Booking, Planning, ir Already Planned Your Spring and/or Summer Vacation.

Hey guys, as you know spring break is just around the corner. Why ruin all the hard work you put in during the year? These 2 tips are not just good for spring break but for vacations in general.

 
Make sure you do your research before you travel .
See if your hotel offers breakfast, and see what they offer. Some only offer Bagels, Danishes, and muffins, ETC, which are a No-No as far as having a healthy breakfast is concerned.
If the hotel does not have healthy options, see what's available at the surrounding places.
A good idea would be to find out if your room has a mini refrigerator. If there is one then you can stock it with healthy snacks.

Make exercise a part of your trip. Get in some extra exercise! I know that it is a vacation but do not lose sight of your weight-loss goals. See if your hotel/motel has a small gym. If not, go for a walk, bring a workout DVD with you, get it over with 1st thing in the morning and make sure to take advantage of any fun vacation activities like swimming, or hiking.

Some of my family is going to Europe for a vacation, others are going to a destination wedding on an island and some are traveling fairly local.
If your traveling to Europe: Pack some snacks, especially if you will be touring a lot. Having healthy snacks and/or protein bars are you in key to not getting hungry and then shoving food any food in your mouth and/or over eating at your next meal. Usually in Europe, you do a lot of walking, so bring those sneakers and comfortable shoes, maybe a pedometer or your wrist activity tracker. If your in France, eat a croissant, don't  deprive yourself. Your there there are they are known for their pastries, enjoy one! If you stop by that pastry shop for dessert at night, get somethings small or share something. 

If your traveling to an Island, Tropical Place, and/or a All Inclusive Hotel: Those places are usually know for their fresh fruit and produce, stick to  that! At breakfast, go for the fruit, then add some protein and if needed something else. Just because they have food around all day or there is a buffet all day, doesn't men you need to eat it. Ask yourself, when did you last eat? & When will you next eat? Then, plan your next food choice. Lying on the beach makes you hungry. Plan activities that keep your moving (your exercise) and will keep you busy instead of thinking about food or just venturing off to the snack area. The liquor might be all included, but it does have calories. There are calories in the liquor and the even more in the sweet mixes and juices they add to those taste specialty island drinks (yea, I know their good!). Ask for bottled water, see if they have coconut water, even diet soda. Make sure to stay hydrated with lots of water. Again, your on vacation, if you want that 1 margarita or the daiquiri, go for that that 1. Enjoy it, savor it, and get back on track! 

If your traveling locally or within the U.S.: Your research should be easier than if your are going abroad! With that said, ask your hotel if they have a mini frig in your room? Or, choose a hotel that has a kitchenette (an Extended Stay hotel or Suites Hotel) Find out what your breakfast options are where you are staying, use Google maps, apps and/or website to find out what diners, restaurants, supermarkets are near to where you will be. Some people I know, go as far to review restaurants on Trip Adviser, then print out the menus to the local restaurants to review food and pricing options. And then, they take the menus with them on their trip, so depending on what food they are in the mood for they review the menu's they have and then head to that restaurant. 
If your at the beach and the restaurant is know for their crab cakes, go ahead. If that other place is known for their Lobster Mac N Cheese, order it and share it, or order it and tell them you only want half of it brought to you, and only eat a fist full. Then, get back on track for the rest of the day. And, DON'T FORGET TO WORKOUT!

REMEMBER, the goal is not to gain weight on vacation. If you come back the same, great for you. If you come back a pound or two heavier, work it off. Just, don't come back 5-10 pounds heavier. 


Lastly, because your not at home near your food options. Be mindful of your eating! Remember what you already ate that day, what you are eating/are planning to eat, and what are you going to eat later on in the day. Ask yourself, is that fast  food burger worth it as you are driving to and from your destination? Maybe, you feel that the tasty beer battered fish (at the beach-side restaurant) for lunch was so worth it! Then, be extra healthy for dinner. (Maybe a salad with protein or grilled fish.)


Don't lose track of your success and weight loss goals, you don't want to come home disappointed with yourself.

-Till next time Annamarie