Croissants over Calories: 3 Tips on How to Eat Mindfully While on Vacation
Going on vacation is a time for relaxation, adventure, and making memories. For many people, it’s also a time when they give themselves permission to let loose and indulge in foods and drinks they might not normally consume.
But for those who are trying to stick to a strict diet or maintain a certain weight, going on vacation can also bring feelings of guilt and anxiety about straying from their usual routine.
Gavin and I recently just came back from Paris and it was the trip of a lifetime. I can confidently say that we enjoyed life by eating and trying new foods and of course, seeing all the beautiful sights Paris had to offer. Never once did we think about calories, only focusing on the memories.
In today’s blog, we’ll explore the idea of not worrying about your total calories, giving up guilt about going off your diet, and tips on how to manage your diet while on vacation.
First of all, it’s important to acknowledge that being on vacation is a break from your usual routine. You’re likely in a new environment, experiencing new foods, and possibly more physically active than you usually are. All of these factors can make it difficult to stick to a specific diet or calorie goal, and that’s okay. It’s important to remember that your diet is just one aspect of your overall health, and it’s okay to let go of strict rules and to enjoy yourself.
Tip #1: Allowance NOT Restriction
When I talk about allowing myself to eat all the yummy foods on vacation, others picture me eating everything on the menu and more.
This is NOT the case.
I CHOSE to eat certain foods that I would like to try or that I knew I would enjoy. Allowing myself to eat what I wanted decreased my DESIRE to overeat specific foods.
Think about it. If you were restricting yourself and couldn’t let yourself eat the croissant on vacation, you’d only obsess about it and A. Either break down, buy 5, and eat them all or B. You’d get back from vacation wondering what it would’ve tasted like, feeling like you missed out on an experience.
Eating the croissants in Paris was an actual DREAM of mine and I can say that I ate 1 mini croissant every day, but left Paris knowing I met my croissant quota. I was happy and content and can quite literally check something off my bucket list.
Tip #2: Portion Control!
Yes, I chose to eat what I wanted on vacation, but I also paid attention to my portion sizes. I ate until I was content, NO MATTER what I chose to eat, I did NOTeat until I was uncomfortably full.
This has been something that I’ve worked on for years and has tremendously helped me manage my weight.
But also, I practice portion control because it’s good for my health and my digestion.
I could have EASILY eaten 10 mini croissants a day, but I chose 1 and in doing so, I felt confident and satisfied.
Tip #3: Increase Your Activity
We were walking nearly 20,000 steps a day seeing all the side streets of Paris. It was absolutely amazing.
And by increasing my physical activity, I was able to FEEL GOOD about myself. It was NOT about how many calories I was burning, although I did increase my overall daily calories burned, it was about how I was doing something for myself. Exercise has a lovely way of releasing endorphins and making you feel GOOD.
If you can and/or are able, choose to go on some long walks rather than taking the bus, metro, or taxi to every location. Highly recommend exploring different cities this way!
Focusing on these small healthy choices can help you feel good both physically and mentally, without taking away from the enjoyment of your vacation.
As for the mindset part of the trip, it’s important to let go of guilt and shame about getting off your diet while on vacation. Feeling guilty about enjoying foods and drinks you might not usually consume can take away from the joy of the experience and create unnecessary stress. Instead of focusing on what you’re eating and/or how many calories you’re consuming, try to focus on the experiences you’re having and the memories you’re making. In the long run, the memories you make on vacation will be more important and valuable than the total number of calories you consumed.
While it’s important to prioritize your health and well-being, it’s also important to let go of strict diet rules and allow yourself to indulge in the experiences and foods that make your vacation special. Don’t let guilt or anxiety about straying from your usual routine take away from the joy of the experience. Focus on enjoying your experience, feeling good in the moment, and all the memories you are making that will last you a lifetime.
