An all-inclusive vacation is the perfect opportunity to unwind, soak up some much-needed sun, and take a break from daily responsibilities. But it doesn’t have to mean abandoning your health habits or using the “all you can eat/drink” setup as an excuse to overindulge.
Instead, think of it as a chance to recharge, reconnect with others, and enjoy movement and great food—without the prep or cleanup. With some simple strategies, you can come home feeling better, not worse.
Here’s how our family made our recent all-inclusive vacation both enjoyable and health-promoting:
1. Start Your Day with a Workout or Movement
Steve and I got up around 6:30–7:30 AM, grabbed water and BCAAs, and hit the gym 5 out of 7 days. Steve used the time to test new equipment ideas for PI, while I alternated between upper and lower body strength sessions. Some days included a short run or a 5-minute finisher. One morning, we swapped the gym for a game of tennis.
Workouts were about an hour or less—enough to feel great without missing quality time with our kids.
2. Walk Everywhere & Play Like a Kid
We loved how spread out the resort was—plenty of walking between our room, the buffet, the beach, and activities like waterslides, boogie boarding, and frisbee. Daily movement added up without effort, and staying active helped us be fully present with our kids (ages 10 and 13) and their cousins (15 and 17).
To keep our energy up, we skipped alcohol during the day and limited it at night. Bonus: the resort’s weak evening entertainment made it easy to head to bed by 10:30 PM!
3. Eat Mindfully (But Still Enjoy!)
At meals, I used a “protein + veg first” approach:
Breakfast: Egg white omelets, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt/cottage cheese with oats, loads of fresh melon and guava, plus a generous PB & jam combo (yes, even on eggs—don’t knock it!). I skipped pastries without feeling deprived.
Lunch & Dinner: My go-to plate: ¼ lean protein (grilled seafood, ceviche), ½ plate of veggies, ¼ whole grains or legumes. Then, if I still wanted something sweet, I’d have fresh fruit or a small dessert—never both meals.
Dinner Out: At à la carte restaurants, I chose satisfying, quality meals without defaulting to fried or battered options. One night, I had a delicious personal pizza—shared two slices, savored the rest, no guilt.
I appreciated the experience of relaxed, unhurried meals more than piling my plate.
4. Be Honest About Alcohol
My goal was 1–2 drinks/day max, with some alcohol-free days. I’m mindful of the current science—alcohol is a known carcinogen, and Canada now recommends zero as ideal.
Still, I grew up where alcohol was part of celebrations. I didn’t drink at all the first night, then averaged three drinks/night from day three onward. Always after dinner, never during the day. Drinks were wine or a spirit mixed with soda water or diet Fresca. If it had affected my sleep or motivation to work out, I’d have cut back. Back home, I’ve returned to my usual 1–2 drinks/week (or none).
Final Thoughts: Make It Your Vacation
This was our approach—but everyone’s idea of the perfect vacation is different. Some people want total rest and relaxation, and that’s totally valid!
What I do recommend is this: set a few simple parameters around activity, food, and alcohol. That way, you can truly enjoy all your vacation hours—without needing to “undo” anything when you get back.
And if you’re curious about how I brought the vacation mindset home—including the nutrition habits and food ideas I stole from our trip to level up my usual routine—make sure to check out the full YouTube video linked below!
If you’ve got questions or want help making your next vacation feel both amazing and energizing, I’m always happy to chat!
Book your Nutrition Assessment or Fitness Assessment today at info@pitraining.ca
