5 Tips for Getting Back on Track After Vacation 😊

My plan coming back from vacation is not in depth or complicated....I simply go back to my usual routine. The things we all know we should be doing, and vacation reset is a great time to refocus. The most important factor I attribute my health and fitness to is CONSISTENCY. I think that one component is the most important if I had to choose just one. I am not perfect, and certainly have areas of improvement, but I do think I’ve kept my body in a good space most of my life. And it’s not because I work overly hard, or make major sacrifices. I simply use moderation with everything and constantly assess where I need to balance out in life.

So, when I take a break on all of life for a few weeks of vacation(or any other life circumstances) it does not throw me off. There is a thing called vacation balance, which for me usually means no designated exercise and eating what I want. Sure there might be some fluff pounds when I get home, but they’re usually worth it. My body appreciates a break from time to time, and so does my mind!

As important as exercise and good nutrition is, an equally important component to my health is connection with my special people. This can’t be be accomplished if I’m only focused on myself. What drives me and how I enjoy time isn’t going to be what speaks to everyone. In order to fully connect I can’t be that person who is obsessing on diet all the time or when I’m going to get that next workout in. We all know that person right?!(Don’t be that person, please) There are times where fun and being in the moment need to be the only priority.

Getting back to my routine is always a positive challenge I invite. My workout and healthy lifestyle is fueled when I have purpose or a goal, and have had a chance to miss my practice. Here are the steps I take for immediate reset:

Plan meals for the week. I mean fully plan them out: look up recipes, plan out meal timing, check what ingredients are needed, and make a detailed grocery list. When tired or overwhelmed in life, food organization is a must. It’s much too easy to grab easy and less healthy items during times of busyness or stress. Have a plan!

1. Go grocery shopping. Make sure you’re able to actually be successful by having fresh food in your house. It’s also a great opportunity to purge old food that isn’t serving you, and only add in vibrant foods to start back new habits that will uplift you. Organize the groceries in the fridge and pantry in a way that the options are fully visible. Then everything is set for food prep.

2. Ease back into workouts using intuition. It’s easy to want to go all out when you’re rested and have some serious goals in mind. But your body is most likely in a different space after taking a break, and you have to respect the process of getting back in shape. Definitely break a sweat and feel a little muscle burn, but also realize what areas of the body are excessively tight and focus on mobility. No sense in risking an injury as a setback. That will not help the cause.

3. HYDRATE!!!! This is probably the one thing I preach the most, because it’s a serious component that most think about, but don’t actually achieve. Hydration is crucial for body function, including heart, brain and muscles. Fluids carry nutrients to your cells, flush bacteria from your bladder, and help prevent bowel buildup. Usually after travel I’m pretty dehydrated and usually dealing with bloat, water retention, and fatigue. Water is my best friend and quickest way to feel better always.

4. Last but certainly not least is: Sleep. Sleep plays a vital roll in health and well being. When you sleep your brain recharges, your cells repair themselves, and your body releases important hormones. When your body is out of whack due to time changes, different habits then usual like eating and drinking, a good night’s rest can be majorly disrupted. Any physical or mental stress requires more shut eye. We live in a world of “Do more!” but it is hard to accomplish much of anything when tired and run down.

There’s no need to beat yourself up after taking a break for whatever reason. Use these tips as a restart anytime to head in the right direction. As I always say, “It’s all about your next right decision”. Meaning there’s no reason to look so far ahead. Simply make your next best healthy decision, then after that make the next one, and so on.