At home, going to the gym several times a week and eating low-calorie food 24/7 gets boring fast. But when you’re on vacation, diet and exercise take on a whole new meaning. So, the next time you leave town, leave your fitness woes behind and follow through with that New Year’s Resolution for once. While it’s tempting to veg out and lay around all day when you’re away, it’s easy to lose weight on vacation. All you need is a plan and a good attitude.
Let’s get to it. Here are 10 ways to lose weight on vacation!
1. Don’t Sit Still
In the car or plane ride up, set aside a portion of time for snoozing, reading a book, completing a crossword puzzle, or catching up on tabloid gossip. But sitting down doesn’t mean you’re paralyzed. Stretch out your arms, do simple work out routines in your seat, and when flying – walk about the cabin even when you don’t need to go to the bathroom! If you’re driving, use pit stops as an opportunity to work those muscles. Take a lap around the gas station or jog in place for a couple of minutes. Don’t worry about who’s looking; you’re in a new and strange place and probably won't see those faces ever again! Another important tip to keep in mind while traveling is: eat light! If you’re not exerting a lot of energy, you don’t need a lot of energy (or calories).
2. Sleep Matters
Your sleep schedule is directly correlated with your weight. The less sleep you get, the more you eat. If you oversleep, you’ll pay with weight gain, too! When you drastically throw off your daily routine, you won't stick to a meal plan. It’s impossible to completely maintain your at-home habits while on vacation, but you can get close.
3. Put Fitness on the Itinerary
No matter where you’re going, there’s always a way to incorporate lots of activity into your day-to-day life. Golfing, surfing, biking, mountain climbing, kayaking, skiing, and hiking are just a few physical activities that are popular to do on vacation. But even if you’re not an outdoors enthusiast, you’ll burn lots of calories by just walking around. Tour museums, go shopping, see the zoo, play with the kids, stroll through a nearby park… as long as you’re on your feet for most the day, you’ll shed pounds fast. Make yourself walk by not renting a car!
4. Pack Active Wear and Portable Exercise Equipment
Comfortable tennis shoes, work-out clothes, and exercise equipment like inflatable balance balls, weights, yoga mats, and a TRX system are all gentle reminders that you really can lose weight on vacation. If you go on vacation prepared to stay fit, your chances of losing weight increase. If you go on vacation with a desire to stay fit, but don't have the tools, you’ll return home disappointed.
5. Surround Yourself with Healthy Food
As soon as you check into your vacation rental, go to the nearby grocery store and stock up on healthy food. Fruits, vegetables, energy bars – low-calorie foods that fill you up and give you lots of energy are the way to go. If unhealthy food is out of sight and out of mind, you won’t crave it
6. Bring the Dog
Lots of pet-friendly vacation rentals make it easy for vacationers to bring along their favorite furry friends. If you welcome your dog on your vacation, you’ll have a great excuse to go for a walk and play outside! Take a look at Vacation Rentals.com’s Top 10 Dog Friendly Vacation Spots for ideas on where you and your pooch can get away together.
7. Wake Up Early
It’s okay to sleep in while on vacation; after all, that’s one of the perks of being away from school and work! At the same time, don't miss out on all the sights to see of your chosen destination for the sake of sleeping. Set your alarm and wake up before the afternoon. That way, you'll have time to eat a healthy breakfast, which will prevent you from pigging out later in the day. Also, you'll really make your vacation count if you don't sleep through it.
8. Dine In
With a vacation rental, it’s easy to dine in. You’ll have a kitchen, not just a microwave, to share with your family. If you’re traveling in a big group, designate one person to cook per night. By eating in, you’ll save money and calories.
9. Dine Out with Caution
Even though it’s ideal to dine in, going out to eat is a big part of a vacation. So, pick your restaurants wisely – read menus and reviews online and avoid places that are heavy on greasy, fried food. When ordering, ask the waiter about healthy choices. To control your portions, go with an appetizer as your entrée and order a side salad. Skip out on alcoholic drinks and desert if you can. It's hard not to indulge, though, so when you do, just make sure to do so in moderation.
10. Have Fun!
When you’re stressed out, you eat more and gain weight more easily. Above all, remember that you’re on vacation. Relax and appreciate your surroundings and company. No pound is worth losing if you miss out on the memories!
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