Staying Healthy While on Vacation
As we enter into the last few weeks before kids head back to school, or you’re simply just enjoying the sun and fun that the summer months bring, I wanted to stop in to share a few healthy tips to keep in mind.
Some folks attempt to go on major diets before a vacation to lose weight, in hopes of making up for what may happen during the vacation. That is something I suggest NOT doing. For one, I’m not a fan of diets…. By “diet”, I mean short-term, restrictive, ways of eating that are sometimes so limiting and unlike your normal routine, that you revert back to old habits as soon as the “diet” ends! I’m more interested in creating and maintaining an overall healthy relationship with food, in which you enjoy the foods you love, while still being mindful of what works best for the proper functioning of your body, specifically.
I would like to share a few ways you can maintain your healthy lifestyle goals while on vacation:
Maintain good eating habits. Don’t forget to put fruits and vegetables on your vacation plate. Also, look to eat lean proteins. If you travel internationally, commit to trying some of the healthy fruits and veggies local to the areas you visit! We all know that feeling when you overindulge in food that is too heavy, too rich, and just too much…. you run the risk of missing out on precious vacation activities, because you’re stuck in the restroom! Ugh!
Choose smart snacks. Keep some “healthy” snacks handy for those times when you’re out and about enjoying yourself. Think protein bars, nuts, or light trail mix options. They just may help you resist the urge to grab something that contains too much sugar or too much fat. Now, I don’t recommend all “healthy” snacks for every day of vacation, you’ve got to have a bit of fun trying some new treats! Yay!
Stay hydrated. Keep a bottle of water with you as you go throughout your vacation days. Getting enough water is so important and is a must if you’re traveling to an area with bright, sunny days and high temperatures. Add in some physical activity, and that need for hydration will increase even more. The water will also help you feel full, which can help slow down your eating. Stop, drop, & chug!
Keep moving. Most hotels have adequate fitness centers to meet your needs. And, I actually love getting to work out in a new environment when we travel. Just think, a 30-minute workout is just 2% of your day. There’s still plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your day. Honestly, you can incorporate exercise into your vacation in many different ways: snorkeling, hiking, rock-climbing…. You can even count sight-seeing and window-shopping, if you pick up your pace and don’t stop too long! Ha!
