June 3, 2021, 1:06 pm | Read time: 7 minutes
On vacation, we want to relax and radiate that good feeling afterward. But often, a trip comes with two to three extra pounds on the scale, which has the opposite effect. Calories lurk everywhere–the club sandwich by the pool, the creamy cocktail at sunset. Yet it can be quite simple…
The first real vacation in a long time–many want to treat themselves to something special. But at the same time, you don’t want to gain too much weight. TRAVELBOOK reveals how you can avoid gaining weight or even lose weight on vacation with 14 simple tricks. And one thing upfront: You don’t have to give up everything that’s fun or delicious.
1. Bike Instead of Taxi
Whether in the city or the countryside, many hotels and hostels offer rental bikes. Take advantage of this offer and cycle to the beach or restaurant instead of taking a taxi or bus. This way, you get a little exercise every day–one of the best ways to lose weight on vacation.
2. Don’t Get Bored!
When bored, many people automatically reach for food–a habit familiar from everyday life. Vacation is the best opportunity to break this habit. Join a surfing course or go on a photo tour with your camera. Whatever you do, it distracts you from constantly snacking.
3. Keep Your Rhythm!
Who doesn’t know this? On weekends or vacations, many people sleep in, staying in bed much longer than usual. While it may be tempting at first, and the feeling of having slept long is nice, an irregular sleep rhythm throws your body off balance and can even endanger your health. This was the conclusion of scientists from the University of Pittsburgh. It’s better to maintain a healthy sleep rhythm–both in everyday life and on vacation.
4. Skip All-Inclusive!
An all-inclusive vacation is like having chocolate in the cupboard: If it’s there, you’ll reach for it. So, if you’ve booked a worry-free trip with three main meals, an afternoon snack, and all (sugar and alcohol-laden) drinks included, you may feel compelled to take advantage of it. After all, you’ve paid for it–or so the thinking goes. The result: You eat and drink more than you actually want or need. To avoid this temptation, skip booking vacations with full board from the start.
5. Sunbathe Differently!
Do you dream all year of lounging on a sunbed during your vacation? Don’t worry, you don’t have to give that up. But don’t lie around lazily all day, limiting your activity to turning from your stomach to your back. Play beach volleyball, swim in the sea, or take a walk on the beach. And if that doesn’t convince you, maybe the fact that you’ll get an even, all-around tan will.
By the way, our colleagues at FITBOOK have 5 simple and quick exercises that you can easily do on the beach.
6. Salad Instead of Burger by the Pool
If you want to lose weight on vacation, you might consider skipping lunch. But no matter how big the breakfast buffet was, when the first neighbor by the pool orders a club sandwich, your stomach will start growling. If you’re truly hungry and not just eating out of boredom (see Trick 2), opt for a salad or a (cold) soup instead of a greasy burger with mayo and fries.
7. Take Advantage of the Buffet’s Wide Selection!
The smell of freshly baked croissants, sweet crêpes, and waffles when you enter the hotel breakfast room can make you abandon all healthy resolutions. Try to resist and choose healthy alternatives like muesli with honey, rice milk, and fresh fruits. And if you must have the warm pancake in the morning, go for quark and berries instead of chocolate cream and powdered sugar.
8. Hands Off the Minibar!
Snacking on a chocolate bar or a small bag of chips before bed. While you probably wouldn’t even think of eating something sweet and fatty in bed at home, reaching for the minibar on vacation is tempting–but it’s deadly for weight loss. Try to resist with a simple trick: The chocolate bar costs up to five euros in luxury hotels–that’s extortionate. If the high calories don’t deter you, at least the exorbitant prices might.
Also interesting: The 25 Best All-Inclusive Hotels in Europe
9. Drink Plenty of Water!
It’s clear that water is essential for life. Whether it really helps with weight loss is debatable–but it’s still worth carrying a bottle of water with you on vacation. This way, you trick yourself into reaching for cold lemonade or cola at tourist stands less often.
10. Don’t Drink Alcohol Every Day!
Instead, consciously choose one or more days when you want to enjoy beer, wine, and cocktails. If you still don’t want to miss your sundowner, you can trick yourself here too: Order a fresh cocktail topped with soda–not one with cream or ice cream.
Also interesting: Can I Drink Alcohol Brought on a Plane?
11. Truly Treat Yourself!
Treating yourself on vacation–for many, this means three lavish meals, a cocktail by the pool, a bottle of wine in the evening, and an ice cream cone after midnight. But this actually has the opposite effect. You feel bloated, might not sleep well at night because the food sits heavy in your stomach, and the sugar overload isn’t good for your body. Adjusting back to normal eating at home feels like a small withdrawal. So don’t overdo it, but enjoy–then you can make the occasional exception.
12. Take Sports Classes!
Many hotels have gyms, and some even offer a selection of yoga, Pilates, or abs-legs-butt classes. A plus: In summer vacation, you can exercise outdoors–maybe even with a view of the sea. If that’s not an argument! And if the usual classes are too boring for you: How about a trial diving course?
13. Explore the City on Foot Instead of by Sightseeing Bus!
Not only will you burn a lot of calories, but you’ll also discover small alleys, squares, and boutiques that you would never see on a standard tourist bus tour.
14. Eat in a Local Restaurant Instead of the Hotel
Even though it’s so convenient to be served in the hotel restaurant in the evening, go out and find a quaint restaurant where only locals eat. While this isn’t a guarantee for healthy eating, at least you’ve moved around a bit (see Trick 1), and you’ve probably skipped a five-course meal (see Trick 15).
15. It Doesn’t Have to Be a Five-Course Meal Every Day
What are your eating habits at home–do you have an appetizer, main course, and dessert every day? Probably not. So why stuff yourself on vacation and risk discomfort, maybe even a sleepless night (see Trick 11)? And if you have the choice–opt for a light appetizer like soup or salad and not necessarily the sweet, sticky dessert.
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16. Swim a Few Laps in the Pool in the Morning!
If you’ve ever been annoyed by the hefty membership fees at a gym with a swimming pool, take advantage of the luxury of having a pool–or even the sea–right outside your door. Just swim a few laps before breakfast. This way, you’ve burned the first calories before others even get up.
17. Relax!
With all the tips and tricks mentioned, keep one thing in mind: Don’t pressure yourself, just relax–at least a pound will fall off on its own. Too much stress, according to studies, has the exact opposite effect.