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Before we boarded the plane to Hawaii, I had a choice to make.
I could treat this trip like a “pause” from my health routine. Let go of my habits. Indulge with no guardrails. Tell myself I’d “get back on track” when we returned, just like I had told myself so many times before.
Because if I’m being honest… that’s exactly what I used to do.
Especially after having kids.
Vacations felt hard.
Schedules were chaotic.
The excuse of “no time” was always right there waiting for me.
And for years, I let it win. I’d abandon my training, return home feeling like I was starting from scratch all over again — struggling to find my rhythm, weighed down by guilt, shame, and the regret of knowing I’d made it harder on myself than it needed to be.
But this trip? This trip was different.
Because I’ve spent time doing the hard work, not just physically, but mentally. I’ve built consistency around my health no matter how chaotic life, parenting, or travel gets. I’ve learned that discipline isn’t rigid, it’s freeing. It’s what allows me to live fully, without the guilt or shame that used to follow me home.
So before we ever packed our bags, I made a decision:
I wasn’t going to derail my progress. Not this time. Not again.
Instead, I chose to approach this month as I approach my life at home: through the lens of identity.
Because when health becomes part of who you are, when you train, eat, and recover not for the short term, but because it aligns with how you want to live, consistency doesn’t disappear the moment you leave your zip code.
Here’s what I’ve learned, and what’s helped me, while spending a month in Hawaii…
Living a little more in line with my ancestors, moving my body, fueling it well, and creating a life that feels as good as it looks.
👇 Below are the 5 simple strategies I’ve incorporated to stay on track — no matter where life takes me.
If you’re someone who is on when life is easy and off when life gets chaotic, this shift is everything.
For me, the goal isn’t to be perfect on vacation. It’s to be rooted. My health choices aren’t tied to a gym or routine. They’re tied to my values: longevity, energy, vitality, and showing my kids what it looks like to live well anywhere.
Whether I’m in Austin or Hawaii, I want to move, eat, and live in ways that support who I am becoming, not just how I want to look next month.
It’s easy to associate travel with a lack of movement. Long flights, long meals, long days sitting around. However, movement doesn’t have to resemble a gym or a 60-minute session.
Here, it looks like long walks to the park or grocery store. A 30-minute bodyweight circuit during quiet time. Climbing rocks, chasing waves, stretching at sunset.
When movement is part of the day, and not separate from it, it becomes easier to accomplish. I aim for 3-4 short, intentional workouts each week, not for aesthetics, but to keep my body resilient. Movement keeps me grounded, offsets indulgence, and makes getting back home feel seamless, instead of having to “start over”.
One thing that never changes for me, whether I’m traveling or home, is protein. Why?
Because protein is what keeps my blood sugar stable, my energy consistent, and my muscle mass intact, especially when I’m not lifting as heavy or as often.
Here’s how I think about it:
If I hit my protein targets, everything else feels easier. I’m less ravenous, less likely to spiral into all-or-nothing eating, and I can fully enjoy the unexpected treats (ice cream, surprise donut stops with my kids, or snow cones) without guilt or shame.
Balance isn’t about avoiding treats. It’s about anchoring yourself to habits that create resilience.
We always stay somewhere with a full kitchen. Not because we try to “control” everything, but because cooking most of our meals gives us energy, saves us money, and allows us to enjoy the meals out that much more.
Our routine here? Breakfast and lunch at home. Simple, protein-forward meals. Then a few dinners out each week to explore.
It’s not about deprivation. It’s about balance. And feeling good while we’re here.
Sleep is the foundation that everything else rests on. When I protect my sleep, everything from my mood, energy, metabolism, and even my blood sugar, works better.
Travel, different beds, time zones… It’s tempting to let it slide. But I don’t.
I keep my routine as close to home as possible:
Because how I sleep here impacts how I feel and keeps me resilient.
Travel isn’t an excuse to abandon yourself. It’s a chance to practice who you want to become and a test of your true values.
When you approach health through identity, as someone who moves, fuels well, prioritizes rest, and seeks balance, staying “on track” becomes less about rules and more about alignment.
And coming home? It doesn’t feel like starting over. It feels like momentum.
If this resonates, and you’re tired of the all-or-nothing cycle, let’s talk.
At Central Athlete, we help you build strategies that travel with you, rooted in behavioral change and a personalized approach designed to align with who you want to become. True, lasting success isn’t tied to a location or a perfect routine. It’s built through core habits and an identity shift that keeps momentum moving forward, no matter where life takes you.
Because life doesn’t pause. Neither should your health.
👉 Book a free strategy session and start building your foundation.
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