Diet and Exercise Tips to Keep Healthy While on Vacation

We wait all year for our two weeks vacation. During that year we try to eat right and exercise to keep us healthy and in shape. But just because you are on vacation does not mean your body has to take a vacation. You can still have fun, eat sensibly and help prevent vacation weight gain by following a few simple tips. Here are tips on how to keep healthy while on vacation.

Tip One. While on vacation, it is important to continue to be aware of what you are eating. Plan ahead. Know where you will be having your meals, and know what will be available. If it is a night you are going to eat out at a nice restaurant, try to eat lighter during the day. But do not skip meals, because then you are likely to eat too much when you finally do eat. If you know your restaurant meal will have more calories than fat, go lighter on food choices during other meals. Have a bowl of cereal with skim milk and fresh fruit at breakfast. Eat a nice tossed salad with chicken and a bowl of soup for lunch. Snack on raw carrots and celery sticks to help keep your hunger in check. Then enjoy your special dinner meal. It is okay to splurge; everything in moderation.

Tip Two. Try to find time to exercise while you are on vacation to keep healthy. Book a room at a hotel that has a fitness and exercise center. Or find fun, active things to do on your vacation, such as swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, skiing, or walking through the amusement parks. Or check out the local television guide for exercise programs to do in the comfort of your own hotel room. Most hotels have a concierge that can offer information on things to do around town. Take advantage and ask about walking tours or hiking in the area.

Tip Three. Be careful with alcohol. When we are on vacation, we want to have fun and drink tropical drinks. But many of those tropical drinks are loaded with calories. A nice, tall Mai Tai could weigh in at over five hundred calories. Plus, when we drink alcohol, we lose our sense of control and eat more. So, limit the tropical drinks, and instead choose wine or light beer for a hundred to a hundred and fifty calories per glass. Try drinking a glass of water between each and every alcoholic beverage to help decrease your intake and limit the effects of the alcohol.