Are you worried about losing your progress on vacation? Vacation is a time for relaxation, adventure, and indulgence. It’s a much-needed break from the daily grind and a chance to unwind while exploring new places. However, for many moms committed to their health and fitness journey, the thought of taking time off can cause stress and anxiety. How do you balance the enjoyment of vacation with the desire to maintain your hard-earned progress? It’s easy to feel torn between treating yourself and staying on track.
The good news is, with a bit of planning and mindfulness, it’s entirely possible to enjoy your vacation without completely derailing your health and fitness goals. In fact, vacations can be an excellent opportunity to refresh your routine and even try new activities that contribute to your well-being. From incorporating fun, travel-friendly workouts to making smart dining choices, this guide will help you find that sweet spot where you can savor your vacation while still feeling great about your health.
Step away from the all or nothing mindset because that mindset is not what got you to where you are today. Keep the balance that you have been maintaining from week to week at home when you embark on your vacation.
Hit Your Step Goal
This one is free and there’s no equipment required. There is no excuse not to hit this goal each day. All vacations are not created equal so this will look different for everyone. If you’re on a hiking vacation, you most likely won’t have to build this one into your day, but for those at an all-inclusive resort, you might have to strategize a bit.
Tip: If your partner is still sleeping with the kids, slip out and go for a 30-minute walk to get a jump on your steps at the start of the day.
Stay Hydrated
Treat this one just like your home routine. Drink water right when you wake up and bring it with you throughout your day. Hit your water goal. This one should also be pretty cheap and easy to master for the duration of your vacation. If it’s an all-inclusive situation, be mindful of mixing in the water between the other drinks.
Choose 2/3 meals that align with your goals
Make sure you’re out trying the local cuisine and foods that you may not normally have easy access to when you’re on vacation. Keep in mind all of the work you put in leading up to this vacation. There is no reason to blow out your calories every single meal, every single day of the vacation. Go into each day with a plan to select healthier choices to help you reach your goals for at least 2 of your meals.
When selecting from menus and buffets, you know your body best so select foods that make you feel good and avoid overeating. Tracking your food and obsessing over the calories in all of your meals is not necessary, but you can prioritize your protein, fruits, and veggies. This doesn’t mean you avoid all of the tasty looking food, but optimize your nutrition when you’re making your selections.
A good rule of thumb is to maintain your meal selections for 2 of the 3 main meals throughout the day. Opt for your high protein options with vegetables and fruits. Don’t forget to enjoy the vacation, but also remember that overeating and eating like complete garbage translates to you feeling like garbage.
Workouts
This one will be dependent on where you’re traveling and how you’re getting there. If you’re staying somewhere with a gym, then it should be easy to continue your regular schedule. You can always switch things around depending on the vacation or shorten your workouts, but having a gym will be the easiest way to maintain your workout schedule.
Mixing HIIT (high intensity interval training) with going on a run throughout your week is an alternative for equipment free options. Combining exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups, and dips with jumping jacks, running in place, high knees running, squat jumps, etc. will help you build an equipment-free routine.
Final Thoughts
Vacations are meant to be a time of enjoyment, relaxation, and making memories, and they don’t have to come at the expense of your health and fitness journey. By planning ahead and staying mindful, you can strike the perfect balance between indulging in the pleasures of your vacation and maintaining the progress you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
Remember, it’s not about being perfect, but about making small, intentional choices that keep you feeling great both mentally and physically. Whether it’s hitting your step goal, staying hydrated, making balanced meal choices, or squeezing in a quick workout, these simple strategies can help you return from your vacation feeling refreshed, energized, and proud of your commitment to your well-being.
So, embrace the flexibility that vacations offer, enjoy the break, and trust that with the right mindset, you can continue to thrive in your health and fitness journey no matter where your travels take you.
