I have heard from too many women that they stress about a vacation because of the dreaded extra weight they inevitably come home with - like an unwanted souvenir. On top of that, if it's a beach vacation, I've heard too many women going on a crash diet or cleanse weeks before in hopes of looking better in their bathing suits. Egads! I'm stressed just thinking about it!
Let’s just be clear about something: when you go on vacation, it’s important to relax and enjoy yourself. It’s even more important to make sure you get to splurge a little bit, and savor your favorite not-so-healthy foods, but there is a way to do it responsibly so when you get back home and step on the scale again, you haven’t undone all your hard work.
My husband and I just got back from vacation from the Big Island of Hawaii. Here are some of the tips we use to maintain control during our vacation while still indulging in all the pleasures it has to offer.
1. Give Yourself a Pass
You’re on vacation! This is a time you’ve set aside for yourself to relax, so allow yourself to have fun and indulge in moderation in the local foods. Don't give yourself a license to binge or pig-out or throw all caution to the wind, but by all means, release the rules a bit and have fun. But if it's not mind-blowingly good, don't eat it.
Don’t beat yourself up while on vacation. That’s no fun! Ice cream and guilt are a terrible combination, so make a point to enjoy yourself. Leave the Food Police at home, locked in a cell, where they belong.
2. Bring Healthy Snacks or Buy Some There
I always take my protein powder, healthy bars, nuts, sugar-free dried fruits, and hydration mixes on vacation. This serves many purposes. First, it means when we're on the go and there aren't any healthy options nearby, we have meal replacement bars or snacks on hand so we can skip the calorie-laden, low quality foods, when we really need to fuel our bodies up for a hike, scuba dive or snorkel excursion.
Second, it's my built-in safety net which prevents me from becoming ravenous at meal times. We all know that will lead to overeating and making bad food choices! Have some pistachios on the beach as a snack so the buffet later doesn’t become a giant meal just for you. This can be a true lifesaver if you’re on a vacation that doesn’t have regular mealtimes; trust me, I’ve learned!
Third, it gives me a little more spending room to enjoy one of those amazing gelato shops I pass by on my way back to the room.
3: Be Creative and Move Your Body
Take advantage of the local environment. For Heaven’s sake, don’t spend your vacation days on a treadmill – get outside and see the sights while going for a walk. Go for a hike. Swim in the ocean. Jog along the beach. Be creative and find ways to incorporate some local fun into the everyday activities while burning a few calories.
While we were in Hawaii, we took early morning walks on the main road that runs along the ocean. My favorite part was seeing all the local plants and trees that we might have missed otherwise. Plumerias are by far my favorite!
4. Don't Cleanse, Crash Diet, or Punish Yourself When You Return
When you plan a cleanse, strict diet, or extreme deprivation as a means of 'making up for indulging on vacation,' your brain knows what's coming and will switch into overdrive to indulge as much as possible during your trip. Instead, focus on maintaining a balance between indulgences and healthy choices throughout your vacation. Balance in all things is key, my friends!
5. Apply the Same Health Principles You Would at Home
Just because you’re on vacation and giving yourself permission to indulge a little more, doesn’t mean that you throw out the healthy habits you've been building, like eating whole foods that truly fuel your body. The indulgences go on top of your healthy eating plan. You can especially take advantage of the delicious fruits if you’re on an exotic vacation. Papaya, anyone?
If you don’t eat Lays Potato Chips at home, then don’t eat them on vacation. There’s nothing special about average junk food you can get at any grocery store. Forget the giant bag of M&M’s, and don’t even think about Jack in the Box.
However, if you’re in Maine and they have fresh caught lobster on the menu, get it! And dip it in the butter! If you’re going to Mexico, go ahead and have the chips with salsa or fresh-made guacamole. And don’t you dare leave the Caribbean without enjoying a few conch fritters! YUM!
Whatever it is, make it a special indulgence, don’t just indulge because you're on vacation.
When you go on vacation, enjoy yourself the smart way and you’ll come back without the unwanted souvenir of some extra weight. When you get home, make a point to recommit to yourself to your goals, no questions asked, and no guilt for indulging on vacation.
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