Holidays are a time to unwind and an opportunity to break free from our daily routine. They are a time to see and do new things and indulge in some different cuisine. Often times this means we allocate less time for training and our discipline to make good food choices somewhat waives. This break helps us to recharge both physically and mentally but it is important to regain focus as promptly as possible once all the fun is over. These tips will help you get your health and fitness back on track without to much fuss.
Plan Your Meals
Even if you didn’t over indulge on your holiday you might still find your body is a little out of whack. Planning and preparing some healthy and wholesome meals for your return can help your body detox from your holiday. This return to healthy habits will help you to avoid making poor food choices as a result of having no food in the fridge. Opting for lean proteins, healthy fats and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is the best way to go. Not only will this make you feel better but it will also bring focus back to your health and fitness goals.
Schedule Your Workouts
Some people just can’t wait to get back into the gym post holiday, others take a little more motivating. Either way planning out exactly what you are doing and when will help you to make a more successful return to your exercise routine. This doesn’t mean you’ll pick up where you left off; ease back in and increase your frequency, duration and intensity as you adjust to your training program. This will help keep you motivated without the fear of burning out and minimise your risk of injury. If the though of figuring out a training schedule once you’ve returned from lying on a beach in Fiji is just to much to bear then try making a plan before you leave.
Drink Plenty of Water
It’s common for people to return from their holiday feeling a little dehydrated. Dehydration happens for a few reasons: changes to your activity patterns, consuming too much alcohol or sugary foods, flying or having less access to fresh water are all good examples. Replenishing with H2O helps to rehydrate your body and can help reduce bloating and constipation, which is common among travellers upon their return. To give your body the best shot at flushing the toxins from your system it is best to avoid the consumption of alcohol for at least a week or two.
Sleep
Our normal sleep patterns typically get disrupted when we are on holiday. This could be because we stay up late, sleep in longer, eat and drink at different times or purely just because we are sleeping in unfamiliar environments. Whatever the reason, it’s important to get back into your normal pre bed ritual as soon as possible to ensure you are getting adequate sleep (8 hours is recommended). This boosts your energy levels and helps to manage cravings for caffeine or sugary foods, this will allow you to overcome any poor habits you picked up over your holiday and get you back on track sooner rather then later.
Holidays are a great opportunity to give yourself a break from the daily grind. With that said it’s just as important to return to your healthy habits once you return. Plan ahead so your holiday habits don’t continue and further derail any progress you’ve made towards your goals.
xx Tara
Do you struggle to get back on track after a holiday? Let me know in the comments section below.
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