When I started my wellness journey, I did not realize how mentally taxing it could be.  I understood it would potentially push me physically and mentally, but when you get deep into the journey, it can begin to mentally take a toll.  This isn’t a bad thing, but you may reach a point where you need to take a break. Like your job, you may need to take a vacation.

Going on Vacation

Recently, I was able to take an actual vacation where I traveled throughout parts of Utah and Arizona.  I used to obsess so much over everything that I would eat, even on vacation, that I wasn’t enjoying myself.  I learned to let go a bit. 

I’ve talked about it before, our bodies sometimes need time to reset, especially when we hit a plateau.  Also, I began to question whether I was really taking a break when I was still logging every meal and counting calories.  I learned to let go and enjoy my vacation.

Finding a Balance Between Enjoyment and Intake Control

While I learned to let go, I don’t fully walk away from what I have learned.  As your body adjusts and you know how to control your intake, much of what you do becomes natural.  I’ve found that I tend to continue to follow much of the same diet as I normally do.  However, there are some changes I make.

Enjoy the Moment

When traveling or taking a vacation, we may overindulge.  That’s okay, as long as it doesn’t become habit.  I like to try new things when I travel.  This can lead me to overeating during some meals and not eating a lot at other meals. 

Depending on the type of trip I’m on, it can dictate my eating habits, schedule and what I’m eating.  Many of my vacations involve a lot of activity, especially this last one.  I tend to focus on taking trips where I do a lot of hiking.  This requires balancing and ensuring I’m taking in enough carbs and calories for energy, which can change my diet.  Also, since I was hiking in the desert, I had to bring food that wouldn’t melt.

Something that I have started doing is eating at least one large meal at some point during the day, either before or after I get off the trail.  I’m an early morning hiker, so usually it’s a late breakfast or lunch. 

My routine is based around the amount of time I’m on the trail. I also carry light, but high carb and protein food in my backpack because when you’re putting in many miles and hours, you need to refuel.  There is a need to balance the weight on my back with camera equipment, water, food and other supplies.  This gives me fuel, but when I get off the trail, I’m hungry, so I get a big meal.  The calories tend to balance out.

Treat Yourself

Like finding balance, you still need to treat yourself.  I don’t eat a lot of sweets or takeout food when I’m home.  This shifts a bit when I travel.  I still don’t eat fast food, but I do find places to sit down and enjoy a meal I normally wouldn’t. This may include having some pancakes or fried chicken. I also may pick a meal that would be completely out of my norm, just to enjoy and try something new.

When traveling, I tend to get an urge for ice cream, a donut or a piece of cake.  I don’t overdue by getting this every day, but I do treat myself.  On this trip, I was gone for 8 days.  I had ice cream twice and because I was celebrating my birthday, I had a special cake and ice cream after a meal.

Take a Vacation and Don’t Feel Guilty

Our normal response might be to punish ourselves with negative self-talk for getting away from our journey.  The way I look at this, it’s not getting away from your journey, you’re supporting your mental wellness by taking a break from your diet.  Remember, you can get back on and food should not get in the way of you enjoying your vacation. Don’t revolve your vacation around food.