2 weeks Ago By Sheryl Takayama
I’ve noticed something interesting when it comes to holidays and weight gain. People will often come to see me for a weight loss plan when they have booked an exciting holiday, especially one that involves a tropical beach and their togs. There are three distinct phases in their weight journey – the pre-holiday stage, the time when they are away on holiday and the time when they get back.
The pre-holiday phase is the easiest one. People are highly motivated and looking forward to their trip, so they follow the food plan with gusto and see great results. The thought of the holiday dangles in front of them like a carrot, keeping them motivated during challenging times.
Then comes the holiday. A beach escape is very different from a cruise that includes all-you-can-eat food, but the general pattern I see is that people don’t gain weight when they are away. Most of my clients actually lose weight when they are on holiday or are at least able to maintain their weight.
The problem is when they get home – the holiday hangover. That exciting trip is over, it’s back to work, back to routine and, for some people, it’s back to the food and emotional eating because they are feeling down and don’t have anything to look forward to. As we approach the summer festive season, I’m sure lots of holidays are in the pipeline, so here are some easy ways you can plan ahead, to avoid the holiday hangover: • Before you leave, write a quick food plan that you can follow as soon as you get back.
This means that you won’t have to make any decisions when you are tired or jet lagged. You can get home, grab your plan and hit the ground running. • Have some delicious meals in the freezer, so you are completely prepared for the first week home.
This will make your transition back to normality so much smoother. • Accept that you may be feeling down when you get home and take it easy for the first few weeks. Make sleep your top priority, as this has such an important impact on your appetite.
• Lastly, have another fun activity booked in before you go, so once you’re back, you have something to look forward to. It doesn’t need to be extravagant – a coffee date with a good friend will do the job. A little preparation can make all the difference.
By taking control of your return, you can enjoy your trip and come home feeling just as motivated and energised as before you left..
