Today is the first day of winter, although in truth I’ve been proclaiming us in the middle of winter for weeks now. It’s chilly and foggy where I live, which can make for questionable driving conditions. Still, not even ice or snow is going to keep most people from traveling to see loved ones during this time of year.
It’s exciting to get an early start to a trip. We’re up at the crack of dawn and manage to leave even earlier than expected—right? More likely, it’s two hours after our scheduled departure and we’re still trying to arrange luggage and presents in the car. But finally we pile into our vehicles and set out for the many hours of driving. Well, after we stop for Starbucks and fast food. When we finally hit the road, it’s with a sigh of relief. It calls for an Almond Roca and peanut brittle celebration.
The excitement of the trip can quickly wear off. As we watch the miles slowly creep by, it’s easy to consume more than an adequate amount of fat and calories. Not only that, but we’re sitting for hours. By the time we reach our destination, our eyes are glazed over, our bodies are sluggish, and it’s not just from driving all day.
There must be a way to feel better at the end of the road. How about playing travel games when we need to stay awake instead of eating. Keep crunchy veggies on hand for when the eating starts to become an automatic motion. Also, drink plenty of water, even though it means stopping often. In fact, stopping isn’t a bad thing. It’s good to stop every two to three hours for a stretch and short walk anyway. One of my family’s favorite places to stop is in Redding, California. There is a walking bridge two minutes off of the freeway. It has a terrific view and our daughter appreciates the chance to run wild in a safe place. It’s refreshing for us.
If we think about being healthy, even when we’re starting a much-anticipated vacation, we’ll stay feeling better. I don’t know about you, but I want to make the most of my vacation by feeling the best I can for it!
It is true! I think we often eat out of boredom on a long trip.
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