With spring in full swing and summer right around the corner, many people will be taking holidaysover the next several months. This got me thinking about how most people completely stop exercise and dieting while on holiday. I agree that a holiday should be a relaxing time with friends and family, but that doesn't mean you should be doing absolutely nothing active or healthy.

There are several major mistakes most make while on vacation. These can often have an adverse effect on your fat loss efforts. Sure most vacations are only for a week or two, but you’d be surprised at how much impact just a week of consistent poor habits can have on your body.

Large Quantities of Unhealthy Food Choices

Holidays are a time when there is an absurdamount of food and drink. Not only are you eating largerquantities of foods, but you are usually eating out more often. Ten minutes into sitting down and you've consumed three pieces of bread and an entire appetizer course before the entrée has even arrived. For instance, I have a sweet-tooth. So when holidaying I tend to eat more desserts than I would while at home. When so much is out of your control and you’re tempted by foods you wouldn't normally eat, adding a few pounds of fat isn’t too far fetched.



Solution: Portion Control

My best advice for minimising damage while on vacation is all about portion control. There’s no need to deprive yourself of the less healthy foods that will be available. Just try your best to eat a smaller amount of the foods you are craving to minimise the damage. Instead of eating 3 chocolate cookies eat only one. Add a healthier option in place of the other 2 you were going to eat (like fruit). I love to pack apples, grapes, and other types of fruit in my bag for a holiday mini-break. Fruits are great because they are easy to pack and make a convenient snack on the road. Another great option is raw nuts. Nuts are packed with nutrients and very filling.

Whacky Sleep Routines



A lot of people see dramatic changes in their normal sleep routine while on holiday. I often times go to bed earlier while on vacation because I am usually exhausted from the day’s activities. However, most people do the exact opposite: go to bed at 1 AM and don’t wake up until Noon. Sleep quality, duration, and timing play a huge role in how our body functions throughout the day. Plus, by the time you wake up at noon, half of the day has already passed. I want to have as much time as possible to enjoy my trip.

Solution: Try Sticking With a Routine





I am not suggesting going to bed at 9pm every night. We all know that some of the best memories from vacation happen when the sun goes down. I am all for enjoying the night- life and letting loose with frienda and family.

However, it won’t kill you to go to bed by midnight a couple of nights during your trip. Even if you get to bed most nights well past your normal schedule try not to sleep half the following day. Instead wake up close to your normal time and take a cat nap later on. This way your internal clock won’t be so out of whack for the remainder of the week.

No Type of Exercise



The last thing on most people’s mind while on vacation is worrying about exercise. I mean seriously, it’s a time of relaxation and being lazy. One of my favourite things to do is sitting by the pool or lounging on the beach. I’m sure a lot of you enjoy doing the same during your summer trips. There’s one problem with this- lack of exercise combined with poor food choices creates some serious excess calories. This is why many people come home from vacation and cringe when they step on the scale. This is when some people fall off the bandwagon completely and give up on their diet and fitness.

Solution: Get Exercise Through Fun Activities



You don’t have to go to a gym to exercise on your trip.  There are plenty of fun options that will keep you active and burning calories. Go swimming at the pool, take a walk around the resort, or play some volleyball- basically anything that’s enjoyable for everyone involved. You’d be surprised at how many calories are burnt from these types of activities.  By just staying active and moving more, you will burn more calories and keep your conditioning up. Try to find a good balancebetween relaxing and staying active. That’s what holidays are all about!