healthy vacationing

When I’m at home I try my best to live a healthy lifestyle, with of course some indulging here and there (which tends to be chocolate! A girls gotta have her chocolate! :P). I’ve been doing quite a bit of traveling recently, for both work and holiday, and its not always easy to keep up with my healthy habits whilst away from home. Especially when I’m off on a vacation, as soon as I step foot on that plane my mind is automatically set on holiday mode, which means letting loose and indulging. Oopsies! But hey, thats what holidays are all about right? So its totally ok to enjoy yourself on vacation but I have noticed even if its a trip that isn’t too far, the flying part can sometimes take a toll on you.

So whether its for work or vacation, I thought I’d share just a few tips on how to kickstart your trip on a good note . 🙂

Stay hydrated: Just as it is important to stay hydrated when we are on land, it goes the same or more so, for when we are in the air. The air is extremely dry so hydration is key! I like to have a big gulp of water before boarding and I make sure to ask the flight attendant for water with my meal(s). With the strict security these days we’re usually not allowed to take bottled water onboard, so for longer flights I take an empty flask and ask the flight attendant to fill it up for me. This way it’s easier to remember to drink up and I don’t have to bother the flight attendant constantly.
Catch some zzz’s: I know it can be hard to get some sleep on the plane, but I try to rest up up as much as I can. I try to prep myself before the flight by not consuming any caffeine, drinking some camomile tea and carrying onboard some lavender oil which can help ease into slumberland, if not at least keep you relaxed. The main thing is you want to make sure you have energy to explore when you land. I’m never quite sure how my body will adjust to the time difference so I travel with some melatonin, which is a natural supplement that helps regulate sleep.
Go easy on the booze: Although tempting, I try to limit my alcohol intake to 1 maybe 2 glasses. Alcohol is super dehydrating and its even worse when you’re flying because its already soooo dry on the plane as is. Also, who wants to suffer from a hangover the first thing you get to your destination right?! Not fun!
Get movin’: During long haul flights I like to walk up and down the aisles and even go to the pantry area and do some stretches. A little is better than nothing I say!
Plan your meal: If you are really concerned about breaking your diet or want to save on the indulging for when you get to your holiday destination prebook your meal! For long-haul flights, most airlines allow you to book your meal preference 24hrs in advance online. If they don’t and you don’t mind putting in that extra effort, you can always pre-pack your own meal or take on board some healthy snacks. Honestly speaking, you have to admit, airplane food isn’t quite Michelin Star quality and can be a hit and miss……so if you really don’t want to risk having to eat nastified food and would rather save that appetite for whatever awesome food there is when you land……just do a little planning ahead. Thats all it takes! Otherwise, one bad meal won’t kill ya….so nothing to stress about either. 😉

If you have any suggestions or tips please do share as I would love to hear them! I’m always up for learning something new.

Happy healthy travels all!! Woohoo! 🙂

Relaxing, wining and dining, feasting on local delicacies, or sipping on piña coladas by the pool…..that pretty much sums up what we look forward to when we go on vacation. This is the time to forget about those calories and totally chill! Sure….Why not? We’ll just deal with the consequences later. Right? Uhhh….Then after returning home it’s OMG!!!!! Bam! starts those ridiculous crash diets and killing ourselves at the gym to try and burn it all off. You have to admit…..We’ve all been there!

Indulging and chillaxing is what a vacation is for. So yah….totally go for it! We definitely deserve it after all that hard work! Here’s just a few things I like to do when I’m on vacation, whether it be at a tropical island getaway or exploring busy city streets, to prevent those OMG moments afterwards.

Kick start on a good note-Yes, it’s true even when we’re on holiday ….breakfast is the most important meal of the day! When planning my trip I like ensure that breakfast is included in my room rate so I know I’ll be sure eat breakfast every morning on my trip. Whether it be a buffet spread or ordering ala carte, I try to stick to wholesome and nutritious choices like oatmeal, fruits, eggs with whole meal toast, yogurt, etc. This way, the first thing my body gets is healthy goodness before I dig into whatever foodpornographic indulgences the day may bring! Also, revving our engines (bodies) with wholesome goodness will get our metabolism on the right track so we’ll have some assistants in burning those calories! 😉

Venture out and explore-Whether it be in a city or by the beach – get out there and explore! If I’m doing a cultural holiday, I make sure to pack a pair of comfy shoes and try to venture out by foot as much as possible or by bike. This way you shed those cals whilst still exploring and sapping up the culture and beautiful scenery. You’ll be surprised how much more you see and experience! If I’m going on a beach or resort holiday, I check out what activities the resort offers and venture out and explore the sea by snorkelling or canoeing or cruise around the resort or the neighbourhood by cycling.

Wherever it is, there’s always something to be seen and explore so I try to add some adventurous element to it by adding in some fun activities.

Pack those trainers-I know I know, vacations are about relaxing and taking it easy, but trust me just 30min of raising your heart rate feels sooo good AND you’ll feel a little less guilty when biting into that juicy burger by the pool. It doesn’t matter where I’m vacationing I always make sure to pack my trainers and at least one pair of gym gear. This is way, its in my bag, so there’s no excuse but to try and spare some time to do some exercise whether at the hotel/resort gym or jogging around the complex. Even a little is better than nothing! 😉

I find adding even just a bit of a healthy element to my holiday elevates the experience and I don’t feel as guilty for indulging. So next time you plan your holiday, try upping experience by adding some healthy goodness!