School Vacation Coming Up? This Isn’t A Roadblock…We are Going to Prep for Vacation Without Losing Momentum
OOOh….Vacation (although arguably - a school vacation with kids, and travel…often feels less like a vacation and more like chaos on the road. BUT…I digress lol. A vacation is a break from your regular routine... and can also be a time when a lot of people quietly panic about losing progress.
Vacations can bring up a lot of conflicting feelings. You’re looking forward to a break - one that you may have been planning for a while now - the kids are excited to be out of school, you want to be present on your vacation for you - AND for your family.
But there’s also this little voice in the back of your head whispering “what if I undo all the progress I’ve made?”
GIRRRLLLL - I’ve heard this a thousand times (I’ve also been the one thinking it in the past). So let’s talk about it. Because going on vacation DOES NOT mean abandoning your goals, but it also doesn’t mean we are going to white-knuckle your routine through airport travel, time zone changes, beach relaxation, restaurant dinners, etc. You KNOW how I feel about a strict white-knuckle grip on your routine when circumstances change…it’s literally the fastest way to make SURE that everything blows up in your face lol.
So here is what we are going to do instead. We are going to PLAN for the VERSION OF SUCCESS that fits this season/trip/vacation/week. Let’s break it down.
1. Let’s redefine what success looks like for this week.
We know that when you are traveling, or your schedule is vastly different than normal - your routines are naturally going to shift. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed, it means that the context has changed.
So instead of holding yourself to your at-home standards, ask:
What does it look like to actually hit the mark on this trip?
What am I willing and able to commit to?
Where am I creating flexibility?
This might mean 1-2 short workouts instead of your usual 4. Or aiming for a protein source at each meal, even if you’re not tracking a thing. Of still tracking steps and hitting a baseline instead of reaching for a specific high count.
It could look like starting your day with a walk and water, no matter where you are (and finding the peace in maybe a beach walk instead of a rushed one before work).
It’s not about doing everything perfectly (duh - never is…) but here on vacation - it is helpful to truly create intentionality behind what we want to do - and how we will do it.
2. Vacation is a chance to practice flexible structure.
If you’re new here…this is something I talk about all the time. You can still anchor yourself to small habits that support your body, even if everything else feels a little chaotic.
Think:
One movement opportunity a day (walk, stretch, swim, yoga)
Protein with at least 2 meals
Staying hydrated, and being moderate with alcohol consumption
Don’t plan out every minute of every day with activities - but DO plan out some time for you to actually decompress each day.
These little anchors create a sense of rhythm, without making you feel like you’re on a schedule.
3. Zoom out: one week won’t make or break your progress — but your mindset might.
One vacation isn’t going to undo everything. But spiraling into the “screw it” mindset? That’ll derail you way faster than one margarita or missed lift.
So here’s your reminder: you don’t have to earn your vacation, and you don’t have to stress your way through it. You also don’t have to compensate for it afterward by swinging that pendulum in the complete opposite direction.
You GET to enjoy your vacation. You get to LIVE IT. And the version of you on vacation that can still hold onto those anchors and make healthy choices on vacation is the same one that will continue to show up when other little things come up in your normal life. You are creating a healthy lifestyle that bends with your life, and doesn’t break every time your schedule shifts.
If you want some support in that…click below and I’ve got you!