It's amazing how even a short vacation can leave you feeling rested and recharged. it can also lead to some serious guilt if you abandon your fitness goals while you are away. Luckily, you can stay on track and enjoy your vacation. Here are a few suggestions to help you achieve a balance between a great vacation and sticking to your fitness goals.
1. Be Realistic
You have much more control over what you eat and do when you are in your home environment. Vacations can make sticking with your fitness goals a huge challenge. Turn your attention to the health aspects of your goals. These may have a stronger influence over your behavior than more superficial motivators. Besides, choices that are healthier for you will often help you maintain a healthier weight and clearer skin.
Don't expect to be on your best behavior the whole time. Give yourself a little leeway and come up with some acceptable alternatives to your normal routine. Establishing solid goals can help in this area. If you keep what you are working toward front and center, it will be easier to stay on track -or at least alongside it. If you think you are going to veer too far off course, make sure to add a supplement like Total Restore to help support nutrition and overall health while you are on vacation.
2. Plan Ahead
The more comprehensive your plans are, the easier it will be to stick with your fitness plans. Taking the time to consider what and where you will eat and what activities you will participate in will pay off in the long run. A few small steps that can make a big difference in how successful you are at sticking with your fitness goals include:
- Look for accommodations that have kitchens or kitchenettes so you can prepare some of your own meals
- Pack snacks, both for the trip in general and each day as you go about your vacation
- Acquaint yourself with local markets to find seasonal foods that are high in nutrients
- Carry a refillable water bottle so you can drink throughout the day
3. Look for Physical Activities
Many vacation destinations have activities that can help you stay active and fit. Look for places that encourage you to be on your feet and moving. Even if you are picturing a relaxing week on the beach, there are still things you can do to burn off some colors and keep yourself moving. For example, swimming is an excellent cardiovascular activity, and you can reward yourself with a long soak in the hot tub when you get through. Beach volleyball, long strolls by the water and relaxing yoga at sunset can all be integrated into a vacation to help keep you active while still leaving plenty of time to unwind.
4. Stay Hydrated
No matter what your fitness goals are, you won't reach them if you get dehydrated. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water each day to stay properly hydrated. If you are being really active or vacationing where it is warm and humid, you might need to increase that amount. Keep an eye out for signs of dehydration, such as fatigue, confusion, and dizziness. Keep in mind that it can also leave you feeling sluggish and tired, which can ruin a vacation pretty quickly.
5. Try Local Specialties
Instead of hitting tourist attractions for food, ask the locals where they like to go. Once there consider ordering the specials to get a unique dining experience and the freshest foods possible. Be careful with this approach if you have any food allergies and there is a language barrier.
6. Practice Forgiveness
No one is perfect, so there is no point in expecting perfection from yourself. At least not all the time. Learn to forgive yourself when you slip up instead of letting guilt ruin your vacation. You can double down and get back to business once you realize your mistake.
A vacation can be fun and relaxing even if you keep your fitness goals front and center. Plan ahead, look for ways to incorporate fresh local foods and keep moving to achieve the best results. If you indulge a little more than planned, don’t worry about it. Forgive yourself and get back on track.
