How to Summer travel with All the Fun and no food guilt!

A coupIe of months ago, learned that my long time friend from high school, college and med school (yup, we go way back!) was visiting the UK. We have a friend in Scotland whom we’ve visited on different occasions but not at the same time. So when I found out, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to catch up. Plus, our summer plan to travel as a family did not happen due to timing- so I thought why don’t we do a mother-son trip? It’s something Joaquin and I have not done  before. We've done overnight trips and day hiking trips. But we have not done an International trip just the two of us. I knew it would be something that I would cherish, especially in the summer before he left for college. So I was really looking forward to this trip. I started writing this on our last day in Edinburgh. 

Travel with Intention:

One thing that my coaching clients would notice as a recurring theme in our sessions is the word "intentional". A word so simple, unassuming. Everyone can be intentional! But harder and harder these days because of all the distractions that come at us at every direction. Also another coach-friend showed me the way, when on a trip to Hawaii she told me her travel intention. And I didn't have particular ones at the time. And I thought it was a beautiful practice to start.

So I set my intention:

1. To make as many memorable moments with my son.

2. Reconnect with my friends.

3. Reduce stress, prioritize self-care, protect my peace of mind.

4. Have fun.

   
   

Edinburgh did not disappoint. In fact it was the perfect backdrop for all my intentions. It is such a historic and picturesque place, that everywhere you end up, there's something interesting to see.

How I Stay Grounded While Traveling

Travel — especially in summer — often throws people into “vacation mode.” You skip meals or overindulge, and tell yourself you’ll “get back on track” when you return home. I hear this a lot with my patients, and often it takes them weeks to get back on track. And if they didn't have much of a routine to get back to, it often takes them a visit with me before they feel that they are "On-track".

So, I wanted to explore a place somewhere in the middle.

I wanted to enjoy myself, not micromanage my food. But I also didn’t want to come home feeling like I had to undo anything.

So I leaned into what I teach my clients — choosing intention, presence and letting go of perfection.

Here’s how that looked:

1. Mindful Meals, Not Perfect Ones

I didn’t track anything. I didn’t say no to haggis, fish and chips, or the dessert on top of the afternoon tea. I simply tuned into my hunger, aimed for protein and veggies when possible, and let myself enjoy and savor what I ate

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2. Built-In Movement

From cobblestone streets to climbing high hills, we walked a lot. We were active every day — and it reminded me how joyful movement can be when it’s tied to experiences. When I travel, also always pack workout clothes. Sometimes it happens sometimes it doesn't, but the intention is still there and it is still anchoring to me ha ha! So I planned in 2 morning workouts (it happened) and it helped that there was a gym at our hotel.

3. Morning Anchors

I kept a loose rhythm that helped ground me: coffee, and a few quiet moments to reflect. I have this favorite app called "How We Feel".

It is a useful tool to be aware of how we're thinking and how we're feeling at the moment. And it is one of the most used app on my phone.

Breakfast to set us well for the day.

Even with jet lag, this simple habit kept me centered.

4. Protecting My Peace

We didn’t overbook. A lot of times during travel, we all tend to have FOMO (fear of missing out) that we want to see all the things. But this time I gave myself permission to rest, and to slow down. Joaquin and I took mid-day naps. That was a nice change of pace. One afternoon we lingered longer over tea with friends and caught up on what's happening with our lives. And maybe other people's lives. We're Filipinos anyway and fond of "Marites" Mare, anong latest?! And after so many years there are so many to catch up on.

Moments I’ll Remember

Travel is of course, visiting new places — but it’s also about the people you spend time with and the memories. You know how when you get together with friends and family and conversations are filled with stories of shared experiences you had from the past? And every time you get together, you add on to that running list of stories...

Here are some highlights that made this trip unforgettable and I will add on to that running list:

• Walking the entire Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace — with a quick stop at the Parliament building for a bathroom break 😂

• Hiking Arthur’s Seat and enjoying the panoramic views. Getting scolded by our kids on our way down because we tried to go a different path; in our minds it was the way of least resistance because its grassy and a gentler slope, but will apparently take us farther and longer way down. This moment I've realized that we've become our parents.. LOL! IYKYK.

  

• Visiting St. Andrew’s — where Joaquin tried the putting field and added “play golf at St. Andrew’s” to his bucket list

• Enjoying fish and chips (apparently Royalty-approved as The Royals have visited there!) in Anstruther on a rare sunny day, followed by ice cream and a stop at a lavender field

  

• Watching Superman at the historic Dominion Cinema — Joaquin’s favorite part of the trip (even if I was second choice to his dad for superhero movies)

• Treating myself to a three-hour spa day at One Spa

• Celebrating our friend’s daughter’s college graduation

• Joaquin trying his first sip of beer (and thankfully not liking it). Drinking age in Scotland is 18. But apparently not such a big deal as Americans make it to be when they turn 21.

• Long, laughter-filled afternoon tea with my friends.

• Attempting a Tiktok trend and failing miserably but will become a core memory.

  
  

They were intentional moments of joy, connection, and rest.

Final Thoughts

I mostly honored my intention: connection, presence, peace of mind. I came home feeling refreshed — not just from the food or new experiences, but from the deep joy of sharing something special with my son, reconnecting with old friends, and honoring what I needed.

If you’re heading out on a trip this summer, and there's still a few weeks of it left, or maybe taking a long weekend off work, you can choose to show up for yourself without rigidity or guilt.

Remember: You don't have to press pause on your your health when you travel. You can support it — gently and intentionally. 

Let travel be a beautiful extension of your life, not an interruption of it.

Lead with intention. Make space for joy. And remember: your well-being isn’t measured by how “perfect” your choices are, but by how fully you show up for the life you want to live.