If you’re looking to lose a few pounds before a much-anticipated vacation, it’s important to set realistic expectations. For everyone, the key to success is planning ahead to give yourself enough time to reach your goal. To get the best results, it’s important to follow the pillars for healthy weight loss: portion control, choose healthier options, and use a combination of exercises to accelerate calorie burn.
Whole foods high in protein, healthy fats, and slow burning carbs can curb cravings and help you feel fuller for longer while helping you shed pounds. To maximize your weight loss in the run-up to your next vacation and after, here are some tips that will guide you in the right direction.
Choosing the Right Foods & Eating the Right Portions
With so many processed foods found in the aisles of most supermarkets, it can be hard to resist temptations. Portion control is the one of the key steps to dropping pounds: master it, and you will succeed for sure. In addition to portion control, choose heathier options. If you usually start the day with a large sugary coffee, switch to a good breakfast of oatmeal, egg whites or whole. Eat slow burning carbs like brown rice or whole grain breads, and avoid processed and starchy foods like potatoes, white bread, and corn.
Keeping up with a diet can be hard work, especially for the first few weeks. A food diary can help you stick to your plan. It may be easy to justify indulging especially if you’ve been doing really well, but there are plenty of non-food based rewards. Instead, of potentially derailing your weight loss, some of the best weight loss rewards involve treating yourself with goodies other than food.
Cardio to Kick Up the Fat Loss
If you’re doing a good job adhering to your portion control and healthy eating, you should already be noticing some changes. Get your blood pumping with a jog, swim or bike ride; it doesn’t matter as long as you get moving 3-5 times a week.
It is advised to spend some time on cardio, burning 300 to 500 calories a session for five or six days a week for the best results. Your body will be using a lot more water, so remember to stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Avoid sugary sports drinks and sodas!
Lifting Weights Isn’t Just for Big Muscles
It’s a common myth that lifting weights will turn a feminine frame into Hercules overnight. Moderate strength training three or four times a week – combined with cardio and a good meal plan – can put you in the best situation for optimal fat burning. After a good strength workout your muscles will demand more energy for repair and strengthening; this boosts your metabolism and maximizes weight burn.
Following the principles of healthy weight loss, you can easily attain your goals given the right amount of planning ahead of time. Healthy eating and good exercise can get you where you want to be for that big trip, as long as you adhere to the plan. Through portion control, exercise – cardio and weight-lifting, you can learn lifestyle changes to look great for your vacation and beyond.
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Jenn
My vacation is months away, but there’s no better time to start a better lifestyle! I’m changing things up!
Carmen Edelson
Good for you, Jenn! Enjoy your vacation.
Natalie
Great tips for this girl on a diet! I so need to get on that exercise train!
Carmen Edelson
Just doing a little bit every single day can go a long way 🙂
Marya
thank you so much for wearing this! 🙂
i’ve got bell’s palsy, and not only that i personally want to lose some weight, but due to my health problem, my doctor also suggests me to watch my diet as well as to lead a healthy lifestyle. i’m still working on that, but i’m trying. thank you for sharing. 😀
Carmen Edelson
Good luck with your journey, you can do it!
Amanda
Wow these are great tips. Thanks for sharing!
Carmen Edelson
You’re very welcome, Amanda!
Julia
Nice article Carmen!
I like your points on eating the right proportions. I used to think that eating simply the right foods would be all I would need to do to lose weight. However simply restricting yourself and eating less of the foods you normally eat is more important in my opinion.
Carmen Edelson
Thank you, Julia! I’m glad you found it interesting and hopefully helpful 🙂
Buttler Dean
Hey Carmen,
Really liked your tips for weight loss on a long trip. Home or Any other place doing some physical activity and eating proper diet is the key things for a healthy life. You are producing awesome content, Keep up the good work!
Carmen Edelson
Thank you so much for saying so, I really appreciate it!
Nicole
Wow! This is very timely since we’re off to the Maldives in a few months and I think that I am not yet prepared. Thank you for these wonderful tips.
Carmen Edelson
You are so welcome, Nicole! I hope you have an incredible time.
samantha
I love all the tips!! I am going on a vacation in the next 2 months and I’m working really hard to lose all the extra pounds that I’ve gained in order to be fit and enthusiastic while I’m travelling. Your tips on this post are greatly appreciated.
Carmen Edelson
You’re so welcome! I hope you reach your goal and have an amazing time.
Maku Seun
Vacations can make someone forget about dieting and weightloss, mostly because you feel like you should let go because you are on a “vacation”. But your tips on preparing before your big trip is very informative. Thank you.
Carmen Edelson
You’re very welcome! Thanks for reading.
Sébastien
Thanks for sharing this helpful information. You are inspiring me to get fit for weight loss. I love traveling but I am confused to get fit before traveling but review this article my confusion is clear. Thanks.
Carmen Edelson
Thanks so much for reading, Sebastien!
Marty Deemst
Wow! Such awesome tips in regard to weight loss. I love traveling to different places. I was wondering how to get fit while traveling. This post gives me some good ideas for weight loss before a long trip. Thanks, Carmen Edelson.
Carmen Edelson
I’m so glad I could help, Marty!
Juliea Watson
I am so grateful I found your post. You have really covered up almost all the possible tips that a traveler should follow to get fit when preparing a long trip. I have a couple of young friends are going to travel soon. Weel this post gives us some good idea to get fit for our long trip. Thanks.
Juliea Watson recently posted…Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike Review
Carmen Edelson
Thank you so much for reading and sharing 🙂
Laura McNab
I just read through your entire blog and I found it quite interesting. I am sure most people take note from this article. One thing most people lack proper knowledge to reduce weight loss. Well, this post gives some good idea to reduce weight loss. Thanks.
Carmen Edelson
I’m glad it gave you some good ideas, Laura!
Aniket Thakur
Article is really helpful…
Thank you
Aniket Thakur recently posted…Nokia 9 PureView Price In India | Nokia 9 Pureview Specification
Carmen Edelson
You’re very welcome, I’m happy to share!
Survival Prep Life
Awesome…I do realize that on my big trips i used to binge too much and gain those extra pounds. Though i’ve controlled it a lot but seems like i need to add these tips as well 🙂
Carmen Edelson
It can definitely be a struggle!