How to Stay on Track on Vacation (While Enjoying Yourself, too!)
Ya know how vacation is about sitting back and fully taking advantage of the fact that you have absolutely nothing to worry about?
Well, back in my dieting days, it used to be the complete opposite. Vacation stressed me out—it was more anxiety ridden than anything and that’s just not how vacation should be spent.
I hate admitting it, but I actually turned down a few trips because I was too concerned and hung up on reaching my goals. I was obsessed—fitness overpowered my life. And the very few trips that I did go on during that phase in my life, my thoughts were consumed with what I was eating or how I would fit in a workout. I would spend time before trips planning where I could eat and locating the closest gyms near the hotel. I’d pack meals for the plane and immediately grocery shop when I arrived…THE FUCK??
This is not how vacation should be. Learn from my mistakes and let vacation be vacation.
If I could go back, I’d whisper in my ear and say, “Weight loss is not that serious, Devi. Cherish these moments and make memories because it is far more important than weighing five pounds less or reaching your goal a week faster.”
I mean, if you think about it and put things into perspective, does one week of being perfect with your routine completely change your body?
No. It doesn’t.
That same concept applies when you reverse it. One week off will not destroy all the habits you’ve built and progress you’ve made. In fact, I think taking a week off from dieting can be extremely beneficial for sanity and refueling that motivation. A week of indulgences often leaves you craving for movement and nourishing foods, which in turn makes it easier for you to want to get back into your routine.
To that, I will say I don’t think vacation means you throw everything out of the window, it’s just giving yourself permission to let loose. Taking care of your body is important—you just don’t have to be obsessive about it, especially on vacation.
With that said, here are some non-obsessive guidelines you can follow when traveling. These guidelines will prevent you from having to re-overcome inertia while allowing you to thoroughly enjoy yourself—that’s what I call a win, win.
SCHEDULE IN MOVEMENT.
Make a commitment to schedule in daily movement, even if that means a shorter workout, just do something. The concern isn’t to set expectations to make strength improvements or aesthetic changes, but rather to stay consistent to keep momentum.
So, set a timer for 10-15 minutes and complete a circuit of exercises. Lucky enough for you, I created a free guide with six quickie workouts that are perfect for traveling. You can download that HERE.
OR
The cool thing about vacation is that it offers new opportunities to move your body in ways that aren’t available to you at home, like: rock climbing, hiking, swimming, surfing, paddle boarding. Take advantage of the myriad of ways you can move and have fun with it.
HYDRATE, MOTHA FUCKA.
Drink plenty of water…and wine, but mostly water. When you’re traveling you are more susceptible to dehydration and a weakened immune system; water will help prevent dehydration from happening and flush out toxins—drink up.
An easy way to ensure you’re staying hydrated is to carry a water bottle with you at all times. I bring mine everywhere I go.
Oh…and since I brought wine into the equation. I wrote an entire article on how to drink alcohol without comprising your goals which you can read HERE. Basically to sum it up, enjoy a one or two of your favorite cocktails and then stick to lower calorie beverages the rest of the evening to avoid overloading on sugar (and horrible hangovers).
BUT WHAT DO I EAT?
Ignore all that nonsense that tells you to pack your food and to avoid this and to avoid that—that’s completely asinine. It’s vacation for fuck sake.
Experience the culture and get a taste of everything it has to offer you, literally and figuratively. If you go to New York, eat the pizza (don’t forget to fold it). If you go to Italy, eat the pasta. If you go to Nashville, eat the bbq. Eat it—without guilt or shame attached to it.
Just don’t over do it.
You know that really uncomfortable feeling you get from eating too much? Yeah, lets avoid that. It makes you feel lethargic, tired, bloated and miserable.
Eating a slice of pizza on the streets of New York City will enhance your experience, but letting that spiral into binge does not. That often steals away your experience because you feel too gross and too exhausted to do anything more.
Vacation is the time to let loose and enjoy yourself, but it isn’t a permission slip to go balls to the wall. Stop when you’re satisfied, not stuffed. Avoid the discomfort. No one wants to feel like crap on vacation.
Here is a helpful tip: instead of mindlessly grazing throughout the day, eat fewer meals (like two or three). By doing so it decreases the chances of over eating and over consuming too many calories. It’s also helpful to prioritize protein and veggies because it keeps you more satisfied than a meal that is primarily made up of carbs.
SUPPLEMENT.
Let’s be honest, your nutrition is completely thrown off and eating a vegetable is sometimes nearly impossible, that’s where supplements come in handy.
I don’t take anything crazy, other than my regular supplements and a few additional ones like a greens powder and one for my gut health.
Check out the greens powder HERE.
Check out total gut health HERE.
TAKE A CHILL PILL.
Most importantly, relax, unwind, have fun, and make memories.
Happy Travels,
Devi