I have 2 weeks left until I go on holiday and I can't wait! I work hard all year (as I'm sure you do!) to afford a good holiday and generally have a fabulous time being away from home and work.
The only downside being it is so easy to return home several pounds heavier and struggling to fit into your jeans.
Of course some people don't mind this. They know it will happen, lose a few pounds before they go and detox for a few days on their return to get back to normal.
But for those of us who are prone to gaining a fair amount when we are away, is there a solution?
Well the last 2 years I have actually LOST weight on holiday, woohoo!!!
Here are a few tips:
Take something to eat to the airport (or train station or in the car). Airports, railway stations and service stations are notoriously bad for serving processed, high fat, low nutrition foods. And let's be honest, if you are hungry, you will eat it, no matter how unappealing it looks.
A friend of mine works for a large airline and told me the average number of calories in an in-flight meal is around 1000. That is half your days calories in one meal!
So pack some raw veggies and take a pot of hummus and a wholemeal pitta, pop a few apples and bananas in your bag, fill a tortilla with roast veggies and some feta cheese, whatever quick, easy to eat food you can think of, pack it!
Exercise. Yes, most hotels will have a gym, but let's be realistic, I'm not going to use it while I'm holiday! However the swimming pool is a different matter. I'm not a great swimmer but even just splashing around, having a water fight or treading water will burn calories. Swimming in the sea is even better. Half an hour of leisurely swimming burns around 200 calories. And you can get a tan at the same time! (Wear sunscreen though please)
Walking on sand is great for toning legs and bums, and a walk along the beach won't really feel like exercise. If it isn't a beach holiday, wander round and look at all the sights, take an extra hour to walk into the next town instead of getting a cab. There is no rush, even slow walking burns calories - an hour long leisurely stroll will burn about 200 calories, much more on sand.
One of my favourite exercises is skipping and there is no reason why you can't pop a skipping rope in your suitcase. Just 15 minutes before you jump in the shower will burn calories, tone legs, bums and tums and increase your metabolism for the next few hours. Whilst you're at it do 20 press ups, 20 squats and 20 crunches. This will take less than 5 minutes but make a big difference.
Food-wise will be dependant on where you go. If you are in Europe, stick to the local diets which tend to involve loads of fresh fruit and vegetables, some fish, a little meat and a small amount of rice or pasta. Not only will you become involved in the local culture and cuisine but the Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest in the world.
Even outside of Europe you can follow these guidelines. Make sure you fill up on fruit and vegetables. Steer away from fried food, creamy sauces and choose frozen yoghurt, sorbets or ice lollies over fatty ice cream.
Of course you want to treat yourself and eat different food on holiday, so when you can't resist that pasta with cream and cheese or burger with all the extras keep your portions small. Have soup as a starter which is filling, low in calories and fat and will prevent you eating loads during your main course.
When offered a choice of potato, choose boiled over baked, mashed or chips. Ask for some of the carbs (bread, rice, pasta, potatoes) in your meal to be replaced with extra veggies or salad and always get dressings on the side so you can control the amount you eat.
For dessert choose fresh fruit salad, melon, figs, or sorbets.
Now I like to have a drink (or 3!) while on holiday, but alcohol can really pile on the calories. While it is tempting to have the flashiest cocktail, topped with cream, chocolate and cherries (and the umbrella of course) limit these as much as you can. Choose a couple of glasses of good quality wine, spirits with soda water (vodka and soda with fresh lime is my favourite), and when having cocktails choose the fruit based drinks rather than creamy ones.
Incorporating some or all of these ideas into our holiday will certainly prevent us gaining weight while away and if we lose a couple of lbs, excellent!
But above all, have fabulous, fun holiday!
Katie Brooke is a health and fitness expert. For a FREE report containing 29 amazing slimming secrets visit http://busygirlsguide.webs.com/
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