Vacations can be a great way to unwind and destress from a busy and hectic life but they can also be an easy way to forget all your health goals and revert back to old, unhealthy habits. Use this list to get some tips and tricks on how to stick to your health goals without depriving yourself and still having a great time enjoying yourself!
Make simple rules for yourself to follow.
You should be able to treat yourself and indulge while on vacation but how and how often you do it can make all the difference. If you set simple rules for yourself to follow throughout your vacation you will be less likely to completely fall of the wagon. Let’s face it – you will most likely be eating out while on vacation. Some simple ways to cut calories would be to always order half the entree serving or ask for a to-go container when you get your food and split it yourself. Restaurants often have double and triple the actual calories you need in one meal so this will ensure you don’t over eat. Another easy rule is to only allow yourself one indulgence per day.
Pack snacks.
Sitting by the pool or sightseeing can make anyone hungry! Pack some non perishable snacks that don’t need refrigeration to take with you and you are more likely to avoid avoiding the overpriced poolside menu! Snacks will also prevent a rushed binge meal after a long day of travel and strange eating schedules that often come with hotel minimarts or on-flight snack bars. Some easy and filling options are nuts, dried fruits, nut butters, snack bars, seaweed snacks, or bananas.
Cook, if you can.
If your accommodations allow for cooking this is a great way to easily stick to your nutrition goals. It’s best to grocery shop first thing and pick out healthy snacks and items for your meals. A study by Cambridge Public Health Nutrition showed that people eat on average about 200 more calories per meal when they eat out – that can add up over a week long vacation! Plan your meals ahead for an even easier trip to the store and less of a chance to waver from your healthy intent!
Plan your workouts as sightseeing.
A lot of travel destinations offer hiking as tours and one of the best ways to seeing a new city is to walk, bike, or hike it! If these options are not in line with the rest of your travel companions, lookup a group exercise class near your hotel – these places often have first time customer discounts for short periods of time. Or check out the hotel gym. You could easily get your workout in before the rest of your group is ready for the day!
Thinking about health goals while on vacation might, at first, seem like a drag. But, if you stick to your healthy habits you might even enjoy your vacation a little more since you will feel great, mentally and physically, everyday!