Going on vacation can kill a diet, put workout regimens on hiatus, and cause a person to gain unwanted pounds. This can be especially distressing to health-conscious individuals, particularly those who worked to lose weight and get in shape prior to the vacation. It’s common for vacationers to throw caution to the wind—extra drinking, extra snacking, and dinners out are all part of the fun. Add to this the vacationer mentality of relaxation (i.e., all lounging and no exercising) and weight gain is inevitable.
All that hard work to look great on the beach doesn’t have to be completely abolished, and letting loose on vacation doesn’t have to be out of the question. There’s one main key to staying fit: exercise (and a little consumption moderation).
Exercise rooms are a common amenity at many hotels and condominiums. Typically, guests have free access to these rooms, making exercise an attainable goal. Some places even go a step further and offer fitness vacation packages. Guests who take advantage of the Brett/Robinson fitness package, for example, can pay for exercise sessions with a personal trainer in Gulf Shores, Alabama—an ideal option for those who fear motivation may be an issue.
Even if a fitness room isn’t an option, exercise is not out of the question. Walking, running, and rollerblading are good choices that require little or no equipment. Another option is to bring a bicycle on the trip, or rent one—bike rental shops are popular in many vacation areas.
And while indulging the taste buds shouldn’t be out of the question, exercising a little self-control regarding food and drink will help stave off the extra pounds. Making a grocery list and sticking to it helps prevent picking up various “little treats,” which eventually add up to big calorie counts. Limiting dinners out will also help reduce the weight gain—and the extra post-vacation diet and exercise.
