You have spent the last few weeks/months working hard on eating healthy, losing weight and changing your unhealthy habits You are now feeling great and can’t wait for your holiday.
But for a lot of us there is a little worry about how will I manage my weight on holidays? The last thing you want is to undo all the good work that you have been putting in. But don’t worry, maintaining your weight on your holidays is a lot more manageable with these 5 top tips.
No. 1 – Positive Attitude.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to have a healthy positive attitude while losing and maintaining your weight. Focus on what your break away is all about, relaxation, time with family and friends and time for yourself. Food is purely a medium that brings us together we need to eat to live but eating healthy balanced meals while you are away will leave you feeling great.
If we allow our negative thoughts to creep in eg. “It’s not fair I’m on my holidays I should be able to eat what I want. I deserve it”. Ask your self what do you deserve ? A few minutes of instant gratification from that something sweet/savoury or that fantastic feeling that you have from eating healthy.
NO. 2- Have a Plan.
If you are in self-catering accommodation plan to make breakfast and lunch at home. Bring a healthy picnic to the beach to avoid unhealthy lunch time choices, ( you know it never tastes as good as you think it will). Use some of the healthy protein snack options or better yet bring your protein bars/drinks with you. If somebody else in your group makes a choice to have the burger and chips for lunch, that is their choice! Focus on the positive reasons for sticking to your healthy choices.
Remember never tell yourself you can’t have something, instead remind yourself that “I can have it if I choose, but today I choose not to have it”. Practice makes perfect when it comes to choosing healthy over unhealthy.
NO. 3- All Inclusive
Oh the old All Inclusive ! How many times have we found ourselves feeling like kids in the candy shop, Temptation everywhere and the desire to try it all. Remember you are going to be there for a few days and the food really doesn’t change that much so you don’t have to try it all at once. Make it a rule that you will only go up once. If you want, get one plate and fill it with some yummy fresh veg or salad to have as a little extra in case your still hungry.
Your main meal plate ideally should be three quarters with veg or salad and a quarter with meat (sauces on the side) If you fancy something sweet a little fruit and natural yoghurt for afters is great.
NO. 4- Fit in some exercise
You are on your holidays you want to relax. But if you can squeeze some walking in you will feel great for it. Maybe after your main meal or first thing in the morning. If you are at a pool get in and do 10 lengths or take part in the aqua aerobics class that those chirpy energetic reps are always encouraging you to try.
NO. 5- Moderation
Nobody wants to feel deprived when they are on holidays and a little what we fancy is not the end of the world. If you fancy something sweet have a scoop of ice-cream just make it one not two. If you enjoy a few drinks keep them till the evening time during or after your dinner. Get plenty of water in.
Eat regularly throughout the day and make sure to have a source of protein with each meal and snack. Enjoy smaller portion sizes at each meal and this will allow for the little extra something sweet or savoury.
I could list this as NO. 6 for maintaining your weight on your holidays but please drink your daily water requirement – at least 2 litres. Throughout our blog posts you’ll find constant reminders on the importance of water. Water is particularly important when you’re trying to achieve a healthy weight loss, as it improves the digestive system so that fats are eliminated from the body more efficiently. In effect, drinking water helps to flush your system out. It also reduces fluid retention and decreases the appetite.
Maintaining your weight on your holidays is well within your reach.
Have a great holiday!
