As you wake up after the Labor Day weekend (which generally signals the end of summer and back to reality) and less-than-healthy eating, your body is puffy and bloated. Your joints are achy. Your clothes feel tight. You’re ready to reclaim your health and fitness once again.

Getting Back in Shape After Vacation

Maybe you are feeling that way right now? I know that I am! I had two back-to-back weddings, camped out in Hither Hills in Montauk and had  lots of work and  stuff going on in between.

Here are 5 steps to get you back on the fitness fast track after your trip:

• Step One: Focus. Your vacation happened. You ate things from the “never eat these” list and you drank more than you should have…but now it’s over.  Draw a line in the sand. You’re back home so the bad eating stops now. If you’re serious about your fitness goals, your vacation was the exception and not the rule. Don’t beat yourself up for letting loose on your trip. Simply get back up, dust yourself off and get focused.
• Step Two: While travel days can take on many forms, the end result is most often dehydration and water retention. The only way to restore your balance is to get hydrated. Your first priority in getting back on track is to drink plenty of water throughout your first few days home. Start with a tall glass of water in the morning and carry a water bottle with you to sip throughout the day. Don’t add any artificial sweeteners or stimulants to your water. These will sabotage your hydration efforts. You can add some drops of “oceans trace minerals” or, for flavor, add sliced fresh fruit, herbs or vegetables to your water just like at the spa. I have to admit, coconut water fresh from the tree is SUPER hydrating. I have to get my fix of coconut water everyday!
• Step Three: Cleanse. For your first few days home, I need you to be extra picky about what you eat. Stick with only organic, whole, real foods like fruits, vegetables and lean meats. Whole, real, organic foods will help to restore balance and block out cravings. Don’t eat any processed or packaged foods for the next few days. This means no snack foods, processed meat slices, dairy, baked goods or alcohol… just for a few days. I promise you won’t melt away. Well, some fat will so that is a bonus.
• Step Four: Rest. As relaxing as vacation days are, most end with the feeling of exhaustion. Make catching up on sleep a priority over the next few days. When your body is low on sleep, it becomes easier to make poor eating choices. You’re also less likely to get back into your workouts if you don’t give your body a chance to rest. Aim for getting a full 8 hours of sleep each night.
• Step Five: Exercise. It’s time to sweat out all those vacation indulgences. So lace up your athletic shoes and put on your favorite gym clothes. When you start your first workout, ease in slowly. Take the time to warm up and stretch your muscles before powering up to a solid 30-minute routine.

Getting back in shape after vacation isn’t difficult.  How will you start?