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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:
MrsTerryPratchett · 16/08/2025 15:23

The great thing about weighing the second you get back is that you see dramatic weight loss immediately. If you wait a week, there is still information you don’t like, but the loss is slower then and sadder. Because you don’t remember the pasta!

My advice, jump straight on, jump straight in. I did the same recently (for two weeks) and am fine now 2 months later. But the dramatic first week loss was cheering!

5128gap · 16/08/2025 15:20

My advice is stay off the scales. Wear your most flattering loosest fitting clothes and get back to your pre holiday eating and excercise plan. Don't get back on the scales for a month, by which time you'll have lost a lot of your gain. And whatever you do, don't let this spoil the memory of a fantastic trip. You experienced that holiday to its fullest, enjoyed every mouthful, so no regrets.

Original poster
Plumers · 16/08/2025 15:20

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?

I was thinking of something like this. Might prevent any spiralling or me giving up

OP posts:
IMissSparkling · 16/08/2025 15:20

You don't need to weigh yourself. Just start making better choice with food again.

user1471548941 · 16/08/2025 15:17

I’m a size 12 but this happens to me every year on holiday (often US or Canada!). I eat what I want to enjoy my holiday and sometimes for convenience because of being on the road/travelling and accept that I will put on a bit of weight and feel hungry when I get home.

I see it part of having a healthy relationship with food that I can chose to say “fuck it” whilst on holiday and then get back on track when I get home. My and DH always joke about having the post holiday munchies for the first week back as we adjust to our normal diet again and not the stack of pancakes for breakfast!!! I generally allow myself an additional snack for the first day or two but something like carrots and hummus and then wean myself off that too. Generally by the end of the first week at home we’re back to our normal diet and it takes another week or so to feel my normal size. Agree that some is water retention from all the salty food!

Progress isn’t linear- choosing to enjoy your holiday doesn’t mean you’ve failed, it just means you made a different choice for a few weeks and now you can chose to get back on track with your weightloss. I bet it will take less time than you expect and then you should take confidence in the fact that by choosing to get back on track, you are in control!

Zanatdy · 16/08/2025 15:16

Just weigh and pick a day to get back on it. Sure it will all be off in a few weeks

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?

CoastalCalm · 16/08/2025 15:13

Go and do it right now , otherwise you’ll stay in the mindset that you don’t need to revert back to diet. I bet it’s not as much as you think

Original poster
Plumers · 16/08/2025 15:12

SureLook · 16/08/2025 15:07

Hi OP. I'm glad you said fuck it and enjoyed your holiday. It's up to you whether you weigh yourself or not. Will it upset you more to know?
I wouldn't say you've actually gained much fat. You're probably just bloated and retaining water. If you get back to your previous habits you'll feel much better in a week or two. Focus on eating and sleeping well, drinking your water and getting some movement in. You'll be back to yourself in no time!

I think if I saw my weight above a certain number it would cause me a lot of distress. I’m tempted just to try and be good for 2 or 3 weeks and then weigh myself.

im worried this is the beginning of the end re relapsing

OP posts:
SureLook · 16/08/2025 15:07

Hi OP. I'm glad you said fuck it and enjoyed your holiday. It's up to you whether you weigh yourself or not. Will it upset you more to know?
I wouldn't say you've actually gained much fat. You're probably just bloated and retaining water. If you get back to your previous habits you'll feel much better in a week or two. Focus on eating and sleeping well, drinking your water and getting some movement in. You'll be back to yourself in no time!

MMO · 16/08/2025 15:05

Just do it! Call it the "cost" of a good holiday. Once you know the number, you can start working back towards the weight you felt more comfortable at.