It’s finally here and you can almost smell the breeze and feel the warm sand under your toes. You worked hard for the past months and you deserve to unwire and relax, sipping from a delicious cocktail or a cold beer while watching the sunset on a beach or discovering the wonders of a foreign city.
Your wardrobe is in place too and you might have also bought a new bikini to show off that summer body. But how do you actually stay in shape while on vacation and not come back with at least five pounds more? Here are the easiest ways to look after your figure without giving up on the pleasures of your holidays!
Don’t skip meals
You may be tempted to wake up late in the morning and perhaps even skip breakfast or lunch if you’re on the go. However, it is highly important to stick to a somewhat strict eating routine to keep your body in shape even when you’re thousands of miles away from home.
As you already know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day so make sure you’re up on time each morning. The good thing is that you can indulge yourself in everything you want for breakfast, especially if you plan a long day ahead with plenty of physical activities. Take that croissant or order a bigger omelet without worrying about the extra calories.
Don’t drink too much
While enjoying a glass of wine for dinner is more than welcome when you’re on vacation, drinking too many cocktails won’t be good for your health. Apart from waking up with a massive headache, alcohol abuse will also make your skin look tired and will help you put on weight faster.
The delicious cocktails with little umbrellas served on the beach may taste heavenly but did you ever consider exactly how much sugar there is in them? If you want to avoid coming home wearing one size bigger than before, refrain from too many sugary drinks or cocktails.
However, if you still want to have a good time, opt for light beer or dry wine that contains less sugar than other alcoholic beverages. Vodka on the rocks with freshly squeezed grapefruit or orange juice is another low-calorie drink you can enjoy in moderation.
Stay active
If you’re an avid traveler, chances are we don’t have to tell you twice to get up and start exploring the surroundings and go on adventures. However, even if you just came for the beach and the sun, there are plenty of ways to stay active during your holidays.
If you’re not a fan of hiking and wandering for at least eight-nine hours a day, you can opt for other activities that will keep you active. Swimming is as good as any other cardio or gym workout routine so make sure to get in the water for at least half an hour daily. Not to mention it will help you with your appetite and provide a good night’s sleep.
If swimming or getting out of the resort is not an option, you can still hit the hotel’s gym. We suggest working out in the morning, right before breakfast so you’ll have more energy. You don’t even have to spend more than 20-30 minutes a day as long as you make it a habit, even on vacations.
Drink lots of water
Exploring the town or enjoying late night drinks at the bar will definitely take their toll on you sooner or later so it’s best to be prepared.
Staying properly hydrated should be amongst your top priorities, especially if you’re on holidays in a warm place. Based on your body weight, height, age, how active you are during the day and how hot it is outside, you should drink at least 68-70 fluid ounces of water daily.
Tea, soups, and other unsweetened warm or cold beverages are also welcomed during the hot summer days. And, in order to stay safe and avoid any stomach pains, make sure to always drink bottled water. Even if tap water is marked as safe to drink, we suggest boiling it before to kill all the bacteria and germs you might get in contact with.
Eat fresher
While some culinary delights shouldn’t be avoided during your vacations, you may want to stay away from sugary desserts and high-calorie dishes. As a general rule, it’s OK to have small portions of anything and not refrain yourself from trying the local dishes as long as you know when to stop.
Whenever possible, try to stick to the foods you know and are used to from back home to avoid food poisoning or digestive problems. However, staying fit mainly implies sticking to a regular meal program and having as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible. Fish is also a good option as long as you know it’s fresh and properly cooked.
Get a good night’s sleep
Resting is also extremely important if you want to charge your batteries for the months to come. You may be tempted to spend as much time as possible outside the hotel, going to pubs, restaurants, and clubs but this is not always the best solution.
Keep in mind that your body needs proper rest if you plan on wandering the streets or simply be able to wake up in the morning and go to the beach. Therefore, staying up late every night might disrupt your sleeping patterns, which means you’ll get back home more tired than before going on vacation.
Make sure you go to sleep early at least a couple of nights in a row to get as much rest as your body needs. Open all the windows to allow fresh air to come inside or even opt for an odor eliminator for the entire house to improve your sleeping. Calming scents like Lily of the valley or lavender are known for their beneficial effects on the human body.
You can still go out on weekend nights or whenever you want as dancing and long walks count as great forms of physical exercise, as long as you don’t drink too much.
