I am Off to Maui – Here is My Pre-Vacation Prep!
As you can see, I wrote this blog about a year ago. But the beauty of living a life true to your core values and having a healthy relationship with yourself, is that a year later, this still rings true 100%. Except I am not going to Maui until May 🙁
A friend reached out to me yesterday asking me where she could find this blog. She read it a year ago, and it stuck a cord with her. Now preparing for her own trip, she needs to revisit the way it made her feel last year and remember what is truly important about going on a vacation.
So here we go, I am circling back to an important topic that I still am very passionate about and hope it can inspire you once again, or reach others who are ready for this in their lives:
“Monday we are headed off to paradise on our annual vacation. 2 weeks of sun, fun and no snow!
So what other is a fitness girl to do, than go on a big ol restrictive cleanse for a week or so before my trip?
No dairy, no gluten, no alcohol, no sugar!
Green cup protein, red cup carbs, purple cup poke my eyes out.
Here’s the deal……… I don’t do cleanses, diets, fasts, pre-set programs or anything of the sort.
Been there, done that and to put it mildly – each one sucked in their own special way.
When I am on any sort of restriction, all I can think about…all I want…..all I see, is what I am NOT supposed to have.
That restriction mentality works opposite for me and leads to a downward spiral of guilt, eating stuff I didn’t even want – just because I felt I couldn’t have it, and feelings of failure.
Life it too short to constantly beat yourself up and live by some “one sized fits most RULES”!
I am all about enjoying this life and going on vacation does not change my approach to living a well rounded life EVERYDAY (or let’s be honest, most days)!
Now I may ruffle some feathers with my post here, but it is a subject that I have a very strong opinion on.
I am just going to say it how I feel in hopes that I inspire one other person.
There are 2 parts to my blog here.
1) Why I don’t think cleanses/restrictive diets are helpful in the long run
and
2) Probably the more important part – Will losing 5 pounds the week before you go on vacation, really make your vacation any better?
So here we go:
Part 1:
Of course you lose weight on restrictive diets, juicing and cleanses – you are restricting your body of crucial calories and you probably will lose weight in the short term.
BUT, they also mess with your metabolism long term. Not to mention it really sucks to be HANGRY!
My biggest gripe with these sort of “programs”, is that I rarely hear people address your mental well being before/during and after.
So many people already have a negative relationship with food, and placing such restrictions and rules on what/when and how to eat, only further adds fuel to that fire and can often times lead to eating disorders.
This is a HIGHLY debated subject and if you don’t agree with me, that is ok.
I know some people thrive on the structure these programs bring and if you honestly ENJOY them and they improve your well being, keep on keeping on. They just are not for me.
When your body is constantly in fear that you are not eating enough, it is going to stock up when you do decide to eat again . That smart body will hold on to extra calories (aka pudge), in preparation if dare do that again.
I am active with my clients and classes 2-4+ hours/day, plus my own workouts and busy life.
This can feel like an endurance athlete and this Momma needs her fuel to keep firing on all cylinders.
I want to feel FIT & STRONG – not skinny and weak!
Because I LOVE what I do, it’s almost effortless at this point for me to choose to eat real food 90% of the time.
Food is fuel and I LOVE feeling good. I also love eating!
Food and I have a positive relationship these days (just like, anything it takes constant practice and forgiveness to get there).
Since the majority of us eat on a regular basis, multiple times a day, I highly recommend everyone really spend their energy on finding a healthy relationship with what you feed that body. After all, that in the one place you have to live in.
So enough said on this part. I think I stand pretty clear that I do not believe in overhauling your life for a few days/a week/month, over one particular event.
and
Part 2:
Call it getting older and wiser, or just by living with a new relationship around health the past 5+ years – BUT…….. life is SO much more than just looking perfect in a bathing suit , with defined abs.
I work hard day in and day out because I love myself, not because I hate myself. I practice this year round!
What matters the MOST to me about vacation is being present, having a great time because we are healthy and capable of doing whatever sounds fun.
I guarantee my kids will not notice if I have a 6 pack because I starved myself the week up to vacation.
They will however notice if they have a hangry mom!
Life is short my friends. Tomorrow is never promised and it is your duty to enjoy and to take care of the one body you live in, so that you can enjoy the heck out of life.
Going on a vacation completely worried about making a “goal” weight, or fitting in those shorts you bought months ago, swearing you will get into them THIS trip, is NO way to enjoy life.
Each year has 365 days. That gives you about a million chances to make decisions that honor your body both inside and out.
One week or one month before a big trip IS NOT going to change what you do the majority of the year.
I won’t work with clients who are specifically training for a vacation, reunion, event, or wedding.
These are not my people, I just care too dang much to invest in them “short-term”.
What happens after that date they are training for comes and goes?
They more often than not fall back into old habits – having not really appreciated the journey. This self defeating cycle happens again and again.
So there you have it! I didn’t do a darn thing different the week leading up to this vacation! That is my cleanse!
Instead, I am proud to say I am at a point in my life where I take care of myself on a year round basis.
I move my body daily, I view food as fuel, I place sleep as a non negotiable (best as I can with little ones), I have a grateful heart, a life I have worked hard to create, am surrounded by amazing people everyday, AND that is all that I need!
I am strong, healthy, happy and have an amazing family that I am going to go enjoy the heck out of for the next few weeks! I tuly hope everyone else can do the same in whatever way feeds your soul! Aloha!!”
Yeah, I loved the happy ending! You are a great role model for the VFIT crew.
Thank you!! You know me and probably were like “what did she do?” at the beginning!
Thanks for reposting friend! I love my body year-round. Not sure why an upcoming vacation is making me feel l need to crack the whip 😉 but like you, when I restrict myself, it back fires and I start to eat things that I would have never cared about before. Thanks for reminding me that losing lbs is not going to make my vacation any more enjoyable…Plus, I’m happy with where I am, why do I sabatoge myself by thinking I need to be restrictive and exercise more? That would mKe me tired, hungry and in a bad mood. I don’t want to be that for my family. I love and honor myself on most days and that’s all that matters. No one cares what I look like in a swimsuit. The people who love me don’t care and the people who care, don’t love me!
I always appreciate your insights and advice. Xoxo
Thank you for reaching out to me and I am grateful this made an impact on you almost a year ago and still today. Keep repeating the things your wrote. It’s like anything,we must keep practicing and exercising self love and talk to ourselves. You are amazing, so go enjoy that vacation!!