5 Swaps You Can Make This Spring Break

1. Drinks

Swap Out: Frozen Margaritas

Swap In: Skinny Girl Margaritas  + other homemade drinks 

Spring break makes us instantly think of a week away from schoolwork, under the sun, with a fruity drink in hand, while on the beach.  Fruity drinks, you say?  Moderation is the key word in this otherwise perfect spring break equation.  We so quickly forget the hundreds of calories we are quickly consuming with every beautiful yet over-priced drink we buy (or are treated to) at the bar.  It’s important to factor in your liquid calorie intake from alcohol when planning your meals on vacation.  One beer adds about 100 calories to your tab, while a frozen margarita can add up to 700 calories per glass.  Would you rather spend those 700 calories on a large salad with chicken, half a dinner roll, a Skinny Girl Margarita (made with Petron over ice, a splash of lime juice, and club soda,) and a few bites of dessert or ONE frozen beverage during the day?  Don’t be afraid to specify at the bar how you want your drink made (mojito with Sprite Zero and light on the sugar, please!) I know where I’m spending my calories this spring break. 

2. Mornings

Swap Out: Sleeping ’til 2PM

Swap In: A Pre-Lunch Workout

Spring break is all about catching up on much needed sleep, right?  Absolutely, but that doesn’t mean you need to waste the day away in bed and skimping on your workouts.  Instead of staying up until 2am (like usual,) hit the sheets at midnight.  You’ll be refreshed by 10am and will still have time to make a protein-packed smoothie and head to the gym (or the beach) for a kick-butt workout before your lunch date!  Take a stand-up paddle boarding or surfing lesson.  You worked so hard prior to spring break… Don’t allow your workout routine fall to pieces now!  Fitness is a lifetime goal and commitment. 

3. Nourishment

Swap Out: French Fries

Swap In: Veggie Sticks

You’re poolside and starving.  They stopped serving breakfast at 11, and you’re too lazy to go get lunch at a nearby restaurant.  What do you do?  You can either order poolside French fries and a soda, OR you can order water with lemon and a plate of crudités (any array of chopped veggies, usually in the form of carrot and celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, sliced peppers, olives, etc.) with hummus.  The salt-doused fries and carbonated soda will instantly bloat your belly and make you feel sleepy and sluggish.  The veggies and water will keep you hydrated (as vegetables consist mainly of water), will keep your taste buds happy (the greater the variety of veggies, the better), and will make you feel great about staying on track while indulging in other ways this spring break (like reading a trashy novel, being lazy on the beach all day, shamelessly flirting with guys on the boardwalk, etc).

4. Night Time

Swap Out: Snackfest and a Movie

Swap In: Dancing Night Out!

Instead of spending hours in front of the TV with a giant bowl of buttery popcorn or sugary treats, spend a night out on the town.  Wear a pair of sexy heels that elongate your legs and tone your calves.  Hit up a dance club, and don’t be afraid to break a sweat!  Dancing is one of the most fun yet overlooked forms of exercise.  Instead of mindlessly munching your calories on the couch, burn several hundred while letting loose to your favorite jams in a fun atmosphere.  Not up for the clubs?  Try a late-night walk or run on the beach, as long as it is in a safe area.

5. Beach Bodies 

Swap Out: Tanning

Swap In: Sunscreen and a Faux-Glow

We are so not about skin cancer or wrinkles, here at HerCampus Notre Dame.  Stay far, far away from tanning beds before you head off to spring break, and while on spring break, lather up with some yummy smelling sunscreen – remember, SPF 30 or higher!  Just want to build a little base tan by hitting up the tanning beds a few days before you catch your flight?  More like just want to ensure you have a crispy, fake orange glow by Saturday, sunspots by age 25 and wrinkles by age 30?  Exactly.  No thanks.  Instead, start building a base tan with a self-tanner that will build in color within a few days, like Jergens (which has recently improved its scent!) or Dove (which is super cheap and comes in a giant bottle).  Your skin will be moisturized and will have a natural looking, gentle glow by the time it’s time to strip down on the beach.