Get on the Path to Healthy

This post is all about getting healthy, staying healthy and how to balance fun with health while on vacation. It was a recent #fitblog Twitter chat and even though the weekly chat is now over with, it’s still a great topic because summer is upon us. Check out an old post I wrote on How to Stay Fit on Vacation for some more in-depth ideas.

What is your #1 tip to eating healthy?
Everything in moderation! I don’t deny myself anything I want, I just make sure what I eat is within my calorie range for the day and not in massive quantities.

I try and start my day with a healthy breakfast. Eggs, fruit, coffee, maybe some oatmeal. Then I eat fruits and veggies for my snacks. As long as I have those two things down, the rest is a cinch. If you start the day making healthy choices, it’s easier to stick to it as the day goes on (at least for me).

When you’re traveling, what are some of the easiest ways to eat healthy?

Splitting entrees or appetizers with your travel mate is also a great idea. Often times when Michael and I go on vacation we want to sample the local foods and getting appetizers or smaller portions and sharing is a great way to do that. You get to try a little bit of everything! A way to do this is to check out the Food Truck scene in the city you’re visiting. Portland has a fantastic and HUGE food truck community and there are pods scattered all around the city.

I also like the appetizer tip because you discover things you may not have tried otherwise. For example, the last time I was in Austin we went to a trendy, upscale restaurant called La Condesa. We went there because Yelp reviews recommended the Guacamole Flight! A Guacamole Flight?!?! Sign me up! It did NOT disappoint.

It was something I’d never heard of before and never experienced and it was one of the coolest things we did in Austin this last time around!

Another issue with traveling is airport food and/or not having access to healthy snacks. I try and pack healthy snacks with me if I’m traveling. Obviously road trips are easy–pack whatever you want! But flying can be difficult with all the limitations we have now. I try and remember to bring an empty water bottle with me so I can be sure to drink water. When I went to Hawaii, I packed a bunch of individual boxes of raisins and protein bars in my suitcase and they totally came in handy on the trip. Bananas and other fruit are easy airplane snacks, too.

How do you choose to stay fit when traveling?
This one is easy! Whether you’re traveling in a plane or a car, there are still ways to stay active.

I tend to plan my fitness around the vacation. If it’s the winter and I’m somewhere there is going to be a lot of snow, I take my snowshoes! If I’m going somewhere where there is hiking, I bring my boots. The point is to plan ahead and scout out some activities that would be fun and keep you fit.

My preference while traveling to find a hotel that has a gym.

Hotel Gyms or pools are kind of a must have amenity for me. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but SOMETHING. If I happen to be at a hotel that has neither, there’s always a way to get in a workout. I like the Nike Training Club app for that.

Some of my happiest vacation memories include doing something active. A few examples: hiking in Arizona, running along the beach in Kona and swimming in the ocean in Hawaii, running with my brother in Texas, swimming in a natural spring in Austin, and running the Strip in Vegas.

What snack or food is your weakness when it comes to hindering a healthy diet?

This depends. Pizza and ice cream were my trigger foods when I was 250 pounds. I’ve pretty much gotten over that and I can eat those things in moderation without bingeing. When I’m on vacation, I really want to try the local foods. And sometimes it’s just SO GOOD it’s worth the extra calories! Franklin’s BBQ comes to mind instantly. 🙂

Another weakness on vacation is alcohol. Whether I am vacationing somewhere that has good wine or beer tasting, or if I’m on a beach where all I want is an umbrella drink…those calories can add up quickly. I try and make better choices with my liquid calories and I am going to get a foo-foo drink I try to keep it at just one.

Was that Pina Colada I had in Kona the best ever? Not really but it tasted good, had an umbrella in it and I was sitting on the beach! I enjoyed it and just let it go.

What about you? How do you answer these questions?