How To Stay On Track During Holidays and Vacation!

We are 3 months into 2017 and our first vacation period, Spring Break, has passed. Many people start out strong with the "New Year New Me" campaigns, but when a person spends more than a week or 2 away from working out they are more than likely to have a harder time staying on track. Some don't have the will to come back. I have already seen how some of my boot camp and online clients have had a tough period staying consistent during this Spring Break season. Next fitness goal booby traps coming up are Easter, Graduation, and Summer. So, how are you supposed to keep your fitness goals in check during these days? It is pretty simple: Follow the program

Number 1: Your Fitness Goals Are Not Their Fitness Goals

You have to remember that every time your family or friends who doesn't support your fitness goals in some way. Make sure when planning to travel you pick a hotel that has an adequate size gym. If you are traveling with a growing family you will have to tolerate seeing them eat things that you can't have. As head (or one of the heads)of the family, you should always promote healthy eating for the benefit of healthy growing kids. However, depending on your goals there are going to be things you are going to have to sacrifice food wise. You are going to have to workout around their schedules. If you know you are going to busy with the family then get your workout done in the morning before they are up or when they are busy with other activities. Same thing goes for your best friend or gym buddy. They are more than likely not going to stay on plan with you. So you are doing to have to be prepared to workout on your own. 

Number 2: You Don't Have To Eat Bad In Order To Have A Good Time

One thing a lot of people do is connect food with emotions. Food is just fuel for the body. You can go on any vacation spot and find healthy food that you can eat with the family or friends. Just because you can't have a 3 lbs. donut doesn't mean you can't have good time. You are still going to see and do all the great and fun things to do on vacation or the holidays. In addition, eating healthy gives you energy to keep going and exploring if you are visiting an unknown area. Eating high fat and sugar foods will only rob your body energy to be a tourist and to keep up with your workout program while out of town. 

Number 3: You Don't Have To Get Buzzed or Drunk Every Day You Are On Vacation or Holiday

Another booby trap for weight-loss and muscle gains is alcohol. Drinking more than the daily legal limit (2 a day) can hamper your fitness goals and can get you in great trouble legally. Alcohol is pretty much drinking fermented liquid from sugary plants or fruits. It is loaded in calories and carbs. Depending on the caloric intake of your preferred alcoholic beverage you can easily drink from 55 - 1,000 calories per drink. In addition, you mitochondria doesn't really know how to process alcohol so the body stores it has fat. Alcohol also inhibits protein synthesis. This is why most of us bodybuilders cut the alcohol as soon as we start prepping for show. 

Number 4: Pick Tourist Spots That Require Some Level of Activity

While I was in town for the 2016 WNBF World Championships in L.A., I took some time to check out Topanga State Park! It was a 2 hour hike and I used it in conjunction with my final prep for show. It was a great experience that brought me to tears once I reached the top of the canyon! 

In conclusion, you have to do the time if you want to reach your fitness goals. Taking time off from training and eating clean will have the opposite effects that you want. So why sabotage yourself? You are the one that will be upset and losing you investment with not following the program. Not the people who try to steer you off course. I have had a client gain almost 20 lbs in 2 weeks of not training, eating bad and drinking too much alcohol. It can sneak up on you before you know it and it is 5x harder to lose weight than it is to gain.