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.
Jenn
May 16, 2018 at 3:19 pmMy vacation is months away, but there’s no better time to start a better lifestyle! I’m changing things up!
Carmen Edelson
May 20, 2018 at 7:43 amGood for you, Jenn! Enjoy your vacation.
Natalie
May 16, 2018 at 3:34 pmGreat tips for this girl on a diet! I so need to get on that exercise train!
Carmen Edelson
May 20, 2018 at 7:43 amJust doing a little bit every single day can go a long way 🙂
Marya
May 17, 2018 at 4:44 amthank 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
May 20, 2018 at 7:39 amGood luck with your journey, you can do it!
Amanda
May 19, 2018 at 12:32 amWow these are great tips. Thanks for sharing!
Carmen Edelson
May 20, 2018 at 7:42 amYou’re very welcome, Amanda!
Julia
June 2, 2018 at 11:48 amNice 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
June 3, 2018 at 1:16 amThank you, Julia! I’m glad you found it interesting and hopefully helpful 🙂
Buttler Dean
June 9, 2018 at 4:36 amHey 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
June 9, 2018 at 6:04 pmThank you so much for saying so, I really appreciate it!
Nicole
July 4, 2018 at 12:56 pmWow! 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
July 5, 2018 at 2:56 pmYou are so welcome, Nicole! I hope you have an incredible time.
samantha
July 18, 2018 at 5:34 amI 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
July 25, 2018 at 1:16 pmYou’re so welcome! I hope you reach your goal and have an amazing time.
Maku Seun
August 12, 2018 at 3:18 pmVacations 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
August 12, 2018 at 4:18 pmYou’re very welcome! Thanks for reading.
Sébastien
September 26, 2018 at 5:46 amThanks 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
September 26, 2018 at 4:24 pmThanks so much for reading, Sebastien!
Marty Deemst
October 8, 2018 at 1:25 amWow! 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
October 10, 2018 at 4:33 pmI’m so glad I could help, Marty!
Juliea Watson
December 1, 2018 at 4:39 amI 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.
Carmen Edelson
December 5, 2018 at 10:02 amThank you so much for reading and sharing 🙂
Laura McNab
December 20, 2018 at 12:35 pmI 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
January 12, 2019 at 2:34 pmI’m glad it gave you some good ideas, Laura!
Aniket Thakur
February 28, 2019 at 3:29 amArticle is really helpful…
Thank you
Carmen Edelson
February 28, 2019 at 6:30 pmYou’re very welcome, I’m happy to share!
Survival Prep Life
May 9, 2019 at 3:18 pmAwesome…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
May 14, 2019 at 4:10 pmIt can definitely be a struggle!
Macy
August 19, 2019 at 10:14 amAll of those tips are factual. Achieving the body you always wanted is not an easy peasy. you need to undergo to a serious work-out and eat healthy foods. In my experience, I stay almost 3 hours at the gym to do work out. It helped me to gain muscles and tone down my body.
Carmen Edelson
August 19, 2019 at 1:35 pmGood for you, that’s amazing!
Aaron Miller
August 26, 2019 at 4:21 amInteresting article, i have been looking for something just like this. I had to go on a trip and i was very curious to know how to manage it all. Thank you for sharing, its really very helpful.
Carmen Edelson
September 6, 2019 at 2:25 pmHappy to share, Aaron!
Maku
June 9, 2020 at 8:48 pmThanks for this informative article. Now I know what to do when preparing for a trip. And as soon as this pandemic is over, I am implementing these tips.
Carmen Edelson
June 10, 2020 at 5:17 pmThat’s great to hear!
Kelsey Smith
September 2, 2020 at 4:08 amThank you for sharing, so inspiring to get perfectly toned toned. I found your article helpful, keep posting.
Carmen Edelson
September 10, 2020 at 4:21 pmSo glad you found it helpful, Kelsey!
saki komai
February 5, 2021 at 1:19 amThank you for sharing this great article.
Carmen Edelson
August 24, 2022 at 6:46 amThank you for reading!
Julia Lorent
March 19, 2021 at 4:42 amThese tips are really great ! I must say anyone going through weight loss can be helped by this,Thanks for sharing !
Carmen Edelson
March 24, 2021 at 5:07 pmGlad these tips are helpful, Julia!
Wilson
December 10, 2021 at 12:33 pmMany thanks for your valuable content. You are an inspiration with your hard work.
Keep up the awesome work and know that you’re appreciated!
Thanks
Carmen Edelson
August 24, 2022 at 6:47 amThank you for reading!
John Gatesby
July 1, 2022 at 6:24 amExcellent tips! Fitness and right nutrition always helps during travels, keeping us fit and disease free.
Carmen Edelson
August 24, 2022 at 6:49 amI agree! Even when I’m on the road I try to keep up good habits.