Some people wouldn’t dream of giving up their morning run or noontime yoga, even on vacation. Then there’s everyone else. We exercise (or know we should) but we’re happy to take a vacation from our routine when we go on vacation.
It’s fine to leave your routine behind, but don’t give up on exercise. Because fit starts turning into fat after only a few days, you need to keep moving. Plus, exercise makes it easier to get past jetlag, pumps endorphins through your body, and burns calories, making it easier to maintain your weight.
Here are a few painless ways to sneak exercise into your vacation:
Go native. Do what the natives do. Dance at the luau, or, if you’re in Spain, learn the Flamenco. You’ll be learning about the culture and getting your exercise at the same time.
Partake of local bounty. If there are mountains, hike or ski. If you’ll be near a lake, swim or canoe or rent a paddleboat. If you’re at the ocean, go surfing or snorkeling. If you’re visiting a major city, do a walking or biking tour instead of taking a bus tour.
Learn something new. Rollerblading, snowboarding, platform tennis, hot yoga — so what if you’ve never done it before? That doesn’t mean you can’t learn! Vacation is the perfect time to try.
Leverage your hotel. Many hotels have at least a small workout room. Get up early, grab your iPod and get your workout out of the way before breakfast. It’ll give you a healthy glow, plus energy for the day ahead.
Bring toys. Exercise bands and jump ropes are lightweight and easy to pack. If even that’s too much work, remember that simple calisthenics are effective, too. Push-ups, jump-squats, lunges, and jumping jacks are all fine exercise and can be done almost anywhere.
It’s easy to be sedentary on vacation — but you’ll look better, feel better and quite possibly live longer if you don’t!
