Travel & Hotspots

HOW DO I COME BACK FROM VACATION WITHOUT EXTRA KILOS?

(and I'm not talking about my suitcase)

So, girlfriends. My passport is ready, my nails are painted. Hasta la vista, off to Ibiza (almost rhymes).

Breakfast buffets full of delicious sweets, a bottle of wine on the beach, chips on the side, and of course, we do a round at the dessert buffet in the evening. After all, it's vacation.

When you, like me, spend six days in the gym, weekends away and vacations can sometimes become a little tricky. They don't have to be. It's really a matter of making the right choices. But how do you enjoy your week of rest and maintain the figure you've worked so hard for all year?

This is what I keep in mind when I sneak away...

Desserts

Am I skipping the dessert corner? No way José. In America, I eat that cinnamon roll in Italy that gelato, in sweet France the mousse au chocolat. And uh, a warm Liège waffle from the neighbors? To die for.

Forgotten veggies

I never skip vegetables and fruit. Not even on vacation. A big bowl of fruit for breakfast and raw veggies as a snack on the beach. No time to do a lot of grocery shopping? Just buy it pre-cut, much easier.

At least one big meal a day

You can definitely enjoy everything on vacation, but try not to stuff yourself all day long. I usually opt for one big meal and two smaller ones. Three courses in the evening? I can handle that. I do make my lunch a bit lighter though. A well-filled salad for example or a nice piece of fish.

Snacks

In my suitcase, there are always a few healthy muffins that I bake just before departure. And some filled bags with raw nuts. Weighs nothing and you'll be glad to have them on the beach.

What the farmer doesn't know, I actually do eat

I find it a party to try new healthy meals in another country. And that starts at home with doing research. My Ibiza list is already so long that I actually need to stay for two weeks, but I won't do that. All the more reason to go back again soon.

Alcohol

Of course, a glass of alcohol belongs on vacation. I skip the cocktails. You won't make me happy with a piña colada or a sweet margarita. Just chill a bottle of Chardonnay for me. Oh yes, secretly I love to start the day with a Bloody Mary. Whoops.

More than eating out

Finding nice restaurants is the best thing ever. Still, I eat at least once a day ‘at home’ as in: in my room, apartment, villa, boat; whatever it may be. Usually, that's breakfast (unless they have the best açai bowl in town, then I can't leave), a bowl of yogurt or some oatmeal. Yes, even when the smell of fresh French croissants greets you in the morning. My stomach doesn't do well with bread in the morning.

Furthermore, it's really vacation for me when I can raid the local deli. Salads, olives, fresh sourdough bread, CHEESES, dips, and pieces of fruit to then lounge on a secluded beach.

I'm going to pack my bags, guys. Adios.