Summer is here, and some of us are looking for a way to take a staycation, either through a short getaway to a nice hotel or onboard a cruise vessel. For health and fitness enthusiasts, someone usually will forget temporarily. So what should you do to maintain the benefits of all your hard work throughout the year?
So many things going on during our break can easily impede our progress. However, the last thing to look forward to is stress about fitness or nutrition. We want to have fun, but that doesn't mean we can't strike a balance.
Vacations are not the time to follow a rigorous program or have lengthy, intense workouts, but there are some things you can do to stay on track.
We have collated some pointers that will undoubtedly come in handy:
Planning
We take a relaxing break without family and friends, there will likely be opportunities for more eating and drinking. It's important to decide when to indulge and when not to. We need to plan to eat well around vacations to satisfy more when we have fewer choices over what is available. We can schedule workouts when we don't have to travel around and be prepared with short home/hotel workouts when we can't hit the gym.
It is not necessarily bad to indulge during these breaks. By indulging, we can make it easier to stay on track most of the time we are away. Ultimately, consistency is key. Sometimes submitting helps keep you on track, especially if you have planned for it. So look at your schedule of events and see when you can be more in control and when you can't.
Balance is key
Coming up with a plan of action can help you stay on track and help you combine eating well with indulging without significant repercussions. Following our fitness routine while on a break doesn't have to mean perfection – it doesn't mean taking smoothies and broccoli or doing hour-long fitness routines daily. It doesn't mean avoiding social events. It just means you have to find a balance.
You can eat healthier around going away to your staycation locations or visiting family. You can eliminate cheat days on weekends. You can still work out on the same schedule but do reduce workouts instead of your usual hour-long routines. Additionally, you can also prepare some meals under the same guidance. If you observe nutrition and diet intake, you are more likely to stick to your healthy resolutions.
Learn when to say no
Submitting to peer pressure can be heightened, especially if you are around people you don't see all the time. But to stay on track, you must learn when to turn down offers and ideas that don't align with your journey.
It is good to have goals. You shouldn't need to apologize for wanting to eat well and work out. It isn't something you should be embarrassed about. Turning down something that doesn't suit you will not stop you from accomplishing your goals.
Don't be deprived
Although you have to learn how to say no and not partake in every treat that comes your way, you also can't decline every offer. As long as you know when to say no, you can also say yes to things that excite you! You have to find a balance because balance leads to consistency which leads to realizing your goals.
If you don't balance indulging and dedication, you will probably feel deprived, leading to binging and, consequently, guilt.
Carry equipment for a quick workout
Everything needs to be simple regarding a healthy lifestyle and developing wholesome routines around a vacation. Simplicity will keep us on track. And simplicity, when it comes to workouts, means quick at-home activities that require no or little equipment and not much time.
These tailored workouts may not be what you would do if you had time like you normally do, but they will keep you on track and consistent.
Move as much as possible during the day
You don't have to go to the gym or go for an hour-long workout for it to count as exercise. Walk as much as possible, get in the pool when you can, take the chance to dance, etc. Simply put - keep moving. Constantly moving throughout the day will also be just as effective.
Go easy on yourself
As much as finding balance and observing consistency are vital, perfection isn't. It's okay to slip up. We don't let it define us, and we don't use it as an excuse to keep slipping up. What's important is understanding what caused it and getting back on track.
Relax and enjoy your vacation
Most importantly, enjoy your time away. Rest and recovery are as important to our progress as good food and workouts. Vacations only happen once in a while, so make sure to enjoy every moment while you can!
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