5 Tips for Keeping Fit on Holiday
So, the summer is finally here and that means three things – the sun, holiday and relax. But the struggle of keeping fit while being on a weekend or a long vacation comes up. Before the summer, we’ve finally figured out a work-out routine that we enjoy and put months of hard work to have a lean and healthy body but being away means that routine will change quite a bit. However, breaking from a routine is what vacations should be about, so how to keep fit and still enjoy your vacation? Here are my top 5 tips:
Discover the area on foot or by bike
If you’ve arrived at a destination you want to explore more, there’s nothing easier than walking around. Swap heels for trainers or comfortable flats and discover the area on foot. Since you will be stopping to admire the sights or to have a coffee, you will probably walk more than you would think and won’t even notice it. On our recent weekend in Edinburgh, we walked more than 20k one day and we honestly didn’t even notice we walked that much until we checked the app. If you’re in a larger city, some of them also offer the possibility to rent a city bike. It won’t cost you more than a bus ticket and it’s literally one of the easiest ways to get around.
Go swimming
Nothing feels better than going for a swim after you’ve read a book or relaxed in the sun. But swimming can be a great exercise as well. If you’re on the beach, go swimming a few times a day for 15-20 minutes or use the hotel pool. According to the Daily Mail, just swimming for half an hour can burn up to 250 calories!
Run on the beach
Running on the beach might be my favourite type of exercise in the summer. All you need is a pair of trainers, a sports bra, shorts and you’re ready to go. And yet it is so different to running at home. For me, the beach and the sea make running a lot more exciting and fun so I can’t recommend taking your running shoes with you enough.
Opt for stairs
It can be really tempting to use the lift but stairs are a great way to sneak in some cardio and earn that delicious dessert you want to have after lunch. Plus, lots of sightseeing attractions have stairs that are architecturally interesting and offer a great view of the city for example, which lets you kill two birds with one step.
Save workouts and articles
Load up your tablet or laptop with workout videos or bring your favourite fitness magazines with you for inspiration. Try new body weight exercises since these are the perfect takeaway workout solution or find short workout videos on Youtube. If you need some inspiration, here’s a list of our favourite fitness channels that you can check out while on holiday.
While vacationing, don’t forget to enjoy it. You may not have as much time to work out or to do as much as you planned but that’s ok. Remember that doing something is much better than doing nothing and short exercise creates a lasting change as well. Find ways to exercise that seamlessly fit into your days away because keeping fit on a vacation should feel like a treat, not a chore. So relax, recharge, rejuvenate, listen to your body and switch off!
