Summer is a great time to get away, escape reality, and mentally recharge. Being away from home and sticking to your medical weight loss plan can be a challenge, but you don’t have to abandon your diet completely. (No, you don’t have to eat broccoli for breakfast, lunch, and dinner either.) You can plan a healthy summer vacation and enjoy every minute of it (ice cream included)!
Plan an active vacation. Take in beautiful scenery and burn calories at the same time! There’s no better way to explore a new city than by walking, biking, or hiking through it. If you’re feeling really motivated, plan a vacation around a destination race, like a 5K or 10K. Setting a goal will keep you motivated to stick to a fitness plan at home, and you’ll have fun planning your post-race activities during the process.
Avoid all-you-can-eat buffets. Tempting? Yes. Weight loss friendly? No. All-you-can-eat buffets may be great bang for your buck, but they are not so great for your waistline. When you walk to the buffet line you’re faced with baskets of bread, carb-heavy entrees, and endless sweets. It can be hard for even those with the strongest willpower to resist. You’re better off choosing one of your favorite items from the menu to avoid going eating overboard. You’ll feel just as satisfied without the guilt.
Split your meals. Restaurant serving sizes are often large enough to serve two people. If you and the person you’re dining with can agree on an entrv?e, share it! Just because you’re on summer vacation doesn’t mean you should forget about your weight loss plan altogether. Small changes, like splitting meals, are easy ways to reduce total calorie intake and stick to your weight loss plan on vacation.
Indulge, and then forgive yourself. At the same time, acknowledge that you’re on vacation and realize that it’s a break from reality. It’s OK to have a piv?a colada or an ice cream cone. One bad meal won’t make you gain weight just like one healthy meal won’t make you lose weight. As long as you recognize that these treats are indulgences, you should be fine getting back on weight loss track when you return home from your vacation.
Pack snacks. When midday hunger pangs hit, you don’t want chicken fingers and French fries to be your only options. If your vacation destination is within driving distance, pack a cooler filled with fresh fruit, so you’ll have something healthy to snack on. Before you hit the road, throw some CMWL bars, crisps, or protein shakes in your luggage. Meals may be heavier on vacation, but try to keep your snacks in line with your weight loss plan to avoid weight gain.
Relax and recharge. You should return from a healthy summer vacation feeling relaxed and recharged. Leave some free time in your vacation schedule to focus on you. Grab a book or spend some time at the spa. Studies show massage therapy helps reduce stress. When you return home, your head should be clear, which will allow you to focus on reaching your weight loss goals.
Tags: healthy summer vacation, holidays and dieting, vacation, weight loss
