Nov 09
17
Staying Fit on Vacation
After getting back from a 2 week vacation overseas I did something I dreaded… I put on my jeans. If you’ve read a few of my previous articles, you know that I use jeans as a weight indicator. Much to my dismay they were tight… too tight. My wife got a good laugh at my despair and solemn vow to make them loose again.
Which brings me to my point, what are some good ways to not ruin all the gains you’ve made so you don’t come home feeling guilty?
1. Watch what you eat. Again it all comes right back to controlling what goes into your mouth. Just because you’re in a foreign country doesn’t mean that calories don’t count any more. Of course sampling the local cuisine is a part of every trip; just make sure you do more sampling than feasting.
Most hotels now offer free buffet breakfasts. Even if you’re planning on spending the day walking, set some limits for yourself. Only one plate full, or maybe just one muffin. Loading up on juice may seem like a good idea, but these juices can be packed with extra sugars, try sticking to milk.
2. Does your hotel have a gym or a pool? A quick internet search will tell if the places you’re staying have any place for you to get in a quick work out. This is a vacation of course so don’t try to schedule in a full hour there, getting in and out in 30 minutes or less is much more realistic and easier to accomplish.
If the hotels have swimming pools trying spending 30 minutes there instead. A quick swim after a day of sightseeing can be just the thing the stretch out those weary muscles. Treat yourself to a little time in the spa/Jacuzzi after!
If where you are staying doesn’t have a gym or a pool, consider bringing along a workout DVD. Again, this is vacation so plan ahead. There is no way you will want to do 45 minutes of tae bo after a long day so bring along something quicker like a 10 minute solution DVD (like I show here below) and do as much as you feel up to.
3. Hit the streets! It’s my belief that spending all your time on a tour bus or browsing a gift shop is no way to visit a place. Try picking up a map and try walking to a few destinations. Exploring a city on foot is the best way to get a real feel for it and the people who live there. If you ever do get lost, your hotel is only a taxi ride back. Be smart and ask the front desk for a map and directions, they will also know if there’s any places not in the tour book you should go to, and conversely which places/areas to avoid.
Some places offer walking or bicycle tours. This not only will keep you in a group and give your legs a stretch, but it will give you a tour guide who can’t point things out that you may miss if you were to peddle by yourself.
The biggest thing is to plan ahead and to not try and do too much. Planning an elaborate workout routine to bring with you will more than likely result in it not getting done. Keep it simple, keep it fun, and keep active.