Post Travel "DO NOT'S"

Picture this! You just spent a few days with your loved ones. Made great memories, enjoyed some delicious foods, stayed up late catching up with old friends, truly living your best life. Then you come home, look in the mirror and start to think "wow what happened these last couple days". You go into your bathroom stare at the scale and think "I'm sure it's not that bad". Next thing you know you step on the scale, your weight is up, and all of sudden you don't even remember the great times you just had because you let a number cover it all up. Who's been there?!

I am guilty of this scenario, so let me tell you this: Do NOT let the scale squander precious memories from a trip you just enjoyed. Here are some tips I have for you that could help you with those post travel feeling of regret or shame because you may have had a little too much fun (no such thing!).

1. DO NOT weigh yourself - why? If you are feeling sluggish, a little fluffy, bloated, or not yourself, chances are the scale will only validate those already negative feelings. It's better to give yourself a couple days to adjust back to your routine, then weigh yourself and see where you truly are at weight wise.

2. DO NOT restrict/starve yourself - the last thing your body needs is to be depleted of food. Food is fuel no matter what! Your first couple days back really focus on whole meals. Protein, fruits, veggies, complex carbs. You don't have to hide your favorite snacks and pretend they don't exist. Just balance your day of eating! Try to think more 90% clean, whole food eating with 10% of fun foods.

3. DO NOT go workout to punish yourself - working out should honor your body, not be a punishment. I repeat: working out is HONORING your body with movement, not punishing it for lack of movement. To me, the best approach is to have a simple, light full body session or a long walk. Wake up the muscles, let them know you are going to be training again so get ready, and after a day or two get back to smashing your normal routine.

4. DO NOT beat yourself up - last but 100% not least, do not beat yourself up for having fun. Your journey isn't black and white. Your progress isn't linear. So you feel fluffy after your vacay? Okay! Doesn't mean you are fat. So you feel weaker in the gym after not training? Okay! Doesn't mean you lost all your hard work leading up to that point.

Long read made short - your fitness journey is more than eating salads and lifting some weights. It's meant to be enjoyed! It's meant to be fun and challenging! Embrace the hard speed bumps along the way and give yourself grace along the way.