Vacations are a badly needed break from the norm and maintaining your usual, healthy routine during your holiday does not always happen.

When travelling, I try to stick to my normal lifestyle. I manage to get a workout in daily by starting early, before the day gets under way.

Then I will indulge in a cupcake, chocolate or a cup of gelato throughout the day while still trying to make wise food choices such as sticking to proteins and vegetables instead of burgers and fries.

But we have all had the ‘I’m going to eat whatever the heck I want’ kind of trip as well. Finding balance is ideal.

If you have been working extremely hard to lose weight and get to where you are, you do not want to trash it with a week of indulgence.

So how do you rein it in after the vacation is over?

• Hydrate

After days of not cooking and eating high-sodium restaurant foods, your body is longing for water. It will be the best detox for you.

Try to drink between half of an ounce and an ounce of water for each pound you weigh, daily. For example, if you weigh 150lb that would be 75oz to 150oz of water a day (between two and four litres).

• Sweat

Working out is probably the last thing on your to-do list after your vacation.

However, you do not want to build unhealthy habits by continuing the sedentary vacation lifestyle.

Do not dwell on how many workouts you have missed, think about how awesome they will be now you have given your body a rest. Whether it is group exercise or personal training, JUST DO IT.

A good workout will give you the motivation that you need to get back on track.

• Go grocery shopping

Start healthy and fill your cart with lots of your favourite fruits, vegetables and proteins. Incorporating healthy foods into your first week back will help you to feel better and more energetic.

• Go to bed

This is very important for getting your sleep back on track, even if you try to get in bed only 15 minutes earlier each night.

Making healthier choices and decisions are much easier when you are well rested.

• Eat at home

Think about how easy it is to splurge when you go out to eat, then decide not to do it, at least for a while.

Try to pack your own healthy meals to take to work, which will save loads of money as well.

• Do not weigh yourself

If you can feel you have gained a few pounds, what is seeing the number on the scale going to do for you?

Even if you are motivated by seeing numbers, do not beat yourself up about the choices you have made. Focus on the future and move on.

Get inspired, not depressed after your vacation. Find a new workout or favourite recipe and B-Active For Life.

• Betty Doyling is a certified fitness trainer and figure competitor with more than nine years of experience. Check her out on Facebook: www.facebook.com/B.ActiveForLife