We went to breakfast this weekend while on vacation. We are in the middle of the woods in the North, the restaurant we went to was a little down home cooking spot popular with the locals. The menu looked delicious, BUT not very nutritious. I was a little worried at first but decided to just ask if they could substitute the regular eggs of the omelet for egg whites, add more veggies and have an english muffin versus toast! And you know what??? They were MORE than happy to help me out and substitute those things!
Was it hard not having the pancakes and stuffing my face with the DELICIOUS corn beef hash at the table! (YES, I did have a bite, oooo it was good!!) But you know what? My meal was very delicious as well, I didn't even focus on what I was eating due to the great conversation and people and afterword I felt great I stuck to my lifestyle!
It got me thinking and inspired me to write about STICKING TO HEALTHY choices and diet while on vacation!
WHAT???!!
I know, I know this can be so hard! But NOT impossible!
1. RELAX!
So the first step is not to worry so much about what you are eating and just FOCUS on making better decisions versus completely not eating things you want to eat. The reason this is the first step is because you are on VACATION! It should be FUN not stressful! You shouldn't be worrying about every single thing you put in your mouth and what times you are eating and when and where! You should be focusing on having fun and creating memories!
DON'T confuse this step with eating everything you want, whenever you want and completely forgetting about healthy choices. What I am saying is, DO NOT deprive yourself!! While still practicing moderation and healthy substitutions whenever you can. That way you give yourself the leeway to enjoy the atmosphere, and foods without completely shattering your diet and regressing on your progress.
2. THINK AHEAD!
Try and PREPARE yourself for whatever food situation you are going to face. Before you go to a restaurant, check out their menus online, going somewhere with nothing but unhealthy snacking options? (grandma's house, haha)? Bring your OWN snacks! Staying somewhere that won't have foods you eat on a constant basis and not the best options?? Buy and bring your own foods and that way you have them available! Most of the time, people will not be offended that you are trying to live healthier and be HAPPY to help. If you are afraid someone will be offended, talk to them about before hand!
3. SUBSTITUTIONS!
Make sure you are watching what is in your food... Ok, so you want to have a burger! The great thing is that MANY places will have no problem substituting certain ingredient! Don't be afraid to ask! Go head and ask if they have a leaner beef they can use or even a different type of meat (Buffalo is super lean and taste just like beef, better!) Ask if they have a whole wheat bun or only eat one of the buns! Instead of fries, see if they have sweet potato fries, and if they can bake them instead! TADA!!! You were STILL able to have the burger and fries, just on the healthier side without having to sacrifice in taste and the experience and without feeling deprived! Don't be afraid to ask for substitutions!
4. PORTION CONTROL!
You are having a great time! And making smarter choices while still experiencing the sites, and taste, but don't forget to still practice PORTION CONTROL! While on vacation, we tend to eat out much more, which is great and so fun! Problem is that it is easy to forget that restaurant portions are not proper portions, they tend to be much bigger! WATCH out for how much of something you are eating! Try ordering half portions if available, ask them to box half of the order BEFORE they give you the plate (you won't miss the food that is boxed up) or ordering the smaller options. That way you don't feel deprived of not being able to eat it all because there isn't that much of it to begin with. The best part I like about this step is not having to have the, "OHHHhhhh I ate TOO MUCH," tired, groggy feeling. And it still keeps you motivated to keep having fun on your vacation versus needing a nap! haha
5. Don't fall victim to PEER PRESSURE!
This is a HARD one... You see your friends, family, skinny cousin (who can eat anything and not gain weight because her metabolism is just that fast, that you are jealous of but DON'T be), and you start thinking, "well, they are eating it, I should eat it too!" DON'T LISTEN to that voice! hahah Just because they are eating something doesn't mean you have to as well! Remember, it's your body and you know it best. The CALORIES you eat on vacation are not FREE and they are still contribute to your diet! But again, don't feel so pressured to stick to your diet to where it makes you sad or overwhelmed and as if you are not having any fun! You don't want to have a healthy lifestyle be a miserable one! So if you do decide to eat something not so healthy just remember it is temporary decision and get back to your healthy habits!
6. Listen to your BRAIN not your GUT!
Don't listen to your gut when it says you NEED that HUGE piece of cheesecake after dinner or your gut when it says you need to eat all the snacks at the table while playing board games with your family. Listen to your brain, because most of the time those decisions to eat are out of BOREDOM! Avoid this! Drink water and see if you still NEED it... if you do, practice moderation, again, just take enough to satisfy the itch of having some! Listen, to your gut when it says you are full. Stop eating then, don't overeat due to it tasting good. You brain is on your side, your gut, well, that can be a glutinous FOOL! hahah
7. Fall of the wagon? GET BACK ON!
You ate something that isn't conducive to your diet or lifestyle, not the best choice??? Fall off your diet for a meal, a day???? WHO HASN'T! What is the difference between people who are successful and those that don't necessarily met their weight loss/healthy living goals??!!! THEY GOT BACK ON, their healthy lifestyle and weight loss journey! A bad meal, bad day, bad week, bad weigh in, doesn't mean you should give up and forget about your goals! It happens to all of us! If it did, guess what?? Get back ON that healthy lifestyle wagon and ride it till your goals! We all have bad days, sometimes days, and week! Key is to NOT GIVE UP!
8. HAVE FUN!
It is a VACATION! Have FUN!!!! Don't stress so much about every little thing you eat, as long as you practice moderation and try to stick to healthier eating options you should be fine! Even IF you regress a little on your diet, they key is you had fun, built precious memories and you go back to LIVING healthy and making the best choices once your vacation is over! At the end of the day life is about memories, it is precious and wondrous, too busy and too short. Take the TIME to make happy memories and don't let being so worried about being "skinny" or overly healthy ruin your good time! Trust me, I have been working a long time to master this but just try to remember to relax and ENJOY!
Hope this helps!!!
I will be SO very busy working on relaxing! hahah I will post again next week!
I love you for reading!
Fatfreevee
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