How to Lose Weight While on Vacation

I’ve been doing so much traveling lately and as I’ve bounced from city to city I’ve realized just how hard it is to stay healthy while on vacation. From sipping on way too many craft beers in Portland to all you can eat buffets in Mexico, I haven’t exactly been on top of my fitness regime.

As KB and I have spent the better part of a month traveling I’ve found small ways to stay healthy – and even lose weight – while on vacation!

Choose healthy foods (most of the time).

Alright alright, I’m not saying to pass up on the deep dish pizza in Chicago, but everything within moderation.

During our stay at the Riu Palace in Cabo we had all you can eat buffets at our fingertips for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was impossible to pass up on the cheesy quesadillas, but we made sure to choose fruits and veggies for most meals. While exercise is a huge factor in staying healthy, making smart food choices is the easiest way to lose weight while on the road!

riu palace

Hit the hotel gym!

This one’s obvious – pack your workout gear and hit your hotel gym! We were super spoiled at the Riu Palace. The resort had an amazing spa and gym where you could literally work out with an ocean view. It was seriously gorgeous.

I sometimes find it hard enough to motivate myself to hit the gym even while at home, which means it’s even harder when I’m traveling. I’ve found that packing my workout gear gets me in the mindset to check out my hotel gym and set aside time for exercise.

I’ve also found it’s best to work out in the morning while traveling. It’s much harder to motivate yourself to work out after a long day of activities (…or sunbathing) than it is to go for a run first thing in the morning. Morning work outs also mean a faster metabolism for the rest of the day – a double win!

lose weight

lose weight

Step out of your comfort zone.

Exercise doesn’t always have to be traditional. Traveling is the perfect time to experience new things – including shaking up your normal exercise routine! Try surfing in Hawaii or hiking in South America. The world is big and there are so many awesome, fun new ways to get your heart rate up! Who knows, stepping out of your comfort zone and trying a new physical activity could result in finding a favorite new hobby.

How do you stay healthy while on vacation?