Travelling Alone to Thailand for Weight Loss

Fysh on 15/10/2019 - 11:33

Does it sound dodgy for a middle aged single man to go to Thailand by himself, should I go somewhere else, where would that be at similar price?

Reason for Travel:
I want to travel for a few weeks to get into a fitness kick / satisfy my want to travel. I want to do it alone because I am a fairly introverted person and enjoy my own time.

I saw a couple of weight loss camps in Thailand but due to cost am going to get a personal trainer to write up a plan and head over. Being out of my normal environment means I don't really feel the need to drink to socialise and also I usually stick to 1 main meal a day. Its fairly easy for me to be regimental / exercise / walk around all day and lose weight.

** I don't really want to go to Bali. I do want a hotel with a pool and gym reasonably priced.

Travel

Comments

    • Fysh on 15/10/2019 - 13:08

      Absolutely am already doing this. I use to have a few drinks every night and now am down to only a few friday and saturday. I find that I actually eat more now due to boredom at night. During lunch I have been going out for takeaway but saving for this holiday has actually meant I am not buying as many lunches as I want to save to go away.

      • spiff on 15/10/2019 - 13:40
        +1

        Great that you're achieving a savings goal. All that momentum adds up. And I read above a plan to keep the weight off when you get back, which was a key concern. Good luck.

  • TEER3X on 15/10/2019 - 13:41
    -6

    Hey guys, I want to become a fireman and thought that I could go to the moon first and study the surface. This will sharpen my mind and help my reach my goals of becoming a fireman. Thoughts?

    • DeafMutePretender on 15/10/2019 - 20:05
      +2

      Sounds a bit dodgy. You hoping to hook up with cheap alien hookers?

      • TEER3X on 15/10/2019 - 20:26
        +1

        Saw right through me

  • onetwothreefour on 15/10/2019 - 13:49
    -1

    Can't you just go to a different city in Oz if you want to avoid people you know?

    • Fysh on 15/10/2019 - 13:54

      Yes but cost is a lot more and I've travelled in aust a bit and want to crack out the passport and do new things. It's very much on my mind, happy to take any suggestions on where i can go.

      • onetwothreefour on 15/10/2019 - 14:17
        +1

        We don't know where you live but maybe driving a couple of hours away would be enough? But also travelling is fun, lots of different junk food and beer to try ;)

        • Fysh on 15/10/2019 - 14:19

          Problem is I am getting a bit older and still want to travel as well. I feel like I've been stagnant for quite a few years.

      • Love a bargain on 15/10/2019 - 14:41
        +3

        You might also want to look into other SE Asian countries (e.g. Vietnam, Cambodia, etc) - not sure about the flights but it's pretty cheap once you get there

        If I were you, I'd avoid the capital cities and go somewhere where more outdoor activities are on offer (e.g. somewhere with a beach/ hiking trails/ outdoor monuments, etc). That'll make it a more interesting trip and, you can get some exercise outside of the confine of the gym and pool. (An added benefit would be that people would less likely to think you're there for those activities that you don't want to be associated with.)

        Depending on how long you're going away for, you might also want to consider going to a few places rather than just staying in the same place for weeks on end. You might be more likely to eat out of boredom once you've been in a place for too long.

        • Lunarboogie on 15/10/2019 - 15:54

          Agree. Thailand isn't the cheap paradise it once was - the exchange has put paid to that. Indonesia and Cambodia remain far cheaper and the food just as nice. As a tubby, middle aged, white male you may get disconcerting looks but unfortunately, them the brakes. Too many folk have gone before you and left a poor legacy. It's great of you though for being aware of how you might be perceived.

  • qwerty on 15/10/2019 - 14:25
    +1

    If you are going with a purpose to train at a mma or Muay Thai gym or a yoga studio over there i dont think anyone will care

    If you are going for "fitness" it sounds and looks dodgy

    Just contact akathailand or another gym and schedule it in your trip they do mma fitness classes

    https://akathailand.com/training-info/full-training-schedule…

  • payton on 15/10/2019 - 14:27

    Being out of my normal environment means I don't really feel the need to drink to socialise and also I usually stick to 1 main meal a day.

