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Two Weeks in the USA after Two Years in Japan? Diet Advice Needed!

ANSWERED

‎07-25-2016 20:54

‎07-25-2016 20:54

Hey guys!

So I’d like your advice and opinions.


I’m a 5’9.5” 25-year-old female who weighed around 170 in the US. Two and a half years ago, I moved to Japan and dropped to around 155 without trying. In May, I began doing to modeling work here, and decided to try to drop down to 135-ish. I began counting calories with My Fitness Pal and being more intentionally active on a daily basis. I’m not crazy legalistic, but I try to stick to my plan.

Last week, I got a FitBit Blaze, and I’m loving it so far. Definitely motivates me to up my game!

Now, down to the question.

I’m planning on visiting home in August for two weeks. Aside from visiting family/friends, the main thing I’m looking forward to is eating food that you just can’t find/make in Japan due to lack of ingredients or the ingredients being incredibly expensive. This includes high calorie foods like Broccoli Cheese Soup and Chipotle. And of course visiting the State Fair. And bacon. Japanese bacon is like ham.

 

I’m absolutely planning on working out every day for a few hours. It’s mostly going to be a low-key, unscheduled sort of trip, so I’m thinking a few hours of rollerblading/running a day to try to stave off weight gain. However, since it may be another two years before I get back to the US again, I really don’t want to miss out on the opportunity of eating my favorite foods.

 

In my situation, what would you guys do? Attempt to keep calorie counting in addition to working out every day? Should I give myself a semi-pass and just be hyper aware of stopping when I get full? I know there will be people saying that I need to get out of the mentality of food (especially junk food) as a treat/reward, but I haven’t been able to taste good cheesy/creamy foods since 2013!

Best Answer
1 BEST ANSWER

Accepted Solutions

‎07-26-2016 10:34

‎07-26-2016 10:34

Here's the truth: 

 

 In the moment, anyone can justify a little liberation to go off-track and enjoy things while you can. Tomorrow isn't promised to anyone, remember! 

 

 For me - I have been on trips to New Orleans - where the food is awesome. 

 

And I passed on it. One - it's nowhere near as far for me as Japan is to the US! 

Two - I know from personal experience that each "empty" calorie I put on is a calorie I will have to cook off through dietary sacrifice and sweat. For me, it impacts the taste. 

Three - None of us will ever be successful if we keep doing the same things that got us in a position to need to reduce our fat stores in the first place. Diets are not a temporary fix, but a lifetime solution. 

 

 

That being said - you're not that heavy and probably don't need to worry about a thing. At nearly 5'10'', you could carry the 170 you used to carry without being the last kid picked on the playground team. At 155, as long as you feel good, I wouldn't sweat it - but I would keep mental track of what you eat. 

 

For this trip, I'd suggest not worry about macros or micros - but only consider the big picture of what you're eating. For example: 

 

 

If it's fish, make sure it's caught wild, and as fresh as possible. 

If it's steak - make sure it's grass fed and as fresh as possible. 

If it's Gumbo - make sure it's made in the Gulf Coast, preferably New Orleans! 

If it's chicken, make sure it's a free range chicken. 

Stay out of chain restaurants and only go to places that are locally owned, if you must dine out. 

 

If you must eat dessert, eat a small portion of something truly fantastic, as opposed to a piece of ordinary cake. 

 

In short - if you're going to indulge, try to make sure the calories are worth the sweat and sacrifice. 

Those who have no idea what they are doing genuinely have no idea that they don't know what they're doing. - John Cleese

View best answer in original post

Best Answer
6 REPLIES 6

‎07-26-2016 02:46

‎07-26-2016 02:46

Enjoy!  Take a two week break.  Live life and have a great time!  Keep active while you're here, but I wouldn't miss out on your favorite foods.

Heather | Community Council | Eastern Shore, AL
Want to discuss ways to increase your activity? Visit Get Moving in the Lifestyle Discussion Forum.
Best Answer

‎07-26-2016 03:42

In response to Heather-S

‎07-26-2016 03:42

Here, here! I totally agree with @Heather-S. Enjoy your vacation and don't worry about it. Nothing ruins a good weight loss more than rigidity and feeling deprived.

