Going on a road trip is one of the best things you can do in terms of fun summer vacation. Not only will you save tons of money on airfare, but you’ll get to explore countless locations as you make your way to your final destination. It can be a great bonding opportunity for couples and a cheap vacation idea for families trying to save money. As long as your car has achieved all of its automotive and diesel certifications, you’re ready to take the rugged American landscape by storm this summer.
While road tripping offers ample opportunities for fun, they’re not always the most healthy of ventures. Trying to maintain your weight loss goals can seem impossible when you may be tempted to pack classic road trip snacks, like chips and energy drinks. Sitting for long hours can be another blow to your health.
Even though your bariatric surgeon has given you ample advice on maintaining your health at home, going on a vacation is often the first roadblock that someone struggling with weight loss might face. Your weight loss clinic in Piedmont can help you understand what’s good and bad for your health, but it’s another challenge to put these words into action.
If you’re planning to go on a road trip this summer, follow these tips to maintain your health — and your weight.
Bring healthy snacks for the car ride
There are a few snacking staples that every road tripper will recognize: coffee, energy drinks, cookies, and other pre-packaged foods that you might pick up from the gas station. It’s only natural that you would want some tasty comfort foods when you’re gearing up for a long ride. When you’re stuck in the car, food and a few games are the only things that can bring you joy on the endless stretch of asphalt.
Unfortunately, these unhealthy snacks can wreak havoc on your body — and your goal weight. Every weight loss program notes that healthy eating is the majority of the battle when it comes to losing weight. Processed foods that stay good for weeks on end are one of the major contributors to obesity. Your weight loss program recommends a diet full of fruit, vegetables, and low-fat items to maintain your goal weight.
It might be tempting to stock up on processed foods when you hit the gas station, but this will set you back on your weight loss journey. The first step to staying healthy on your road trip is to invest in healthy foods that won’t go bad immediately. Healthy fruits, like bananas and apples, are great since they come in their own packaging and can stay fresh in a simple cooler (you may want to even consider unsweetened dried fruit, which lasts longer). If you want to liven up these snacks, a simple dollop of peanut butter can turn a small snack into a filling, protein-rich meal. Do some shopping in advance so you’re not stuck relying on gas stations for the majority of your food.
Stay as active as you can on the road
Road trips demand that you sit in a car for hours on end. That’s why it’s important to plan out each stop you make to get the most exercise on the drive.
During each pitstop, whether you’re seeing a new landmark or simply going to the bathroom at the gas station, try to do a series of burpees, pushups, and lunges to get your body moving. Since you’re only relying on your own bodyweight to work out, you can perform these workouts almost anywhere. It also means that you don’t need to bring heavy dumbbells or athletic equipment (unless you want to).
On your path, there’s no shame in stopping off at a playground or park to get some fresh air. Sure, it might detract from your itinerary, but half of the fun of road trips exist in these happy accidents. Pullover to stick your toes in a river or venture down a path that’s off the beaten trail. You will be surprised at how fun this is.
As a final tip, you should be working some activity into your schedule from the start. Don’t make your road trip all about eating or indulging: You should plan to visit some cool hiking spots or beautiful beaches to go swimming.
Road trips don’t have to be lazy affairs. With these tips, you’ll be able to achieve weight management and make the most out of your time spent on the road. For more information, don’t hesitate to contact JumpstartMD Piedmont, located at1337 Grand Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94610. Our number is (510) 300-6462. We look forward to hearing from you!
