When we go away on holiday we tend to forget about our fat loss aspirations. And to a degree that’s okay because you need a break and to let off a little steam once in a while. But whilst realistically you won’t lose fat on holiday, you don’t want to put a load on and undo the weeks and months of hard work you have been putting in.

Here’s the plan I follow when on holiday.

Breakfast - Fruit and yogurt at breakfast. At home I usually use fruit to snack on during the day, but on holiday to ensure I keep getting my 5 a day I have 2/3 pieces of fruit with natural yogurt in the mornings. That way, you don’t forget about it and get a low calorie healthy breakfast.

Lunch - Salads at lunch. There is no reason or need to have bread or any other starchy carb at lunch. I am not burning nearly as many calories on holiday as I do at home, so the carbs will not be used as energy, but stored as fat. I keep it healthy with tasty and varied salads with protein such as prawns/lean meat.

 Dinner – I have to say this is where I allow myself the freedom. I will choose what I want of the menu at dinner and I will have a drink or two.  But that does NOT mean I overeat. So many people eat more on holiday than at home. Why? You will only end up feeling bloated that evening and the next day. Enjoy your food, but don’t go crazy with the quantity.

Minimal Snacking – At home I usually have a small snack mid morning and mid afternoon. I keep this to a minimum on holiday as  I don’t need the extra calories as I am less active.

Exercise? – I am very active in my daily life, so I do use holidays as a chance to recharge the batteries and let my body recover. However that doesn’t mean I do nothing. I make sure I do a certain amount of swimming and walking every day. It’s nowhere near the intensity I exercise at when at home, but at least in burns a few calories and keep the metabolism ticking over.

Today’s Takeaway – Enjoy your holiday, but don’t go crazy. You will only end up feeling guilty about undoing all your good work.