Getting back into a healthy routine post-vacation can be tough. I can definitely say that while I was floating in the ocean in Cozumel drinking a Corona, I sure wasn't thinking “man, I can't wait to get back in the gym! Ooh, and cooking my own healthy food again will be awesome!” Uh, no sir.
I'm pretty much an open book, so I'll tell you what I did. Some might call it cheating, but I don't care- it's what I needed to do to get back into weight loss mode.
Prior to leaving for vacation, I knew that I wouldn't want to cook when I got home. I would have loads of laundry and unpacking to do. So I cheated. Before I left, I had my fabulous cook friend, Elizabeth, agree to prepare some heat and eat foods for when I got back. The night I got home, she brought them over, and voila! No-thought food for the week all stocked up in my fridge. The low carb goodies included:
- low carb chicken enchilada “insides”
- low carb meatballs (no breadcrumbs)
- crustless quiche
- tuna balls (served cold)
- low carb lasagna (made with baked cheese and cauliflower “noodles)
So maybe you don't have a cooking-inclined friend or don't want to spend the money to have someone else do it for you. I totally get it. Before you leave on your trip, why not make some dishes ahead of time and freeze them? Or at least stock your fridge with the meats you need, individually portioned out to make when you get home? In any weight loss journey, I think preparation is KEY. I was prepared to meet my lazy ways when I got back into town.
The food was handled, but what about the exercise? I will admit that I got home on Thursday night and didn't get back in the gym until Tuesday. Could I have done better and gone? Yep. I can use excuses like it was the beginning of Kentucky Football season and that it was a holiday, but really, it doesn't matter. I slept in on Friday, did laundry all day, tried to go through some emails (I'm still not through them all), made an impromptu trip to Ikea with my sister-in-law, and watched the Kentucky game with hubs family. I COULD have made time to go to the gym, but I didn't. I'm not going to beat myself up over it. I went Tuesday and today (Wednesday) and will go again tomorrow. Friday will be a rest day and then Saturday is a session with Trainer Rob to get me going on my next program.
What tips do you have for people trying to get back into a fitness or weight loss routine after vacation (or even a temporary set back)?
