Spring is a time of eagerness and anticipation. As we approach the middle of the season, and begin looking forward to warm weather and vacation time, doing some advanced planning for the summertime can greatly improve your mindset. According to a recent HuffPost article, there are immense psychological benefits in having things to look forward to. This is even more true after having had so many birthdays, weddings, graduations, trips, and other events canceled over the past two years.
In addition to mental health advantages, there is another powerful reason to plan ahead for the coming summer months. When you make advanced decisions about where you plan to eat, your activities, and the like, you can feel good about what you’re doing the entire trip. This isn’t to say that you should avoid all indulgences at parties, restaurants, and poolside bars! Instead, coming up with a roadmap for your health is an excellent way to be in control of your mind and body.
Now comes the question: What, exactly, should you be planning this spring? Here are several areas to explore right now to make the most of your summer.
Your upcoming travel plans
I hope you’ll agree with me when I say that vacations are a ton of fun! Who doesn’t love relaxing poolside, exploring new cities, and trying new flavors? For the ultra-organized set, planning comes second nature. However, if you’ve fancied yourself as a spontaneous, go-with-the-flow kind of person, now is the time to develop (at minimum) a health template for your summer travels.
What?! Stay on a plan while on vacation?
Some of you may be cringing at this idea. But not to fear! Planning out your restaurant reservations, activities, and accommodations in advance comes with so many benefits. I’m certainly not advocating following a minute-by-minute itinerary (unless that is your preference!). Rather, being intentional with your choices on vacation will help you recharge, have fun, and help you come home feeling great!
Need some ideas to get you moving in the right direction? One of the best places to start is with your daily vacation activities. Whether you’re taking a simple road trip, or multiple international vacations, plan and reserve a handful of enjoyable activities.
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For example, I love to take walking tours when visiting a new city. I’m not a fan of sitting in a bus and seeing a city through a window. I want to see it up close and experience it in person! Opting for a more physical activity over one that is sedentary will help support your health goals without feeling like you are being deprived of any of the fun.
Another crucial item to plan out is your daily meals. No — you don’t have to decide each dish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Micromanaging your food is a sure way to take the enjoyment out of your time off. Alternatively, decide what days you plan to indulge, how much you plan to indulge, and what you plan to do to keep your body feeling good. If you want to eat with wild abandon for your whole vacation, you should do that too (although I always recommend balance 🙂 ). Just know that you’ll come back with some bloat and may not be feeling so great. That’s ok, just get back to your plan right away.
Because I love experiencing new foods and cuisines, I like to try different kinds of restaurants. Some are featured on Diners, Drive-ins & Dives, and some are Michelin Star restaurants. For me, I also know the importance of balance when it comes to eating and drinking on vacation. Too much of anything can upset your system, which can lead to stomach aches, fatigue, and general feelings of “blah.” Keep your energy levels up and your body feeling good by building in food balance for your summer vacation.
Celebrate good times
Not sure about vacation this year? There is still plenty out there for you to plan to have your best summer yet!
Summer is a time for celebration! On top of weddings, birthdays, and graduation parties, we do 4th of July and Labor Day parties during these months too. Inevitably, these celebrations can be full of foods that you don’t eat on a regular basis. Often, party goers are tempted with a menu of burgers, hot dogs, pasta salad, beer, desserts, and other delectable offerings.
As I’ve said many times before, foods are not “good” or “bad.” Thinking of them that way can lead to a host of problems, including disordered eating. A healthy diet is always about balance and choices. Take this time to decide how you’ll achieve balance in your diet. Ask yourself questions such as, “which events do I plan on treating as ‘celebration meals’?” and “how do I want to incorporate healthy choices into certain celebrations?” Remember, there are no right or wrong ways to do this! Your goals are unique to you and you get to decide the choices you make to achieve your goals.
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Bringing your fitness routine outdoors
Finally, start planning fun ways to bring your fitness routine outdoors. Summer brings with it warm and sunny days that are best enjoyed in nature. Start brainstorming fun ways that you can stay active while soaking in the outdoors.
On top of planning your weekly workouts, consider signing up for one or more single-day fitness events. This can include running a 5K or a marathon, participating in an adventure race, signing up for a competition in your favorite sport, or doing a physical activity that raises money for charity.
DAWN MCGEE
Dawn McGee is a certified and licensed Nutrition Evangelist and a long-time foodie, she focuses on both the health and joy of food as fuel for your body. She is a driving force in bringing education on healthy eating to more people through her community, my “Reclaim Your Life, One Bite at a Time” programs, and my book “365 Days of Healthy Living”. Her hope for you is that you live a life you love, without being hungry, feeling deprived, or giving up your glass
