Spring leads to summer and as the warmer temperatures come the amount of clothing we wear diminishes. This is especially true if you are planning a Midwest vacation that includes a beach or waterpark.
Traveling doesn’t have to automatically mean weight gain. It’s possible to have fun, taste local favorites, and still not pack on pounds.
- Bring Your Own Snacks
Don’t count on there being something healthy to eat, bring it with you. If you are driving, it’s easy to stock the cooler with fresh vegetables and cheeses. For flyers, pack the carry-on with nuts, dried fruit – just a little, though, it’s packed with calories and sugar – and protein bars. If this is a vacation, mix it up a bit. Get a new flavor of bars, try cucumber if you usually eat carrots.
- Watch the Meat
Meat is on the top of my list for putting weight on, especially since meat dishes are often heavy in salt. Skip the animal protein for at least one meal a day. Have a large salad with cheese, or an omelet loaded with veggies. Rice and beans is also a great choice loaded with protein.
- Decide What to Splurge On
Temptation will haunt you when you are on the road. Whether it’s Jarlings Custard Cup in Champaign, Pappy’s Smokehouse in St. Louis, or Grand Traverse Pie Company, local favorites are everywhere. Save the splurge for that great barbecue or dessert. Look at where you’re going and decide in advance places you really want to have a treat.
- Keep Moving
Travel can definitely mess up your workout schedule, but that doesn’t mean you should give up exercise. Work it in whenever possible. Take the stairs, add a hike into your itinerary, or, on layovers with extra time skip the train and walk to the next terminal. Hotel pools are also a great place to burn some calories if you don’t want to “hit the gym” on your vacation.
- There’s an App for that
If you have a smartphone, you’ll find plenty of help with diet and exercise. I love my Jawbone UP, which keeps track of the steps I walk each day. You’ll find yourself challenged to get that number up. Another application that’s wonderful to have on the road is My Fitness Pal. You can use it to keep track of weight loss and exercise, but it’s even more valuable to give you nutrition breakdowns of nearly every fast food, restaurant, and supermarket food out there.
- Buy Airplane Food
I’m sure this wasn’t one you were expecting, but it’s true. Many airlines now offer some pretty healthy options. While they may not be ideal, but if you didn’t bring snacks they are definitely a better idea than waiting until you are off the plane, starving, and hitting the deep dish pizza place. American Airlines has a fruit and cheese plate; Delta’s Eats Tapas has snacks such as Dipin™ Pepper & Artichoke Bruschetta
- Try on the Bikini
Or the snug capris, or your tightest shorts. Do all this weeks before you are going away. The scale is not going to be as accurate for getting in shape as how you look in your summer vacation clothes. Use those items as a measurement of success as you begin a healthy eating and exercise plan before you leave home so you’ll have more wiggle room when you get there.
- Make a List
The worst eating decisions are made last minute. Before you hit the road, check the menus at the restaurants you want to go to; write down the safe bets (such as string cheese and apples) for road stops; and reiterate those things you really need to avoid by taking a good look at the facts. For example, Dairy Queen’s Peanut Butter Parfait has 710 calories, 17 grams of sugar and 18 grams of saturated fat. If you really want a sundae, a small hot fudge sundae is 300 calories.
- Be Prepared
Weather delays are inevitable whether you are flying or driving. Just as the snow stops being a problem, thunderstorms begin rolling in. You may won’t to save your appetite for Aunt Mary’s meatloaf, but when that dinner gets put off for three hours, you’ll be starving. Take a look at your itinerary, or what restaurants are in the airport if you are flying. Knowing your healthy options will make you prepared for a wise decision.
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