First... I've been talking about this for ages. This is the picture that inspired me (http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2256&stc=1) to change. That picture still sits in my foyer as a reminder. It stared me in the fat-face from Oct. '01 until I accidentally knocked it over one day, coming home from work in March '03. I knelt down to pick it up, groaning as I did so, and when I stood up, holding the picture in my hand, I saw myself in the picture and then in the mirror in our foyer. That fat guy was me... I didn't believe it... or maybe I ignored it in some form of denial until that moment. Whatever the case, something inside me awoke and I'd had enough. Many of you probably saw this photo (http://www.cffb.net/_blue/blu3.jpg) in a thread I posted a while back. I'm a bit leaner today than I was in this photo, somewhere around the sub-12% area...

So... my wife and I are leaving for Jamaica for 8 days tomorrow. First vacation since that first photo was taken in October 2001 when we were on a cruise in the Carribean. We're going to an all-inclusive resort. Everything from drinks, to food 24/7, to entertainment is built in. Not a dime needs be spent once you're there.

I'm trying to decide exactly how I'm going to handle 8 days at a resort where booze (empty calories) and an abundance of food will be present. I'm not much of a drinker anymore; my metabolism makes me a cheap date anyway (one beer on an empty stomach = happy me! Weighing in at 141.5-lbs has its advantages). I was thinking about hitting the natural food market today and picking up some easy-to-mix protein drinks that I can take with me to make sure I keep my protein intake up; I hear the jerk chicken is plentiful but I'm not sure how they cook it or how healthy that type of preparation is for you. They have many restaurants and places to eat on site... I'm hoping I can find some way to eat healthy while there. This wasn't a consideration when booking the vacation... it is now and I probably shouldn't be stressing so much over how I'm going to eat on a vacation... but I can't help it. I don't want to lose this ground I've fought so hard for. I plan to come home weighing no more than I did this morning.

The resort does have a full, well stocked gym which I will be using every morning.

I leave for my FL vacation tomorrow and completely understand. I've worked my ass off to get myself almost where I want to be and when you've been large and in charge, it's a scary thing. I peaked at 240. But I need the break, bottom line and I'm sure you do also. I haven't had a damn beer since January. I don't plan on going insane but I'll be damned if I'm not going to indulge in some great foods. I think it will be a nice break for you and you will come back to the gym with a whole new attitude and with alot of new drive to even further succeed. My brother works out also and we are still going to be going to the gym that's why I'm honestly not too terribly worried about it. We all need breaks.

I just got back from a week on Hilton Head Island (pics are here (http://www.stephenandhollie.com/16514/17448.html) if you are interested). Since Jan, I told myself that I was working to look better for this trip specifically, and that I would reward myself by eating however I wanted the whole time. Of course, since I worked like crazy, it was hard to "let go" once I got there, but I did have a lot of cheat meals. When I got back, I had only gained .5 lbs, so I think my high metabolism helped me out.
Anyway, on to your trip:
I went to Jamaica a couple of years ago after I got married. I had lost about 30 pounds before the wedding, and my trip started my rapid gain back. Of course, I had lost all the weight the wrong way: i.e. running like crazy, no weights, and eating 800-1000 cal a day, so the weight was bound to come back eventually. I ate and drank like a king there too. I had double cheese burgers with cheese curly fries at 1:00 AM every night, pastries for breakfast, etc. (we stayed at a Sandals resort, I HIGHLY recommend it).
Anyway, I say all this to say that I think it is possible to eat somewhat healthy there, if your resort is comparable to Sandals. Most of the jerk chicken is grilled, with a jerk sauce. The only bad part I see in this is I think that sauce probably has some sugar in it. You can have seafood (fish, shrimp, etc) for dinner most nights, which shouldn't be too bad, depending on what kind of sides you have with it. We had fajitas one night, which were AWESOME :drool: The chicken in the fajitas probably was grilled with some oil, and is kinda greasy, but it won't kill you if you have a good portion of it, with maybe some quacamole, and a couple of onions plus a salad. They have fruit, eggs, pastries, etc. for breakfast every morning, that will probably be the hardest meal for you. Of course stay clear of the mixed drinks, because they are loaded with sugar, but again, you know that.

Don't know if this helps, but that was my experience. Ya'll will have a blast. Be sure and post some pics!! Look forward to hearing from you when you return.

Happy Friday! :claplow:

You're going on vacation, so take a vacation from the dieting! I'm heading to Orlando on July 18th and I plan on eating anything and everything that I want. One week will not set you back much. A week off of everything is good for numerous reasons including physical and mental benefits. After I take a week off, I feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle my training goals with renewed vigor.

So I say take it easy for a week, it will do you mind and body some much needed relaxation.

Have fun in Jamaica!

WOW
repeat
WOW

Those pictures are SOOOOO different man!
I wouldn't worry too much about the diet down there, but I bet you can still get some WICKED good excersize. Running on sand is killer!

Have fun man! Let us know how it was when you get back.
-Andrew

We'll be at the resort next door to Sandals. It's a little more our speed. ;)

Point taken. Deep breaths. Relax. Eat sensibly, but eat heartily. Don't obsess. Seven days in the grand scheme isn't a big deal.

I'm eating and drinking whatever I like on my vacation. It all about relaxing and not worrying about anything, and that includes food as far as I'm concerned.

Actually I'll probably wind up skipping meals during the day because I'll be busy doing things. I'll probably eat a big evening meal each night. Under normal circumstances I'd never eat like that, but that's what I'll probably wind up doing while I'm at the beach.

If I put on a couple of pounds I don't care. I can easily lose 2 pounds in a week.

Dude that old pic of you could be your father! (compared to your new pic)....congrats and have a great trip!

First let me say...WOW! you AND your wife have made great changes and so congrats :)

I just got back from 12 days vaca at Virginia Beach. I brought my dumbells to workout with - which I did - a total of three days lol. I ate and drank a lot and when I got home I didn't want to step on that scale. I weighed 1 lb less :claphigh:

I contribute this to being completely stressfree and got lots of exercise just doing fun things like swimming, boating, walking on the beach etc.

Since I started back into my routine on Tuesday I have dropped another pound so long story boring, it just may be beneficial.

Just have a great time and relax and enjoy.

Again, congrats to both you and your wife :)

-Jess