Dear Friends,
How’s your summer going? Have you already gotten your summer glow? Maybe you’ve already crossed off some summertime adventures from your to-do list?
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Summer is a great time to enjoy yourself outdoors, stay up late, and soak in the sun’s warm rays (safely, of course). It’s also the perfect time to take a well-deserved vacation, whether you’re jet-setting to far-away places or just starting up the car for a road trip.
Vacations are a great time to relax, unwind, and discover a new area. But sometimes, in the midst of enjoying ourselves, we tend to forget about our diets and other healthy habits. Although a vacation is a temporary get away from your everyday life, you should still try and maintain your healthy habits so you don’t bring additional weight back with you—I’m referring to the extra pounds you get from enjoying too much great food.
The trick is to reign yourself in and not fully indulge in all that a vacation has to offer. This doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself, but sticking to the same principles you follow at home can help you enjoy your vacation and not live with regret afterward.
Summer vacation health tips
It’s easy to gain a few pounds while on vacation. You’re eager to try different foods and you probably aren’t sticking to your workout routine. Worse yet, if you’re vacationing at an all-inclusive, you are always surrounded by food and follow-up your meals with relaxation on the beach. Many of these resorts tend to only have buffets, so you’re even more tempted to get up for seconds.
When heading out to eat, always make a game plan. If you’re at a buffet, scan the options first and see what you really want to eat and what you can do without. Furthermore, always stock up on vegetables, as they will make you full and are a healthier alternative.
When hitting up dessert, considering splitting with whoever you are with, and once again, only take what you really want. If you’re at the same place for a week, maybe only try one dessert a night rather than grabbing them all at once.
Also, make sure that throughout the day and during your meals, you’re staying well-hydrated. In the summer, you sweat more, so you need to replenish those lost fluids. Additionally, staying hydrated will keep you full so you don’t overindulge in food.
If you’re touring throughout the day, bring your own snacks. This ensures you’re packing healthier food options instead of picking up something out of convivence, which can often lead to unhealthy choices.
Another secret weight-gaining culprit is those pretty-colored beverages that many resorts serve. Not only are these beverages sugary, but they contain alcohol. Drinking a sugary beverage on a hot day will increase your thirst, so you’ll order another, and another, and next thing you know you’ve had five drinks.
Even if you can’t hit the gym while on vacation, there are ample opportunities for you to squeeze in a workout. Try to walk to as many areas as possible, and always factor in a walk post-meal as opposed to just crashing. Lastly, there are numerous apps offering up body-weight exercises, so you really have no excuse.
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Some other things to keep in mind when you go for a vacation are to always pack sunscreen, wear bug spray if necessary, and drink bottled water for safety reasons. As long as you are conscious and take preventative measures to reduce your risk of illness and weight gain, you can enjoy your vacation and come back feeling better than ever.
Happy travels!
Emily Lunardo
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
