My favorite theme whenever is go for a Vacation is to go for the local cuisines and taste the flavors of the place. My wife sometimes chides me that I travel just for food. But who could miss the Dr. Shakshuka in Tel Aviv, Garlic Naan in India, Fried Halloumi Sandwich in Cyprus or Hot-Dog in New York. We have so many varieties of food available for all palates that it would be a crime, not to appreciate and taste them.
While the vacation is kind on my food cravings, it’s not too kind on calories. It would be easily evident by the choice of my favorite foods in the countries; that I have scant regard to calories inside as long as they taste great. The idea is to enjoy the culinary experience of the place and be like a local.
Also since it’s a vacation, the fitness regime of gym, goes for a toss. You either do not have for it or get too lazy after a great meal. J It’s a double whammy where you eat great food and don’t have time for exercise. I’m sure most of you also would have faced the same dilemma.
The solution however is in 2 devices, One free and One under 100$
Google Maps and Fitbit Wristband
I’m sure all of us have Google Maps in our Smart Phones. However, not many of us knows that it has a feature to “Go Local” inbuilt in the app. The “Go Local” feature allows us to check for directions using Local Transport and Walking instead of Cars. When travelling, I try to go with this option as much as possible.
Club the Google Maps “Go Local” feature with Fitbit Wristband and what you get is a full fitness regime. The sleek looking Wristband counts your steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, and stairs climbed.
So the solution is to use public transport and walk as much as possible. Google Maps aid us with the directions and Wristband arms us with the data to ensure that we are doing enough. I try to go a step higher than the usual steps per day that I take. Usually 50% more steps than normal work day will do. This way, I feel less guilty about skipping the Gym and enjoying the gourmet food.
In the eternal battle between, “Eat to Live” and “Live to Eat”;
I’m on the “Live to Eat” side and proudly so. All the guilt pangs that come with it, are eradicated by my Vacation innovation shown above. So in your next Vacation, will you... “Eat to Live” and “Live to Eat”?
~~Sanjay Ishwarlal Upadhyay
