Living the Lifestyle (LTL) Tuesday, June 27th

RedSassyPants

Everyone says it, but just how do you do it? How do you take the guidelines of the WW program and turn them into a lifestyle you can live every day...from now on? That is what we are here to explore. Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion. Newbie? Join in! Veteran? Join in! Your thoughts may be just what someone else needs to hear.

Monday -- whathapnd (Emmie)
Tuesday -- RedSassyPants
Wednesday -- minimyzeme (Kim)
Thursday -- Wild Card Day--open to anyone who grabs it!
Friday -- Tripaway


Today's Topic: The Vacation Workout

We often talk about making better choices when on vacation, but what about exercise?
Do you venture to the hotel gym? Take a walk/run around the block?
Do you take active vacations or it just isn't needed?
or do you take a vacation from working out all together?

RedSassyPants

I just back from vacation in California and for the first time EVER I actually went to the hotel gym every day. Even though I walked almost constantly, I still wanted to add 30-45 minutes for cardio. Wanted to add weights one day but I didn't "get" their machines and decided not to risk it. It was easy getting back to the routine today.

Rachel0778

For hotel rooms, I love streaming a quick workout on my tablet. That way my introverted self can hide from people and still get my workout done. I do the same thing at my in-laws house when I visit. Otherwise, I just tend to try to stay active on vacation and do a lot of hiking/walking.

Out_of_Bubblegum

To me, vacations are easy because I love to be active when I'm on vacation.. I want to hike, adventure, explore.. I'm not a "lay at the pool" kind of vacationer... It is rare for me to come back heavier from vacation.

On top of the activities, I've been known to hit the hotel gym, Taekwondo school or a YMCA when on vacation if the family wants some more leisure time...

I do more business travel than vacation, however, and that is a whole other kettle of fish. Spending all day in a conference room with catered lunch, happy hour then dinner with customers, then working until midnight to catch up on things you would have handled had you been in the office.... It's REALLY a hard problem for me.

A few things I have tried to do to help:

1 - Get in a quick hotel gym trip before breakfast.
2 - Pick the hotel breakfast choices VERY carefully
3 - If at all possible, suggest going out to lunch rather than cater in.. and inquire about "local favorites" within walking distance.
4 - Stick to 1 beer during happy hour.
5 - Try not to be a pig at dinner. ... Pick the higher quality protein in smaller portions, and don't go nuts on the appetizers. Skip the beer and go for Iced Tea.
6 - Do a BYOG workout or hit the gym after dinner food settles... This is more of a wish list item, but I've done it a few times.

Bottom line - keep focused on what is important, and don't let the vacation or business trip "allowance" take you places, exercise or food choice wise, that I know I'll regret later.

podkey

I do it all. Walk as much as possible, use the hotel gym facilities, rent a bike in town. Last trip to New York we did a lot of walking and I also used the gym. And yes I love active vacations like hunting dinosaurs in the Gobi Desert (anywhere really) or hiking the Grand Canyon etc.
Yes it is often hit and miss for facilities where I stay for sure.

minimyzeme

I NEED a vacation!

All vacations prior to the last in April of last year were food fests with minimal exercise. Those were also pre-WW.

Last year, I stayed OP and walked a lot! Over the course of the week, I usually only ate 1 meal / day out; the rest was from groceries I kept at the hotel. I walked miles of beaches, enjoyed fresh-caught seafood, fresh fruits and veggies (and local beers). I had an awesome time and actually lost about two pounds!

If / when I take my next one, it'll be much like the last one.

gadgetgirlIL

My best vacations include biking or hiking or both!!! I can't remember the last time I had a vacation that didn't include these activities.

MurpleCat

My vacations tend to include lots of sightseeing and daily swimming in the hotel pool (always choosing a hotel that has one!). Also, I don't really have a problem eating well when traveling because I am always delighted when someone ELSE had to prep all the vegetables I want. At home, time constraints & food prep fatigue can lure me off track. So that's what I'm looking for in my 'luxury' or 'special occasion' foods -- healthy stuff that took someone else a long time to prep.