My family and I are doing a Canadian classic — a road trip out east — and right now we’re in PEI.
Some nights we’re camping, others we’re in an Airbnb, and sometimes we’re only in a spot for a single night before moving on.
As I write this, I’m sitting in a cozy Airbnb just a few minutes’ walk from the ocean. We’ll be here for four days before heading to Cape Breton.
It’s a 30-minute drive to town, almost completely silent except for the ocean, crickets, and the clucking of our hosts’ chickens.
It’s perfect.
But, as you might guess, I’m not exactly hitting a gym on this trip.
Here’s how I’m staying in shape while on vacation — and how you can too.
#1 – 80/20 Nutrition
I LOVE seafood. Specifically lobster.
One of my trip priorities: eat as much lobster as possible. Lobster season started a week ago, and the freshness of “caught this morning” is unreal.
That said, I don’t want to spend two weeks eating everything in sight and end up feeling gross. So I follow the 80/20 rule — 80% quality, nutritious foods, 20% “eat whatever you want.”
On the road, I focus on what I can control.
Like the day we stopped at a little restaurant on the Bay of Fundy and our server recommended lobster poutine… and then convinced us to try their peanut butter cheesecake.
Both were incredible. I’m glad I didn’t “be good” and order a salad.
I couldn’t predict that meal, but I could plan for the others. For breakfasts and lunches, we:
- Packed protein powder and ready-to-drink protein shakes
- Bought lots of fibrous veggies and artisanal whole-grain bread
- Kept meals relatively low-calorie so dinner could be indulgent
- Drank plenty of water (thirst is often mistaken for hunger)
- Avoided between-meal snacking… mostly (the brownies tested our willpower)
That way, dinner could be whatever I wanted — no guilt required.
#2 – Get Your Steps
This one’s easier on vacation.
I’m not glued to my desk, so I can spread my steps throughout the day.
Aim for a minimum of 7,500 steps daily, and push past 10,000 when you can.
Walking is one of the best, easiest things you can do for your body.
Bonus: walking on sand should count double — an hour on the beach feels like two in the park.
#3 – Strength Train (Yes, Even on Vacation)
Some people say, “I’m on vacation, why would I work out?”
Here’s why I do:
- I want my vacation to be as amazing and memorable as possible
- I know I feel my best — mentally, physically, and emotionally — when I work out regularly
Feeling my best means enjoying my vacation more
It’s not complicated. Katja and I each brought one kettlebell and a couple of bands.
We do 20–30 minutes of full-body work a few mornings a week after coffee.
It gives me more energy, keeps my body moving well, and helps me sleep better.
#4 – There is no Track
I often hear people come back from vacation saying, “I ate terribly, drank too much, didn’t exercise, and now I’m off track.”
With love: if you’d done the tips above, you wouldn’t feel that way.
It’s not fair to yourself to skip the things you know will make you feel good… and then beat yourself up for not feeling good.
And really, there is no “on” or “off” track if your goal is health and quality of life.
Vacations are part of the track.
A week or two away is meaningless in the big picture — unless you’re training for something very specific like a marathon or a physique competition.
Instead of “getting back on track,” just do your next workout. Adjust your choices. And enjoy the memories you made.
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If you follow these tips, you’ll come home from vacation with the same — or even more — energy than when you left.
…And maybe a lobster habit you’ll need to manage.
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