Women Explain How They Lost Weight On Vacation
Yes, you can totally do it. No, you don’t have to stop eating.
Vacation, that beautiful time when you get to escape day-to-day drudgery, is usually synonymous with indulgence. While in your normal life, you’re probably all about sticking to your healthy-eating plan and clocking regular hours at the gym. When you’re traveling, you probably let all of that slide. You might even think making any weight-loss progress on vacay is pretty much impossible, right? Wrong! These seven women shed pounds while taking time off, and some even brought those tips back home to keep the momentum going. See their genius tricks.
“On my most recent vacation, my family and I went to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. It was quieter than our typical vacations, and I was worried about filling my days. But I guess the relaxed atmosphere really suits me because I ended up coming home five pounds lighter since we were so active. I started each day with an eight-mile bike ride near the beach, and our days were filled with things like a group runs, paddle boarding, kayaking, beach volleyball, and even group burpees and abs exercises, which didn’t feel like torture to do. I found that when left to my own devices, my default is actually active.” Alyssa L.
Youre Going To Have To Put On Your Swimmers
In Malaysia, I felt risqué in my bikini, so I went and bought a tankini and swim skirt. After that trip, I headed to the beaches of Mexico and I felt like a nun. Everybody was in a bikini. But after having my body covered in so much material I was loathed to start stripping.
Back home you may find yourself drinking the best tasting protein powder for weight loss just to fit into a bikini for your beach vacation and maybe youll keep drinking them during your vacation too.
Vacation Diet Tip No : Have Dessert But Share
Part of being on vacation is enjoying life, and part of enjoying life is ordering dessert when you really want to. If your meal has left you satisfied, you can take your dessert with you and enjoy it later when you are hungry again. You can also share your dessert with one or more dining partners, either at the table or later on.
Often it’s the first few bites that we most enjoy anyway. So aim for satisfying your dessert craving with a handful of bites that you take the time to savor.
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I Ate At Regular Meal Times
The French are notoriously rigid about their meal times. Restaurants are open for lunch from 12 to 2 and again for dinner from 7 to 9. If you miss the boat, you miss it. We were almost turned away on at least one occasion for arriving late, and we skipped a meal or two because it wasnt the right time to eat.
If we were hungry in the off hours, particularly when on the road, we just ate a piece of fruit and waited for the right time. When I did eat, I was truly hungry, which makes me question if Americans have a different definition of hungry than the French.
Ive heard that grazing all day is healthy for you, but Im starting to question that practice.
Questions To Reveal Your Exercise Personality
You dont need a long personality test to determine how to get and stay motivated. Simply answering these questions can help you find the exercise plan that works for you.
Choosing activities that align with your personality and lifestyle will help you lose that post-vacation weight.
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Eat Clean All Week And Beyond
“The next few days are extremely important for nourishment: Focusing on whole foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, and avoiding all processed food is a great idea,” says Hayim. “Without limiting calories, make it a priority to increase the nutrient density of each of your meals.” Here’s your ultimate plan for eating cleanso you can feel great all the way until your next getaway!
Maintain Movement And Take The Stairs
Whether vacation takes you on a cruise ship, to a sun-kissed beach or a remote mountain getaway, you don’t have to revert into an invertebrate and slug around everywhere. Take the stairs! Tell escalators and elevators you’re not interested in convenience you need movement! This was resoundingly the #1 piece of advice Cooking Light Diet Community members gave to Jackie about her pending vacation. Wake up early, get some steps in to get the blood flowing, and start your day off already feeling great about maintaining.
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You Load Up On Free Food
Just because the breakfast bar and lounge snacks are free doesn’t mean you won’t pay for them. According to one survey, 60 percent of travelers admitted to sneaking food from the hotel breakfast bar. If that’s the case, we hope you’re grabbing a piece of fruit instead of processed cereal, cheese danish, or instant oatmeal packet. All these breakfast buffet items are packed with waist-widening, diabetes-inducing, blood-pressure-raising sugar.
You Picked The Wrong Kind Of Vacation
Certain kinds of vacationslike road tripsmake it harder than others to maintain a healthy diet or workout routine. While a road trip is a great opportunity to tour the country, the essence of the vacation is sitting stationary in a car all day. Besides lacking time for exercise, sitting in a car all day is a little boring, and when you’re bored, you lose your ability to make smart food choices. According to a study in the Journal of Health Psychology, you become an “emotional eater” who can not only make the wrong food choices, but you can also eat more of those fattening foods than you normally would.
