Martha,

I started Atkins the same day as you, along with my boyfriend. He has lost 19, and as of today, I have lost 15. We just got back from a camping trip -- and we both lost weight while away. I think the extra exercise really helped. We ate wonderfully -- cooked strip steaks on the grill, and I had brought a broccoli salad. We ate breadfast at diners -- big cheesy omelets with veggies. For snacks, we brought cheese and nuts -- very filling. I agree that if you just look at this as a new way of eating -- a new lifestyle, you will both do just fine. Good luck, and have a wonderful vacation!

I agree with the posts so far, but want to add one thing. If there's an opportunity to eat something regionally unique or traditional, and you feel you really can't miss out on the experience, then go ahead and have just a couple of bites of the item. Then for a couple of days before and after extra diligent about limiting carbs.

A couple of examples of this situation might be something like beignets on your first visit to New Orleans (just take a couple of bites and slowly savor the taste so you can say you had one) or black beans, rice, and fried plantains in Miami (same applies here - taste the food, but don't eat the whole meal). I did this with Belgian waffles in Brussels. My chances of eating this treat in this location again are slim, and, hey, you can't go to Belgium without trying the waffles! So I planned for it, savored the experience, and accepted the results.

I think that (and I mean here ONLY if this WON'T send you on a carb binge) these types of experiences make a vacation memorable and you don't feel like you have to deny yourself a perhaps once-in-a-lifetime experience.

But again, don't use these types of experiences as an excuse to go all out carb crazy. With planning and willpower these unique experiences can be safely enjoyed.

Joan

You've got me so excited to go. I will pack snacks since we will have a big cooler with us and I am really looking forward to eating out and enjoying all of the options available to me.

Talk to you all in August.

Martha