In the past, I was so afraid to take a vacation. My worry was mostly centered around food, diet and exercise. Thoughts would consume me, like:
What if…
- my safe foods weren't there?
- I ran out of protein bars?
- we eat at a restaurant?
- people didn’t want to work out on any given day?
But not anymore!
On my recent trip, for example, I talked a lot (on IG Stories) about my food/drinks and exercise every day in Greece.
To be honest, my audience (knowing how I used to be) was astonished as to how liberated I was with all the things; often asking questions like:
“What made the difference for you, Chalene?”
And the answer to that… I freed myself.
How?
Well, a lot of ways. That said, here are 3 that made the biggest difference.
Why I Don’t Worry About What I Eat Anymore on Vacation
Disclaimer: Don’t necessarily do what I do — because what works for me might not work for you.
Remove triggering social media.
I don't look at or follow any fitness/diet inspo. You know those accounts — constantly showing their food and workouts!
And hey, if that is inspiration for you… awesome.
For me, though, they made me feel like I needed to be doing more all the time.
Hence, I just don’t look at that content. But, rather, I choose to follow people who I find inspirational.
Learning that no matter what I did I pretty much stayed the same.
When I really restricted my calories and exercised nonstop (for months at a time), my body/weight would stay the same (while ravenously craving things that I wasn't allowing myself to have, of course).
Then, I would have this period of “screw it!” mentality and eat whatever I wanted and not kill it in the gym. And, guess, what? I would basically stay the same.
After years of this vicious cycle, I realized…
“Why am I going through all this effort if I basically experience no difference in my body?”
So, it was a light bulb moment for me!
Resulting in a much more chill vacation vibe — where you’re usually forced to stray off your normal eating/exercise routines.
Real food is okay (and actually better for you).
Almost everything I was eating back then — because I could control it — was protein bars and protein shakes. I knew exactly what was going into my body:
- calories
- macros
- protein
Meaning, on vacation, I would worry about going to restaurants. Like, how would I freaking know how many calories I just ate?! The stress!
It took me years to realize that if I just focus on…
- getting strong
- eating real foods (I want to eat)
- paying attention to when I'm full/craving
…that dining at restaurants is a beautiful part of vacationing.
It's crazy how much happier you become after not worrying about these little tiny things.
For so much more related to this topic, like:
- Specific questions I’ve been asked re: diet/fitness on my most recent 30-day vacation
- Why trends in fitness and diet will never work
- How your body will tell you what it needs
Then, you must check out this episode of The Chalene Show:
And don’t forget to subscribe to TCS for weekly shows dedicated to your overall happiness and wellbeing!
