With Labor Day weekend quickly approaching, taking a vacation can mean different things for different people. For some, it would mean disconnecting from Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to enjoy a little peace and quiet. For others, it’s an excuse to put the diet on hold and “treat yourself”. Whether you’re traveling to a tropical paradise or just going to the family lake house, here are a few tips to keep your body on track while your mind is off the grid!
Stay Hydrated
It can be challenging to stay properly hydrated even when you’re NOT on vacation. Drinking the right amount of water each day is crucial to staying healthy. While on vacation you may be in the hot sun all day–even if you’re not sunbathing, you still might be sweating! The more you sweat, the more water your body needs. To make sure you’re not depleted, keep a water bottle in your bag or backpack at all times, drink plenty of water while out to lunch or dinner, and if you feel tired or fatigued, be sure to drink an extra 24 oz of water. Remember, swimming in the water and drinking water are VERY different!
Don’t Over Indulge
Being on vacation can often times means putting your diet on hold. We all like to try new things, but trying a new type of grilled fish is a lot different than trying a new flavor of ice cream. The rule of thumb is, it’s okay to have something sweet from time to time, but if you don’t usually eat it, then put it down. Just because you say you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you have to throw all of your hard work away. If you don’t normally eat a pound of fudge, don’t eat a pound of fudge.
Use the Hotel Gym
We can’t guarantee the gym in your hotel is going to be as nice as ours (?), but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use it. Just doing some cardio before starting your day can make a HUGE difference. If you’re not staying in a hotel or if the one you’re staying in doesn’t have a fitness center, there are other ways to get moving. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator, go for a morning or evening walk or rent bikes to ride around the area. There are tons of ways to keep your body moving!
Alcohol Can Be A Friend and A Foe
It’s nice to kick back and enjoy a glass of wine, but too much of one thing isn’t always good. Use the same rule from above, if you don’t usually drink sugary strawberry daiquiris when you’re home, don’t drink them on vacation. Two glasses of wine, a martini or even some frosé (frozen rosé) is fine, but try not to drink more than you would normally. Yes, vacation is for relaxing, but there are plenty of ways to relax that don’t compromise the progress you’ve made at home.
Make Substitutions and Changes to the Menu
Just because you go to a barbecue restaurant doesn’t mean you have to order the macaroni and cheese AND the mashed potatoes. If your partner wants fried chicken, but you’ve sworn off fried food, order grilled chicken. There are plenty of ways to work around a restaurant’s menu in order to stay on track. Most places offer a “lighter” option or the ability to swap something like toast for fruit salad. Making one small change or substitution can mean the difference between fearing the scale when you get home and embracing it. Remember, the customer is always right, so if you want your burger on a bed of lettuce, you’re going to get it on a bed of lettuce!
Once vacation’s over it’s time to get back to the gym!
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