I fully intended to make every effort to eat sensibly and exercise on our trip this summer.
I even stuck my heart monitor in a drawer, with the full intent to wear it on walks and hikes to make sure I was getting quality exercise.
I didn’t take it out of the drawer the entire trip – so much for that intention.
But we did walk and we did take hikes. I limited my lunch to one sandwich and a bunch of chips – and they weren’t always low fat chips, either. Most days I had 1 small snack in the morning, none in the afternoon and another snack in the evening. At supper, I didn’t really limit myself. We did eat out a few times, and I didn’t really limit myself on that, other than not finishing up the half of Karen’s meal that she didn’t eat.
I knew that I might be losing a bit of weight, because I ended up on the last hole on my belt – and, on this belt, that hole had not ever been used.
I had been tempted to take a scale along with us, but decided against it. Space is at a premium in our small camper and I didn’t want to obsess on weight and dieting. I usually do well when we take our trips and come home lighter or no more than a pound or so heavier – even from the two cruises that we’ve gone on.
I weighed myself after we got home and was pleased, but didn’t say anything. I wanted to wait until I weighed myself at the gym. My heart monitor watch has a weight diary and I update it every time that I work out. The last entry was at the end of June.
The new entry was 14 pounds lower.
Fifty days, 11 states, and I lost 14 pounds without even trying – much. 
Monday, I decided if I didn’t “get back” to the gym right away, it would soon turn into going when I “get around to it” and I would slip back to old habits – plus I’m trying to maintain my “travel diet.”
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Two ways of looking at it Mike. Unintended consequences or Collateral damage. What do you suggest?
Oh, it was an intended consequence — or at least hoped for. It gives me a head start on my fitness regimen for this fall. I just need to keep at it.
Good for you! Please keep us informed. That’s one way of keeping up the motivation, in addition to sharing with friends who care.
Thanks.
Unfortunately, it’s easier to share the good results than the bad results. I was doing well last year before we went on our September Colorado trip. I was working a contract then and after we got back, so far as the gym was concerned, I never got around to it. I had also been participating in a Wednesday Weigh-in online, but that group kind of fizzled out and stopped about the same time. I also had some good results earlier in the year, but then we went to Paducah and I didn’t make it back to the gym, got sick and, after that, fell off a ladder and between all of that, I didn’t start making good progress again until some time in May. So, all in all, the several weeks before the trip to now has been a fresh start that I need to keep going.
Maybe I will post something on it now and again.
Hi Mike,
Wow! 14 pounds. That’s fabulous. I like your idea of using the weight loss as motivation to keep at it. Good luck, and please do keep us updated.
Wow! 14 pounds. That is as much as a set of twins. Keep up the good work.
Barbara – Thanks, it did help in getting back to the gym. I made it 4 times so far this week, with good results
Grannymar – Thanks! I’m not surprised that someone related it to something like that. Only 50 or so pounds to go.