Vacations Can Be Both Fun And Healthy
May 1, 2009 by Tisha Tolar
Filed under Need To Know
You work hard all year long to stay healthy and fit. You deserve and look forward to a vacation to get away from it all, 
relax and let you hair down. Ideally your vacation would be filled will long leisurely days where you can either lounge around or engage in activities you otherwise wouldn’t participate in during your day-to-day life. So how can you enjoy the benefits a vacation should bring without breaking from the healthy habits you are used to at home? The following tips can help you enjoy your vacation without undoing months of hard work.
• Healthy Habits Don’t Take Vacation- There are some people who anticipate problems with their diet or exercise while on vacation. Others know that if you truly have adopted a healthy lifestyle, vacations won’t change the way you eat or exercise. After all, vacations are meant to give you a chance to relax, refresh and re-energize, not to totally give up the healthy habits you have adopted over time. Understanding this will make having a healthy vacation less like a punishment and more like an extension of regular daily activities.
• Plan Ahead To Fit In Fitness- Inquire about fitness accommodations when booking your hotel or vacation rental. Perhaps you don’t want to work out at the gym while you are away. Consider other activities that you can engage in while on vacation that will give you a break from your normal “routine” while satisfying your need to exercise.
• Dining Out Blunders- Whether you are planning a road trip, flying away to an exotic locale or going to the beach for the weekend, dining out while on vacation can throw any diet for a loop. Of course dining out is often considered one of the perks of going on vacation as well. You can still enjoy dining out without guilt by practicing moderation. There is no reason you can’t try that exotic dish, as long as you don’t overdue it three or more times a day. If you have a particularly rich meal at one sitting, balance it out with a healthier version the next time around. Remember portion control is often key to maintaining a healthy weight. So go ahead and indulge in that fabulous desert, just share it with a friend or box half of it up for later. Keep in mind that many menus provide a “lighter” fare or you can always ask to have something prepared special-most restaurants will try to accommodated your request.
• Keep Things In Perspective- You are on vacation and the point is to have fun and unwind. If you miss a day of exercise or imbibe a bit more than you would have liked; don’t let it ruin your day. If you have otherwise planned your vacation well you will likely find out that it is possible to not only have a great time but also at least maintain your weight. After all, you want to bring home great memories, not extra pounds.
