Vacation Wrap-Up, 2008

Well, there you have it. Everything I ate or drank for 9 days during Vacation 2008.

The end result? Well, I don't own a scale, so I can't tell you exact pounds gained or lost. But I can tell you that my clothes fit more loosely, it seemed, on the way home. I'm confident that I didn't gain weight.

I did consume carbs and fats and sugars I don't usually consume: moderate alchoholic beverages, milkshakes, ice cream. But I also cut down on portions and substituted or skipped those extra calories whenever I didn't really miss them, such as avoiding the mashed potatoes with my steak dinner.

Hopefully I've convinced you that you can indulge once in a while, enjoy yourself while on vacation, and still lose (or maintain) your weight!

Now, it's time to start planning next year's vacation...

Going Home, Saturday, October 4, 2008

Bummer. We were up and out by 9 a.m. Goodbye, Myrtle Beach! Everyone is depressed.

BREAKFAST
2 Burger King wraps: eggs, bacon, cheese, hash browns
1/2 bag of hash browns
Black coffee

LUNCH
Chic-Fil-A
--Chicken sandwich with lettuce and tomato
--Fruit cup
--Unsweetened tea
Starbucks grande pumpkin spice latte, nonfat

DRIVING
2 lemon-lime seltzers

DINNER
McDonald's
--Big Mac
--1/2 box of fries
--unsweetened tea

DRIVING
a few Fritos
SNACK

Last Day (Sniff), Friday, October 3, 2008

The only thing DH and the kids wanted to do on our last day was hit the beach--so we did. All day. From 10 a.m. until around 4 p.m.

Then we went to our favorite restaurant for dinner: Outback. DH's mom and dad came along and we had a great time.

Sadly, we had to go back home and begin packing. But we did a last-minute outing to see a late movie with my aunt and uncle, while the kids watched a DVD with their grandparents.

BREAKFAST
Bowl of Lucky Charms
Skim milk
Black coffee

LUNCH
Small bowl of Italian pasta
Orange seltzer

BEACH
Small pina colada
Orange seltzer

DINNER
Small glass of Foster's ale
Small plate of cheese fries
Small piece of dark bread with butter
Tossed salad with spicy ranch dressing on the side
9 oz. sirloin with steamed veggies

Golfing, Thursday, October 2

Today DH, myself and the three kids went golfing. We had a great time! I even let my 10 year-old drive the golf cart--but not near the lakes. She and I combined for a 48 on the back nine, which pretty much makes it a perfect day, considering I hadn't golfed in over a year!

BREAKFAST
2 fried eggs, once over
1 slice rye toast with butter
Black coffee

LUNCH
Cheese
Triscuits
Green grapes
Orange seltzer

SNACK AFTER GOLF
Chic-Fil-A chocolate milkshake

DINNER
Cincinnati chili over penne
One glass of Carolina Vineyards blackberry merlot (light and delicious)
Tossed salad

Wastin' Away in Margaritaville, Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Gorgeous weather, and time for another beach day.

We took a walk down to the IGA a couple blocks from our beach house to buy sandcastle molds and shovels for the kids, as well as marked-down beach chairs for us. You gotta love off-season clearance!

Then we lathered up with sunscreen because the sun is lower in the sky and more intense than mid-summer. It's not as hot as July (for sure) but we're looking toasted!

I'm reading Jane Austen's "Mansfield Park". I love it.

BREAKFAST
2 fried eggs, once over
1 slice rye toast with butter
Black coffee

BEACH
2 orange seltzers

LUNCH
Bowl of chili
Pasta salad (rotini, pepperoni, cheddar cheese, olives and Italian salad dressing)
Orange selzter

DINNER
Jimmy Buffet's Maragaritaville
--Raspberry Rita
--1/2 "Cheeseburger in Paradise" (with lettuce, tomato, ketchup)
--a few fries
--a few bites of dill pickle