I just finished my week off of school for spring break. I am not sure why my county decided to do Spring Break a week before everyone else but they did. So, I just returned from a week in Florida with my best friend and her kiddos. We always stay at her parent’s house and it truly is a “vacation.” The grandparents not only take care of the kids but they also take care of us! Kristen and I barely have to cook while we are there (with the exception of a few breakfasts and lunches) and we don’t ever have to do dishes or clean. Like I said, it truly is a vacation.
Now, simply because I am on vacation does not mean that I can let go and do whatever I want. ESPECIALLY in terms of eating and exercise. When we walked in, this giant bowl of gummies were staring at me:
I had to remember my commitment to not eat sweets and I am proud to say I did not eat ONE gummy…not ONE! That alone is a victory for me!
A week off is just like any other week…you have to stay focused on what is most important to you. For me, it is losing weight. In order to do that, I have come up with a top five list for how to stay focused while on Spring Break or vacation!
1. TRACK – Just because you are eating out more than you normally would or eating someone else’s cooking does not mean you should stop tracking altogether. If you are like me, you want it to be perfect. Well, that isn’t always possible. For me, Kristen’s mom was cooking and her recipes are dee-lish. That means I have no idea what is in them. However, I can guesstimate. Isn’t making a good guess better than nothing? To add to that, there were certainly days that I went over my calorie goal such as:
BUT…tracking kept me from eating “one more thing because I have blown it already!” While on vacation, track as best as you can. It will keep you semi-accountable for your actions!
2. EXERCISE – When at all possible, go for a walk, a fun, do some sit-ups, jumping jacks, anything. Almost every day Kristen and I would go for a walk. Yes, it was a bit slow (she is 6 months pregnant) but at least we got in some activity. AND…the activity points counteracted some of the food we were eating for dinner. Take the time to enjoy where you are and take a walk – even if you have a staycation and stay home! You never know what you will see when you get out there.
3. PLAN – This is super important when on vacation. For most, dinners are eaten out at a fancy restaurant and maybe a few cocktails will be consumed. Plan ahead and eat a lighter breakfast and lighter lunch. Save some calories for dinner time so you don’t go way overboard. A little planning goes a long way!
4. FORGIVE AND MOVE ON – Chances are, at some point on your spring break or vacation, you are going to screw up. You are going to go way over your daily target. It’s really ok. One bad day does not make a bad week. Forgive yourself and get right back on track the very next day. Wake up a new person who is committed to your goals.
5. RELAX – It is vacation after all. Relax and have fun! Stop stressing about your weight loss and your decisions and enjoy yourself. Stress can lead to weight gain so if you are stressing too much about your choices, you aren’t going to lose weight no matter how focused you are. R-E-L-A-X!
Overall, my spring break was great. I got to relax, spend time with friends, and for the most part, stay on track. I weigh in tomorrow so the truth will come out on the scale. It’s back to work for me tomorrow, wish me luck!
Are you planning a vacation soon? If so, where are you headed?
About Jennifer Swafford
