Beach Vaca!

So the time has come...you are headed to the beach with family & friends. It's about time!


Here are some hints to make sure you can fit in your swim suit when you leave the beach and avoid the post-vaca guilt.

• Have a plan. Plan to eat at least one or two meals in every day. This will allow you to be in charge of what you are eating. Keep some quick meal options available such as turkey-tortilla roll-up, fruit salad with yogurt & nuts, or peanut butter and banana sandwich.
• Get rid of your watch. Your schedule is going to be different, after all you are on vacation! Don't worry about eating at certain times, eat when you are hungry...and stop when you are no longer hungry. Let your hunger be the guide to tell you when to eat not your watch.
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. The heat at the beach will cause you to sweat, so don't forget to stay hydrated. Of course water will work. We always make "party drinks" when at the pool and these will work for the beach too. Mix sparkling water and a splash of pineapple juice (or any other juice). You can add frozen grapes, strawberries, or pineapple chunks to your drink to keep it cool. As the fruits defrost they will keep your drink cold and you can eat them! Feel free to add a little umbrella, just for good measure! Remember, your body doesn't absorb much water from drinks with alcohol, I'm just sayin...
• Master the munchies. Have some refreshing snacks to pack in the ice chest-watermelon chunks & grapes-and some that will hold you over until you get back inside-beef jerky or walnuts. When you are not at the beach much on some hummus and pita chips or carrots, bean dip, salsa, or guac with baked tortilla chips. Keep in mind munchies are just to get you to the next meal, not to make a meal out of them.
• Move! It doesn't matter what you do, but get your body moving. Of course you can bring tennis shoes and walk the beach, but I prefer to do activities on vacation that I do not do other places. We always bring a football or frisbee to the beach. To me, throwing a frisbee is not fun unless you have sand between your toes. You can blow up the beach ball and pop it around like volleyball, or actually play volleyball (I have never been brave enough to do this one, but it will certainly get your heart pumping). A swim in the waves can also get your ticker beating. If none of these sound good, just dance!

Your vacation meant for chilaxin', unwindin', and rest, so go and have fun! You don't have to spare taking care of yourself while you are away, and you'll feel better when you get home if you know you've put forth a little effort. Enjoy!