Tips To Stay On Track While On Vacay

lifestyle Apr 05, 2018

If you’re planning on going on a vacation this spring or summer, it’s important to keep MOST healthy habits in check so you don’t let all of your hard work wash away. In the past, I used to party, drink, and eat anything I wanted, only to feel bloated, lethargic, and crummy.

I’ll be going to Cabo next week and while I’m going to be taking a break from work and “normal life,” it doesn’t mean that I’m going to take a break with my clean eating habits and fitness.

In this blog post, I want to share some of the strategies that I’m going to use while on vacay to keep me on track with my fitness goals and STILL have a blast.

Here’s what I’m going to cover:

  • What snacks to bring on an airplane (or any transportation)
  • What to choose on a restaurant menu
  • What are the healthiest cocktails to order
  • Tips to getting your workout in (with or without a gym)
  • Best foods to eat to keep bloat (and indigestion) at bay

What Snacks To Bring On An Airplane (Or Any Transportation)

 

You already know how adamant I am about meal prep. But, because I’m in a foreign location, with no fridge, and can only resort to what the hotel offers as far as restaurant food goes, I will already be at a disadvantage in making good healthy choices.

All I can do is try my very BEST to choose the best foods available. With that said, the very first thing I can control is what foods I bring with me. I don’t like spending money at the airport and most airports don’t offer the best foods, so I plan on bringing healthy portable snacks that I can eat on the plane ride. 

Here are some options that I’ll most likely take with me:

  • Pre-cut apples
  • Mixed nuts
  • Protein powder
  • Protein bar
  • Rice cakes
  • Almond butter packet
  • Beef jerky
  • Celery sticks
  • Carrots

I don’t like to have to resort to processed foods, but in order to sustain traveling without a fridge or cooler, I will try to buy processed foods that have minimal processing and few ingredients.

What to choose on a restaurant menu

 

Pretty much every meal in Cabo will be from a restaurant. Considering I meal prep 90% of my food, I already don’t like the fact that I’ll have to eat out for every meal because of the added ingredients, sugar, sodium, and oils that restaurants use.

But like I said, I’ll try to make the best choices possible.

Here are some tips to consider when eating out at a restaurant:

  • Opt for a side salad at every meal to ensure you’re getting your veggies in
  • If you can, stick to grilled, steamed, or baked (not deep-fried or battered)
  • Keep sauces on the side
  • Explore the authentic must-have food of that country or city (don’t go for the stuff you can get at home)
  • Consider sharing your plate with someone (most restaurants double or triple their serving sizes)
  • Stick to your hand as a measure of portion control (to see more about portion control, read this blog)
  • Share the must-have dessert (you don’t need the whole serving to yourself)

What are the healthiest cocktails to order

 

I’m not much of a drinker, but I do like to sip on a good Moscow Mule or Vodka Soda to let loose a bit! And because I’ll be in Cabo, I for sure will allow myself to indulge in a margarita or pina colada while I’m there.

However, I’m not going to be doing all-you-can-drink cocktails, more like a one-and-done type deal. That just ain’t me.

If you have to try the “signature drink” at your vacay spot, do it. But consider it as a one-and-done type thing. You don’t need multiple servings of anything, and why drink your calories when you can eat them instead?

My best advice is to allow yourself ONE serving of that “must-have drink,” then have water in between your alcoholic drinks to ensure you’re staying hydrated. If you plan on drinking more, try these lower calorie drinks:

  • Vodka seltzer with lemon or lime
  • Bloody mary, extra spicy
  • Glass of pinot noir or champagne
  • Low-calorie version of a cosmopolitan
  • Moscow mule with a twist
  • Scotch on the rocks
  • Silver tequila on the rocks or with soda plus lime juice or an orange slice

Tips to getting your workout in (with or without a gym)

 

I am so thankful to have Markus coming with me because he’s such a great workout partner to have. He is as passionate about fitness as I am so we’ll for sure be prioritizing our workouts every morning.

When you go on vacay, definitely make it the first thing you do in the morning so you can get it done with and have the rest of the day to play and explore!

If you have a gym available to you, you can try any of my workouts on the blog - all you need is a set of dumbbells or just do bodyweight!

If you don’t have a gym available, don’t make that an excuse!

Here are some things you can do:

  • Bodyweight workouts
  • Tabata workouts
  • Go explore the city and walk around
  • Do some aqua aerobics in the pool or ocean
  • Just get out and move!

Best foods to eat to keep bloat (and indigestion) at bay

When you’re traveling and eating a lot of restaurant food, your body will hold on to water and sodium and give you that bloated look which doesn’t look so cute when you’re wearing your cute bikini.

So to avoid bloat and indigestion, consider eating these foods that’ll help de-bloat your tummy and keep you feeling confident on the beach:

  • lemon water
  • celery
  • tomatoes
  • shrimp
  • avocados
  • ginger
  • bananas
  • oatmeal
  • apples
  • almonds

I hope these tips were helpful! If they were, comment below on the blog and tell me what tip you’re going to use while on your vacation!

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