How to Stay in Shape While on Vacation

My husband and I just recently returned from a road trip to Canada.  It was a 600 mile trip and it took ten hours to drive there.  In case you’ve ever wondered how to stay in shape while on vacation and doing so much sitting, here’s how I kept fit.  We started out at four in the morning.  My husband drove the first leg.  We stopped at the end of the Mass. Turnpike for breakfast at McDonalds.  Now you may think “YUK!”, but it actually wasn’t that bad!  I had an Egg white Mcmuffin for only 250 calories.  All the nutritional information was on the wrapper.  It had only 7 grams of fat, 18 grams of protein and 32 carbs because of the English muffin.

We stopped at 9 for a pit stop and to change drivers.  I had water with me, but tried not to drink as much as I usually do for obvious reasons.  I drove into Canada and we went through Customs.  You have to have a Passport and the guard asks you where you are visiting and for how long.  I drove over two bridges (a real accomplishment for me because I’m not a big  fan!)  They were single lane and quite steep!

YIKES! But I made it!  I drove to Kingston, and we found a place for lunch.  We both had Caesar Salads (mine with the dressing on the side).  It came with a Scotch egg which is an egg which is hard boiled and deep fried.  Anyway it was an egg and it had protein!  I also had a well-deserved glass of red wine and 16 ounces of water.  We took a little walk after lunch for about 15-20 minutes which gave us a little exercise.  We got in the car and drove another two hours.  My hubby finished the drive.

We arrived at our destination at four  in the afternoon.  We got ourselves settled at my cousin’s house and sat to chat before dinner.  Let me point out these are my Irish cousins and they have potatoes at most meals!  The good thing is my cousin sets up buffet style so you control your portions.  I always took the smallest potato.  Now I could have not taken any at all, but I’m Irish and really like potatoes!  I did watch my wine intake and had a few more than usual which I noted in my food log in the morning.  I keep a food log and note protein (60-80 grams), carbs(60-80 grams), fat(20 grams), and fiber(20 grams).

We went out for breakfast every day and after the second morning, I did poached egg and toast.  We skipped lunch a few times, which I know isn’t the best, but it worked out calorie wise.  We also walked two days for a half hour the first day and 45 minutes the next.  They had a party in our honor on Saturday and I did behave and had a small piece of blueberry pie with fresh picked blueberries yum!  I try not to eat sweets, but I do treat myself every once and a while.

On Sunday, we went for breakfast again and I did a poached egg and toast.  Just two pieces (my hubby always has the other two)!  We did some sightseeing and saw some beautiful foliage and three Blue Herons!  Really cool!  Dinner again had potatoes, but I picked a small one and had plenty of veggies and salad!

Monday we headed for home and had a good breakfast.  I had one egg, a few fried potatoes and toast, We drove 8 hours through a horrendous rain storm, but made it to Massachusetts by 4PM.

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Dinner that night consisted of swordfish, double broccoli and a salad.  I was almost home and back on track eating correctly.  I weighed in on Saturday and had not gained weight!  So that’s how I manage my life and weight.  I hope this helps someone out who may be struggling,

Mary Ann DeMello, MaryAnn’s Exercise

Check out my Aerobics/exercise ball class this Wednesday at Harwich Community Center on Oak St. across from the High School at 5:30 pm. Also, don’t forget to visit my website at www.maryannsexercise.com