How to Get Back into Your Routine After a Vacation (or Two Back-to-Back Weddings!)
October 8, 2024
How to Get Back into Your Routine After a Vacation (or Two Back-to-Back Weddings!)
Ever come back from a vacation or a whirlwind couple of weekends and feel like you need a complete reset? After a couple of weekends standing up in out-of-town weddings, I can relate. But here's the good news—you don’t need to "start over" or go back to day one. In fact, if you’ve built sustainable habits, getting back on track can be a lot easier than you think.
Let’s talk about why you don’t need a complete overhaul and how to ease back into your normal routine without the stress.
No Need to "Start Over" When Habits Are Built to Last
When you've been building healthy habits consistently, a break—whether it's for travel, weddings, or just a busy season—doesn’t undo your progress. Think of your routine like a layered approach: each small, consistent action stacks on top of the last. So even if you took some time off, those layers are still there. You don’t need to erase your slate or throw in the towel.
Instead, think of it as pressing "resume." Your habits have been cultivated over time, so rather than needing to restart, you’re just re-engaging with what you already know works.
Getting Back to Your Normal Routine: Start Simple
Here’s the plan—keep things simple. You don’t need to tackle everything at once. Give yourself permission to ease back in, especially if you didn’t sleep much or spent the weekend on your feet in heels (or a tux).
Step 1: Hydration, Protein, and Fiber
The first order of business is taking care of your body’s basic needs. After travel or busy weekends, dehydration and poor eating habits are common. That’s why it’s essential to get back to your routine with:
- Plenty of water: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Travel, alcohol, and lack of sleep can leave you feeling sluggish, so start by rehydrating.
- Protein: It’s time to feed those muscles. Whether it’s a protein shake, eggs, chicken, or plant-based options, make sure you’re fueling up.
- Fiber: Help your digestive system get back on track with fiber-rich foods. Think leafy greens, whole grains, and fruits.
Step 2: Ease into Workouts
If you didn’t get much sleep or your body feels drained, resist the urge to jump right into intense workouts. Instead, lean on gentle movement. This might look like:
- A light walk
- Stretching or yoga
- Foam rolling
- Low-impact bodyweight exercises
As you catch up on rest and feel your energy return, you can ramp up the intensity of your workouts. Remember, it’s not about doing everything all at once, but gradually building back to your usual routine.
Step 3: Use What You Have & Schedule Groceries
Coming home from a trip (or two!) can feel overwhelming—there’s unpacking, laundry, emails, and a kitchen that might look a little bare. But here’s where your well-stocked freezer and pantry come to the rescue.
While you're still catching up, lean on those back-up items you’ve already prepared:
- Frozen veggies
- Pre-cooked grains
- Canned beans or proteins like tuna or chickpeas
- Maybe even whole meals you've prepped, packaged, and frozen - aka the #1 go-to travel tip from our in-house nutrition expert, Coach Lynne
If you do need to restock your fridge, skip the store and schedule a grocery delivery or pickup. It’s one less thing to worry about, and you can focus on getting back into your routine.
The Power of Consistency Over Perfection
The key takeaway here? Don’t stress about making everything perfect right away. Sustainable habits are all about consistency, not perfection. Life happens—weddings, vacations, unexpected breaks—but those small habits you’ve built over time will carry you through.
If your pantry is stocked, your body is hydrated, and you’re starting to move again, you’re already winning.
Conclusion: Start Where You Left Off
Getting back to your normal routine after a break doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s not about starting over or getting back to “day one”—it’s about returning to what you know works for you. Hydrate, fuel your body, move gently, and give yourself a little grace as you settle back in.
And remember, those habits you’ve been building? They’re still there, waiting for you to hit "play." You've got this!
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