Here are some things I learned during our recent trip to San Diego:
- It’s okay to not exercise for a week. Walking, swimming, and chasing after the toddler kept me moving enough. In fact, the break from exercising allowed my body to recover, and I enjoy my workouts a lot more again. Yes, there were moments of guilt, but I was able to let go – it felt good!
- Drinking a glass of champagne with lunch feels really nice! :) And the beer and some wine weren’t bad either… Spread throughout the vacation; not all during the lunch! :)
- It’s not “all or nothing.” Pairing a small portion of pretty much anything with a plain salad (dressed with lemon juice if nothing else is available; in fact, I carried a lemon in my purse!) left me feeling satisfied yet “good” for most meals.
- Most restaurant breakfasts aren’t worth it. I still can’t figure out how it’s possible to mess up oatmeal so badly… And hubby’s breakfasts were too “beige” – neither visually appealing nor tasty…
- Bring plenty of water, fruits, and healthy snacks. They “saved” us on numerous occasions!
- Be flexible – sometimes “perfect” doesn’t happen. Just create a “new perfect.”
Be well,
Andrea
I just eat whatever i feel like. I bring a bunch of snacks so i don't get too hungry before eating out. However i think because i eat a bunch of small meals i really can't over eat...so buffets in Vegas...I sure didn't eat my moneys worth, but i tried all the expensive food, and the Hubby ate more than my share. I just love healthy food. I feel better when i eat it, and it's delicious. I'm still working on the veggies but those are hard to come by on vacation.
ReplyDeleteYou did great! My vacation survival involves a cooler with fresh fruit,yogurt and other healthy snacks. Breakfast is out of the cooler.
ReplyDeleteI don't treat every meal as a vacation meal. I pick a few things over the coarse of the week to splurge on but I eat a smaller portion and enjoy smaller bites.
I don't feel good when I eat high fat or sugary junk and I no longer desire that stuff!
I think you did great! I always find it funny b/c I actually tend to lose weight! I dont often get formal exercise in but am constantly moving and just eat more according to hunger, whereas my regular work week I am sitting on my butt way too much!
ReplyDeleteyeah, i have no idea how restaurants mess up oatmeal so badly, but they almost always do!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the tips! Vacation is so much more relaxing when you follow them I think. Hope you enjoyed yours :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tip? It's OK not to check your email, blog, Facebook or Twitter account while you're away. Believe me, I went through withdrawal a few times with that. But in the end, it WAS really nice to get a break from all of that, too. ;)
ReplyDeleteWe look for regional foods and share a portion. We do soups, salads, and always look over the appetizers to see if we can find a smaller portion of something "different". We look to smaller out of the way restaurants and ask them what is good. We eat smaller meals more frequently and look for local produce to keep with us to snack on in case we have to wait a while between meals.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! Thank you! I recently went on vacation and chose the hotel based on the gym, but that's not what I should have been focused on, eh? I always take a travel mat with me to do yoga or ab work in the hotel room. Thanks for this post!
ReplyDeleteThose are some great tips! On vacation. I sleep in. That's an indulgence I don't get often. :)
ReplyDeletedepending on where we are, we usually bring breakfast and/or snacks to at least have a little bit of food we know is healthy and in smaller portions!
ReplyDeleteI'm learning some of the exact same things while in London! I love going to cities and walking everywhere though!
ReplyDeleteI usually eat what I like and it's usually not that much more than at home, just different. And I try to get in some exercise every day, if that's walking or swimming or whatever doesn't matter: just keep moving.
ReplyDeleteI find that while I'm on vacation I don't stress about things like what to eat, where to exercise or even what time it is. I just go with the flow and enjoy myself!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree -- restaurant breakfasts are never what they could be at home...and for way less calories, at that! Glad you had a wonderful vacation -- you deserve it!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! Glad you had a nice vacation!
ReplyDeleteI just try to remember that one week does not make or break my health; I'm not going to do any lifelong damage to my body in that short time (unless I don't wear sunscreen!!!)
Nice tips Andrea, all ones I try to follow myself! I do find that I don't get to workout as much (if at all) on vacation, but I agree that I end up moving a lot on vacation anyway, so it's not like I'm sitting around all day!
ReplyDeleteI always brings fruits and veggies, and dairy, with me on vacation because those are what's always hard to find while traveling. It's such a shame too. They need to be more available to all people!
These are great tips! I just try to do the best I can while on vacation. Sometimes that means buying snacks at grocery stores/bodegas instead of buying breakfast out.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas! I usually let everyone know what I would like to get done in terms of activity levels and setting those expectations helps me feel good about my upcoming choices!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely good tips to remember. There were a few of them at I followed while on my recent trip to the Philippines. Two major ones were no exercising and portion control. I also made sure to enjoy myself, too.
ReplyDeleteI think those are some great tips! It can be difficult to let go at times, especially with the exercise. Normally when I am on vacation, I am usually pretty active so I don't normally have any planned exercise.
ReplyDeleteI definitely will do a bit more wine and beer, but if you can't do it on vacation, when can you?
I let go a little too much while on my vacation. It's time to eat healthy and get back to exercising.
ReplyDeleteLove the vacation tips! I usually never exercise in a gym while on vacation. I get in my exercise by sight seeing, walking, swimming, etc. Sounds like you had a fab vacation; you definitely deserved it!
ReplyDeleteMy best tip is to just have fun and forget about everything! One time my family went to the Wisconsin Dells for 5 days. I ate whatever I wanted, had some drinks, didn't exercise, and didn't sweat it. I came home and gained 5 pounds! BUT, I got right back to my healthy eating plan and within 2 weeks was back down to where I had been, so I had a great time AND had no regrets!! That's what vacations are for I think!
ReplyDeleteBringing your own salad dressing and lemon is a great idea. I let loose on vacation, the only rule is: whatever goes.
ReplyDeleteMy big thing is to drink enough water while on vacation. It seems so hard for me though. I think because when I'm at work, I'm glued to my water bottle and I constantly sip on it. I get caught up on vacation and don't get my drinks in. I totally feel the difference too.
ReplyDeleteLove all your tips Andrea. I try to just go with the flow. My husband isn't much of a walker, so I'll park him at a bar to watch a baseball game then walk for a half hour one way and come back.
ReplyDeleteWe are both happy then!
Just create a new perfect! Love it Andrea - great tips and lessons learned! I completely agree on the moderation and on the alcohol pre-p.m.!! LOL
ReplyDeletei think you hit just about all the necessary and important tips, Andrea. I'm so glad you were able to relax and enjoy your vacation! It's so important to be flexible and balanced throughout the trip, for the sake of your and your companions' sanity...
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a vacation in so long, I really can't remember any tips. :D I think these are all wonderful. Happy Summer!
ReplyDeleteyour pictures from vacation are too cute! it looks like you, the hubs and the lil' punkin had a wonderful time. i am glad you took some time to recharge, let go and just enjoy.
ReplyDeleteand i agree with all your tips from above - especially the packing of healthy snacks. it has saved me more times than i can count!