6 Tips to Staying Healthy on Vacation

When it comes to vacation we tend to throw a lot of our nutrition and fitness goals to the sidelines in favour of fancy alcoholic beverages pool side, decadent cakes, and fancy rich dinners.  Vacations are a time of relaxation, indulgence and recovery and just because you have fitness goals doesn't mean you won't be able to enjoy yourself.  Here are 6 tip to help you enjoy your vacation and stay on track:

1. Plan Ahead: You're going on vacation so it is very likely that you will have some travel time. Do what you can to pack yourself some healthy snacks so you aren't relying on food at road side gas stations or what is being served on the plane.
   
2. Don't Let Yourself get too Hungry: We can often get carried away with vacation forgetting to sit down and have meals is common, but it doesn't mean you need to starve. Pack yourself some healthy bars, fruit, hardboiled eggs, protein powder, etc. Make sure you have something with you so you don't go longer than 3-4 hours without food.
   
3. Limit the Alcohol: Yes, I get it you are on vacation, I want you to have a good time but try not to drink all those calories, plus hangover are never fun. If you are going to be drinking opt for light beer, wine spritzers, liquor and soda water or on the rocks.
   
4. Stay Hydrated: We are more likely to cave to cravings and mindless eating when we are dehydrated. Bring a water bottle with you so you can fill it up saving money and the environment from plastic, while using it as a reminder to drink your 2L of water a day...maybe more if you are doing lots of walking.
   
5. Make Lunch your Largest Meal: Make Lunch your main event. Focusing on lunch as your biggest main meal will help reduce those evening cravings, plus it will give you much needed fuel to get in all those tourist activities you are hoping to do.
   
6.  Don't Beat yourself Up: You're on vacation, this is meant to be a time of fun, joy and relaxation. Do your best to keep it healthy but don't restrict yourself so much that you have a bad time. No one stays the course 100% of the time. Have fun!