Vacations: Healthy or Hazardous to your Hips??!! |
Okay ladies, I think we need more input on how we should handle ourselves on vacations or business travel during this journey to Thinville!! We have now finished Phase I and Phase II, so I think we should all agree that we all KNOW what we have to do to stay on track, but now how are we going to handle it in the real world moving forward?
Spring and summer are near so that means… VACATION TIME!! The good thing about incorporating a new healthy lifestyle, is that you can take it with you during vacations too… I’m planning a trip in April to Mexico and one of my major goals is relaxation!! However, while I’m searching for a good hotel/resort, not only am I looking for a pool and beach, but I’m also checking out their fitness facilities! I’m also plan to still take my eating habits with me: Eat 3 meals a day, plus 2 snacks, watch my portions, etc. etc. Easy Peasy!! But I know that thinking and DOING are two different things, so I have to stay strong and focused and be sure I don’t give in during my next trip out of town!
So, I’m sure there are lots of you lovely readers out there that can share some traveling tips? Business women? Women with children and families? Women with significant others? Anyone, anyone? How do you handle traveling for business meetings? How do you incorporate exercise and fitness? What about family vacations? Do you find that the food options during your sunny holidays are too tempting to pass up? How can we move forward in rewarding ourselves with a vacation without rewarding ourselves with love handles or a spare tire, or a food baby? Hmmmmm? C’mon ladies, share your tips and stories with us, HUNGRY MINDS WANT TO KNOW!! 
~ Cecilia
March 12th, 2007 at 10:01 am
hi there.
March 12th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Ooh, I definitely struggle with this one. My personal way of keeping the pounds at bay while traveling is to try not to succumb to familiar cravings - french fries, burgers, chips, anything that I can indulge with in my regular daily life is out. This leaves me with more room to experiment with local foods and to try decadent new menu items.
The other element is walking - I always try to walk everywhere I can when on a business trip. I search for the new and unique surroundings, and try to ignore the temptation to give myself comfort with a quick and familiar sugary snack.
March 12th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Hi TravelRants,
I love the suggestion of making room for trying different foods! I think that’s a great idea to stray away from the normal daily cravings and changing the palette to something new! That is awesome and I am going to try that for sure!
Thanks!
March 12th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
well you know that i will be going on vacation the end of May.. so there is a lot of stuff to think about. Like… will i want to get up and go to the hotel gym? NO! cause it’s vegas and who goes to vegas to work out? Or will I pass up the burger place in the food court to get a green salad someplace? who knows!? Its not like we could bring our own foods on the plane anymore or bottles of water. The meaning of vacation is a part of the year, regularly set aside, when normal activities of law courts, legislatures, etc., are suspended.(www.dictionary.com) EXACTLY! That is a bigger problem for me because I know how hard we all worked to get to the point of where we are right now. It would stink if I throw it all away for a week of just plain laziess….
How could I cope?
March 13th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
I have been on a healthy weight quest since I was 12. I have found the best way to make it through vacations is the following:
Promise yourself that you will work out every morning and carry through with that promise. Use the fitness equipment at the resort or go for a quick run along the beach. Once you are finished your workout, you are free to be lazy and sit on the beach for the rest of the day….guilt free. Also take advantage of the fun sports or tours that are offered. They can be a great way to burn calories and still have a lot of fun.
The one thing at resorts are the buffets. They do, however, offer lots of yummy, healthy food options. For breakfast, fill up on low fat, high fibre cereal, yogurt and fruit (to die for!!). Then have something relatively healthy for lunch, and then treat yourself at dinner (you are on vacation).
My hubby and I did this for two weeks in Mexico and we both came back a few pounds LIGHTER than when we left! We did not feel deprived and had a really nice time.
Hope this helps and good luck!!!
March 13th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Hi girls,
First off: Way to go! I’m so appreciative of people like you who put your experiences out there for others to learn from.
I travel all the time for work and my suggestion is this: Pick your battles. Unless you’re going on a crazy active vacation or to a spa, my goal is always just to remain stable during my vacation week rather than to lose any more weight. It’s just unrealistic for me personally.
So if I know that I want to hit a fun night on the town on my vacation (which could mean a more fattening dinner), I go for a Yoplait and some fruit for breakfast and then I skimp a bit on lunch. Then when I *cheat* a bit for dinner, I don’t have to feel so bad…
Hope that helps!
March 13th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
There are so many great suggestions here from several of you. I really love the idea of trying cuisine that is unique to wherever you go rather than wasting calories on foods you normally can get at home. And I know from personal experience that walking-a great way to see the sights and discover some wonderful out of the way shops, restaurant, adventures- does work at keeping the weight off.
A few years ago I went to Paris-an eater’s dream- and even though I ate really well (including cheese, dessert, wine) did not gain an ounce. In 10 days!!! And I wouldn’t have missed those coissants for anything!!!! Of course I walked everywhere. Maybe 10 miles a day–who knows?! And felt great!!!
Another suggestion I loved is just planning on not gaining when on a trip. Works for me!
Also, one week of being lax because of business, meetings, whatever, did not make me overweight and out of shape. Sometimes maybe it’s good to let go and get right back to a serious eating and workout schedule after the week ends. Not letting yourself slide back into a PERMANENTLY lazy, overeating, overly-indulgent lifestyle. The added stress of “being perfect” ALL the time doesn’t work for me. MOST of the time is more effective for me.
One last thing–when I go to Vegas there’s one exercise I love–SWIMMING. Most of the hotels have gorgeous, huge pools. The weather is warm and it’s great exercise. Swim laps or walk the pool for awhile. Maybe they have water exercise classes or get a book or video of water exercise (great resistance exercises) and watch it before you go. You can xerox the pages of a book or print them off the internet. Put pages in clear plastic sleeves and take them on vacation so they don’t get wet on the pool deck. Also, if a group of you go, try running in circle in at least waist deep water, then after a couple minute turn and go in the opposite direction. The tide you created is really tough to walk against.
Vacations are for having fun. Exercise can probably add to the fun because it makes us feels so good. Right?? And exercise could probably help relieve the stress of a business trip. Any other suggestions?