18th May, 2019
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No one’s saying don’t have fun while on vacation, but why derail your fitness progress in the bargain, right? Here are easy tips on both diet and exercise to help you keep in shape even when on a break.
WORK IT OUT
- Ensure the place you are staying at, be it a hotel or an apartment, has a fitness center or a swimming pool. Even 45 minutes at the gym or in the pool will keep you energetic and refreshed throughout the day.
- Avoid using elevators and take the stairs instead wherever and whenever you can.
- The best way to see any place is on foot—so ensure you pack you walking shoes and soak in the sights and sounds of the place you are visiting.
- Adventure holidays have now become hugely popular—you get to see your destination in a very different perspective through activities like trekking, rock climbing, rafting and tennis. Explore the traveller in you!
- Enjoy the ambience and indulge in traditional games you may have played as kids, or go cycling. Most properties now offer courts for basketball, volleyball, cricket and even golf courses. Give the telly a skip, and get outdoors instead.
MAKE WISE FOOD DECISIONS
- Portion control is key, even when on holiday. Buffets, especially, can ruin the calorie count for the day. Request for quarter plates and fill these up with healthier choices. You can always eat your dessert (in portion, and the healthier option, the better) later, we don’t want you to miss out on anything yum!
- Skipping meals is the worst thing you can do to your body, especially when on holiday. Have small, frequent meals every three hours to keep your metabolism high. Having a large dinner at the end of the day will make you feel bloated and uncomfortable.
- Breakfast like a King, no matter where you are. Balance your carbohydrates with proteins like eggs or baked beans, cereal with milk, idli with sambar etc. Stay clear from spoilers like puri bhaji, hash browns, pancakes, waffles, muffins, pastries, croissants and the like. Tea and coffee, of course, are allowed as they work as stimulators and keep you going throughout the day.
- Balance your meals—have all food groups in the right proportion at the appropriate times with all the vital nutrients necessary.
- It’s easy to get carried away by the yummy goodies you see at fancy bakeries when away. The best thing to prevent bingeing on junk is to carry healthy snacks like baked puris, dal khakras, roasted chana, fruits, nuts, etc. In terms of fluids, besides plain water, opt for ice tea or fresh lime soda instead of fizzy drinks, juices and milkshakes.
- Avoid having caffeinated drinks in excess. Skimmed or low fat milk and curd are better options that their full fat versions. Opt for 1-1.5% fat milk rather than 3% fat milk, which increases your calorie intake and fat content unnecessarily.
- Dinners need to be planned well. Before the main course, have a soup or salad to fill up. Try and avoid, or then limit your carbohydrate intake and stick to proteins and fibre that would keep you satiated.
- Desserts are tempting, we can’t deny that. So rather than pastries, cakes and ice-creams, choose low calorie options like sorbets, fruit platters or fruit puddings.
- It’s important to keep in mind, that no matter where you are, you must have proteins (milk, curd, dal, sprouts, chicken, fish etc.) at all main meals.
- Always keep yourself well-hydrated. Either carry your bottled water in your bag, or then ask for sparkling water with slices of lemon when at a cafe or restaurant.
