In this milieu, I'm a loser as well.

Am I right to guess that the losers are a bit overweight to begin with and the gainers are normal/under weight before they leave?
It's just a theory of mine, buy I may be wrong.

I have no idea wheather I gain or lose on vacation - I don't even own a scale. Generally though my pants are snugger in the winter and roomier in the summer :) I guess my body needs a little more insulation in the winter (I live in Canada).

Keep in mind that muscle weighs more than fat. So even if you stay the same weight, you are still more fit and toned from walking.

I tend to eat a ton more than normal, and much less healthfully while on vacation. I've never gained any weight though, probably due to the fact that I end up walking seven, up to twelve hours a day! Even on beach vacations, a short jog along the beach or swim in the ocean against the waves will burn off any extra calories you've consumed :-)

"Am I right to guess that the losers are a bit overweight to begin with and the gainers are normal/under weight before they leave? It's just a theory of mine, buy I may be wrong."

Not necessarily; I wasn't overweight before my trip.

I just saw the comment about the people who lose weight on trips must have been overweight to begin with, LOL!!! I'm a 24 year old avid runner/hiker and I guarantee I am not overweight in the least. Even so, walking 12+ miles a day burns more calories than my typical hour-long run, and thus I lose weight on trips, or at the very least stay the same. Depsite eating more than normal.
I am sure that many of the people who lose weight vacationing in Europe are not overweight to begin with either. Just a slight increase in daily activity will increase your metabolism more than one would think.

Okay, okay, I take it back.

:)
lindi

In your defense, lind., my personal trainer told me that very overweight people or people who eat alot of junk food lose weight faster than those on the borderline such as me, when they diet or exercise.

Me too! We are vacationing in Peru, and I have lost 3 pounds in ten days! I have not done anything extraordinary as far as exercise goes. My meals have been bigger here for lunch and dinner, but I am not snacking near as much as in the states. Woot! I hope it keeps up!

I always eat way more food and much richer food too when on vacation but still don't gain any weight because of all the walking.

I'm middle aged, not overweight at all and work out at the gym 4-5 times a week. I think if I didn't exercise regularly I might lose a few pounds from all the walking, but being in shape, I maintain.

I'm always amazed that I haven't gained anything when I get home, given that we plan a lot of our vacations around eating amazing food!

Resurrection! I also answered this post in 2004... and right now I'm trying to lose 3 pounds I gained while on a cruise 1 1/2 weeks ago.

What I've learned...

cruise = weight gain
city travel = weight loss, get to eat more and not add on pounds

Knocked two notches off the belt (that really did need knocking-off). In 3 1/2 weeks in France and Italy, conservatively, I'd say we walked 150 km easily.

I often lose on vacation maybe only a pound or two but also clothes fit a little looser. I think it is walking, less snacking, more whole food vs cheap food - but most of all I think we all lose weight when we aren't so stressed.

No, I'm thin to begin with but usually lose about 5 lbs. on vacation in Europe.