Vacations are the best… but sadly, in the past, I’d get anxious for vacations because I KNEW I’d overindulge on food, eat extra desserts, & move less. I’d never fully ENJOY myself. I couldn’t avoid feeling GUILTY on vacation, & when the trip was over, I always felt I had to UNDO all my bad behaviors from the week. What chaos?! Can you relate?!
I get it, when you vacation, you typically want to take a break from your normal schedule. You plan to explore new places, try new foods, rest, & mentally reset! So, while you may not be able to (or want to!) commit to your exact same routine from home, it really is possible to take care of yourself & FEEL GOOD without depriving yourself of a true vacation! Learn from my mistakes with these 5 simple tips:
START YOUR DAY OFF RIGHT
Eat a protein-rich & fiber-packed breakfast with WATER. If you’re at a hotel that offers breakfast, fill up on items like fruit, eggs, whole wheat toast or English muffins, oatmeal, whole-grain cereal, Greek yogurt, turkey bacon or sausage, & veggies. You’ll be fully nourished & can enjoy the afternoon ahead. Pro-tip… ensure fruits &/or veggies are a part of each meal!
PLAN AHEAD
It’s good to take a break from your daily routine, but it is still a good idea to PLAN ahead. Plan which restaurants you’ll be attending. Identify which desserts you MUST try. Figure out the days you’ll be eating more indulgently & which days you’ll eat something more basic. Start with smaller portions & eat more if you’re hungry. This way, you’ll feel more in control of your choices.
BRING SNACKS
Pack all your go-to snacks for the flight or car. When we get BUSY on vacation, we forget to eat every 2-3 hours like we do at home… so if you BRING snacks, you’ll be more likely to implement them. Have a local grocery store nearby? Then purchase some fruits, veggies, protein bars, whole-wheat crackers, etc. when you arrive to use on your trip. Pro-tip… stay at a place with a kitchen! You’ll save money & be able to cook at home for a couple of meals (like breakfast & lunch) & then dine out just once a day (like dinner).
MOVE DAILY
Find fun ways to MOVE so that all your vacation activities don’t revolve around food. Play catch on the beach, canoe, hike, take a run through town, do a bike tour, ski, walk the shoreline, play a round of golf, do yoga, or try a local fitness class. The key is to try something different & have fun with friends while doing it.
MANAGE STRESS
While vacations offer rest & relaxation, they can still be stressful… especially when traveling with family & kids… & being crammed in a car or plane for several hours. So, keep a few good stress management techniques on hand when you feel signs of stress creeping in. Deep breathing, quiet time, a brisk walk, reading, or journaling can be helpful & SIMPLE to do while on vacation.
In summary, try to get off the “splurge” mentality when you go away & instead focus on all the wonderful ADDITIONS you’ll receive. Take your healthy lifestyle with you PLUS enjoy new foods, cuisine & treats. Also, HYDRATE often! Water is a big one that gets overlooked & can really help you FEEL better!
Let me know which tips help you avoid feeling guilty on YOUR next vacation.
And if you’d like more tips on eating on the go, make sure to join The Inside Scoop for our next masterclass in September. In addition to a monthly masterclass and a monthly Q&A session, you’ll get a recipe bundle delivered to your inbox each month. Better yet, this program is available to you at only $15/month, so grab your seat today!
And if 1:1 coaching isn’t right for you, my self-paced Nutrition Foundations program has officially launched. You can enroll at any time & immediately gain access to the self-guided content to work through to build a solid foundation without dieting. If you’ve been struggling, this is going to be the place to start!
