Vacation is a time to relax, unwind, recharge your batteries and decompress from daily stress. With that often comes a lowered self-discipline and the temptation to eat and drink everything in sight. This can spell disaster for your long-running resolution to lose weight and keep it off. When you go on vacation, whether it be by plane or car, you can still enjoy yourself while also maintaining a healthy diet.
Step 1
Use the Daily Plate to find out your current calorie goal. Input your age, weight, height and your expected activity level while you are away. Track the caloric amount and keep it fresh in your memory as you go on vacation. This can help keep you accountable when you are eating meals.
Step 2
Prepare before you leave. Pack dried fruit, fresh fruit, seeds, nuts and nutritional bars into your suitcase, backpack and carry-on. Always have healthy snacks on hand to prevent you from indulging in the high-calorie options that you might run into at roadside stores, airplanes, airports and hotels.
Step 3
Have your meats and fish prepared low-fat when you are dining out. Pass on the deep fried, pan fried, crispy, scalloped and au-gratin style dishes. Opt instead for baked, broiled, steamed, poached and seared.
Step 4
Watch the additional toppings that come with your meals. Ask for foods to be prepared without the addition of cheese, creamed sauces, bacon, butter and heavy dressings.
Step 5
Refrain from the high-calorie alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Fancy mixed drinks with umbrellas can easily add an additional 500 calories plus to any meal that you consume with them. Choose water or diet soda with your meals to reduce the calories and to also help fill you up.
Step 6
Split your entree with your spouse or friend. Meals by themselves can exceed 750 calories. If you were to eat a meal with an appetizer and dessert, you are easily coming close to 1200 calories. If you have your heart set on the prime rib dinner, create two meals out of it and share. Do the same thing with your appetizer and dessert.
Step 7
Eat healthy snacks in between your meals to keep your appetite under control and to keep your metabolism elevated. Find a smoothie shop and have a fruit smoothie in the afternoon or resort to eating one of the snacks that you packed for the trip.
Step 8
Do not eat high-carb meals at least two hours before retiring for the night. Eating late can cause you to gain weight because your insulin levels spike and your metabolism slows down.
Step 9
Keep a daily account of all your meals to keep your calories near your recommended range. Do not beat yourself up if you are slightly over. After all, you are on vacation. Just try to stay within your boundaries.
Tips and Warnings
- Walking is an easy and effective form of exercise. Walk to the restaurant and go for a nice long walk when you are done eating.