    Not to nitpick but if you only have 1 main meal per day you should already be losing weight and be ahead of the curve?
    Unless you have lots of snacks/sugars and heavy drinking at the typical meal times?

  • wetsandwich on 15/10/2019 - 14:28
    +1

    It says more about your mental hangups if you think it's wierd and that people are judging. Go if you want to go. If people would automatically think 'bad things' that would mean they already think of you as an old pervert. Post some pictures of you doing things that aren't in lady bars if you are that paranoid. Like a selfie in front of the gym. Or a selfie on the elephant. Or a selfie at a war museum.

    But honestly, motivation comes from within. A gym membership here is under $20 a week, and healthy food is harder to get overseas because street food is quick and nasty, for people who can only afford $1 per meal. It's not exactly premium ingredients, it's fatty meat, dodgy oil. Thai food is loaded with sugar and less protein than you need if you're working out, so you'd have to buy 'meal prep' meals for a higher cost from gyms anyway. Do your own bootcamp here where you simply commit to the gym 5 days per week and you also figure out how to say no to people. I ate strictly for 6 months and my family could NOT handle it, doing their best to mock me and throw me off the rails. But I just didn't relent. No, I'm not eating that cake that you bought and put in front of me after I already told you I don't eat sugar. Guilt isn't going to work. This is what I eat - the meals I made myself. They can be out of shape and with fitness related health problems, but that's not me any more.

    21 days of beers and sun will certainly make you feel better so do it anyway (it's a great fun and interesting place), but any weight you manage to lose will be gained back in 1 week if you can't change your environment here on your own. Real sustainable weight loss and fitness takes a minimum of months no matter how intensely you do it.

    • Fysh on 15/10/2019 - 14:40
      +1

      Thanks great answer. I am thinking of starting 2 weeks before hand with intense training and a trainer to build up a work out plan.

      I've found it just to difficult to say no, hence why i want the seperation. Its a lot of pressure, I have one mate who insists on cooking these big meals then after a few cigs and drinks he doesnt even bloody eat the food. Refuses to not cook it "we cant drink and not eat, that would be irresponsible". Then I kind of feel because I have paid for it i need to eat a lot of it so that its not a waste. Its just a cycle of BS. Then a few weeks later they are like ooh you should really use portion sizes or walk more.

      • Love a bargain on 15/10/2019 - 14:47
        +1

        Then I kind of feel because I have paid for it i need to eat a lot of it so that its not a waste.

        This is from within. You weren't even pressured to finish the food. You chose "value" over your health and now you're trying to spend money to fix it. Just put the leftover into containers and take them to work for lunch (or have them another night).

        Saying "no" doesn't have to be confrontational. It can simply be offering suggestion such as "let me fix dinner tonight" and cook a smaller, lighter meal.

        & if that mate is your flatmate, it may be time for you to move out.

    • spiff on 15/10/2019 - 19:27

      I ate strictly for 6 months and my family could NOT handle it, doing their best to mock me and throw me off the rails. But I just didn't relent. No, I'm not eating that cake that you bought and put in front of me after I already told you I don't eat sugar. Guilt isn't going to work. This is what I eat - the meals I made myself. They can be out of shape and with fitness related health problems, but that's not me any more.

      Inspiration right here. Good job.

  • olivecheese on 15/10/2019 - 14:33
    +3

    A Greek island, like Kythira?

    I know it costs more to get there but you'll be able to live cheaply in a hotel with pool and gym etc like you would in Thailand once you do, and probably without the prejudice as it appears classier.

    • Fysh on 15/10/2019 - 14:58
      +2

      I just went on to Expedia and your advice is bloody awesome, going to Crete there isn't much difference in price. The weather would be a bit cooler in FEB but in the scheme of things I think it still satisfies my needs fairly well.

      • olivecheese on 15/10/2019 - 15:02
        +2

        Awesome, I'm glad! In even better news, the Greek love their protein!

      • stumo on 15/10/2019 - 20:42
        +2

        Crete is pretty cool. If you do go make sure you lookup the ANZAC connection there. I didn't know anything about it until much later and I wish I had when I was there.

  • neosin on 15/10/2019 - 15:51
    +1

    If you are not planning to do anything illegal then who cares what people think?

