Pound the Pavement to Keep Vacation Pounds Away

Photo Courtesy of #BennehBoy

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Sarah Scrafford, an industry critic, as well as a regular contributor on the subject of RN.

I hate vacations, not because I’m a workaholic, but because I’m one of the unlucky millions who gains two pounds for every one that I sweat and toil to shed, simply by looking at a cheese burger. Working hard to keep my weight in check all through the year and then gaining back a considerable number during two weeks of vacation, well, that’s not something I would wish on even my worst enemy.

But my vacations being what they are – long lazy hours lying in the sun, elaborate five-course dinners, ice-cream sundaes to beat the midday heat – the scales tip upward rather rapidly even before I’ve unpacked the last bag. Being the hedonist that I am for those two weeks, my taste buds would never forgive me if I put them through the crackers and water test.

And once back to the daily grind of mundane work, there’s just not enough time to dedicate to more hours of working out at the gym, and working more than 9 to 5 hours makes me cranky when I’m forced to go on a diet. All I can do is stick to what I’ve been doing before I left for the vacation (which turns out to be a weight-watcher’s nightmare in hindsight) and rue the fact that the buttons on those snug jeans are repelling each other like similar poles of a magnet.

Caught between the devil and the deep sea, I took a firm decision – to have my cake and eat it too and still stay slim and shapely. I would eat all I wanted while on vacation, but I would make sure those delicious bites were never converted to even an ounce of fat on my body. And if you’re wondering how on earth I managed to pull that off, keep reading.

• I replaced my stilettos with sensible walking shoes, and I walked. I walked up and down the stairs at my hotel, I chose the table furthest from the door at the restaurant, I left my computer and cell phone behind and walked to the furthest Internet café and public phone each time I needed to communicate with people back home and at the office. Since I’m addicted to both my phone and the Internet, this strategy worked wonders for it ensured that I would have to walk at least a mile a day.
• I found a bicycle and explored the town – it beat taking public transportation or driving a car.
• Instead of just lazing in the pool, I actually swam a few laps everyday (and then allowed myself to laze).
• I filled myself with fluids, water in particular, just before I kept my date with the sagging buffet table. Window shopping was all I could do, as my stomach could only hold so much with all that water sloshing inside. Of course, my mouth watered long after the tables were cleared, but by then it was too late to let go of my self control.
• And when I did let go and stuff myself, I made sure it was before my long walks or bicycle rides. Instant energy for those activities equates to no extra pounds on my hips and waist.

The scales told the whole story on my return home. Not only did I manage to keep the excess pounds at bay, I also returned refreshed and ready for work, not hung over and lethargic as I usually do.

Sarah invites your questions, comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address: sarah.scrafford25@gmail.com