I have spent the past nine days at Indian Lake for our annual family vacation. Over this vacation we have four houses full of family and there are 15-20 of us here depending on the day. We spend the days floating, boating, playing board games and generally having fun while mostly disconnecting from our daily responsibilities.

Last week I talked about how my life has changed because of my fitness journey. This week has included another example of that change. My approach to relaxing lake vacations is very different now.

This is the eighteenth year that my wife and I have been coming to Indian Lake together and it is always during this same week. That means that, throughout the week, I have been seeing  “memories” pop up on social media from our vacations from the past. These memories from the past are a good reminder of how much things have changed through my fitness journey.

Just a couple of short years ago my average day at the lake started with waking up at 8, 9 or 10 o’clock after staying up until 1 or 2 at night. I would turn on some Netflix, park myself on the couch and start eating some sugary cereal. After eating I might drift off and sleep a bit more.

Eventually I would get up and my wife would be up too. We would hang out around the house for a while and then get showered and dressed. We would hop in the car and drive to the restaurant on our island (just .4 miles away) and get some lunch. I would likely get a burger or other sandwich and some chips. Then we would sit there for a couple of hours watching the band and the people.

Mid afternoon we would pack up and head to the other side of the lake to meet up with family. We might play some Scrabble and just sit beside the lake relaxing and maybe fishing. Then we would have dinner as a family and continue the games until after sunset. Then we would break off into separate groups and may play poker or other games while snacking and drinking until late night when we would return to our respective houses and go to bed. The next day we would repeat.

There would be minimal exercise. There would be lots of junk food. There would be lots of alcohol. Plus there would likely be a variety of work phone calls and emails. It was mostly relaxing but not really very healthy at all. Thus it was the perfect metaphor for my life.

Today things are pretty different on the average day at the lake. Here’s a summary of what my normal day at the lake looks like.

I might sleep in until 7 or 8 before I get myself out of bed. Once I am up I spend twenty minutes or so journaling and posting daily inspirational posts on social media. After that is done I make sure to drink at least sixteen but more likely thirty-two ounces of water to start rehydrating myself. I also eat a healthy breakfast that usually consists of a banana and peanut butter or maybe some Greek yogurt and fruit.

Next up comes some time for exercise. I put on my workout clothes and head outside to do some lunges, push-ups and some jumping jacks. Then I start my morning run for at least a couple of miles or maybe even longer. This weekend I started my day with a run of nearly five miles. After my run is done I may tack on a walk or a bike ride or both. I try to start my day with plenty of exercise and I consider it a big win for myself if I burn over a thousand calories of exercise before noon.

My afternoons are still fairly similar to what they were before but with a couple of notable exceptions. First is that we will not drive to lunch if we are going someplace conveniently walkable. When we get to lunch I am way more deliberate about the foods that I choose. I make sure that I choose primary fruits and vegetables plus some protein of some sort. I essentially never have fries and I limit my bread intake. I also am more choosy about my drinking and try to choose lower calorie alcoholic drinks mixed with plenty of water.

Later in the evening I still play many board games and lots of rounds of poker. But I am more careful about my snacking and try to limit my mindless grazing on chips and other super unhealthy snacks. During one late night poker game this vacation there were plenty of chips and such available for the taking but I ate sugar snap peas. Plus I drank more water to help my body stay hydrated and healthy – I shoot for 140+ ounces per day.

To be sure, I still have tons of fun and relaxation at the lake during vacation. In fact I may have even more relaxation because I am much better about disconnecting from work. I still spend time drinking, snacking and having fun. But more of my fun and activities include exercise and I love it. Plus I continue to challenge myself never to operate on autopilot when it comes to my health and eating.

So what? This means that it is absolutely possible, and pretty darn easy, to have a fun and healthy vacation. We are all a product of our choices and it just takes a couple of smart choices to live your healthiest life. Most importantly vacation is not an excuse for “cheat days” nor is any other day of your life. The key is to build a fitness lifestyle that you love and that doesn’t require you to cheat.

Thanks for reading and please try to make your next vacation your healthiest one yet. You will be happy that you did.

Want to know more about how I used project management to lose 130 pounds in 18 months? Grab your copy of Operation Melt: How I Used Life-Changing Project Management to Lose Over 100 Pounds in Under a Year.