Bonjour! J. and I are exploring the good eats and fun in Montreal this week! Here are some strategies I plan to use to stay healthy even while on vacation. Next week, I’ll share with you how successful (or not successful) I was able to stick with it!
You may have noticed from my previous posts that my vacations are very food-focused. In fact, usually before I go on vacation, I have an extensive list of restaurants and food places that I want to check out, that is organized by cuisine.
And what are most of my vacation pictures of? Food.
The Rancher Plate at the Salt Lick in Driftwood, TX
King Crab legs, mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus from Chandler’s Crabhouse in Seattle
So I have to do something so I don’t gain 500 pounds! Here are some of my goals during my trip to try to reverse the effects of the poutine, Montreal bagels and perhaps the mysterious duck in a can.
1) Schedule a workout or two during the trip. Back in 2009, when I made a trip to Austin for my friend Molly’s wedding, I learned that our mutual friend, La, who also made the trip to Austin for the occasion, regularly exercises while traveling. Back then, I thought this was ludicrous. I mean, it’s a vacation, I want to relax! But now I’ve learned that working out while on vacation, just like in normal life, makes you feel good and gives you energy for all the fun activities planned for the day. So, La, if you’re reading this, I’m sorry I called you crazy and rolled my eyes at you. Exercise while on vacation can be great!
This trip, I plan on taking a run on Mont Royale Park. On past vacations, I’ve found lots of cities have great parks for running in. Like in Seattle, we took a run to Gasworks Park by taking the Burke-Gillman Trail.
View of the Seattle skyline from Gasworks Park
It was actually a beautiful run and a great way to see the city.
2) Plan activities that involve lots of walking. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the weather will cooperate because from what I’ve been told is Montreal is a very walkable city! On top of that, on our way to Montreal, we plan on stopping in upstate New York to go for a hike!
A hiking trail from our trip to Maine
In past trips, we gone on hikes and we’ve taken fun walking tours, such as the Wicked Walking Tour in Portland, Maine. I’ve also done the Underground Tour in Seattle, which is a lot of fun. If we can find one, we may try to find a fun themed walking tour in Montreal.
3) Split an entrée/appetizer/dessert with J. J. and I sometimes eat “family-style” at restaurants, even when we are not on vacation. We order an appetizer and an entrée and share it between the two of us. (We ask the server the bring the appetizer with the entrée.) And we almost always share dessert. (Which works out well for me because J. doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth and usually only takes a few bites of the dessert.) This strategy works really well from a health standpoint, but also from a economical one too.
Fried chicken, mac and cheese that J. and I shared at Mrs. P’s Electric Cock in Austin, TX
5) Pack some healthy snacks. Before our trip, I plan on picking up some nonperishables like nuts and dried fruit. When we were in Seattle, we snacked on fresh cherries at the Pike Place Market. In Montreal, the plan is stop by the Jean-Talon Market, and pick up some fresh fruit!
6) Relax. Something that I have always have to remind myself. Eating is an experience for me, and I want to experience as much as I can while I’m traveling. So I may not follow every single one of these tips, but I’ll do the best I can, while still have fun.
Question of the Week:
- Any other healthy tips while on vacation?
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