pounds. So only really 10 pounds or so up

Woooooo hoooooooo

See, if you hadn’t weighed you wouldn’t have got credit for that!

Original poster
Plumers · 19/08/2025 15:49

MrsTerryPratchett · 19/08/2025 14:26

12 pounds? <waves hand around> You can get back on that horse easily. If I went crazy in the US, I’d gain more than that.

And now you have that information. Because for truly long-tern lifestyle habit change, you need to know when to have a planned non-plan, and you need to practise getting back on plan. It’s all information.

You enjoyed it, you’re back on plan. If you are ever in a planned non-plan situation again, think about those 12 pounds and eat the things that are ‘worth’ going temporarily off plan for.

Let us know how you do! I’m plateauing right now so it’s inspiration!

Thanks for your support. I feel empowered knowing my head is still in the game if you know what I mean. I resisted sneaking in extra roast potatoes when I made a roast yesterday. So that’s a start!

OP posts:
Original poster
Plumers · 19/08/2025 15:47

Oh my gosh I just weighed myself again after this morning and I’m ALREADY down 1.5 pounds. So only really 10 pounds or so up

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 19/08/2025 14:26

12 pounds? <waves hand around> You can get back on that horse easily. If I went crazy in the US, I’d gain more than that.

And now you have that information. Because for truly long-tern lifestyle habit change, you need to know when to have a planned non-plan, and you need to practise getting back on plan. It’s all information.

You enjoyed it, you’re back on plan. If you are ever in a planned non-plan situation again, think about those 12 pounds and eat the things that are ‘worth’ going temporarily off plan for.

Let us know how you do! I’m plateauing right now so it’s inspiration!

Crikeyalmighty · 19/08/2025 12:42

@Crikeyalmighty sorry I missed you had said 12lbs- Just get back on the usual habits OP - every now and then it’s good to have a blowout to keep you motivated - as you’ve been to USA I can almost guarantee a fair bit will be salt and water retention - I lost 4lb in a week when my normal routine kicked back in !!

lotsofpatience · 19/08/2025 12:22

Plumers · 19/08/2025 11:13

Ok so I bit the bullet! I gained 12 pounds. Which okay isn’t great. But it could have been worse. Considering I REALLY lost control of my eating after a year of dieting isn’t too bad. I can definitely lose that in 5 or 6 weeks.

Had my cry. But at least I know. It’s been a great motivator.

Gahhhhh. It is what it is.

You did the right thing as I'm sure you are well aware now. Congratulations.

Crikeyalmighty · 19/08/2025 12:20

I had a ‘fuck it’ holiday for 12 days in California and had put on 6lbs -so I would say have a careful month and way yourself in 4 weeks time .

Jitterbuggs · 19/08/2025 12:15

Amammai · 16/08/2025 15:16

If you were away for 4 weeks, I would go back to your normal eating routine for 4 weeks and weigh yourself after that. 4 weeks to put it on, 4 weeks to get it off?

This. Or give it a week for the water weight to shift.

Thebibleofdave · 19/08/2025 12:12

@Plumers You've totally got this in the bag! You've got your motivation back which is a fantastic thing! What's for lunch today? I need some inspiration 😀

IamnotSethRogan · 19/08/2025 11:26

Hi op i was going to post and say I've had periods where I've gained weight following a big weight loss (had a few injuries) and I actually find that a cold hard loss of reality jolts me back into action. Tbf, 12lb following a month in America driving a lot and eating their famously big portions is not the worst it could have been.

I think it's great you didn't let your weight loss stop you from enjoying your holiday. I'm going away soon and I'm planning on just enjoying myself ! Im hoping to do some some lengths in the pool every morning to balance it out a bit but I am really going to cut loose. I just want to enjoy the experience with my family.

Original poster
Plumers · 19/08/2025 11:13

Ok so I bit the bullet! I gained 12 pounds. Which okay isn’t great. But it could have been worse. Considering I REALLY lost control of my eating after a year of dieting isn’t too bad. I can definitely lose that in 5 or 6 weeks.

Had my cry. But at least I know. It’s been a great motivator.

Gahhhhh. It is what it is.

OP posts:
Enrichetta · 17/08/2025 18:28

If you stick to a healthy diet - mostly plants + protein - and keep to around 300-500 calories below your TDEE at least 80% of the time, you’ll probably be fine.

Original poster
Plumers · 17/08/2025 18:20

I know it might not seem like a big deal to some but weight is a really sensitive and emotional topic for a lot of people. It’s not just about the number on the scale. It can bring up fear, shame and all kinds of anxiety, especially if you've struggled with body image like I have since having my first baby 5 years ago. The thought of going backwards, even a little is really upsetting. I was miserable when I was overweight (well obese truth be told).

