Spring Break trip

Hey, i'm a college student... 5'2". I gained a lot of weight first semester, but have been working hard and am now back to my pre-college size, which I am thrilled about! My next goal is getting down to a healthy ideal weight of 120... though to be more realistic (taking natural fluctuations into consideration) i'm giving myself a range of 115-125.

I drank quite a bit first semester, but this semester i've backed off a TON with the drinking, and it has definitely helped my weight loss. I still enjoy a few every now and then, but I feel no need to go crazy anymore.

That being said... I am going on Spring Break to Mexico with some friends, and I KNOW that i'm going to be drinking a moderate amount nearly every day. I don't plan to get plastered (though it's bound to happen probably one night), but I do know that i will probably have a few drinks throughout the day, and a few each night. I have purposely not had a drink in more than a month for a few reasons... firstly it will be easier for me to justify drinking every day for a week, and secondly i won't need as many drinks to feel a little tipsy which will save a few calories. Still, does anyone have any tips to help me get through this trip without completely screwing up all the hard work that i have put in the past few months, and without reversing the weight loss results i've already achieved?? My hope is to maintain on this trip, and then to continue my weight loss after.... it is a vacation after all. I'm really worried about this! I know my friends are going to be drinking a LOT on this trip, and while I don't want to go crazy, i also don't want to enjoy myself less by worrying so much about how badly i might be breaking my diet! What should i do?

I would say when you do drink stick with Beer or light Beer (or any other low cal drink) and not so as many mixed drinks or margaritas. What i do sometimes if i really want to go to margarita night is i will have one Margarita and then switch over to bud light. (margarita=300-400+ cal, bud light has 97). This may help some...and enjoy yourself, I've been to Mexico and it's a blast...just think of all the calories you will burn on the dance floor ;D 

If you bring along a solid-coloured travel mug/cup and drink out of that during the day your friends will never know what you're drinking... you could drink water or soda all day long and not screw up your hard work. PLUS they'll all think you're smart because yours will be the only drink that stays cold.

At night you could drink clear soda and pass it off as a "vodka tonic".

amaze14- she doesn't want to be sober for the trip, just not ruin her diet completely.

I would say to enjoy it, stick w/ light beers or shots, and just don't go too far cuz you wnat to remember it! When I went to cabo for spring break I had an awesome time. Just be careful where you eat (we got sick the last day or two adn it was a good 2 weeks before I was eating normal which did help lose the vacation weight). Don't worry too much while you are there. You can always get back on track when you return.

Hehe.. you'll notice one thing... after not drinking for a month your tolerance to alcohol will be MUCH lower so be careful!  Don't get sick!

Be careful, but 1 week doesn't make or break a diet.  You gain 5 pounds, you loose them.  This is a lifestyle more than a diet anyway. 

Now the mom in me will come out...be careful that you don't drink and have your judgement impared...stay with friends who will protect you and DO NOT get your picture taken without a top on!  You will regret it...I promise!!!!  Don't come home with any STD's either...have fun...be smart and safe.  That is much more important that 5 gained pounds!

In all honesty, I don't promote drinking, I've never had a drink in my life.  But, if you are going to drink, don't forget to drink plenty of water.  It's nice and hot in Mexico and alcohol won't keep you hydrated.  Try having a bottle of water between alcoholic drinks.  This could help you stay hydrated and help you drink less.

thank you guys for all of the tips! It will be very helpful!

smichelle... i hadn't thought about that, we will be dancing a lot, which burns a lot of calories!

ktcort, and ravenlark... you're absolutely right, i definitely want to remember this trip! I've gone for long periods without drinking in the past, and i've learned from experience what my limits are after taking a long hiatus, haha. Won't be making that mistake again :-)

kae03... you are also absolutely right about looking at this as a lifestyle change, which is what I have been doing thus far. In fact, i was rather surprised at myself for even calling it a diet... after i read your post i actually went back to my original post to see, "did i really say that?"... i was a bit surprised. I think that's the first time I've used the term "diet" since i've started thinking seriously about eating healthier and becoming active again! And also, thank you so much for your concern! My mom had the same concerns at first, but I assured her that this is not that kind of trip! We are staying at a family-oriented resort, quite a ways away from the MTV-sort of spring break crowd (a.k.a, no wet t-shirt contests for me!!... ish, i wouldn't be caught dead!) and I am going with a small group of close friends who are very smart drinkers and have always been good about looking out for each other! Plus, one kid's mom is going to be there, and though she won't be going out with us, she'll definitely be keeping an eye out for us. But thank you for your words of advice! :-)



Thanks all!