Relax Without Packing on the Pounds

As we enter summer, it is time for a favorite activity: the family vacation. A family vacation can be full of fun but also can be full of extra calories. It doesn’t have to be, though. There are ways families can sneak in exercise while away or eat light to avoid putting on unwanted vacation weight.

“On vacation, many families eat out frequently, often putting into their bodies more and more fattening foods than usual. So one step is to carefully plan meals,” says Kimberly Brownlee, Liberty mother of three. “Where will you splurge? Where will you eat light and healthy?”

Part of eating healthy is planning not only meals, but snacks as well.

“Pack your lunches/snacks for the day—don’t go to the food shops at the amusement parks or in the resorts. That can really add up financially and in packing on the pounds!” says Aryn Peters, Kansas City mother of two. “When you get to your destination, go shopping and pick out healthy snacks to keep with you: fruits, bottles of water, etc.  Choosing a rental with a small kitchen or kitchenette is great for family vacations.”

Not only is eating healthy important to keeping off those unwanted pounds, but so is exercise on a family vacation. “Try to look at the physical activity as an adventure and way to connect as a family and not just have a workout mentality,” Maureen Anderson, Kearney mother of two, says.

Here are five quick and easy exercise ideas to prevent those unwanted calories from piling up on vacation:

• “On a driving trip, stop every few hours at a rest stop and take a quick lap around the area. It will not only add activity to an otherwise sedentary drive, it will also help prevent the constipation that plagues many on long trips,” Brownlee says.
• “Plan to visit a state or national park. They are literally all over the place and most, if not all, of them boast beautiful hiking trails with scenery that will take your breath (and your calories!) away,” Brownlee says.
• “Rent bikes as a family. Go biking in the mountains or on the beach, in the desert—there are bike rental facilities in most popular vacation spots.  It’s good exercise and a fun time for all,” Peters says.
• “Make a point to get out and go on walks together wherever you are.  Getting out and exploring on foot is great exercise and you are exposed to so much more,” Peters says.
• “Plan an excursion, adventure or activity as the center of your entertainment while on vacation. Hiking, renting bicycles, exploring a trail, rafting and swimming are great ways to get exercise in while exploring,” Anderson says.

Regardless of the vacation spot you visit this summer—whether far from home or just a day’s trip—you can avoid packing on extra pounds. Take care to plan out meals and snacks, as well as incorporate some daily exercise.

Jennifer Higgins is a freelance writer, mother and teacher from Kearney who will be snorkeling the blue waters of Key West this summer.