It’s that time of the year again! The sun is shining, days are longer and we look forward to some well-deserved time off. Vacations are a great opportunity to recharge your batteries, but can make it difficult to maintain your fitness level.
While traveling, we often get caught up in a more relaxed lifestyle. It suddenly becomes difficult to find the time or motivation to stay active and fit in a workout. You may be so used to your usual exercise routine that you don’t even know where to start in an unfamiliar place. What do you do without your gym or workout DVDs? Where do you go for a run?
Exercising on vacation can be achieved with smart planning. Before you leave, set your workout goals for the trip and make it a priority to accomplish them. It often helps to complete your workout first thing in the morning. Plan to wake up 45 minutes earlier than everyone else and complete your workout in the hotel gym or enjoy a nice run outside. This way, you are not missing any vacation activities and trying to squeeze your workout in the middle of a busy day.
Also, before you go, check what your hotel offers, such as free fitness classes, a gym, or a pool. Hotel concierges can often provide safe running routes and sites such as MapMyRun.com and MapMyRide.com can be a valuable resource as well. If visiting friends or family, ask if there are any nearby parks, trails or tracks that you can easily access. This way, you can arrive at your destination with an idea for your workouts. Check out local classes and see if there’s a fun workout that you’ve been meaning to try. Yoga on the beach, stand up paddle boarding or a dance class may lead to a new passion!
What’s better than taking in a new place, with all its wonderful sights, than on foot, kayak, or bike? These provide a fun and distracting way to get your exercise in. Plus it’s a great way to explore new places with your family or friends.
Lastly, have an accountability partner back home or post your workouts online. It’s motivating to know your progress is being viewed. Reporting back to an accountability friend or coach can help you get out the door.