I don't know that I would call myself a health nut, but over the past few years I find myself making more and more healthy lifestyle choices. The simple reason... it feels good. As I've gotten older, I've learned that I need to move my body every day and make healthy food choices. As a result I feel better both mentally and physically, and feeling my best makes me a better mom. I try to continue these healthy lifestyle choices when I go on vacation because I know that I won't enjoy my time away if I'm not feeling well.
The author received compensation for writing this article. All thoughts and opinions expressed are their own.
Depending on the location, this can be hard. I often find myself trying to navigate not-so-great food choices and working out in a less than ideal gym. But not at Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana in the beautiful Dominican Republic! I was thrilled with the food, fitness, beverage, and relaxation options at this beautiful resort.
Did I also indulge in frozen beverages at the pool and let myself sleep in? Of course! But I found it easy to balance a few indulgences with my normal routine and I was able to come home feeling happy and refreshed. Read on to hear about all of the healthy options at this beautiful resort.
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1- Fitness
Like I said above, I feel my best when I have an opportunity to move my body every day. That means that I enjoy exercise while on vacation. Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana had a beautiful gym and yoga studio, daily exercise classes, and a spacious campus to help you rack up those steps! Just walking around the spacious resort might be enough movement for some.
I also visited the gym every morning. The gym was well stocked and had every piece of equipment I could ask for. I especially enjoyed the yoga studio. For those who enjoy group fitness, there are classes every morning by the pool that range from stretching to jogging to sun salutations. No matter what you choose, it's easy to take care of your physical health while on this vacation.
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2- Food
I have written before about my list of food allergies, and I was floored over the options that I had at Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana. The food displays had an extensive number of options at every meal, and everything was perfectly labeled.
In addition, the helpful Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana app lets you filter the menu at each restaurant by allergen. I was able to look at the gluten free options before I visited each restaurant, so I knew in advance what to expect.
For those who enjoy eating healthy, there were plenty of whole-food options including grilled and fresh vegetables, grilled fish and meats, nuts, fresh fruit, and more! I still allowed myself to splurge, but by sticking to my regular diet for the majority of trip I was able to make sure that I felt my best.
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3- Beverages
I love my beverages, especially in the morning! Every morning after the gym, I stopped by Joe Merchant's and left with my hands full! The barista made delicious lattes with a variety of cow and plant-based milks. I am hardly ever able to get a good latte on vacation, and I had two every morning in Punta Cana!
In addition, there are delicious pressed juices made from fruits and vegetables. A latte and a pressed green juice were just what my body needed after a workout. The food displays also had a smoothie bar every morning at breakfast. I drink smoothies at home every day, and I can report that these were even better than anything I make at home! There was a large variety of fruits, milks, and mix ins like oatmeal, peanut butter, chia seeds, and more! I had a different smoothie each day.
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4- Mental Health and Relaxation
Finally, physical health means nothing if you aren't also taking care of your mental health. Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana provides multiple ways to slow down and relax while you're on vacation.
There are canopy covered day beds around the pool and beach where you can take a nap or get out of the sun. The spa offers many ways to pamper yourself including massages and facials.
Finally, the resort is situated facing east, and the sunrise is indescribable. One of my favorite things I did on this trip was wake up early one morning and watch the sunrise. It was breathtaking and put me in the best mood to start my day.
As I said before, I wouldn't call myself a health nut. I still ate my weight in tacos and washed them down with a margarita (or five), but I also have learned the importance of balance. Margaritaville Island Reserve made it easy for me to maintain my regular lifestyle while also on vacation. I was able to indulge when I wanted, but also give my mind and body what it needed to relax. And isn't that the point of a vacation?
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