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Vacation Diet Tip No : Go Fishing In Restaurants
Make it a point to enjoy seafood when you eat out. It’s a great way to get your weekly dose of fish and their heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. But there is a catch — avoid battered and fried fish dishes. Instead, look for grilled selections. If the fish dish comes with a sauce, just order it on the side.
Feeling Puffy After Vacation A Few Tips To Feel Like You Again
Hi there!
I just got back from St. Maarten with my Dad on Sunday. When I was younger, my Dad used to travel a ton for work and we didnt see him as much as we or he would have wanted to, so he started a tradition of taking each one of us kids on a father/daughter or father/son trip every 3rd year.
My first father/daughter trip was when I was 10 years old, and every few years I get the chance to go away with him for a few days. These are some of the most special times to bond with my Dad, and over the years weve created so many fun and meaningful memories.
This year it was my year to go away with him, and we both decided that all we wanted to do was chill out for a few days. Weve both been working a ton and we both hate the cold winters, so we decided to do a relaxing beach weekend in the Caribbean.
Heres some pics from my trip:
Hiking!
A gorgeous treetop restaurant/bar at the base of the mountain:
One of our many soufflés:
One of our many bottles of wine that we shared:
Roasted camembert cheese to die for:
The cutest menu at our favorite happy hour spot:
Dad:
Watching the sunrise:
As we headed home yesterday, I felt puffy, as I often do after spending 3 or 4 days eating every single meal out, drinking lots of wine, and having extravagant desserts every night.
I loved every moment of my trip and enjoyed every chocolate soufflé and glass of wine without guilt, but I was also craving vegetables, moving my body, and lots of water.
I cant wait to hear!
Love,
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Dont Take Your Workout Clothes Off Ever
If you work from home, you can wear whatever you want, right? Im a writer. I wear my workout clothes all day long. I weave exercise into my daily routine: I walk at 5 am, 11 am, and 4 pm. I used to run, until I fell and broke my shoulder. Now I walk instead of jog and surprisingly, I havent gained weight. Walking outside helps reduce belly bloat, and so does walking inside on my treadmill.
A related tip for vacation weight loss is to keep your gym or fitness class bag packed. Try to minimize the obstacles that prevent you from getting the exercise you need. The more complicated or time-consuming it is to get your body moving, the less likely youll do it! Make it easy to lose weight by creating habits that help you get and stay organized. Habit is habit and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time, said Mark Twain.
Sleep In Your Workout Clothes
When I was trying to lose weight , a personal fitness trainer told me to sleep in my fitness clothes. Sounds crazy, but in winter I wear my sports bra and workout T-shirt to bed so its super-easy to get out the door on cold dark mornings, she said. I tried it, and I love it! I dont wear Lulu Lemon workout clothes, I just wear an old T-shirt and leggings when I walk/jog. Theyre comfortable to sleep in, and I dont have to force myself to get dressed when I get up.
Do you wear tight-fitting fitness clothes or baggy T-shirts when you feel fat and constipated? Some women dont like the sloppiness of baggy workout clothes theyre more motivated to lose weight after a vacation if they were fitted fitness gear. This is another reason its so important to know yourself. What helps you get your body moving? Pay attention to what feels good and right to you. You may feel constipated and fat, and you may even regret everything you ate on your holidays because of the weight you gained. Let it go. Its time to listen to your body and give her what she needs now: TLC . Listening to your body isnt just about vacation weight loss, its an important sign of self-care and self-love.
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The Bottom Line On Water Weight
It can be intimidating or even nerve-wracking to see the scale shoot up in just a matter of days. But do your best to remember that the number you see isn’t a true representation of your body composition .
Everyone experiences water retention â some more than others. Although your first reaction to weight gain may be panic, keep in mind that water weight isn’t the same as fat. If you’re up 5 pounds after a fun-filled weekend, you can rest assured your weight gain is almost certainly just water.
Vacation Diet Tip No : Eat In Once A Day
To save both calories and money during your trip, try “eating in” for one meal a day. Pack some tried-and-true breakfast options in your luggage, like lower-sugar instant oatmeal, whole-grain breakfast cereal, power bars or breakfast bars . You can also find a local market and stock up on fresh fruit to have in your hotel room for breakfast and snacks.
