RSS
Home
Take your diet on a summer vacation
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Photo credit: Wikimedia CommonsSummer is now officially here, and it’s time for your family summer vacation! The true definitions of vacation are “a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation” or “a time of respite from something”. So wouldn’t that extend to your diet and exercise plans as well?
Remember that your health doesn’t take a vacation. Whether you follow a strict diet for a loss of weight, for a chronic disease state such as diabetes, or for personal reasons, you can continue these healthy habits even when you are away from home.
Here are some tips to manage your diet on your summer vacation:
- Remind yourself of your focus. If your goal is weight loss, vacations are the time when you should show off your progress! Being able to wear smaller clothes, being able to walk around a vacation spot without becoming out of breath, or playing with your children on the beach. These are all much more important than the super-seafood buffet for $14.95.
- Continue to follow healthy guidelines while eating, but don’t be too hard on yourself. Vacations are a means of releasing stressful situations. Don’t create new ones by worrying about every morsel you put in your mouth. Maintenance of weight should be your goal instead of trying to lose more.
- Before you leave, plan some of your meals. Research the local restaurants and browse their menus for good diet choices. Plan to make a few meals at your vacation home or hotel, if you can. Bring along healthy on-the-go snacks so you will not be tempted to stop at a convenience store for a candy bar and a Coke.
- Go easy on alcoholic beverages – the calories can really add up quickly. Try alternating with a glass of water, sugar-free lemonade, or low calorie fruit flavored water. For some low-calorie mixed drink recipes, these at the Hungry Girl Website.
- Fit in time for some exercise. Early in the morning is usually best, because once the day gets going, you may not find the time later on. Even if you don’t do formal exercise, like walking or running, keep active on your vacation. Play on the beach instead of spending the entire day with that Oprah Book Club novel. Go sight-seeing on foot and take in the local culture.
- Do not skip meals in anticipation of a large dinner. Eat a healthy, light breakfast that contains protein to keep you full longer. Eat a couple of light snacks during the day so that you do not end up at the restaurant overly hungry, and abandoning your diet late at night.
- Allow yourself to indulge on specialty foods at your vacation spot without guilt. Plan for a “splurge a day” on a once-in-a-lifetime local pleasure. If the food is too rich, you can always share it with your vacation partners instead of eating the entire dish.
Your vacation is meant to be relaxing and enjoyable. You do not have to be a slave to your diet, but be aware of how an overall healthy lifestyle makes you feel: more energetic, less fatigued and depressed. Continue your healthy diet and exercise practices during your summer vacation and you’ll come back with only wonderful memories, not extra pounds.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
Today is the Great American Smokeout, where millions (hopefully) will make the decision to quit smoking for good. But people often worry about weight …
Prevention Magazine will release a practical diet that allows you to eat your favorite foods and still lose weight. It is being called the 400-calorie …
- Spencer Mtn 5K/10 Mile Road Race (Gastonia NC) Nov 14
- Charlotte SouthPark Turkey Trot November 26
- Lake Norman Turkey Trot (Huntersville NC) November 26
- Charlotte Thunder Road Marathon December 12
- Girls on the Run SoleMates
- Operation Boot Camp Latta Park
- Operation Boot Camp Marshall Park
- Operation Boot Camp Park Road Park
- Charlotte Events Examiner
- Charlotte Living on a Budget Examiner
- Charlotte Family Activities Examiner
- Charlotte Frugal Family Examiner
- Charlotte Healthy Food Examiner
- Charlotte Health and Happiness Examiner
- Charlotte Healthy Living Examiner
- Charlotte Nutrition Examiner
- Charlotte Wellness Examiner
- Charlotte Plus-Size Fashion Examiner
