For most, summer vacation is a time for relaxation, indulgence and an escape from daily stress and obligations.

A common daily stress that may go to the wayside while on vacation is that of diet and exercise.

Though I worked hard during the spring and summer semester to lose weight, while vacationing in Austria in August, dieting was the last thing on my mind.

Somehow without much thought or effort, I lost almost eight pounds while on holiday for three weeks.

Austrians have a very meat-and-potato based diet. I dined on everything the country had to offer from Wiener

schnitzel, a fried breaded cutlet, to semmelknödel, a boiled ball of stuffing, to Sachertorte, a rich, decadent chocolate cake. Not to mention a scoop of gelato everyday.

My food consumption would have packed on the pounds in the U.S.

But due to strict food regulations, Austrians do not pump their food with the same preservatives, hormones and fillers that Americans use. The only thing I found high-fructose corn syrup in was the American-made McDonald’s brand ketchup.

Each house I visited had its own garden in which the families would pick vegetables daily and serve with dinner. Whatever vegetables not grown at home could be found at the weekly farmer’s market.

Undoubtedly, the biggest element of my weight loss could be attributed to the near daily mountain and uphill hikes, required to go pretty much

anywhere, as it seemed Austrians refused to drive anywhere they could walk.

Though we parked and walked everywhere, the most rewarding climb was up and down the mountain Goldeck in Spittal an der Drau. We walked up 2,050 meters above sea level. The hike was something I tried to prepare for before I left, but walking on an incline on a treadmill cannot really prepare you for a hike of that magnitude.

But when I got back home, I continued to eat the same amount I did on vacation, while returning to a more sedentary lifestyle. I gained two pounds back within the first week.

It’s time to get back on track.

Though I indulged more than I thought I would while on vacation, I picked up a lot of habits I have already started applying to my life back at home.

While I would love to have my own garden, unfortunately, I kill every plant I touch. However, I have decided to go organic with vegetables and meat. I have started shopping on the outside of the grocery store, and am determined to stay away from as many preservatives as possible.

By the end of the trip, my legs were starting to get used to walking on an incline everywhere. I took a break from working out during the first week of school to get used to my new schedule, but will begin my new workout routine today, which will include inclined planes.

If I could lose weight while consuming in complete excess in another country, there is no reason I cannot continue to lose it at home.

A common daily stress that may go to the wayside while on vacation is that of diet and exercise.

Though I worked hard during the spring and summer semester to lose weight, while vacationing in Austria in August, dieting was the last thing on my mind.

Somehow without much thought or effort, I lost almost eight pounds while on holiday for three weeks.

Austrians have a very meat-and-potato based diet. I dined on everything the country had to offer from Wiener schnitzel, a fried breaded cutlet, to semmelknödel, a boiled ball of stuffing, to Sachertorte, a rich, decadent chocolate cake. Not to mention a scoop of gelato everyday.

My food consumption would have packed on the pounds in the U.S.

But due to strict food regulations, Austrians do not pump their food with the same preservatives, hormones and fillers that Americans use. The only thing I found high-fructose corn syrup in was the American-made McDonald’s brand ketchup.

Each house I visited had its own garden in which the families would pick vegetables daily and serve with dinner. Whatever vegetables not grown at home could be found at the weekly farmer’s market.

Undoubtedly, the biggest element of my weight loss could be attributed to the near daily mountain and uphill hikes, required to go pretty much

anywhere, as it seemed Austrians refused to drive anywhere they could walk.

Though we parked and walked everywhere, the most rewarding climb was up and down the mountain Goldeck in Spittal an der Drau. We walked up 2,050 meters above sea level. The hike was something I tried to prepare for before I left, but walking on an incline on a treadmill cannot really prepare you for a hike of that magnitude. 12