Healthy + all-you-can-eat-and-drink don’t seem to go together, or so you thought. Indulgence is the theme of an all-inclusive and while I highly recommend embracing those cheat days especially while you’re on vacation, it is possible to maintain a somewhat healthy lifestyle at these gluttonous playgrounds.

Here’s how to head home from your vacation with still a bit of a bikini bod left:

Utilize the destination as your gym.

The best way to see a place is by walking it, so make a point to go on long walks every morning and evening. Many resorts offer yoga, pilates, and other classes as well. Talk advantage of the often free non-motorized sports such as stand up paddle boarding and kayaking which can be great workouts. It is important to enjoy your vacation, but it is very easy to stay active while doing so!

Seek food & beverage alternatives.

Food

Buffets are loaded with tons of things we may want but shouldn’t have. Resist the urge to grab everything and focus on your portions. Grab a smaller plate to encourage yourself to load up less. Also, you are on vacation so enjoy yourself but in moderation. I personally liked to eat healthy for breakfast and lunch then indulge a bit more at dinner. Good alternatives I like are:

• Oil & vinegar instead of salad dressing
• Fruit instead of dessert for that sweet tooth
• Ask for a sandwich with a wrap instead, or forgo the wrap entirely and make it a salad

Resort Drinks

• Skinny piña colada: fresh pineapple, coconut rum, pineapple juice. Omit the traditional cream
• Skinny daiquiri: fresh fruit of your choice, rum, lime juice, ask for minimal simple syrup
• Skinny margarita: instead of getting a sugary blended margarita, ask for one made with just tequila, triple sec, grand mariner, lime juice, and light simple syrup. For extra spice and flavor, ask them to crush jalapeños in it or muddle fresh fruit!
• Wine: opt for wine often, this is all we drank at night!

Don’t be afraid to ask.

All-inclusives aren’t cheap, and theres a reason for that. You constantly have copious amounts of food and beverage at your beck and call, so why not use this beneficially towards your health. If you like your eggs half eggs/half egg-whites, ask the omelette chef to accommodate that. I guarantee he will because he already has the ingredients right in front of him. At the bar, don’t settle for a sugary drink but instead ask  what skinny options they may have. If it is a good resort, someone should be willing to help you. If you don’t ask, you won’t know!

 

Safe travels y’all!

Best,

Chelsea Rose Martin