    Just go and have a good time, close thread!

    Enjoy!

    • TEER3X on 15/10/2019 - 20:27
      -1

      OP is obviously a pedo, if they weren't this thread would not exist.

      I suggest therapy.

  • cainen on 15/10/2019 - 15:55
    +2

    Fitness eh? That what they call it these days eh ;) ;)

    That's what the people at work will be saying. They just jelly they can't get some cheap pootang.

    Don't worry about what they think, do whatever you want. Your life and you're not doing anything wrong!

  • capslock on 15/10/2019 - 15:58
    +2

    I don't know how you will be able to resist eating while you are away. There will be food everywhere and it will be cheap and yummy.

  • crentist on 15/10/2019 - 16:23
    +2

    One detail you may wanna consider is getting a decent Airbnb instead of a hotel. I spent some time in Malaysia, and $1500/month gets you a wide selection of nice apartments with good gyms and infinity pools. So many infinity pools.
    But the climate is muggy, food is oily, and the city isn't very walkable.

    Personally I found weight loss easier in Japan, during winter. Maybe it was a bit too cold, but you can walk for hours without getting hot and sweaty, and their food tends to be small portions without much oil and bad stuff (as long as you don't binge on ramen). You can tell because everyone there is skinny, but they eat out almost every meal.

  • goraygo on 15/10/2019 - 17:02
    +3

    I am writing to you as a person who has lost 20kg in the past.

    I liked you thinking of getting fit and losing weight but your trip would be temporary relief. When you come back and pick up the old habits again, you will go back to original. It will be a waste of time.

    Being an ozbargainer, I would actually recommend you to do it in Australia. Make yourself determined to eat healthy, exercise and keep fit plus lose weight.

    I read a couple of your messages and see you like to cook but eaten too much. Best way to counter that is to cook over weekend, freeze the food in the portion you can have (not too little and not too much). Then your diet is kinda fix if you don’t go out or eat double.

    Then for the exercise bit, jogging normally is good for losing weight and partner with apps like NTC (Nike Training club), it’s free and if you follow it for 20 mins as a start and hopefully able to do an hour eventually, you will be fit.

    Seriously, losing weight is a mental determination challenge.

    Good luck.

  • DeafMutePretender on 15/10/2019 - 17:29
    -1

    As a man (as opposed to woman), and to Thailand (as opposed to Morocco, Syria or Pakistan), you should be fine, safety wise. The worst thing you will face are probably judgmental women of your own race who may assume that you have less than savory intentions for going there.

    Why Pakistan should be on every solo female traveler's bucket list
    https://twitter.com/Forbes/status/1182996846496702465

  • thatonethere on 15/10/2019 - 19:43
    +1

    When I travel by myself OS for work I get picked on. With a full family just waved thru…

  • hawkeye on 15/10/2019 - 19:52

    I wouldn't recommend thailand at all. Being it's that easy to get all your foreign food needs and all you can eat buffets for cheap in most cities there. Then you have Kentucky deep fried chicken mc donalds pizza company all the fast food outlets everywhere.
    It can be an expensive place if you don't speak the language and most will always be sticking it to you for a tips over inflated prices. Most thais have little respect for foreigners but I wont get into that.

    Laos Cambodia Vietnam people are a lot more relaxed you'll still get hassled but no where near what thais expect the fast food is not in your face everywhere and not farmed mass produced hormone feed live stock ect.

    I lost 14KG over 10 months in Cambodia Vietnam was back in Oz for a couple of weeks in between I was drinking on average 15 beers a day. Couple of easy days would be 8 with a diet of pork no fat and chicken eating 2 times a day.

    Been back in Oz for about 3 weeks and already put back on 4KG so just because you lose it over there you'll get it back fast when you return no matter what you limit

  • MessyG on 15/10/2019 - 20:27
    +3

    I don't think there's anything weird about this, but I think you're going to run into trouble when you get home. Just say you go and get fitter and lose some weight - it will teach you nothing about how to maintain it when you get back. Your family and friends will notice and push even harder to make you eat and go to the pub, because that's just what people do when you lose a lot of weight quickly.

    And as a fellow introvert, you need to know that not being able to say no to people, and being introverted are two very different things. The first is a function of your self esteem which sounds like it needs the trip to Thailand!

