Vacation is a good time for rest and relaxation but, that doesn’t mean you should forget about your fitness goals. Luckily, exercise while traveling doesn’t have to be boring. There’s no need for a gym when you use your surrounding environment to your advantage. Here are some excellent ways you can maintain the fitness levels you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
Use Your Surroundings: Fit physical activity into your daily schedule by taking advantage of your environment. No matter where you go there’s usually a bike share program or place to rent bikes. Riding around town, by a waterway, or on a scenic trail lets you take in great views while keeping your heart rate up. If you venture to the top of a tall building or observation deck, take the stairs. Another great option is to do little workouts here and there. If you like to hike, throw in some jumping jacks, pushups, or step-ups on a bench every few minutes. No matter what you do, experiencing your environment through activity keeps you on track physically.
Walking: Experience the city or town your visiting by joining a walking tour or creating your own. According to the New York Times, “Discovering your destination on foot is the ideal way to get an authentic sense of place and be active at the same time.” If you create your own tour, ask your accommodation about a few sights within walking distance of the hotel. Once you’ve identified multiple locations to visit, map it out and create a path that connects where you want to stop. You’d be surprised how far you can walk in one day if you have plenty of sights to see.
Nutrition: It’s also important to make sure you continue to put the right food in your body while traveling. This gives you the energy to explore all of the monuments, museums, and parks you’ve picked out. Make sure you’re hydrating throughout your entire journey as well. Take a water bottle with you no matter where you go. One essential time to stay hydrated is during your flight. A lack of humidity in the cabin causes dehydration, which can be easily avoided by drinking water throughout the flight.
Don’t worry too much about maintaining your regular fitness and nutrition regimen while on vacation. If you can get your heart rate up for a little bit each day and mix in a salad, you’ll be just fine.