Picture this: you wake up the morning after getting home from your dream vacation. It’s bittersweet, having made memories to last a lifetime, but now having to face reality again. Before you can face the world, you have to face the enemy lurking in your bathroom… the scale.

You walk over, full of dread. You knew you shouldn’t have eaten those pastries at the breakfast buffet, but they looked better every day than they did the day before. Maybe all those steps you put in somehow canceled out the calories. Right?

We’ve all been there. It takes some of the joy out of traveling when you have that sinking feeling you’ll be coming back to reality a few extra pounds heavier. I believe it is important to feel good and energized while being in a different place and exploring. That energetic feeling goes hand-in-hand with making healthy choices. It can seem challenging sometimes, but it’s actually easier than you think.

Now that the world is opening up and restrictions are starting to loosen, we are all excited to start traveling again, finally! When we are on vacation, we sometimes tend to think our healthy habits should take a vacation, too-- but that shouldn’t be the case. I personally love traveling, and a lot of people ask me how I manage to stay healthy and fit while doing so. Trust me, sometimes exercising is the last thing on my mind! I just want to enjoy new delicious food and adventure in new places. So today, I am going to teach you the tips and tricks that have helped me stay healthy while enjoying traveling throughout the years.

1. Bring healthy snacks with you! ALWAYS!

I cannot stress this enough! This is especially important for the plane and airport, since their options aren’t the healthiest ones. And hey! You will save some money, too. I love trying new bakeries and places to eat when exploring a new place during the day, but everything needs to be done in moderation. Back in the day, I would often find myself going to the nearest shop or bakery to eat some sort of pastry or snack. I realized I was snacking on junk food a lot during the day, just because “I was on vacation.” When we are rushing, it is easy to rationalize any food that will keep you feeling full (no matter how unhealthy it is). Bringing healthy snacks with me and planning ahead has tremendously helped me from making bad decisions when it comes to food. Some of my favorite healthy snacks I love bringing along are keto bars or keto snacks (they are filling, healthier, and delicious), nuts (any will do), cheese sticks (can help you get protein on the go), or a Quest bar (high in protein, will keep you full longer).

Here are some of my favorite keto snacks, bars, and treats from Amazon, with more nutritious ingredients than a regular snack. They are delicious!

2. Get your body moving.

We know exercising in a gym while traveling is not ideal, so I am going to tell you what I do when traveling to show my body a little more love. First of all, I love to stretch. Being in a new bed and a new city can easily put a strain on our bodies. Stretching in the morning will allow your body to get the blood flowing and wake up your muscles, which will help prepare you for your day. If I really feel like working out afterwards, I tend to either go to the hotel gym, or do a quick 15 minute HIIT session (this way I feel accomplished, and get a good sweat in.)

Usually, my go-to way of getting my body moving while traveling is doing tons of walking. I love exploring, so sometimes I prefer to walk rather than catch a bus or a taxi. This not only allows me to get more steps in, but also allows me to truly experience a location, seeing streets, shops, and parks I wouldn’t have seen before. I highly recommend doing this!

3. Stick to your skincare routine.

Changes in our environment always have the potential to affect our skin. Sometimes we are afraid traveling will make us break out, especially those of us with sensitive skin. Your travel skin care regimen does not have to be complex and long, especially with tons of things on our mind already. Taking a little more time to plan before going on the trip is key to keeping your skin in top shape.

Usually, when you are traveling, the air is changing. The air on the plane or in a new place can tend to be dryer than our humid Florida air. I recommend bringing a good moisturizer to keep your skin well-hydrated! Currently, my favorite moisturizer is the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream.

This moisturizer is good for sensitive skin and dryness. It will protect your skin barrier, and your skin will feel plump and glowy. This moisturizer also contains colloidal oatmeal, which binds to your skin and locks in moisture, giving your skin a chance to rehydrate. Another two essential things I bring along are a simple face wash and sunscreen. While any face wash is fine, I prefer a natural one such as the Youth To The People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser. The ingredients are clean, and it is very gentle on the skin. 

The last and most important step is sunscreen. Sunscreen is essential in any skincare routine, because it will protect your skin’s appearance and health at any age. My favorite sunscreen is the EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46.

It is perfect for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Bring along these 3 essential products - your skin will thank you later!

4. Take alone time while traveling with others.

Traveling is my favorite thing to do. It’s super fun, but it can also be stressful especially when traveling with family or friends. There are no regular routines when traveling, which can be frustrating. Sometimes we need to take time alone to allow us those recharge moments. Having some “me time” is essential and one of the most important pieces of advice I can give to someone traveling.

Whether it's going on a walk alone in the morning, meditating, doing an activity on your own,  or simply taking some time to eat breakfast in the hotel by yourself, it will give your body and mind an opportunity to recharge and gather your thoughts. That way, when you are with other people, you can enjoy socializing.

5. Drink plenty of water! (And bring your vitamins with you, if you take any.)

Last but not least, the best piece of advice I can give is to drink plenty of water. This will keep your body hydrated, especially when doing tons of walking or drinking more alcohol than you normally would. I always advise bringing your own thermal water bottle to refill, because it can become expensive to be constantly buying plastic water bottles. Dehydration can also cause unclear thinking, changes in mood, or overheating. We don’t want any of those things happening while on a trip! Drinking lots of water will also help you stay fit and keep your skin clear and healthy.

If you follow these five simple tips, you won’t be dreading the post-vacation weigh-in. Not only will you have more energy and save money on your travels, you’ll have the confidence of knowing your health is along for the adventure.