08 Aug How To Stay Fit During Vacation Season

How To Stay Fit During Vacation Season

The summer  season of warm weather and exotic vacations is in full swing. But with all the traveling and summer food (I’m looking at you, s’mores), keeping our fitness routine and healthy diet can be challenging to say the least.

After all, who can think about hitting the gym when you’re relaxing by a beach somewhere or trying to wrangle the kids at a water park?

Fortunately, you can have as much vacation time as you want without letting your good health lag behind. Here are a few simple steps you can take to stay both fit and healthy – even when you’re not at home.

1. A Bodyweight Routine

Just because you’re travelling doesn’t mean you should let the workouts slide. If you miss a week, that might be okay. But miss a week and a half or two weeks, and you’ll start to decondition at an alarming rate.

If you’re looking to maintain your current level of fitness without falling behind, then a simple bodyweight routine can be just the thing. Exercises like push-ups, jump squats, wall-sits, crunches, and jumping jacks are extremely effective ways to get your heart rate up and maintain muscle mass–and they can be performed virtually anywhere.

You can make it even easier on yourself by downloading an app like the 7-Minute Workout, which, as the title implies, can be completed in just seven minutes (though doubling that time would be even better), in a hotel room or on the beach. Isn’t technology great?

2. Resistance bands

Okay, so what if you want to keep up with your regular workout routine and hit every muscle group, but don’t want to lug around a rack of dumbbells everywhere you go? A simple, yet very effective option is to bring a few resistance bands. They’re cheap, and barely take up any space in your suitcase.

Though you might not think they can be much of a challenge, resistance bands can actually provide a great workout, and all you need is a tiny amount of space and a doorway. A high-quality set of bands like these can work your chest, back, shoulders, legs, abs, and arms in ways you never thought possible. They even come with a chart of exercises and routines to maintain and even build muscle while on-the-go.

Before you head out for your day, take half an hour and go through one of the included full-body routines. Then go enjoy your day–guilt-free!

3. Plan your meals

Vacations are especially problematic when it comes to food. Personally, when I’m on vacation, I split into two people: the healthy person (who stays at home) and the person who believes that any calories consumed at a funnel-cake stand shouldn’t count. After all, I’m on vacation!

Unfortunately, the healthy me is always very upset when I get back and find out that I’ve gained a pound… or five. Trying to make up for my bad vacation habits in the following weeks is never a very pleasant experience.

To avoid this all-too-common situation, all it takes is a little planning. You don’t have to lug a cooler filled with a week’s worth of meals everywhere you go, but packing a few items like fruit (apples and bananas are super easy), trail mix, and granola bars can go a long way in helping to resist temptation. As a bonus, your wallet will thank you as well.

4. Stay hydrated

This one may seem super simple, but that’s only because it is. When we’re on vacation, it’s easy to get so preoccupied that we forget the basic stuff, like drinking water. Especially since it’s easier to drink whatever the local places are serving than it is to find a water fountain somewhere.

It may seem obvious, but simply carrying a reusable water bottle can help you get through the day and resist those less-than-healthy drink options.

Ultimately, when it comes to getting the most out of your summer, lazy days and trips to the beach are the name of the game. Important as those things are, it’s just as important to keep yourself and your family healthy, so you can enjoy those days even more. These simple steps can help you avoid that awful post-vacation slump, and keep your goals on track. Once the vacation ends, your body will thank you.