How to Avoid Vacation Weight Gain

Vacation time: We all love it but its not so easy to eat healthy when we’re away from home. Believe it or not, it IS possible to enjoy vacation AND avoid the weight gain that often comes with it.

Week 3 of my Veggie-Centric diet is complete
Week 1: -2
Week 2: No weigh-in due to vacay
Week 3: -2
Total: 4 pounds down! 3 more to go to get to Boston weight

How’d I manage not to gain weight on vacation?

1. Plane snacks
Depending on the length of your flight, you may not even need them. I brought fruit, almonds and a Larabar and ended up only eating the fruit and some water.

2. Hotel with a kitchen 
While ours had no stove, just fridge/freezer, sink, microwave and toaster, it meant we usually only ate out once a day and could bring leftovers back with us. I hauled back a variety of healthy options from the grocery store as well. Most of my meals were lean protein and lots of veggies or a very-veggie salad like this one:

3. Pack an immersion blender and protein powder
Apres workout smoothies. Nuff said.

4. Vacation doesn’t have to mean a break from working out
Stay on your exercise schedule as much as possible. Even if you don’t have access to a gym, there’s a ton you can do with resistance bands, walking, running, biking, swimming, plyometric movements, etc.
Use mapmyrun.com, ask friends, local running clubs or the hotel concierge for safe running routes in cities you’re visiting.
I have fond memories of training runs I did in various cities around the country. It’s a great way to see the city and experience the climate and terrain.
If possible, plan ahead and find a race there.

5. Treat yourself but don’t gorge
Believe me I had plenty of treats. There was almost daily ice cream, although I ordered the smallest option and stopped eating before finishing (unheard of for me). I even made my maiden voyage to a gourmet cupcake shop.