5''2 ft.
SW1(April 2011):147lbs
SW2(June 2011): 134.4 lbs
SW3(Nov 2011): 118 lbs
GW1: 110lbs
GW2: 100lbs
UGW: 95lbs
The Fit Tourist
how to stay healthy on vacation
One of the hardest things to deal with when you’re on a weight loss/fitness journey is travel. After all, you want to experience everything your destination has to offer, and cuisine is one of the most integral parts of any culture. So how can you make the most of your trip while still keeping up your healthy lifestyle? I just got back from a 4-day trip to Venice so I thought I’d share some of my tips.
- Walk. Forget the metro, cabs, vaporetto, whatever. Find yourself a good map and put on your comfy shoes and just walk. You’ll see more of the city, lower your carbon footprint, and burn calories. Win-win-win. (True story: I burned an average of 900 calories a day while I was in Venice just by walking. Seriously. Walk.)
- Go up. Find the highest point in the city - a bell tower, a hill, a huge skyscraper - and start climbing! Can you say glute workout?
- Rent a bike. Got a sight on your list that’s too far to walk to? Most tourist destinations have great bike rental opportunities. You can even try finding a bike tour!
- Bring a pedometer. Keeping track of the calories burned will make you more mindful of your intake.
- Make a list of your must-try treats. You can’t leave New Orleans without trying praline, or Paris without a croissant. So write down what you must have, then figure out where to find the best one. If you skip the crappy tourist-trap options, you’re more likely to be satisfied with a single portion.
- Do your research. Find healthy local delicacies. Italy might be famous for its high-calorie pasta and pizza, but the fish is to die for.
- Try cooking a local dish yourself. Most hostels have kitchens, so put on your apron and try making a healthy version of something you’ve seen on the menu! Or better yet, take a cooking class - you’ll have more control over portion sizes, use of fats and salt, etc.
- Find the farmers’ market. One of my favorite things is browsing the stalls for local produce. I always ask the vendors what they like, how they prepare things, etc. You can even just buy a bunch of fruit and put together a beautiful, fresh, raw breakfast!
- WATER. But you knew that already.
- But most importantly, relax. You aren’t going to ruin all your hard work just by enjoying a plate of fish and chips. You’re in a new place to enjoy yourself - it’s ok to be a little more lenient than usual with your diet. Just don’t go overboard. :)
(via survivalofthefittest2012)