Tis the season!
The summer is finally here, and we are all looking forward to our yearly getaways with our loved ones. Family vacations are more than just a time to relax, but a tradition to celebrate and enjoy! Indulgence finds its way to sneak up on us in so many ways while traveling - dining out, lack of exercise, daytime drinks by the pool, and dessert every night.
If you find yourself a bit anxious about “gaining 10 pounds” or “losing what I’ve worked all year for”, I am here to remind you to take a deep breath, and follow these simple steps to stay on track, AND enjoy your travels!
And I am not here to tell you to avoid all things fun, trust me!
Three Tips to Stay Fit While on Vacation:
#1: MOVE!
Move - yes, it’s that simple. Get up 1 hour earlier to get your fitness in. Prioritize yourself - prioritize your health! Make it the first thing you do each day. Hit the weights or a HIIT session for 30-45 minutes, and get back to enjoying yourself! Many cities also have bike rentals that are as easy to access as Lyft or Uber. Ride a bike around town for an hour, you’d be surprised at how much fun it is! If you don’t have access to a gym, just walk! Yup, walk! Most of us have watches, or at least a phone that track our steps these days, so it’s fairly simple. Make it a goal to walk at least 10,000 steps every day (it’s not that hard, I promise!)
How do you accumulate 10,000 steps a day?
Park your car further, and walk to the restaurant - stop driving around looking for the closest spot or wasting money with valet parking.
If you are near a beach or boardwalk, wake up a bit earlier, and walk up and down the beach in the morning and/or after dinner for an hour.
Skip the Uber - if your destination is nearby, choose to walk instead of taking an Uber.
Tip #2: When eating out, be mindful!
Prioritize protein and vegetables - design your plate around a lean protein source, and order vegetables!
Skip the bread - Choose to put your protein over a bed of greens instead of on a sandwich or burger bun.
Switch the fries - if you want a cheeseburger (yum!), substitute your French fries with a side of broccoli or a house salad.
If you’re craving something sweet after dinner, eat some fruit to satisfy your sweet tooth instead of the Chocolate Lava Cake!
Tip #3: Water is your friend!
Drink water - Hydrate as soon as you wake up and throughout the day. Aim for 1/2 your body weight in ounces. For example, a 135 pound female should aim to drink about eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.
When choosing a beverage, opt for water instead of juices or soda
Don’t overindulge on the booze - 1-2 drinks at dinner is enough. Have a limit for yourself, and stick to it!
Stick to these simple guidelines in order to keep yourself from falling too far off the wagon! Not to mention, when you return, you’ll be able to jump right back into your routine without feeling like you backtracked or lost progress.
Even the smallest effort of trying to stay on track will also allow you to enjoy yourself more - because mentally, you will know that everyday you have made an effort to put your health first. Incorporate these three tips on your next vacation, and utilize the power of healthy habits!
Bon voyage!