Tips for Avoiding Vacation Weight

Vacation time is here! No alarm clocks and no schedule—just pure relaxation.  Unfortunately,  some time off is often synonymous with ditching your will power and enjoying cheat days every day. When the vacation is over, you immediately fall into your post vacation blues, lamenting over the extra weight gained. Is there a way to have a good time without packing on extra pounds? You bet! The trick is to balance your healthy habits with some indulgence.

Continue Your Exercise Routine

What? Exercise on vacation? Keeping your workout routine will help you keep on track. You can do a modified version, like take walks or go for a swim. Just incorporate some form of exercise while on vacation. You will feel better while relaxing knowing that you didn’t ignore your daily exercise.

Be Prepared

Stick to your normal eating routine. Vacationing often throws you off from your normal activity, eating included. If traveling by car, pack healthy snacks to curb the urge to grab unhealthy gas station snacks or fast food. Eating out poses the biggest challenge for avoiding vacation weight gain. When you are at home, you know what goes into your meals. To combat this, try ordering simply prepared foods, such as baked, broiled or grilled meats and fish when you are at a restaurant. Eat plenty of greens and whole grains and keep alcohol to a minimum.

Keep Portions Under Control

The entire menu at your resort restaurant is not off limits. Just enjoy smaller portions of whatever you like. Eat slowly and enjoy the food. When you are done, don’t linger around the table—this may lead to overeating. Instead, enjoy dessert or a low calorie cocktail on the balcony or elsewhere. If you want to sit at the table, have the leftovers removed so you are not tempted to pick at it.

Indulge in Moderation

What’s the point of a vacation if you can’t treat yourself to something special on occasion? It’s possible to have a decadent dessert or special cocktail, just do it in moderation.  Split a dessert with your significant other or friends. Try alternating alcoholic drinks with nonalcoholic, non-calorie beverages; this will keep well-hydrated and help reduce your total calorie intake

Don’t Stress

The point of a vacation is to de-stress. Take the time to relax and enjoy your surroundings. You’ve worked so hard to stay healthy and keep in shape. Remember that a little slip up in not the end of the world. You can enjoy a getaway without packing on extra pounds.