Tips for going on a weight gain phase without tracking macros?

Nutrition Q&A [Moderated]
1

Hello,

I will travel to Mexico next week and pretty much live like a nomad (in hotels/dormitories mostly) for the entire trip which will last six months.

I still want to train - in fact, I am just now beginning a slow weight gain which will continue over the next few months. I won’t bring along a food scale nor a bodyweight scale and I will also eat the majority of my meals out. So pretty much I will have to eyeball everything.

I’m slightly worried about over/undereating. I’m guessing shooting for the former would be preferred when in a weight gain phase.

My strategy is to have 3-4 meals a day, make sure they’re all high in protein (and suppliment with protein bars/shakes if they’re not) and then pretty much just follow my appetite and hope it doesn’t betray me too hard. Then I will go for weekly or biweekly weigh ins at the gym (hopefully they will have a scale) and see if everything is moving along too fast or too slow. Obviously this is not going to be as accurate as weighing myself same time everyday. But maybe it’s still possible to spot a trend? Will also bring along a measuring tape to measure waist.

Any tips? I’m not very experienced so I have been relying heavy on tracking for now.

Thanks

2

I think that’s a somewhat reasonable strategy, though I would add limiting toppings/sauces/condiment use, aiming for low-fat options, eating distraction free, limiting liquid Calorie intake, and being active.

Having some go-to meal replacements may be useful as well, e.g. Greek Yogurt, whey, fruit, etc.