GLOBE-TROTTING WITHOUT GAINING
WALK IT OUT
Get in some sort of exercise any way you can. You may not be able to find a Barre Class or F45 in downtown Mykonos (and you may projectile vomit if you tried) so go easy. Walk it off, take a dip and sweat it out! While spending 2 weeks in Mexico and living off chips, guac and margaritas for breakfast, a dear friend shared her weight management strategy…The “Sweat Diet” where spending hours in the glorious Puerto Vallarta sun helped a treat! Never would I stand between a gal and her guac!
DON’T WAIT TILL YOU’RE STARVING
Being a little fussy (which I’ve been known to be) meant that it’s not always easy to agree on a lunch spot or pop into the closest café. More so, when you spend the day visiting Monet’s incredible garden and home in Giverny from Paris and go without food – it’s not ideal. FYI, this resulted in the solo consumption of a large margarita pizza. I loved every minute. My stomach did not.
Take snacks! Do not go 6, 7, 8 hours between meals leaving you, shall we say #hangry AF. It doesn’t make you a good travel companion by any means, and on top of this, it sets your metabolism in meltdown. This will also allow you to try a place on your well-researched list rather than settle for the most convenient.
GO EASY ON THE COCKTAILS
Keep ‘em clear. Go for ol’ faithful Vodka Sodas as opposed to the oranges and pinks of a “Sex on the Beach.” Plus, your avoiding that extra sugar intake and calories! Win/Win.
Don’t let the sun, booze and European men blindside you… if you’re eating Pringles, Mars Bars (x2 frozen but who’s counting) and pasta daily, it’s going to show.
FRESH IS BEST
Always opt for fresh produce and snacks to keep you going. Part of the magic in overseas cities are local farmers’ markets, so step out and pick up the seasonal delicacies on offer.
ON A BUDGET?
I have to admit, my tastebuds have widely expanded since my backpacking trip in 09. Looking back, eating Coco Pops and Maccas wasn’t the most nutritional of decisions but I was looking out for my bank account. Use your time at the markets and local supermarkets to buy fresh ingredients for breakfast or a light dinner before heading out. No doubt wherever you stay, you’ll be able to have access to essential kitchen utensils to whip up a simple and delicious green salad. Alternatively, splurge and shout yourself some throw away cutlery and make your own pop-up kitchen. You never know, this may be your time to try a raw diet – in which case, not having access to a full kitchen shouldn’t be too much of a hindrance.
Whatever you do, don’t over-obsess with your intake or over indulge. It’s about enjoying everything in moderation, ladies! Because, at the end of the day, no one wants to party with the knob in Ios who’s on a lemon detox diet!
