Ah, vacations — they are a time for us to kick back and relax, forget about life’s worries for a little while. With vacations come indulging — be it on thirst-quenching margaritas or scrumptious chips and guacamole — and there are times when getting back into our daily routines is somewhat difficult. However, life is all about balance: eating 90% clean and allowing ourselves to indulge while away. There is no point in beating ourselves up over a few days’ worth of meals, after all.

Looking to reboot your system post-vacation? Read this to find out how to get back into the swing of things.

1. Hide That Weighing Scale

We highly recommend hiding your weighing scale upon getting back home, immediately. Being obsessed with the numbers on the scale will make you anxious and can do more harm than good. Do not let social media fool you: post-vacation weight gain is completely normal. Chances are those pounds are just water weight from the delicious food and unlimited booze.

Contrary to popular belief, the only way to shed those post-vacation pounds is through making necessary lifestyle changes and adapting to the situation at hand. Do not wait, start now.

2. Stock Up That Fridge With Good-For-You Ingredients

Another thing you could do once you have settled in (if you already haven’t, that is) is to hit up your nearest Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. Strategize and stick to your list. Ditch your coveted sweet and salty treats like Pop-Tarts, Sour Patch Kids, and Doritos for wholesome ingredients like grass-fed beef, sweet potatoes, (keto-friendly) trail mix, and the like. The goal is to nourish and fuel your body, not trash it.

3. Ditch The Take Out. Cook Your Food and Meal Prep Instead.

We all love take-out food. Restaurant food is convenient, no doubt about it. There is honestly nothing more satisfying than a warm bowl of Tom Yum Soup from your nearest Thai place or more mouth-watering than a juicy, greasy burger. The thing is, no one knows how restaurant food is prepared. Even the seemingly healthy dishes like soups and salads could be laced with unnecessary additives, which contribute to feeling sluggish and bloated — thus, affecting your overall mood. Restaurants are also known to use seed oils such as canola and soybean oil which are no the type of fats we want to be eating.

Food is fuel and nourishing your body with certain ingredients drastically affects the way you operate daily. “Healthy” doesn’t mean bland or disgusting by any means. The secret? Enhance your dishes with spices and herbs to enhance the flavor. Take scrambled eggs, an instant breakfast favorite. You can opt to have it as is if that’s your thing or add spices, garlic, and onion to up the taste a bit and eat them alone or alongside a slice of seeded multigrain toast.

Albeit time-consuming, cooking is the way to go. Doing so ensures that you know what you’re putting into your body and you can always cook in bigger batches to prep for busier days ahead. Another factor to take into consideration? It’s more cost-effective. Why spend $5-30 per meal when the money can go toward your next grocery or farmer’s market run?

4. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Sodas, alcoholic beverages, and powdered juices contain sugar and high fructose corn syrup, two ingredients known to spike your insulin levels. Put them down immediately and grab some water instead. Water is the most beneficial drink out there, and we’re here to tell you why.

First off, it contains zero sugar, and you can drink as much as you want without worrying about how it’s going to affect your body. Second, those hunger pangs you get during the day? That usually means you need to up your water intake. Consume a glass upon waking up, and one before each meal to curb your body’s hunger pangs. Lastly, proper water intake helps you fight fatigue. The more hydrated you are, the better you will feel. Make sure to drink at least 8-10 glasses daily, whether you live an active lifestyle or not.

5. Move That Body

Exercise, when coupled with proper hydration and nutrition, is another factor that helps you get back into post-vacation shape. There are a variety of exercises to choose from — be it cardiovascular activities like running and swimming to ballet and strength training. Some people dread exercising, so we recommend finding one that brings you immense joy, doesn’t feel like work. Are you athletic by nature? Try going for 2-3 mile runs or 30 minute-long swims every morning or afternoon to increase your endurance and improve overall athletic performance. Do you have anger management issues? Maybe go kickboxing four times a week to let those frustrations out. Do you want to improve your flexibility? Try out Bikram yoga or attend a ballet class. You get the gist.

One thing that helps me if I get any little injuries while working out is our CBD infused Pain Salve. I just rub some on sore muscles so I can stick to my routine more efficiently.

There’s nothing wrong with indulging every once in a while, especially while you’re on holiday. Remember, life is about balance. Allow yourself to indulge while you’re on vacation. You can ease your way back into your routine and incorporate healthier habits once it’s over!