Several weeks in Florida taught me more about balance than any wellness plan could. Here’s what an 80/20 approach to movement, food, rest, and presence actually looked like on vacation, and why “healthy” doesn’t have to mean perfect.
I love living in New York City for the magic that is this city (most days, not all lol), but it’s not the pace or environment I grew up with, and it’s not always comfortable … especially in the winter. If you’re from the South and ended up in a big city and/or a place with frigid temps, you definitely know the feeling!
Over the past several years, a big part of how I manage city life full time is a full summer reset. I honestly need the break, and several weeks in Florida with my family and childhood friends (and their kiddos) is what lets me come back to the tall buildings, the noise, and the colder weather with a grateful heart instead of a depleted one.
We wrapped that stretch about a month ago — three full weeks, three different households (and two Airbnbs!), lots of family, multiple sets of friends, one very tired but very happy kid, and a whole lot of sunshine and memories.
If you’ve been following along, you know I love a good recap. But this post isn’t really about the trip itself, it’s about something I think about constantly as a health coach, and something this summer put to the test in real time:
What does “healthy” actually look like when life isn’t following a normal routine or schedule?
The truth is three weeks away from home involves bouncing between houses, plans, and a very loose routine. It’s not exactly a controlled environment, and I could have gone one of two ways:
I could have white-knuckled my usual habits and spent the whole trip stressed about missed workouts and “off-plan” meals.
Or, I could have let go of everything entirely and called it a vacation free-for-all.
I actually did neither, and I think the in-between is actually the whole point!
- The Mindset: Balance, Not Perfection
This is the philosophy I try to teach every single client, and it’s the one I had to actually live this summer: an 80/20 approach. There isn’t a a rigid plan, but there isn’t total abandonment, either. It’s all about knowing which pieces matter enough to prioritize, and which ones can budge without feeling guilt.
Vacation isn’t a reason to throw everything out the window, but it’s also not a test you’re supposed to pass with a perfect score. It’s a chance to practice exactly what “simplified healthy living” is supposed to mean in real life … not just on a good week at home, but in the chaos of travel, family, and constantly shifting plans.
- Exercise: Move In Ways That Actually Sparked Joy
I didn’t chase a workout streak this summer, and in fact, I didn’t have access to heavy weights or a gym. And that’s okay. Instead of stressing about it, I took a Pilates reformer class when I could find one nearby (and childcare). I walked a lot, almost every day, mostly without even trying to, but also intentional minutes and miles when I felt I needed more movement. I spent hours in the pool, which never feels like “exercise” in the moment but absolutely counted.
What I didn’t do is scold myself on the days none of that happened. This is so, so important because life is full of unplanned circumstances and/or delays and we have a need to continuously pivot. Sometimes the pivot includes a structured plan, and other times it’s simply doing the best we can with what we are given in front of us … and learning this and learning to give myself grace has sparked the most joy for me.
Was I looking forward to getting back on a routine when I got home? Absolutely. But I didn’t let a workout guage my entire success for the day.
- Food: Intuitive, No Rules Attached
I ate what the day called for. Fresh seafood one night, a sushi dinner with entirely too many rolls another, popsicles with my son more times than I could count. I didn’t track a single meal, and I ate salad for some and pizza for others. Sometimes I had pizza and salad. I didn’t overthink a single plate, and instead honored whatever my body was asking for.
This is where I think a lot of people get stuck: believing that “healthy” and “intuitive” can’t coexist. But they totally can! In fact, I’d argue they have to (for most people), if the goal is something sustainable rather than something you very strictly follow for a week and then completely abandon.
- Rest: The One Thing I Didn’t Compromise On
Of everything on this list, rest is the one piece I protected without exception. Yes, aiming for eight hours of sleep per night is a *big* one, but rest mostly focused on slower mornings, real downtime, and actually unplugging … not just physically leaving the city but mentally stepping away from the noise of it.
No matter which house we were staying in, and no matter how packed the day’s plans were, I made sure there was room to just breathe and exist. This is the piece that tends to get sacrificed first when life gets busy, and it’s exactly why I made it non-negotiable this summer.
- Presence: Over Documenting
Some of my favorite moments from this trip aren’t photographed at all. I was too busy actually living them, like a puzzle or card game that ran too late, a conversation on the pier that I didn’t need to capture, and watching my son ride waves with his friends instead of reaching for my phone.
I share a lot online, and I love that this space lets me connect with so many of you. But this summer was a good reminder that the goal was never to document the whole thing … it was to actually be in it.
- Cocktails and Hydration: Enjoyment With Intention
I had drinks with friends. Some days I didn’t have any alcohol, and others I had several glasses. No matter what, I also drank a *lot* of water in between. This isn’t complicated, and it isn’t about restriction. It’s just a small habit that let me experience the moments I wanted to fully enjoy, without feeling wrecked the next day.
Enjoyment and intention aren’t opposites. They work together, if you let them.
- Sleep: The Quiet, Unglamorous But Necessary Piece
Slower mornings only work if the nights actually support them. Prioritizing sleep isn’t the flashiest part of a “wellness” summer, and it’s rarely what makes it into a highlight reel … but it’s the piece that made everything else on this list possible.
Don’t sleep on the power of sleep, y’all. Trust.
So, what does “healthy living on vacation” actually look like?
Not a perfect plan. Not a rigid list of rules you carry with you wherever you go. It’s flexible by design and built around the two or three things you’re not willing to let slide (for me this is rest and presence), with everything else allowed to bend around real life.
That’s it … that’s the whole philosophy.
It’s not about doing everything right, it’s about knowing what actually matters to you, protecting that, and letting go of the pressure to control the rest.
I’ll leave you with the same question I’ve been asking myself all summer:
What’s the one thing you protect, no matter where you are?
I’d genuinely love to hear your answer! Drop it in the comments, or send me a message. This is exactly the kind of thing I want my course to be built around, and your answers help me build it better. Thank you for being here and including your input!
xo, Heather
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