    Weight is not a measure of health. Eating one meal a day is pointlessly restrictive because whatever you do to get yourself healthy, has to be sustainable for years and years. It's not. I speak from the future, it's not. If you want to get healthy and get the physique you want, it's a long long game, one that largely involves accepting who you are and making small achievable changes over time. The whole diet, health and wellness industry is a giant prison that locks you in a cycle of binging and starving, potentially for decades and I say to you, don't do it. Play the long game. Don't tell your friends and family. Go to the GP and get referrals for a dietitian and a psychologist. Work through everything that has brought you here. The easy answer is going and dumping a few kilos only to see it all come back on and your self esteem to get worse. Do the work, play the long game and you'll get what you want.

    And book a holiday to Thailand, go and do some cooking classes, see the temples, do all the good proper tourist stuff. Don't let taxi drivers take you 'shopping' - as a middle aged white man there'll be plenty of rip off attempts and offers of hookers and small children. It's up to you and your values if that's the path you head down, but just go and have a really good time because you deserve a nice holiday.

    • Fysh on 15/10/2019 - 20:44

      Thanks.

  • [Deactivated] on 15/10/2019 - 20:39

    Honestly. Who gives a shit what others think? You're going for a good reason. It's not your business what others think of, or about you. Do what's good for you. The end.

  • jacross on 16/10/2019 - 07:57
    +2

    You should go the whole hog and do one of those steroid camps.

  • ozbjunkie on 16/10/2019 - 08:39
    +1

    Yeah as others said, you know you're traveling with good intentions, so that will show.

    If people wrongly assume, that's on them.

    If you need a real excuse/reason, say Thailand is the place to go for kickboxing, and you want to lose weight, so you're doing a beginner's training camp.

    Also, do a kickboxing camp, within your physical ability.

  • brad1-8tsi on 16/10/2019 - 08:46
    +1

    I couldn't think of anywhere worse than a hot humid climate to attempt weight loss if you aren't already motivated at home.

  • gyrex on 16/10/2019 - 20:16
    +1

    I'm married and spent almost a month in Thailand on a solo photography trip while my wife went back to Poland to visit her family recently. I travelled extensively throughout the country and not once received strange looks or questions. I spent a lot of time travelling to small villages and off-the-beaten-track places. Thailand is a treasure trove of natural beauty and experiences.

    You'll be fine.

    • Peck on 16/10/2019 - 21:28
      +1

      I agree 100%. I have travelled Thailand extensively, and solo. Never a problem. Just dress respectfully and be polite and you will have a great time. Thais are lovely, polite people.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/10/2019 - 23:14

    Lose weight here. Then travel to see the world.

    Your plan is complicated, your mind and body will learn little from such unclear actions.
    Maybe try a pure carnivore diet on alternative months. It's an easy diet, you can eat as much food as you like. I think everyone can lose weight and keep it off.
    Then reward yourself when you reach your target(s). Travel as you like, alone, or maybe with a tour group. Separating the tasks would work for me. Best wishes.

    Beware Elon Musk if you go cave diving.

    • shadowangel on 18/10/2019 - 16:32
      +1

      Guarentee op will lose weight in Thailand. I lost near 10kg, the heat in summer and the food has less calories then most aussie meals.

      I live in Thailand and my wife is thai.

  • [Deactivated] on 18/10/2019 - 15:44

    Try going there on your lonesome self but with a wedding ring on your finger and a freshly-wiped out work phone. That was fun…not.

  • Eeples on 18/10/2019 - 19:53

    Hey.
    Friends and family and Thai locals can think what they like.

    I suggest you go walking in the morning and in late afternoon (building to 2 hours each walking faster each day) some on the beach if you manage it. Beware of dogs. Shower after these walks.

    During the heat of the day seek refuge in aircon shopping centres (walking around and around) or stay in your hotel room napping and exercising if you have the energy. Or, go on a tour. Eg. visit a waterfall.

    At night go for a walk to a restaurant at least 2km away… if you feel unsafe catch a tuk tuk back.

    Also, insist on not having rice with your meals. (Unless you get addicted to Tom yum soup in which case get rice; this is your meal not an entre).

