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traineo Community / Off-Topic & General Chat / diet and exercise on vacation
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THE NEW ME
The Master
Posts: 2856
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 # Posted: 30 Apr 2008 18:29


just wondering how you handle your diet and exercise on vacation? if you go away and your plan is to maintain your weight, what would you do with your diet and exercise routine?
thanks!
Allison Ann
traineo Regular
Posts: 65
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 # Posted: 30 Apr 2008 18:38


Generally when I go on vacation I try to eat light for breakfast and lunch, and then what I want for dinner. I also make sure to work out every day, and to walk everywhere (if possible).

I've usually managed to maintain or even lose weight on most of my vacations. Beach vacations are the worst though because it usually involves a good deal of drinking and lying on the beach! I think I'm going to try and run on the beach next time I go and limit my drinking (always the hardest part for me!)
Rachael M
The Master
Posts: 2299
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 # Posted: 30 Apr 2008 18:39


That's a good question Jenn. Old Me would have said "Screw the diet. I'm on vacation." New Me is a bit more cautious. I haven't really been on a real vacation since I've returned to healthy ways again so I can't say for sure how I will handle it, but I still think it is important to have a good time on vacation, and yes that includes good food, but getting hog-wild crazy is not very good either. It's all about finding the balance.

And for exercise, that depends a lot on where you are going. Is is a short enough distance that I can take my bike? Does the hotel where I'm staying have a decent work out room? I definitely try to keep the training going even while out of town.
Elicia :)
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 117
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 # Posted: 30 Apr 2008 23:23


I second Allison. If it's a beach vacation I'll try and run on the beach in the morning or at least walk up and down the beach during the afternoon instead of lying still all day. I walk every where I can and eat light during the day since dinners are usually out. For breakfast I'll try to stick with fruit cups and yogurt or egg white omelets. Lunches are always salads and for dinner - usually fish and veggies. It's the drinking that kills me on vacation! And the ice cream if I go someplace warm
Definitely check and see if your hotel has a gym and hit it first thing in the am if possible. And take the stairs instead of the elevator to get back and forth to your room. But for the most part.....it is vacation so enjoy it! If i'm away for 5 days and can squeeze some sort of activity into 2 or 3 of those days, I'm happy. And as soon as you get home you'll return back to your normal eating and exercise patterns so you'll be fine.
hope you're going someplace good!!
Elicia :)
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 117
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 # Posted: 30 Apr 2008 23:26 - Edited by: elicia11


i don't know if you get these emails....but after i posted i got this!

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_arti cles.asp?id=231

it has some good tips.
THE NEW ME
The Master
Posts: 2856
Post History
 # Posted: 1 May 2008 02:04


thanks for the info everyone and article (elicia). all very helpful tips. i am not going away right now but it was just something i was thinking of. thankfully im not a drinker so that helps alot.
Clifford Chinn
Fitness Guru
Posts: 470
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 # Posted: 1 May 2008 07:57


Everything has 0 calories and is loaded with nutrients when you're on vacation!

Mostly when I travel I try to time my week off from the gym to coincide with the trip, so there's less pressure to actually train with the same intensity while I'm away ("week off" means light-to-moderate cardio and reduced weight training though). A lot of hotels and resorts have SOME kind of exercise equipment and every cruise I've been on has had a gym. Plus there's the nightly dancing and what not if you're someplace where that happens (and is appropriate!)

As far as diet, in the past I tended to just let myself go, but I've never been as food conscious as I have been in the past 4-5 months. Honestly though, you're on vacation; one week won't destroy your physique or health... if eating is your thing, you might as well enjoy it, especially if you go someplace where there actually is a local cuisine... if you live in NYC and take a trip to Chicago, maybe not so much, but Italy or Mexico? Why miss out?
THE NEW ME
The Master
Posts: 2856
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 # Posted: 1 May 2008 10:16


thanks clifford. how often do you take "weeks off?"
Stephanie Q
traineo Regular
Posts: 40
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 # Posted: 1 May 2008 16:33


I usually try to go to the gym in the the hotel. Mornings before breakfast is a good time, that is if I have not been up till late. If not, I try to walk all the time. Also, being on vacation with people helps me not snack mindlessly. And always drink water water water! In restaurants, just let them keep refilling your glass.
Dean Grimshawe
Fitness Guru
Posts: 1178
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 # Posted: 1 May 2008 17:37


I find a break is exactly that, a break!!

Of course be mindful of your long term goals but don't sweat it too much
Clifford Chinn
Fitness Guru
Posts: 470
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 # Posted: 1 May 2008 21:48


Quoting: jenngetfit
thanks clifford. how often do you take "weeks off?"


I aim to go at least 6-8 weeks before I take a week off; when I'm not planning around a vacation I just listen to my body: when I start feeling like I haven't recovered from a workout a week ago that's usually an indication that my body wants to rest. I'll actually probably take next week off, as my strength progress kind of flattened from last week to this week (I'm usually able to throw on at least a pair of small plates like 5s on compared to the previous week for most exercises, not this week though!)
THE NEW ME
The Master
Posts: 2856
Post History
 # Posted: 2 May 2008 00:07


thanks all. thanks clifford.
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