From Africa: Furlough Fitness Dilemma--please advise!

[LauraR]

I live in Africa and will be coming to the States for furlough in July. Furloughs always pose a fitness dilemma. We are busy and travel a lot, so it’s hard to work out. Plus, there are so many yummy things to eat that aren’t available where we live that it is easy to use, “I can’t usually eat this!” as an excuse to overindulge. It is SO easy to gain weight while on furlough in the US!

I’m trying to come up with a strategy. And here’s my dilemma. I am a VERY healthy size and weight, but I wish I were 2-3 pounds lighter. I can maintain my current weight very easily with reasonable exercise, decently clean eating, and room for occasional cheats and slips. I had planned to eat pretty strictly and give myself some wiggle room before furlough by losing those couple of pounds. Then on furlough, I had just told myself that I would do the best I could, but would realistically count on gaining about 5 pounds over the 5 months (which I would, of course, work off once I returned to “normal life”).

Well, life has already been busy and stressful, and I haven’t lost any weight.

So here’s my question to you educated crowd: What should I do? I have a month before furlough. It will be crammed full of busy packing and shutting down my life here to leave for 5 months. Do I want to add the stress of trying to eat super clean and lose a couple pounds? That seems a little overwhelming. At the same time, I want to be able to enjoy the furlough and a few extra treats without bursting out of my clothes. So it seems my choice is crack down now or crack down later. What do you suggest?

 

[MSJ]

RE: From Africa: Furlough Fitness Dilemma--please advis...

I say just do the best you can now and enjoy your furlough. Instead of having 5 lbs to lose, you'll have 8 at the most. That's not a huge difference. Perhaps you won't gain as much as you think.

Maybe you can squeeze in some exercise while you are here.

More ideas, ladies?

Have a great furlough!

Maggie

 

[buffettgirl]

RE: From Africa: Furlough Fitness Dilemma--please advis...

Portion control!!! (She says as she eats her 6th graham cracker) I imagine you'll be eating all those unclean, but oh so good church lady dishes too! Do you run? That's my exercise of choice if I'm traveling somewhere without access to Cathe. And you can fit it in almost anywhere and anytime. Good luck and see you in August.

 

[seeking_guns]

RE: From Africa: Furlough Fitness Dilemma--please advis...

I feel the same way when I go to visit fam in Germany for extended periods of time. There are things you can't get at home, so I definitely relax my eating expectations. But I am also active. Last summer when I went over, I joined a gym temporarily and kept up my running. I also tend to bike and walk a lot more than I do at home, so I didn't gain at all. I know you said you're on-the-go and it can be hard to make time, but I'd say your best bet is to find a way to keep working out while you are in the US. As for the 2-3 lbs. you'd hoped to lose beforehand, it sounds like you are under enough stress. I agree with the others who said to do what you can.

~Cathy

 

[LauraR]

RE: From Africa: Furlough Fitness Dilemma--please advis...

Thanks so much, gals!!

It feels so good to hear you give advice from such a balanced approach. I guess I’m a little ashamed to say I’m surprised. Sometimes I’m a bit intimidated by some of the folks on this forum, but overall what I’m realizing is that the “educated crowd” here is, indeed, educated and reasonable. I was just sure that you’d all chime in with “You can do it, girl. Eat clean and go for the 2-pound loss in the next month!” But no one has. Wow.

I DO intend to stay as active as possible on furlough . . . running, Cathe workouts that need no equipment, etc. I just know that my schedule will have frequent interruptions.

Maggie—You’re right that having just 2 more pounds to lose next Jan is not that big a deal.

Robin—Yes, portion control! I’ll be preaching that to myself the whole furlough.

Cathy—It's nice to know someone can identify! I’ve thought about joining a gym for a few months. I’m torn between that and the thought of just spending that money to re-purchase all my steps and weights and using them while I’m in the US.

I told my husband what you said, and kindly, he did not say, “I told you so,” But what you said is what he’s been saying to me the last month! He’s been telling me that I CAN work out on furlough and that with at least SOME workouts and portion control that I’m actually NOT going to gain much weight. It just sounds different coming from you!! Thanks!