  • kenone on 20/10/2019 - 11:52

    Hi, seeing this post is alive and popular I mention my intention: I would be interested to join with someone in Thailand. My interests: eat healthy (love Thai), travel, explore, fishing, water sports (not strenuous), etc. Very laid back and carefree. I know/love Thailand in every respect, been there countless times, speak Thai, etc. I live on Gold Coast and need a change of wallpaper. Any ideas/interest?

    • shadowangel on 20/10/2019 - 12:04

      If you go to Udon Thani, message me. I live there. Plenty of fishing and very laid back here.

      • kenone on 20/10/2019 - 12:28

        I have been in Udon Thani many years ago. Presently a good fried from America is there, with his girl friend. I have not been in Loas for many decades, so when I head to north of Thailand again I can let know. I hope to be in Thailand in December this year.

        • shadowangel on 27/10/2019 - 15:20

          Great, I'm heading to Laos in a 2 weeks. We have some good friends there (police) at savannakhet.

    • Peck on 21/10/2019 - 22:08

      When there I only 'sleep, eat, massage, drink, eat, drink' and repeat. Too hot for anything else. Oh and vpn (virtual private network) to keep up to date with my favourite ABC via iview. Various towns. I gave up trying to speak Thai as it only confuses them. I have had to eat so many incorrect food orders because I messed up……… and I believe in eating my mistakes. I just let them know that I know enough that they shouldn't say 'old man' about me in front of me. hehe

  • kenone on 22/10/2019 - 10:14

    "only 'sleep, eat, massage, drink, eat, drink' and repeat" could be the case in many of the up-country places but also depending on the depths of your interest. There are not many places nowadays where I choose to stay upto max 5/6 days. Since I always drive a rented car there it is rather easy to pack up and check out another area. Just go with the flow and enjoy…………

  • justwaitingforamate on 22/10/2019 - 22:02

    My recommendation would be go to Nepal. Hike the anapurna circuit it will be really enjoyable and with only eating dahl bart the weight will fall off. Cheap too, meet interesting people, was the best weight loss I ever had. Dont need guides or equipment ect, its a well trafficed with cheap guest houses all the way around so if you dont feel like doing many Kms one day you can just walk to the next town or stay put. I havent been there in 15 years but have been manys times and would recommend this over Thailand as the food is just too good to say no in Thailand, I always stack on the Kgs there.

  • Eeples on 26/10/2019 - 14:57

    Quite frankly, I think, if anyone accuses or make innuendoes about your travel, you should let them know that you are offended by such talk about you.
    If your rep is important to you and you feel that others are tarnishing it….let them know you are offended by their assumptions. Let them know it, clearly.

  • Froot Loops on 29/10/2019 - 00:21

    Just go on ketogenic diet or something as such. weight loss is fast and even faster in thailand if you go in hot season and lie in the sun all day (not recommended). Just be careful with food. They generally have never heard of low carb or low fat diets. They eat general a balance diet of high low-GI carbs. It's a wonderful country with many great ladies and gentleman and both.
    Hints from my placement in Thailand:
    Get health insurance and make sure it covers what you are doing
    Be very careful about weight loss drugs there. We tested a natural herbal supplement in the labs there from one of the best Thai hospitals in Bangkok and found alot of codeine (which was not described).
    When seeking a health professional, read reviews and ask locals. Most doctors are great, some not so much. If you go into a Boots or Watsons, the pharmacists on duty general will be able to advise. Community is close over their.
    Also maybe look into a hotel that is fitness focused. Most provide personal trainers.
    General advise: Eat smaller meals upto 6 times a day. Problem is 1 large meal a day is the energy is only good for 4hrs (direct use) and then gets stored. Your metabolism has works best if you eat every 4hrs due to hormone release.
    Last note: Enjoy yourself. Thailand is amazing and I find I gained weight there as the food was awesome. If you like thai food, then maybe look at a cooking class to learn to prepare healthy thai meals

  • screensaver on 29/10/2019 - 05:29

    Go somewhere like Club Med, may have a Thailand base

  • Happy501 on 30/10/2019 - 20:52

    Just go. Be aware they may push some light HRT and other stuff. Give it a go as they generally know what they are doing.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join