Vacation: a time to unwind, relax, and have fun. For some, that means indulging in delicious restaurant food and sleeping in. I’m the opposite— thinking about multiple days of eating out makes me feel anxiety. And if I don’t have an opportunity to exercise, I can’t cope with my anxiety in a productive way.
We recently traveled to our favorite place and I feel like we achieved the perfect balance of health and enjoyment. Here are a few tips for staying on track while on vacation so you don’t derail from reaching your goals:
1. Grocery shop and cook (some) of your meals. We were staying with multiple families in one big house, so we made a meal schedule and each family took turns cooking. For breakfast we had breakfast burritos, fruit parfaits, scrambled eggs and toast. For days at the beach, we packed sandwiches and pretzels. For dinner we had tacos, burgers, watermelon, and corn on the cob. Cooking at home gives you the freedom to choose what you eat and your portion size.
2. If you are going out to eat, decide ahead of time what you are going to order. Look at the menu online before you go, or make your mind up quickly as you’re seated. Otherwise, you’re tempted to be persuaded by the environment to order appetizers, alcohol, and dessert. You can still enjoy the convenience of eating out and the fellowship around the table while eating a healthier meal. “FOMO” (Fear of Missing Out) is a lie. I have literally never regretted making a healthy decision at a restaurant, but I usually do regret it when I order something that doesn’t align with my health goals.
3. Move for fun. The reason I love Hilton Head Island is because I can walk, run, and ride my bike anywhere I want to go. Find activities that are active for the whole family: kayaking, golfing, flying kites on the beach. My kids don’t remember their best day of watching TV, but they remember a night walk on the beach to look for sea turtles.
4. If you want to workout… I usually pack my running shoes, a set of resistance tubes (like these: https://a.co/d/5UWBqkP) for upper body lifting, and a thick fabric resistance band (like these: https://a.co/d/48IXpjG) for lower body. They all fit easily in a suitcase. A few days or a week off from regular training won’t make a difference in your long-term health, but I enjoy my vacation (and my family) more when I can get in a real workout.
5. If you choose to indulge in food/drink and take time off from exercise: enjoy it. Relish in the rest, enjoy the food for its qualities that are fun even if it’s not fuel. Get back on track when you get back home, and don’t let any feelings of guilt or regret linger for long.
Fresh Start Fitness 