Whether you’re going on a cruise, taking a road trip, enjoying the European countryside, or just staying at home, most people eventually look forward to eating new and delicious foods during their time off.
Weight Gain On Vacation | While enjoying new restaurants or indulging in your favorite foods may be an exciting concept, it’s important to keep an eye on what you’re eating to make sure you’re not overdoing it or sabotaging your diet or healthy lifestyle.
As long as you keep moderation in mind, you can avoid coming home with an extra 10 pounds in addition to your vacation souvenirs.
Here are five tips that will help you avoid weight gain while on vacation.
1. Make hotel reservations with fitness in mind
When you make hotel reservations, choose a hotel that has a fitness center or that provides you with guest passes to nearby gyms or fitness resorts. A morning workout will provide you with the lasting energy you need to enjoy the rest of your day, and will even indirectly encourage you to eat healthier on your vacation. If for some reason there are no hotels with fitness centers available, pack elastic resistance bands or make plans to do body-weight exercises in your hotel room.
2. Take advantage of airport terminals
Instead of spending hours sitting down and waiting for your flight, take a walk around the airport just to avoid being sedentary, especially since you’ll spend the next several hours sitting down on an airplane after you board your flight. You don’t have to do brisk power walking or break a major sweat, but being active is better than being sedentary, and will help you burn extra calories.
3. Go sight-seeing on foot
If you plan on visiting tourist destinations such as museums, cathedrals, or natural attractions, skip signing up for the bus or taxi tour and go on foot instead. In many cases, you’ll find that your vacation experience is more fulfilling on foot since it will give you more time to take in the culture of the area you’re visiting. Your hotel may even be able to provide you with maps and any other information you need to enjoy the area on foot.
4. Walk to and from restaurants
While some of the restaurants you want to visit may not be within walking distance, make a point of choosing nearby restaurants you can walk to from your hotel. A leisurely stroll can be a great way to bond with your friends and family while on vacation, and will give you the opportunity to regulate your blood sugar levels following meals. If you must take transportation to get to a restaurant, try choosing restaurants located near outdoor malls or other attractions that will allow you to burn off your meal.
5. Make plans to get physical
Vacation is a great time to try new things and do activities you don’t normally get a chance to do at home on your busy schedule. In addition to sight-seeing, visiting museums, or attending live performances, make plans to go on hikes, bike rides, snorkeling, scuba diving, canoeing, white-water rafting, and other activities that will require you to get physical and promote weight loss.