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You Don’t Keep Your Normal Schedule
Even though vacation is a time to relax, that doesn’t mean your typical daily schedule should fly out the window. Researchers at Brown University have already shown that an erratic sleep schedule can sabotage a healthy diet and workout regimen enough to promote weight gain. Try to maintain as much of your normal nutrition and exercise routine as you canif you always start your day with oatmeal and a short jog, continue to do that. With all the unknowns in travel, it’s understandable that things might come up one day, and that’s ok. As long as you maintain your commitment to prioritizing healthy foods and exercise, it doesn’t matter so much how you do it as it does that you continue to do it.
Of Course Not All Weight Gain Is Bad But Getting On Track Can Be Easy
Still, if you do want to focus on getting healthier this fall, there are expert-approved ways to do so.
According to dietitian Elle Penner at MyFitnessPal, the end of summer marks the start of routine. “Routines are key when it comes to forming long-lasting healthy habits,” she told Womens Health, “Like making time for meal planning and physical activity.”
The start of fall also means comfortable weather for exercising outdoors, which can help with implementing an exercise regimen. “Hiking, nature walking, and raking leaves are great ways to take in the fall foliage and be active,” Penner explained.
The change of seasons can also promote lifestyle changes. Researchers have found that fresh starts like a new semester or entering a new month can encourage people to get healthy.
Fall is the perfect time to turn over a new leaf for healthy habits.
For more great stories, head to INSIDER’s homepage.
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Avoid Overly Restrictive Fad And Very Low Calorie Diets
Juice cleanses, 500-calorie-a-day plans, influencer weight loss challenges, liquid diets, and programs that rely on stimulants like caffeine pills are just a few examples of diets to avoid.
Even though programs that promise to help you lose 10 or more pounds in a week may be tempting, theyre not worth your time, energy, or money and can take a toll on your physical and mental health.
Weight loss is not about punishing yourself or suffering through a diet that you hate. A healthy, sustainable, weight-loss-promoting dietary pattern should be nourishing, enjoyable, and give you the energy you need to feel your best.
Drink 2 Cups Of Water Upon Waking
Yes, that means 16 ounces! “New research from the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics confirmed what we see daily as registered dietitians: It showed that people who increased their water by one, two or three cups a day ate up to 205 calories less daily, and they took in up to 200 fewer milligrams of sodium daily,” say The Nutrition Twins. What’s this mean for you? Drink more waterand ultimately this equals fat loss and less bloat. “Start your day on the right track,” they continue. “Water is invigorating and will wake up you and your digestive tract water is refreshing and will boost your energy while also pushing out the leftovers from last night that that are lingering in the colon. It will help to flush out body-bloating salt and water, will prevent dehydration, and will give your body what it needs for its’ chemical reactions to make energy.” Okay, we’re sold. Time to guzzle that H20!
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You Choose Nothing Over Something
“It’s too hot.” “I’m tired.” “I deserve a break.” There are endless excuses you can come up with on vacation to support your indulgences and stray from your exercise routine. While a packed schedule, a smaller hotel gym, or no gym at all might mean you can’t do your usual hour-long workout, that doesn’t mean you should do nothing instead. Something is always better than nothing, even if it’s just a 20-minute ab and pushup routine in your room or a long walk on the beach.
Body Care Is Just As Important For Body Balance
Taking a bath on a regular basis instead of a shower is common in Japanese culture. But what you might not know is that taking a bath can help you with your weight.
In Japan, its common for women to do a half-bath which is where you fill the tub to just under your chest level, and soak for about 20 minutes in water between 38-42 degrees.
As it turns out, taking a bath can help your body burn as many calories as taking a half-hour walk. It can reduce blood sugar levels, lower inflammation, and help you have better quality sleepall of which are great aids for weight loss and body balance.
Making sure that your food is easy for your body to digest and that you have strong circulation and warmth is important for body balance
According to research studies on taking baths for passive heating, you can achieve these results by raising your body temperature by one degree Celsius. So, while the Japanese recommend 38-42 degrees to be the perfect bath range, youre going to reap the benefits as long as you set your bath to at least 37 degrees.
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You May Lose More Muscle And Water Weight
Studies show that rapid weight loss is generally accompanied by more lost muscle and water weight compared with slower weight loss methods.
In a small study in 42 people with overweight or obesity, one group lost 5% of their body weight over 5 weeks through a daily 1,0001,500 calorie deficit, while another group lost 5% of their body weight over 15 weeks with a 500750 calorie deficit .
At the end of the study, the people in the rapid weight loss group lost less body fat, more muscle mass, and more water weight compared with the slow weight loss group .