I Used to Stress Over Every Meal on Vacation—Here’s What Changed

By the time I boarded my flight for a two-week family trip to Europe, I’d already decided: This trip wasn’t going to be about restriction. After a year of major lifestyle changes and significant weight loss, I’d learned that the goal isn’t perfection—it’s sustainability. I didn’t want to “stay on track” so much as I wanted to feel good in my body and in my experiences. But if I’m being honest, getting to that place mentally took more work than packing my suitcase. My sister, my therapist, and the Marco Polo group chats can all attest to the fact it was occupying a lot of my mind. 

Image above from our interview with Mary Ralph Bradley by Michelle Nash.

Redefining Vacation Health: The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything

Before I left, I had this quiet fear humming in the background: What if I lose the progress I’ve worked so hard for? I wasn’t just afraid of gaining weight, I was afraid of slipping back into old patterns, of undoing the emotional and physical work it took to get here, and letting this be all-consuming the entire trip. How do I tell a French restaurant I’d like less butter? What if I really want to try a pastry when I’m not really eating sugar? But when I really looked at that fear, I realized it came from an old version of myself. One that believed being “healthy” meant being in control at all times. One that labeled foods—and how I enjoyed those foods—as bad, guilty, cheating, and going off track. 

So I tried something new: I trusted myself.

I reminded myself that healthy habits weren’t something I could accidentally leave behind. I had worked too hard, developed a new understanding of how weightloss and maintenance works, and evolved too far to let a few days away unravel it all. The truth? Growth doesn’t disappear when you take a break. Giving myself permission to enjoy was exactly what kept me grounded.

How I Stayed Nourished on the Go (Without Overthinking It)

This was one of the simplest but most game-changing habits I brought with me. Before leaving, I stocked my carry-on with a few go-to snacks that I know make me feel good: unsalted roasted almonds, protein sticks, my AG1 travel pouches, and a few sumo oranges for the first leg of the flight.

Having something nourishing on hand during long travel days kept me from diving headfirst into airport fast food or skipping meals entirely. It also helped me stay tuned in to hunger cues, rather than reacting out of convenience or stress. And when I landed in a new city, I found a market or a juice spot to stock up on a few snacks to stick in my purse so I wasn’t hitting every boulangerie. I found the best healthy banana bread in Amsterdam and a market for fresh fruit in Paris. It was easier than I gave credit. 

Finding Joy in Movement While Traveling

This gym is one of the first things I check when booking a hotel now. Not because I’m planning on grinding through hours of cardio, but because I know how good I feel when I move—especially while traveling. Even just 20 minutes in the gym or quick bodyweight movements in my hotel room can set the tone for the day, but as it turned out, I only used one gym and it was on day two of the trip in Amsterdam.

My favorite form of movement, just like at home, was the simplest: walking. I walked everywhere. My sister and I got up earlier than our parents for a morning coffee stroll, which became a fun game of finding a new spot, and discovered our favorite spot ever in Paris. I walked home from dinners, museums, and all over the Marais. I took the stairs whenever I could—at airports, hotels, restaurants. Movement wasn’t punishment. It was pleasure. 

Yes to the Croissants: Practicing Mindful Indulgence on Vacation

Let’s get this out of the way: I said yes to the croissants. And the pasta. And the pizza. And the dessert at dinner. And, yes, even the late-night candy bar our fancy hotel had set up (it was divine). I said yes to the things I truly wanted. 

But I also noticed what I didn’t feel like saying yes to anymore: overeating or using food as a reward. Instead of the old, I’ll get back on track when I’m home mindset (which I knew would be a reality anyway), I approached each meal with a calm curiosity. I split desserts with my family, leaned into fresh local dishes, and tuned into how I wanted to feel, not just what I wanted to taste. I skipped the bread that didn’t look that great and mostly stopped after I felt satisfied with my bites. There were a few instances when I left a meal feeling overly full, so I made a note of that and listened to myself even more at my next meal. 

My ethos was simple: If I wanted to try it, I did. If it didn’t look great or I wasn’t hungry, I skipped it. Simple.

Making Rest a Travel Ritual (Not an Afterthought)

Travel used to be synonymous with burnout for me—too many plans, usually too much alcohol, and too little sleep. This time, I gave myself permission to rest. I went to bed early (thankfully, traveling with 70-year-old parents and a sister on the same page lends itself to that). I slept in. I chose slow mornings with cold brew instead of rushing out the door. Rest was woven into the trip in a beautiful and natural way. 

A Balanced Homecoming: Why Progress Matters More Than Perfection

What helped me the most was remembering that consistency doesn’t mean rigidity. I’m not the same person I was a year ago—and I didn’t want to treat this trip like I was. I live in the middle space now: where health and pleasure meet, where discipline supports joy, and where balance isn’t something I chase, but something I choose. Every day.

When I arrived home, I did feel a bit puffier and like my rings were tighter. I gave myself a few days and went back to my long walks, increased water intake, and morning strength training. I stepped on the scale and guess what? I weighed one pound less than I did when I left for Europe. All of that pizza, gelato, and croissants mixed with a lot of walking, eating mindfully (not in excess), and not stressing out about it proved balance is possible—and I can choose it no matter where I am.

Travel reminded me that healthy habits aren’t something I pack in my suitcase. They’re something I carry inside of me.