Planning for Vacation After Weight Loss Surgery

Vacation dreams will forever be filled with lavish foods in gorgeous destinations filled with beautiful spaces to lounge in while sipping exotic drinks but if you’re post-bariatric surgery these can be triggers setting you back in your weight loss journey. When planning a vacation after weight loss surgery, you’ll have to plan mindfully. Understand in leaving your home you surrender control of daily life routines. To stay in control of your weight loss goals keep these planning tips in mind when deciding where to stay, what to pack, and what to do during your vacation.

When deciding where to stay:

Look into fitness amenities: Spa’s are great but can be costly, you can get the spa experience at the hotel gym and save. The fancier the hotel, the fancier the gym, you may find yourself in a tres luxe sauna hot tub combination. Remember to pack your favorite essential oils, and masks in a travel size bath tote for a rejuvenating spa treatment after a great workout.

Staying in an Airbnb?: Get to know the neighborhood by yelping restaurants and business. Plan for a few days where you walk to your dinner destination and maybe walk to a show. This is a great way to stumble into hidden gems.

When deciding what to pack:

Always bring your sneakers: Packing your sneakers means you’re being intentional about your health. It means no excuses. Make sure to also pack some comfy workout gear, a simple jogger, t-shirt combo will do. Bring a Ziploc to pack the sweaty clothes without compromising the rest of your wardrobe.

Vitamins and supplements: This should be an automatic thought, but still gets an honorable mention. Get a vitamin traveling case and load it with the vitamins and supplements you need. No need to miss out on nutrition because you didn't plan. As a bonus, pack protein powder in baggies per serving for quick shakes during travel.

When deciding what to do:

Book activities beforehand: There’s power in making a schedule, spontaneity is great but balance is better.  Building the habit of planning active days in your vacation will allow for time to explore and experience a new place from a different perspective. Some great suggestions are scheduling walking tours, they allow you to feel like a local if you do it right, while sneaking in some extra steps. Or spend a day doing water activities like paddle boarding or snorkeling. If you don’t know how to do either, take a class!

Always catch a sunrise:  I love this one! Although waking up early on vacation can seem like a chore, once you catch the sunrise you’ll feel a deep sense of appreciation for the time, and life itself.  An additional bonus is you won’t skip breakfast, many eating mistakes made on vacation are due to skipping breakfast.

Skip the buffet: I know, I know but seriously, the buffet is loaded with all the things we should be avoiding. Opt for hard-boiled eggs, oats, and fresh fruits. Stay away from the muffins, and bagels. Whenever possible eat local foods prepared to order, it’s a great way to learn about the local culture and city staples.

If you keep these simple tips in mind, you can expect to have an unforgettable vacation while staying the course towards your weight loss goals. A little planning can go a long way. What are your favorite things to do on vacation? Comment below or even better share with someone who’s due for a vacation.