Oh, the joys of holidaying with kids! We had a lovely trip to Turkey—well, mostly lovely. Let’s be honest, between sunburns, tantrums, and trying to keep the kids entertained, it sometimes felt more like a mission than a relaxing fortnight away. And when you’re smack in the middle of a weight loss journey like I am, you’re battling on more than one front. Keeping on track while away from home? That’s like herding cats—impossible, exhausting, and you end up wondering why you even tried.
But hey, I didn’t throw in the towel (though, I did throw in a few cocktails, but we’ll get to that). I’ve been doing well with my weight loss—thanks to my online weight loss plan and my trusty Mounjaro injections. Yep, I packed them in my bag, took them from England straight to sunny Turkey, and was determined to keep things on track. Did I struggle? You bet. But it wasn’t all doom and gloom. There were some bumps along the way but I got through it without undoing too much of my hard work.
The All-You-Can-Eat Buffet Temptation
Let’s start with the buffet. The buffet can be your best friend or your worst enemy. You see all those plates piled up like they haven’t eaten in a week, and it’s hard not to join in on the fun. Waffles, pastries, eggs, sausages—oh, the choices! But I didn’t come all this way just to throw in the towel (or the entire breakfast spread onto my plate).
What saved me? Portion control, baby! I picked the smaller plate and loaded it up with healthier options—fruit, eggs, yogurt—but I didn’t deprive myself either. One of those Turkish pastries? Oh, I had one, but I savoured it instead of grabbing three. You’ve got to let yourself live a little, right? But here’s the deal—debunking the calorie myth taught me that I don’t have to starve myself to keep the weight off. It’s about balance, not deprivation.
Sunburns, Illness, and Still Staying Strong
And then, of course, the chaos hit. One of the kids got sunburnt. Badly. Like, lobster-in-the-sun bad. To make matters worse, the poor thing got a tummy bug a couple of days later. So, there I was, already trying to keep on top of my weight loss while also playing nurse, sunscreen-applier, and peacekeeper. The struggle was real.
Taking care of an ill child meant I had no time for structured exercise. My workout plans went out the window, but instead of panicking, I reminded myself that running around after kids all day burns calories too. I wasn’t doing my usual routine, but boy, was I moving! Just goes to show, even when you feel like you’re doing nothing, you’re still doing something.
Cocktails by the Pool? Yes, please!
Let’s talk about poolside cocktails. There’s something about a holiday, particularly a holiday with kids that makes you think, “Yes, I absolutely need a mojito at 2 p.m.” And to be fair, who’s going to argue with that? But here’s the kicker—those cocktails are basically liquid sugar bombs. I had to be a bit smarter if I wanted to enjoy myself without setting myself back.
I opted for simpler drinks—vodka soda with lime. Refreshing, low in calories, and still fun! Did I have a bit of cocktail envy watching others sip on their sugary concoctions? Sure. But I didn’t want to undo all my hard work. I still enjoyed myself—just in moderation. And that’s the key, isn’t it? Debunking the calorie myth taught me that it’s not about saying no all the time, but about picking the smarter option.
Family Dinners and All the Food
Family dinners? Now that was a battle. Picture this: the table is filled with bread, dips, kebabs, and every carb under the Turkish sun. It’s heaven, but also a nightmare for someone trying to stay on track. My in-laws? They’re not exactly ones to believe in moderation. “Have another kebab!” they’d say, and I’d have to remind myself that about keeping my portions in check.
So, I made a plan. Half my plate was filled with veggies before I even touched the breadbasket. And yes, I had some Turkish bread. And yes, it was delicious. But I stopped myself from going over the top. I wasn’t going to miss out, but I also wasn’t going to let my holiday derail everything that I’ve been working hard for. Plus, the Mounjaro helps me to keep my appetite in check, which makes saying no a bit easier.
Staying Active (Or, Just Keeping Up with the Kids)
Here’s the thing about exercise on holiday: sometimes, it’s just not going to happen. And that’s okay. I wasn’t hitting the hotel gym, but I was chasing after two primary school-aged kids, dragging them to the beach, splashing in the pool, and walking around all day. And trust me, by the end of the day, I was knackered! That’s where my online weight loss plan gave me some peace of mind. Not every workout needs to be structured like bootcamp—life with kids can be just as tough of a workout.
Mounjaro, My Lifeline
Of course, I couldn’t forget my Mounjaro. It’s been an absolute game-changer for me. Taking it on holiday was super easy—I made sure to store it properly in my hand luggage and having it with me gave me a sense of control, even when everything else felt chaotic. It’s helped me stay on track, even though I indulged a bit. The key takeaway for me? I don’t have to be perfect, but you do need a bit of a plan—plus, a little help from modern medicine doesn’t hurt either.
What I Didn’t Master…
Look, I won’t pretend that I nailed it every day. That gelato shop we found in town? Oh, I went in, and I enjoyed it! Maybe more than once. And you know what? I don’t regret a thing. Sometimes you have to enjoy life a bit while keeping things in balance. And that, my friend, is how I stayed on track (mostly) during our holiday.
The Takeaway
Managing weight loss while traveling, especially with kids in tow, is tough. But it’s not impossible. You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to be smart. Enjoy the food, keep moving, and when things go sideways (like when your kid turns into a sunburned, sick little mess), remember that every little effort counts. And when the holiday ends, get back to your routine.
So, if you’re heading on holiday, don’t stress. You’ve got this! Stay balanced, be kind to yourself, and don’t let a few indulgences ruin your progress.