Staying Active During Travel And Holidays
The summer is here, and it’s a popular time to make travel plans or simply spend a week or two somewhere rather warmer and sunnier than the UK. We all need breaks from our usual routine to mentally refresh and renew our batteries, but travel and holidays can also seriously disrupt our exercise routine and throw our fitness goals right off track.
Here are some practical tips to help you keep on top of your fitness wherever you are.
Follow online workouts
Use fitness apps or work with an online personal trainer and get in a workout in your hotel room, on the beach, or wherever you happen to be. There are plenty of exercises you can do without any equipment, such as squats, lunges, sit-ups, planks, and push-ups. You could also pack lightweight items such as resistance bands and a yoga mat. A fitness coach will help you keep accountable to your goals and will be able to tailor your routine to suit your schedule and what you’ll have available while away.
Incorporate activity into your day
Whatever type of holiday you are planning, look for ways you can stay active. For example, if you are going to be doing a lot of sightseeing, get around on foot or bicycle as much as possible rather than use buses or taxis.
Plan some outdoor activities for a couple of days of your holiday. If you are in a hot climate, watersports such as surfing or paddle boarding could be a fun way to stay cool and master a new skill. In cooler areas, explore local options for activities such as hiking, trail biking, or horseback riding.
Staying active during transit
If you will be spending a lot of time in transit, then staying active is more challenging. Take advantage of time between changeovers to stretch your legs as much as possible rather than sit in the waiting lounge. If you are travelling by car, plan frequent breaks where there is the opportunity to walk, such as country parks rather than motorway service stations.
Avoid fast food and instead pack nutritious snacks such as fruit and nuts to maintain your energy levels.
Be realistic and enjoy your holiday
While you don’t want to completely let your fitness slump over your break, it’s also important to relax and not place unrealistic expectations on yourself. Set yourself reasonable goals, such as 20 minutes of intense activity per day, or 60 minutes of moderate to gentle activity.
If you overburden yourself with a stringent routine, you might spoil your holiday with guilt about unmet goals.
Go easy on yourself, and if all else fails, simply pick yourself up from where you left off and get back on the road to great fitness, elevated energy levels, and a healthy balanced diet.