Keeping Your Health Goals While On Vacation
Trish Hayes
Luckily for you, it is easier now more than ever to keep yourself on track while you travel. We will go over some tips and tricks to have you feeling confident next time you’re ready to escape for the weekend or take that business trip.
Keeping Your Health Goals While On Vacation
You begin your health and wellness journey with a plan to eat right and work out regularly. From there, you put your strategy in motion. You are feeling unstoppable and are starting to see great results. Then, you go on a trip and start to slip. Either you forgot to pack fitness clothes, the gym is not what you are used to, there are not a lot of healthy options or you're simply in vacation mode. Before you know it, you fell off the wagon and lost motivation. Has this happened to you before? Don't worry this is not the intro to a cheesy infomercial. We just know the feeling and understand how hard it can be continue on your health journey after an initial mistake. Let's take a step back and ask ourselves "what is the reason I wanted to eat right and workout in the first place?" Was it to look good for a getaway or was it to enhance your wellness over all? If it is the latter, then now ask yourself what that really looks like for you. That might now include the importance of sticking to your routine even while on vacation. Luckily for you, it is easier now more than ever to keep yourself on track while you travel. We will go over some tips and tricks to have you feeling confident next time you're ready to escape for the weekend or take that business trip. Don't worry, you can still have fun and make better choices at the same time!
7 Tips For Staying Healthy On Vacation
1. Tap Into The "Why" Of Your Fitness And Weight Loss Goals.
We had you ask yourself this question already, but now let's dive in a bit further. Dig deep, and get past surface reasons such as washboard abs or fitting back into your jeans from high school. Do you want to weigh less so you have more energy to play with your kids? That will keep you motivated much more than just wanting to lose weight. Tap into you why, and let it fuel you.
2. Drink Tons Of Water When Traveling.
Water keeps you feeling full for longer, keeps you away from sodas and sugar-filled drinks, and cuts down your overall calorie intake. It can also be easy to confuse thirst for hunger, which might cause you to overeat or make poor food choices and if done regularly can result in unnecessary weight gain. Drinking the right amount of water can give you better control of how much food you consume. If Scottsdale, Arizona is your destination, you'll want to stay extra hydrated before you start seeing a mirage oasis in the desert. One way to help with preventing dehydration is to balance your water consumption with your alcohol and sugary drink intake, so for every margarita you should also have a full glass of water.
3. When It Comes To Food, Try To Plan Ahead.
Read the menu ahead of time. Look at what healthy options they feature or see what items can be substituted for items more in line with your diet. If you are still unsure, you can always call the restaurant and see what they recommend for you and your restrictions. If you really can't bring yourself to skip on that queso fundido you've been dreaming about for months, consider splitting portion sizes, it's only half the calories.
Now, let's play devil's advocate for a second and consider two thoughts on indulging while on vacay. First, eat snacks to fill you between larger meals. Nuts, plain yogurt with fruits, veggies, and organic jerky are all great options to hold you over. Second, alternatively, eat whatever you want and as much as you want, but limit the TIMES you eat. Perhaps play around with only eating 2x per day at specific times, or only eating specifically when hungry. It is vacation after all, and one of the best parts of vacation is all the food!
4. Get Enough Sleep.
It is typically recommended that adults get 7-9 hours of sleep a night, however these hours vary depending on age, activeness, health, etc. Once you know how many hours you should be resting, you should try to stick to that, even on vacation. We know the excitement of all the fun adventures you have planned might make it harder to fall asleep but you also want to make sure you have enough energy to experience it, right? Ear plugs and eye masks are a great way to block out sound and light for an even deeper sleep. Meditation before bed can also help relax the mind. Even 5-10 minutes will put you in a Zen state and have you ready to count sheep. Furthermore, remember, the more comfortable the bed, the better the sleep. Fairmont hotels partners with Stearns & Foster and Sealy Posturepedic for mattresses that deliver opulent comfort.
5. Hike Locally, Take Fitness Classes, Use The Hotel Gym, And Do Other Activities Like Golfing.
If you came to Arizona to experience the sunshine, take full advantage of it by going on a hike. Not only will you feel the sunrays gently warming up your skin but you get to immerse yourself in the true beauty of the Sonoran Desert. There are trails for beginners as well as those looking for a challenge. Here is a list of some of our local favorites.
With miles of greens in Scottsdale, it's every golfer's dream! A day on the course is another perfect way to stay active and have fun at the same time!
If you do not want to leave our stunning resort, you can always take a stroll around our grounds. Even if it's just 20-30 min, you will get many health benefits including help with digestion of that overly indulgent meal you just split with your besties. Our property is 65 acres of pure beauty for your enjoyment.
For an elevated fitness experience, visit our spa gym (complimentary for Fairmont Gold stays and spa guests) which includes "matrix" branded equipment/machines, kettle bells, InBody scanner – bioelectrical impedance machine for body comp, Peloton, Larger selection of kettlebells, free weights and medicine balls and TRX. Our Well & Being Spa offers 5-6 classes per day, totaling 41 classes per week, and offer a variety of formats from yoga, to spin, HIIT pilates, strength training and more (complimentary add-on with any spa treatment). We also offer two fitness centers, one in the hotel and one in the spa. The hotel gym has all your basic bases covered to get a quick workout in.
If you are trying to pack light or don't want to stress about bringing your bulky workout shoes, check out the hotel programs like Fairmont Fit. We have partnered with Reebok to let guests borrow shoes and exercise apparel during their stay. Now you are ready to tackle any workout in style and not let your excuses get in your way.
Lastly, invest in a membership with a boutique gym, fitness app, or virtual trainers that travels with you! Many of the virtual trainer apps like Nike Training and Sweat even have programs based on the amount of equipment you have to work with, so you can even get a great workout in from the comfort of your room.
Leave the stress at home and if you have a few cheat meals, make sure they are at least worth it! After all, you are here to experience new and exciting things. As long as you remember "why" you decided to change your lifestyle to begin with, it will be easier to stay on track of your goals or bounce back if you happen to stray a little.