2. Pack your running shoes – wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, there will ALWAYS be a place to run! Always make sure you pack your running shoes and wake up 20 minutes earlier than you normally would. Running is not only great cardio and a great way to stay active, but an incredible way to experience the local sites and culture in a way that you never would otherwise. (CLICK HERE for some awesome running interval workouts!)
3. In-room workouts – “I didn’t feel safe running somewhere foreign to me.” “My hotel didn’t have a fitness center.” Sometimes things get in the way of exercising on vacation. But there are always ways around that!! Eliminate all excuses with in-room workouts! I’ve got an entire collection of workouts that require zero equipment and not a lot of space. You can run through some pretty amazing workouts in a small hotel room; I’ve done it many times before and so can you! (Here are a few of my favorite “Weekly Workout Plans” as a place to get started: THE TRAVEL WORKOUT SERIES and DORM ROOM WORKOUTS).
5. Find the healthy menu options – My other Achilles heel while traveling is usually that my diet goes to pot. Sometimes it’s hard not to indulge in the local cuisine or even eat fast food meals while you’re on vacation. My advice here is to try, as much and wherever possible, to find healthy menu options. It will require a little (Okay A LOT) of self-control. But you CAN make it work! Choose salads instead of appetizers. Choose grilled chicken sandwiches instead of hamburgers. Grab a fruit cup instead of an ice cream cone! Now don’t get me wrong – I don’t frown on a little indulgence into a great ice cream cone or some delicious french fries, but what I am saying is don’t make those things the norm. Look for the healthiest options first, but allow yourself to have some fun!
6. Sight-seeing the old-fashioned way – Oh such a simple but vital part to staying on track with your fitness goals AND having an amazing time on your trip… WALK!!! Don’t make the rental car or taxi the first option! If something is a mile or two away, don’t be afraid to hoof it there and see some of the sites along the way. You’ll be surprised at how much you can see and how active you can be! If the hotel you’re staying at is a good distance away from the sites you want to see, try to park or be dropped off at a central location to the attractions and then walk to all the areas.
9. Make your activities active! – I’ll be the first to admit – I was
completely spoiled rotten on this trip! Snorkeling, wind surfing, scuba diving, sea kayaking, tennis, sailing, and the water park (to name only a few!) were all included! Granted there was a fair amount of reading and dozing in my beach chair (I was on vacation!), but it was awesome to be able to get in a couple of hours of activity everyday as well! Your trip can include a hike, a water park, a walk around the city, swimming, or a theme park to name just a few! If you’re planning on going to the movies or a play (anything sedentary) try to plan something active as well! Take your relaxing vacation time, but don’e totally relax and vacate from your own personal fitness!
10. Stay accountable with an activity tracker – what derails a perfect diet and exercise plan faster than anything else? Ignorance. We simply lose track of how active we are (or aren’t!) and don’t bother worrying about how much we consume. An activity tracker is an excellent way to stay accountable and stay active! Among my personal favorites are those from Polar, Garmin, and Fitbit. Most of them are low profile, waterproof, sweat-proof, and incredibly accurate! Stay on track by staying accountable, even in paradise!!
Make it happen,
Jared
By Jared Beckstrand
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Have a great day!
Jared