OP posts:
FluffyWabbit · 17/08/2025 13:42

You didn't gain 65 pounds back, that's for sure!

Whatever you gained will be a lot of glycogen restoration and water weight, especially if you were low carb beforehand, and it will come off quick.

I ate whatever I wanted to from December 24-Jan 1 last year. I gained 15 pounds and it took all of January to lose it by going low carb all month, but it worked, and so I will repeat this again this year because I love mince pies and no one can stop me!

Just draw a line under it as being a once in a lifetime trip and resume being home now.

Thebibleofdave · 17/08/2025 13:38

Don't be so hard on yourself op! I'm jealous it sounds like you had a fantastic holiday!

There was saying a 'lapse' is when you have that day or 2 with a big splurge. A 'relapse' as you say when you have a week/month. But aslong as you don't 'collapse' and go back to eating nothing but shit forever more....then your all good😀

Get back on the wagon and go from there. You've got this💪

Ridingaroundonbuses · 17/08/2025 13:19

MuddyPawsIndoors · 17/08/2025 00:57

Agreed it's weird.

If the OP said she's not sure if she might be low in iron or something, I can't imagine people telling her not to bother going for a blood test.

They'd tell her find out and deal with it.

Weight is no different.

She's going to have to deal with it (if she wants to) either way, so might as well be now.

Show quote history

I don’t think it’s a case of being an ostrich at all. It’s really hard when you have lost a significant amount of weight to gain a little even though you understand the reasons behind the gain. The emotions such as feeling guilty etc are not positive and can derail any weight loss efforts as people may feel they have failed or say to themselves what’s the point. I don’t see what’s wrong with stepping on the scales when a person is ready on all fronts.

coxesorangepippin · 17/08/2025 01:45

I don't think you've done that bad?!?!

Massive piles of pancakes, ice-cream etc and you can still fasten into your clothes?!

MuddyPawsIndoors · 17/08/2025 00:57

lotsofpatience · 17/08/2025 00:34

Why are people advising not to go on the scales? What's the point in hiding your head under the sand like an ostrich?
OP, take control of your life, for goodness sake. Information is power! Depending on the amount of gained weight you will have to adjust your habits in varying degrees.
Also, I will have you know that if you don't weigh yourself you are introducing a precedent in your life. There will be another occasion down the road that you end up eating more than you should have and you'll just skip the weighing and hope for the best, again.
Carry on like this and probabilities of gaining back every single kg will rise and rise.

Agreed it's weird.

If the OP said she's not sure if she might be low in iron or something, I can't imagine people telling her not to bother going for a blood test.

They'd tell her find out and deal with it.

Weight is no different.

She's going to have to deal with it (if she wants to) either way, so might as well be now.

Bigcat25 · 17/08/2025 00:48

I wouldn't bother weighing yourself right now. It's a temporary number, and you don't need to know exactly what it is.

lotsofpatience · 17/08/2025 00:34

Why are people advising not to go on the scales? What's the point in hiding your head under the sand like an ostrich?
OP, take control of your life, for goodness sake. Information is power! Depending on the amount of gained weight you will have to adjust your habits in varying degrees.
Also, I will have you know that if you don't weigh yourself you are introducing a precedent in your life. There will be another occasion down the road that you end up eating more than you should have and you'll just skip the weighing and hope for the best, again.
Carry on like this and probabilities of gaining back every single kg will rise and rise.

Enrichetta · 16/08/2025 23:16

declutteringmymind · 16/08/2025 22:41

Yeah just don’t weigh yourself until you are ready to look. Meanwhile get back to what you were doing before you went away.

eating healthy in the US is difficult. Especially if you’re on the road. Try not to dwell on the gain but the amazing time you had with your sister. I’m sure it was worth it.

I agree that eating healthily in the US can be difficult. What we tend to do is seek out higher end eateries and natural food type places that do lots of salads. Steak houses are another option as they tend to have nice salad bars.

Also, many larger grocery stores have nice delicatessen counters with a variety of salads. Sometimes we would get a selection of salads and a baguette and some fruit and eat it at the beach or in a park. Only problem is that they tend to have very stringent open container laws, so one has to be very discrete with alcohol.

rose88xx · 16/08/2025 22:43

absolutely DO NOT weigh yourself for a few days. A lot of the gain will be water weight from excess salt and it will be very disheartening for you to think you’ve gained more than you have. Also do not try to go into extreme diet mode now to compensate, as you will panic about how hungry you feel and may give up completely. Have a few days or a week of healthy-ish eating, lots of filling protein, salads, veggies etc to ease yourself back in and give yourself some grace. Then back on the horse properly in a week or so. Best of luck OP

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