Vacation Planning 101

Summer time is synonymous with vacation time. Vacation time is oftentimes synonymous with sugary alcohol laden drinks, family celebrations with Aunt Matilda’s famous macaroni salad and s’mores by the campfire. All this can lead to calorie overload and easily losing focus of the health goals one has set for their self.


Here are some tips you can keep in mind while planning for some summertime fun.

1. Scout out physical activities to keep you exploring at your vacation destination. Websites like TripAdvisor.com allow people to post questions and get feedback regarding specific destinations. So, if you are planning a trip to Arizona and want to explore the Grand Canyon log onto Trip Advisor.com and read up on the various activities to do in the area. It may be too hot during this time of year to hike all day in the Grand Canyon, but you will certainly find lots of other activities to partake in. With a little planning ahead, you will avoid finding yourself bored in the hotel room ready to call room service or even worse – open that mini bar.

2. Pack along breakfast, and if possible, lunch too. You will more than likely find yourself eating dinner out (and you should - exploring the different cuisine that is served wherever you may find yourself is half the fun of vacation!). If you are able to start the day off on a healthy foot, the rest of the day will more than likely follow suit. Plus, breakfast foods are easy to pack and transport. If you usually eat peanut butter toast with honey for breakfast, you may have to do without the “toasting” part, but otherwise you can still enjoy your regular, nutrient dense breakfast.

3. Since you will be eating out for most of your dinners plan on splitting dinners with your travel companion(s). Most restaurants do not charge any extra to split a dinner, and you will also be saving a substantial amount of money over the course of the vacation. If you can’t agree on what dish to split with someone, take half of it back to the hotel with you. (Keep this in mind when booking your hotel room – make sure it has a mini fridge!) If you don’t have any way to keep the leftover food cold… then leave half your dinner at the restaurant. There is no shame in not cleaning your plate, especially when that plate houses 3,000 calories.

4. If you are going to be consuming alcohol, limit yourself to just a few over the course of the vacation – and avoid blended drinks at all costs! Vodka and soda with a wedge of lime is a refreshing summer drink and has less than 100 calories. If you need a little more flavor – ask the bartender to throw in a splash (and I mean jus t a splash) of cranberry juice, or add a squeeze of lemon. ALWAYS have a glass of water nearby and be sure to hydrate properly.

5. Get back to your regular routine as soon as you return from vacation. If you found yourself overindulging one too many times during your vacation – don’t let that behavior follow you home. Get back to making healthy living your main focus, and get back into your regular (healthy) routine as soon as you step in your door.

6. Start planning for your next vacation right now. Do your research and find somewhere to visit and explore that promotes living a healthy lifestyle. If you like to walk/run and think races are really fun, plan your next vacation around a really cool out-of-state race, like the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half/Marathon in San Diego.

Happy Vacation Planning!

Emma and I hiking in the Rocky Mountains. She was 9 months old at the time and quite the trooper.