Who doesn’t love going on vacation? Time off of work, sleeping in, sightseeing, sitting by the pool, getting a great tan, and of course, all the fancy cocktails and food! After vacation, however, we have to get back to our regular routine and the realization that we’ve gained some unwanted weight while we were away.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all about enjoying and indulging but there is a way to do so, without going overboard and erasing all your hard work. In this article, I will give you some tips on how to enjoy your vacation while still staying on track!

1: Pack on-plan items with you: Packing easy-to-travel items like instant oatmeal, protein powder, protein bars, beef jerky, and already measured peanut butter and nuts is a great way to set yourself up for success. You can easily throw these things into your suitcase and have them readily available when you need them!

2: Go grocery shopping: Once you arrive at your destination, go stock up at the nearest grocery store for nutritious, easy-to-grab-and-go items. This will not only help keep you on track but it will also keep your spending costs down since eating out can get expensive. Also, if you’re not staying at a condo, it’s a great idea to call ahead at the hotel or resort you’re staying at and ask if there is a refrigerator in your room. If not, request a room that has one!

3: Get a quick workout in: Make time (even if it’s just 10-15mins) to get a quick sweat session in at the beginning of your day. Getting in a quick workout will help you stay on track the rest of the day and help you make healthier choices. If you don’t have access to a hotel gym pack things easy to fit into your luggage like a jump rope, resistance bands, or Egg Weights and you’ll be good to go!

If you need some motivation for a great workout while you’re away, sign up for your free 7-day trial to my workout library and follow along as I guide and motivate you every step of the way. It’s like having your own personal trainer right there with you!

4: Plan your meals ahead of time: Take a walk around the resort/hotel restaurants nearby and check out the menu. This way you’ll already be prepared when you sit down and less likely to overindulge. If you’re going to a buffet it’s always a good idea to survey the scene of the foods that are available and make the best choice. If you are deciding to go off-plan, choose what looks the tastiest to you so you’re not wasting calories on mediocre foods.

5: Downsize your portions: Eating while you’re on vacation should be fun and you should give yourself the freedom to eat some off-plan foods. You can downsize your portions a few different ways. You can order off the kids/junior menu, order an appetizer and small salad as your entree, or pack up half your entree to-go and enjoy it later.

6: Alternate alcoholic beverages with water: One way to slow down the amount of alcohol you’re consuming and also keep you hydrated is to alternate your alcoholic beverage with 1-2 glasses of water. Staying hydrated will help eliminate hangovers and any late-night case of the munchies.

7: Decide ahead of time which meals will be off-plan: Something that always helps me stay on track is to decide which meals are going to be off-plan. I tend to stay on-plan for breakfast and lunch then give myself more wiggle room for dinner. There are breakfast buffets that always seem to include healthier options like oatmeal, fruit, and sometimes an omelet-making station. Sticking to a large salad and grilled protein at lunch keeps my calorie intake low enough so that I can splurge a bit for dinner, a drink (or two), and a little dessert!

8: Walk everywhere: Instead of taking the rental car, put on those sneakers and stay active! Skip the escalators/elevators and take the stairs instead. Walk to the restaurant instead of taking a taxi. Take laps around the resort or long walks around the city and soak in all the magnificent views.

Keep these tips in mind next time you’re on vacation and I guarantee you will still be able to enjoy all the goodies and stay on track! It’s a total win, win!