When you’re on vacation, it’s all too easy to abandon everything you know about eating healthfully — and then return home unable to button your pants!

Here are some tips to avoid putting on those extra pounds!

So before you order that extra pina colada at the swim-up bar, consider these simple strategies to avoid vacation weight gain:

Vacation Tip No. 1: Plan Ahead to Fit in Fitness/ go walking!

Opt for locations that will allow you to engage in physical activities you enjoy. Keep in mind that physical activity is the ticket to enjoying extra calories without weight gain.

If running is not your style, consider places where you can take walks or hikes, ride bikes, do water sports, or use the hotel tennis courts or gym.

Without work schedules making demands on your time, you should be able to fit in fun fitness activities every day.  Walk the golf course, play basketball, swim, walk, kayak, bicycle, play tennis — you name it, just do it for at least an hour each day.

Vacation Tip No. 2: Be Prepared

When you travel, whether by plane, train, or automobile, be prepared with healthy food so you won’t have to eat whatever is available.

Start the day with a nutritious breakfast, then pack easy and satisfying snacks or a small meal, such as a turkey sandwich with lettuce and tomato on whole-grain bread, a piece of fruit, and some cut-up veggies with hummus.

Vacation Tip No. 3: Avoid Dining-Out Disasters

Eating out may pose the biggest challenge for avoiding vacation weight gain.

The key is to order simply prepared foods, such as baked, broiled. or grilled meats and fish.

Stay away from fried, crispy, or creamy foods; hold extras such as cheese and mayo; top salads with low-fat dressings; drink water instead of sodas — simple things that can shave calories and make room for the special treats.

You can snack on healthy, shelf-stable foods like:

• Nuts
• Seeds
• Trail mix
• Cereal
• Dried fruit
• Low-fat crackers.
• Single-serve containers of fruit
• Peanut butter
• Popcorn
• Granola or cereal bars
• Rice or popcorn cakes
• Graham crackers

Vacation Tip No. 4: Indulge in Moderation/ Pare Down Portions

Have one scoop of ice cream instead of the sundae, or split that decadent dessert with a dining companion.

When you drink alcohol, the calories add up fast, especially if you are downing those fancy drinks that come with an umbrella. So make a plan for when you’ll drink alcoholic beverages and how much you will consume.

Alternate alcoholic drinks with nonalcoholic, noncalorie beverages, so you’ll stay well-hydrated and reduce your total calorie intake. And when ordering alcoholic drinks, opt for lower-calorie choices such as light beer, wine spritzers, wine, champagne, or spirits mixed with water or diet mixes.

“Enjoy small portions of whatever you like, [and] eat slowly so you taste the food and feel a sense of satisfaction, enjoyment, and relaxation of the vacation,”

Don’t keep lingering around the table as that can lead to overeating.

 

Sounds Easy? Doesn’t it?

via Don’t Gain Weight on Vacation This Year – 5 Tips.