We all love vacations! Travelling to new places, seeing new things, experiencing a different culture perhaps and of course enjoying the local cuisine. But once you are back you have to deal with the pounds you may have put on with all the exotic food you have been indulging in and your missed exercise routine. Vacations can make you apprehensive about staying on track with your nutrition and fitness goals. However, this does not have to be the case. You can still keep fit and feel fantastic after your holiday.
Prepare!
When you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail. However cliché this may sound, it makes a lot of sense. Pack healthy snacks ahead of time while travelling and carry water with you so you do not drink sugar laden soft drinks or fruit juices. Carry hard fruits like apples or pears, cut vegetable sticks- cucumber, carrot, celery, take low fat yoghurt, healthy brown bread sandwiches, unsalted nuts, dry fruit, seeds and hardboiled eggs with you. Before you go out to eat, try looking at the menu online so you know what items are healthy.
Look around.
If your vacation is extended, do not depend on the hotel for all your meals. Scout around the local market where you can pick up fresh local produce, fruits and vegetables.
Be active.
Take the stairs or go for a swim. You can ask the hotel if they have a gym you could use. Even an early morning walk or jog could help you get exercise while you explore. Depending on the area you could even go hiking, exploring caves or jog on the beach.
Don't skip meals
Have your meals on time, maintain a regular eating schedule and carry healthy snacks with you. Skipping a meal may make you overeat at the next meal. Avoid binges and cravings; keep your hunger in check.
Stay hydrated
Carry water with you and sip regularly. Traveling and staying out in the sun longer than your body is used to can also dehydrate you. Being dehydrated can result in mistaking thirst for hunger. Even the slightest bit of dehydration can cause you to believe you need food when all you need is water!