Summer Vacations: Keeping That Healthy Kick Going!

As summer comes upon us, you may be ready for those vacations. The thing is, you may have been on a diet or have been doing well with staying healthy and keeping that summer body ready. Here are some ways to keep that healthy kick going while on vacation.

1. Healthy Breakfast

Now don’t get me wrong, when on vacation I like to sleep in (if the kids let me), and get up in time for brunch. But if you want to stay on your fitness plan, try to start out with a healthy breakfast. Getting the children to eat what you eat can make it easier on yourself also. Usually, when we go on vacation, we make sure we have access to a mini-fridge or ice. This way we can bring along hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, and sliced turkey. We also may bring bananas or apples and muffins. This allows us to have a balanced healthy breakfast while on the go to our next adventure. Bringing these items can help you save money on meals also.

2. Water, Water, and MORE Water

Keeping yourself hydrated is a great way to sticking to your fitness plan on vacation. Drinking water can aid in digestion and keep you feeling full longer. I usually bring a reusable water bottle everywhere I go. My husband and I encourage the kids to do so too. This way we are always hydrated without juice or soda, saving money and keeping ourselves full in between meals. One trick we did while we were at Disney World, was the kids could have a Disney snack or a snack we brought if they drank a good amount of water. The only thing with this is if you are potty-training your children, you will spend a lot of your day in the bathroom.

3. Peek at the Restaurant Menu Beforehand

If you are like me dining out can be one of the best things about vacation. My family likes trying new food and restaurants. While on vacation, your fitness goals don’t have to suffer greatly when eating out. If you scope out the menu beforehand you can make good decisions on what to eat. I have also learned with 3 little ones, knowing what I want to eat before getting to the restaurant allows me to focus on the kids who may become restless, and rambunctious, and need help choosing what to eat.

4. Don’t take the easy way out

Hopping in the car and sightseeing may seem like the easy thing to do, especially with kids, but try and walk. With little ones you can take a stroller. We have a double stroller and a single stroller so if the kids get tired of playing or following along on your stroll you can put them in the stroller. This may not always be an option depending on where you vacation, but if you put a little time and planning into it, you can get your steps in for the day. 

5. Pack Healthy Snacks

Just because you are on vacation doesn’t mean you have to throw your diet out the window. I used to maintain being healthy up until vacation time came around and would plan on eating whatever. Now, I tend to pack healthy breakfast items, snacks and make better choices at restaurants. When you let your diet or healthy lifestyle go downhill while on vacation, you spend time making it up when you get back home. Having protein and granola bars on hand can keep you from making unhealthy decisions. If you need to have something sweet, you can pack bananas and or apples.

Don’t let your vacations derail your hard work!