Camping and weight loss

Every year my family goes camping in the Redwoods.  I hate camping, as in really truly hate it, but my family loves it and I love my family, so with a little whining, I always come along.

Alan knows my feelings about camping and so he tries really hard to make this as wonderful an experience for me as possible.  He packs inflatable mattresses, heaters, gourmet food, great wine and rare chocolate along with my favorite cheeses and other indulgences.  He serenades us with his guitar and and pretty much does all the packing and setting up for the trip.  I really can't complain, and yet...I do.  I know, I know, I am a spoiled rotten person and should just enjoy the outdoors with my family.  But there is something about the dirt, outhouses, bugs, lack of comfort, that just is so not me.  It's just not what my family ever did.  We never went camping, unless you count the Hilton as roughing it, we never did the whole outdoor thing.  Of course, Alan is amazing at all of it; the fire, the tent, the cooking, the whole bit.  He usually sets up a whole huge kitchen area that other guys come over to admire and he brings all kinds of BBQ equipment and makes smoked ribs and turkey.  Our camping is mostly about eating and socializing while we eat punctuated by sappy songs and adult humor when the kids go to sleep.

Well for better or worse, the trip is now coming up and I need to get my head on straight about it.  There is one interesting part of the trip that happens every single time and I can't quite understand what it is about.  Even though I seem to eat my way through most of the trip, as my hunger is always much stronger outdoors, I always come back a few pounds lighter.  I really don't get it.  I am not really working out that much, as Alan is doing most of it, and I spend my time sitting around reading a book or talking with friends.  Yet, I come back exhausted and thinner.  Go figure?  It is one of those mysteries that make no sense.  I am going to try and get some hiking in this time and eat less food, or at least less chocolate, the ribs and turkey are here to stay.  :)  Anyone have any great camping stories or ways to make this more fun?   I would love some advice.  ( I already know the one about stopping the whining. I really am trying here people. ).     :)

It's hard when that is not your cup of tea. I would say to treat it as an adventure and get in as much hiking and walking as possible. My first husband took me camping in february one year in arkansas. It was cold and when we woke up it had snowed on our tent. Needless to say we headed straight for his grandmother's house for the night, lol. Never will do that again. I hope you have a great time.

I love the outdoors.........during the day and early evening.......

But my idea of camping is......

- Awana Hotel Yosemite

- Cabin

- Motorhome

- Holiday Inn

- Capsule Hotels in Japan

 

A shower, bed and TV

Someone who hates sleeping on dirt more than me once said..... why take the time, spend the money to live life less than you normally do.....?

I get it... people love camping.... getting in touch with nature and all.....

I guess it's a great family thing..... my family never did it.... was always a cabin in Tahoe.

I never did camping properly...... was about cases of beer and canned Chef Boy o' Boy raviolis, Skynard and always woke up feeling horrible with a cough and sore throat....I never had an Alan on my team !

Have fun !

frisco

Geez! Only half  the message showed up!! lol What I wrote was...

 

I love your posts. They are thought provoking, firm and always encouraging!

Can't offer you much advice Elina....I hate camping too!  I hate the idea of bugs and stuff crawling over me when I'm sleeping and if I ever saw a snake I think I'd lose it! lol

As for the whining...that I do know something about! 

BUT one thing I do think is fun to do when you're camping is look for shooting stars!  It's amazing how many you see when you're away from all the big city lights!

Anyway, just wanted to wish you luck and tell you that I hope you have a great time!  Can't wait to read your post when you come back and have some sage advice you gained from your experience for us!!

Take Care!

I went camping and white water rafting ONCE and that was enough!! LOL
Went I returned to the office that Monday one of the partners that knew of my vaca plans and was an outdoorsy kind of guy asked me all excited how I liked it..
I replied ...Well.. I discovered one thing on this trip, and that was...
I'm a room service kinda girl!

I used to camp when I was younger with my boyfriends family. They didn't have much money but I remember these outings with fondness. I too am not fond of camping and have never camped with my own family and children but wish I did when they were younger. Why? Because I know I would have such great memories of family time. My advice, take lots of pictures/video and maybe even journal about your adventure. Kids grow up and out of the house so fast. You will one day treasure these days and even possible miss them. Enjoy!

I have been camping exactly twice. The first I was quite young and my mother hated the experience and took me home while my brother and father stayed. I was maybe 5 and have no recollection of it.

The next time I was 19. It SUCKED.I went with people who claimed to know about camping. NOT! I was cold and wet and exhausted.I was miserable. So now, camping is defined as staying at a hotel that does not provide coffee in the room or having to bring my own blow dryer! LOL!

I do not camp! End of subject.

 

I don't know if I have stories to encourage you, since I grew up camping and have always loved it. My family sets up like it sounds yours does -- extensive cooking areas (setting up the "camping kitchen" is a matter of great pride), lots of terrific gourmet food & wine, etc. But I just wanted to chime in and say I've noticed the same thing about eating and weight loss during camping. My family goes all out  feasting on every kind of indulgence you can imagine, plus drinking champagne, wine, and beer. I never do much hiking or other exercise type stuff. But I always come back having lost a few pounds! No idea how that works!