Indulging is what vacations are all about, but the extra food and drinks consumed when away tend to come back with you in the form of fat. Rather than let the extra weight sit on your stomach and thighs, try jumping right into a plan that counteracts your vacation behavior. With the right diet, exercise and lifestyle modifications, you can easily lose those 5 vacation lbs. in just two to three weeks.
Step 1
Return to a healthy eating plan. It doesn't take long to veer off our diet plan and adopt the rich, sugary or fatty food lifestyle that we enjoyed while out of town, turning those 5 lbs. into 10 in just a short time. Rather than letting that happen, return to a meal plan that focuses on lean proteins, whole-grain carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables.
Step 2
Learn how to cook your favorite vacation dishes in a low-fat, healthy way. You can then enjoy all of your new favorites any time you like. Using the right substitutions or modifications in ingredients, most decadent dishes can be re-made so that they benefit your body rather than hurt it.
Step 3
Write down everything that you eat. If you're having trouble getting back in the swing of eating right, start recording all of the food that you've eaten in a day. This way you will be able to see patterns and habits. For example, if you see that everyday at 3 p.m. you are indulging in something sweet, you can plan to substitute the doughnut or cookie with fresh fruit or low-fat yogurt.
Step 4
Go back to the gym. One of the most effective ways to get back in the fitness swing of things is to get your body moving again in the gym. If you are bored with your old routine, this is an excellent time to try new activities. Performing high-impact aerobics, riding a stationary bike or working out on the rowing machine can all burn upwards of 300 calories in just 30 minutes, depending on your height and weight. Cardio exercise will also help to reduce the stress of returning to work and your everyday activities.
Step 5
Stay hydrated by drinking eight to 10 glasses of water a day. Dehydration can slow down your metabolism, energy levels and digestion system. Additionally, your body will hold onto water weight when it is not receiving the amount of fluids that it needs.
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