I tend to be an all or nothing when it comes to "eating healthy" or eating what junk is put in front of me. And although I tend to do really well in my own day to day life, take me out of my familiar environment and I tend to go a little crazy.

And with 4th of July and my vacay just a few days away, I'm already thinking about how I can set myself up for success. I do not want to come back from vacation feeling bloating, tired and beating myself up for participating in a free for all in the food department. Because for me, my former binge eating ways tend to still sneak up on me. My controlled environment at home keeps me at peace, and I think the unknown, unplanned and carefree vacay days actually stress me out more than I realize. Time after time I have completely binged every single day on vacation, and I'm not going into this vacay without a mental game plan.

So here are some tips that I plan to implement while I'm "relaxing" on the beach.

• Keep to my intermittent fasting schedule with NO EXCUSES. Fasting has so many health benefits. Read this blog post about fasting. I do a 16/8 protocol which means I consume ALL my calories within an 8 hour window. 

• Be intentional about which meals are treat meals, which means think ahead about it. I don't believe in saying you can never have a deep fried Oreo, but I am a believer in being INTENTIONAL about it. Choose and plan which meal you are going to splurge on.

• Track what I'm eating in an App, like My Fitness Pal. It's so EASY to lose track of just how many extra calories you are consuming and I say this all the time...WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER, YOU DO BETTER. (and make better choices!)

• Pack healthier snacks for an easy grab that I know won't make me feel like crap later on. This may seem like a given, but honestly how many times have you found everyone else around you is munching on Pringles and you're like DANG IT, I have NOTHING to munch on. Vacations always seems like snacking occurs more frequently.

• Avoid the vacay buffets. I mean it. There is something about giving yourself permission to eat until you want to die. Its. just. not. worth. it. 

• I try to always book a room with a small kitchen so I can make my own food. Eating out every single meal always makes me feel extra bloated due to the excess sodium in most processed foods. 

• I try to set a goal for how many times I want to work out and get it done first thing in the morning.

And I think most importantly, I focus on my mental health. I try to be present and catch myself in the moment if the certain urge to emotional eat comes over me. I focus on each day at a time and not the entire trip of eating "perfectly." I give myself grace and celebrate the progress of my health and weight loss journey. And lastly, I come into agreement with myself that vacation days does not give me permission to binge eat, and doing so won't give me the life I truly want.

Happy Summertime!

Blessings,

Carla