6 Tips to Avoid Vacation Weight Gain

It’s vacation season. You worked really hard to get your best summer body. And you want to keep it. But you also want to have fun and indulge yourself.
It’s so easy to abandon everything you know while on vacation and then return home unable to button your jeans. But it is possible to indulge in your favorite foods and beverages when vacationing and still maintain your weight. Before you order those Nachos and Pina Colada at the swim-up bar, consider the following strategies to avoid vacation weight gain.
Be Prepared. Make sure you have healthy food or snacks to eat when you travel, whether it be by plane or car. Eat a healthy meal before you leave, then pack non-perishable and satisfying snacks to avoid the temptation of unhealthy high-calorie foods.
Plan Ahead. Remember that vacations are not an excuse to take a break from health. Vacations should be used to refresh, relax and re-energize. Plan your vacations in locations that allow you to engage in physical activities you enjoy. Physical activity allows you to enjoy extra calories without weight gain. You should be able to fit in an hour of fun fitness like walking, swimming, kayaking or golfing every day.

Portion Control. Portion size counts even when you are on vacation. Enjoy whatever you like, just small portions. And eat slowly so you taste and enjoy the food. Relax, but, to avoid overeating, don’t linger around the table. Move the gathering to another area or location where you can enjoy the beauty of your vacation destination.
Caution When Dining Out. Eating out may be the biggest hurdle to avoiding vacation weight gain. You don’t know what is going into the foods you eat in restaurants. The only way to be sure is to ask and make special requests. The key is to order simply prepared foods and stay away from fried, crispy or creamy foods. Take simple steps such as drinking water instead of sodas, hold extras such as cheese or mayo, and top salads with low-fat dressings. These are ways to shave some calories to make room for special treats.
Indulge in Moderation. You are on vacation to have fun. The key is moderation when it comes to controlling calories from alcohol and treats. So, one Rum Punch followed by
water or one scoop of ice cream instead of that decadent triple fudge cake alamode will allow you to indulge while controlling your calorie intake.

Stay Active. Vacation is time to enjoy your favorite activities. Be sure to make fun activities a part of your vacation such as bicycling, kayaking, surfing, snorkeling, running, hiking, walking, or golfing. Take advantage of activities that you don’t have at home. Many resorts offer water aerobics, horseback riding and scuba diving lessons.