Stay On Track On Vacation

Sticking to your diet while on vacation can seem near impossible. Diets are hard enough when you’re at home in your own kitchen, let alone when you’re out of your element and more likely to be eating at restaurants. So, what’s a girl or guy to do?

First, don’t panic. Unless you’re travelling to an exotic place, there’s probably going to be a grocery store nearby. Stop in when you first arrive and stock up on some fruits and vegetables (most of these don’t even need to be refrigerated). Grab a few other staples and breakfast foods. Eating a good, healthy breakfast will start your day off on the right foot. If you hit the hotel buffet or go out for brunch each day, you could be tempted to consume way too many calories before the day is even half over.

Second, practice portion control. Dining out is a special treat and you’re going to want to enjoy your vacation by stopping in the local restaurants and sampling regional cuisine. The key here is to just order an entree – skip the appetizer (or make that your meal!) and skip dessert most nights. Treat yourself to one special dessert at the end of your trip if you’ve stuck to these guidelines – because after all, you’re on vacation!

If you would like more information about how Anchorage Bariatrics can help you with a customized weight loss solution, or would like to attend a free informational seminar please call us at 907-644-THIN.

Kitchen Swap

Mashed Avocado – For butter or oil in baking. (Remember when we talked about Healthy Fats a couple weeks ago? The avocado keeps popping up because it is one of the best foods you can eat!) Not all fats are bad for the body. Like olive oil and nuts, avocados are high in monounsaturated fats – the good kind – which help maintain healthy cholesterol levels and stave off heart problems. In contrast, solid fats like butter are high in saturated fats, which raise cholesterol levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Don’t HIIT Me!

You may have heard the buzz word “HIIT” (High Intensity Interval Training) when it comes to exercising. It is renowned for its ability to burn maximum calories over a relatively short period of exertion time. However, this type of training, where one alternates between intense bursts of activity followed by a fixed time of lower intensity activity or rest, is not recommended for novice exercisers or people who have been leading a sedentary lifestyle. Lower impact and slower paced moves are the best way to get started, building up to higher intensity as your body becomes accustomed to having exercise as a part of your daily routine.