Vacations

Summertime is in full swing and that means time off and vacations. One of the most common things I hear is “I completely got off track and can’t get back on.”

I wanted to write this post when I got back from vacation so I could provide some tips to follow but also to give a realistic report of my own vacation. Not what I planned but what I actually did. I always believe in being transparent.

So we spent a week at my in-laws lake house on Cayuga lake with my family and Judd’s brothers family.

Here was my plan: I planned meals for the week; now being very honest they weren’t the most healthy meals but they weren’t processed meals either. I made a lot of good ol comfort, homemade meals (and ones I know everyone going enjoys). Examples: smoked meatloaf (hubby makes the best) with loaded mashed potatoes, pulled pork (once again Judd makes the best) and homemade mac and cheese, smoked pork Mexican bowls and of course Italian night for my nephews. Here’s my trick- if possible by cooking your own meals you control everything. They definitely were not nearly the amount of veggies I make normally but we still ate good quality food. And we didn’t skip meals to “save” for later. (My SIL and I run on the same “feeding” schedule so no meal skipping here!)

I also drank more than normal but made sure to drink plenty of water as well.

As for exercise, my workouts were not even close to what I normally do. I planned this week to be a low level chill week. I did 2 short kettlebell workouts (between us there was a nice selection of kettlebells). And my SIL and I went on a long, up hill walk one day (and got soaked). So while the workouts weren’t like the ones her or I typically do we still got some in, this helps to maintain some consistency once you get back.

Tips:

*Do not over plan food and exercise but at least have some sort of loose idea of both.

*Bring food or snacks so you always have choices.

*Drink plenty of water.

*Even if you don’t workout- just move daily.

*do not skip meals to save for other meals, you will overeat at those other meals.

*enjoy some of your favorites- it is vacation after all.

And my number 1 tip: enjoy the trip, enjoy those who you are with, relax and enjoy the moment. Do not become obsessed with food or exercise but don’t completely abandon all of your routines. And when you get back... it’s business as usual.