Best Answer

‎07-26-2016 04:48

‎07-26-2016 04:48

As a woman who has been there, so to speak..I am going to be 47 this year, and if I could go back in time to my younger self, say from ages 15 to 35, I would have eaten more of the enjoyable foods that you speak of..  I was always on a strict diet and was always a size 0 to 6 at the highest..Also, I was pretty miserable because I LOVE food and I never allowed myself to enjoy fattening yummy foods..  All that changed in my 40's and I gave up on trying to be thin and when I gave up I started eating EVERYTHING that I denied myself for years and gained a ton of weight..I gained over 50 pounds in 2 years..  The moral of my story is that I am thinking that you should enjoy all of the foods, in moderation, while in the USA for 2 weeks and not worry about it!!  Have fun!

Best Answer

‎07-26-2016 07:32

‎07-26-2016 07:32

@TokyoSkinny

 

I would totally let myself splurge a bit.  Try to keep your activity up and go for an even cals in/cals out type of time.  You may not lose weight during this time.  But you'll enjoy the time and not miss out on "comfort foods", especially when you won't have the chance to have them in quite a while.  If you keep the calories at least even, maybe shoot for a little under if possible, you shouldn't gain. 

 

Go for it an have a great time.

Best Answer
0 Votes

‎07-26-2016 10:34

‎07-26-2016 10:34

Here's the truth: 

 

 In the moment, anyone can justify a little liberation to go off-track and enjoy things while you can. Tomorrow isn't promised to anyone, remember! 

 

 For me - I have been on trips to New Orleans - where the food is awesome. 

 

And I passed on it. One - it's nowhere near as far for me as Japan is to the US! 

Two - I know from personal experience that each "empty" calorie I put on is a calorie I will have to cook off through dietary sacrifice and sweat. For me, it impacts the taste. 

Three - None of us will ever be successful if we keep doing the same things that got us in a position to need to reduce our fat stores in the first place. Diets are not a temporary fix, but a lifetime solution. 

 

 

That being said - you're not that heavy and probably don't need to worry about a thing. At nearly 5'10'', you could carry the 170 you used to carry without being the last kid picked on the playground team. At 155, as long as you feel good, I wouldn't sweat it - but I would keep mental track of what you eat. 

 

For this trip, I'd suggest not worry about macros or micros - but only consider the big picture of what you're eating. For example: 

 

 

If it's fish, make sure it's caught wild, and as fresh as possible. 

If it's steak - make sure it's grass fed and as fresh as possible. 

If it's Gumbo - make sure it's made in the Gulf Coast, preferably New Orleans! 

If it's chicken, make sure it's a free range chicken. 

Stay out of chain restaurants and only go to places that are locally owned, if you must dine out. 

 

If you must eat dessert, eat a small portion of something truly fantastic, as opposed to a piece of ordinary cake. 

 

In short - if you're going to indulge, try to make sure the calories are worth the sweat and sacrifice. 

Those who have no idea what they are doing genuinely have no idea that they don't know what they're doing. - John Cleese
Best Answer

‎07-26-2016 18:58

‎07-26-2016 18:58

Thanks everyone for the replies! I’m thinking of taking you guys’ advice and aiming for calories in/calories out. I’ll not plan to LOSE weight while I’m there, but I’ll try my very best to MAINTAIN my current weight. I think I’ll plan to go out to the restaurants that I’ve missed (Chipotle and Mexican sit-down!) and eat my mother’s cooking within moderation. And of course, be sure to workout some way every day.

 

An issue of mine is that my weight tends to fluctuate a LOT. I mean, sometimes six pounds from one day to the next! Everybody says it’s water weight do to how much I drink/how much my sodium intake is that day, but even when I’m drinking 2L of water a day and trying to watch my sodium, these fluctuations still occur.

 

So it’s really hard to accurately calculate how much I have lost/am losing weight wise. I’ve tried weekly weigh-ins (after using the restroom and before eating in the morning) and daily weigh-ins (same time) and it’s still hard to tell.

 

From what I can tell, I am currently somewhere between 142-147 lbs currently, and I’m just hoping that doesn’t jump greatly with the increase in sodium and overall food consumption.

 

Anyway, I figure worst case scenario, I gain some pounds and work like crazy once I get back. However, I’m really going to try to maintain maintain maintain!! (I love Japanese food a LOT, but there is very little access to Mexican/Cheesy food! I want to get my fill while I’m back!!)

Best Answer
0 Votes