Staying Fit This Summer: Fit-Friendly Travelling Do’s, Don’ts, Tips and Tricks While Vacationing
Summertime (a.k.a June to August) is here and post-pandemic revenge travel is at its peak! Unfortunately when travelling fitness routines tend to take a backseat. And if you are like me, I tend to experience a bit of post-vacation regrets. Now the question is how to get the best of both worlds, fitness and R&R? Don’t worry; I got you. Inspired by a recent family trip, this blog post provides fit-friendly travelling tips and tricks to keep you active and energised while exploring new destinations.
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Introduction
It’s easy to derail while on vacation. For those that chose to rest from exercise to relax completely, fair (if you stay on I’d love to see if I can persuade you to reconsider; if not no love lost 🙂). But, for those that are striving for a balance, let’s get started.
Fit-Friendly Travelling Rule # 1: Shake off the guilt!
Staying fit on vacation is a challenge for many. Among the reasons for derailing include: travel fatigue, limited-to-no access to a fitness facility, a change to your daily schedule, and scrumptious, indulgent food and drink options. For professionals travelling for business, time away from business meetings, conferences etc., can be difficult. All of this to say, several obstacles exist that make it easy to say f””” it, so why try?
Five Main Pros of Staying Fit on Vacation
Why try on vacay? Well, there are several benefits of staying fit on vacation that actually make the travel experience more enjoyable and fulfilling.
Fit-friendly travelling helps to:
Increase Energy
Exercise in general boosts energy levels. Often vacations leave you lethargic, especially after over-indulgent meals. With more energy, you can get the best out of your vacation days.
Manage Weight
Summer-body maintenance is key (🙂). Staying active also helps with managing your body weight. This allows you to indulge in the destination’s local delights while maintaining a healthy balance. So if it’s strictly cheat meals then adding in a fair amount of exercise helps.
Maintain Fitness Levels
Staying fit on vacation allows you to fix that post-vacation-first-day-back-at-the-gym feeling of total dread. With consistent exercise, you will be able to maintain your fitness level and prevent any regression that may occur with extended periods of inactivity.
Create Exploration Opportunities
Engaging in fitness activities, namely outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, or swimming, can provide opportunities to explore and discover new scenic locations and hidden gems at your destination. From personal experience, I was able to explore on my morning runs or group walks while on vacation.
Encourage Cultural Immersion
If you are all about getting immersed in the culture of a destination, then it’s worthwhile to participate in activities that are akin to the local culture. Some of these include fitness-intensive activities, for example, ziplining in St Lucia are fitness-oriented and are great ways to meet and engage the locals.
Six Golden Rules to Staying Fit on Vacation
Besides RULE#1: Shake off the guilt, here are five other rules for effective fit-friendly travel.
Rule #2:
Research fit-friendly accommodations
Accommodations that offer fitness facilities, such as gyms, swimming pools, or classes/outdoor activities should be considered when planning your vacation. These accommodations eliminate the challenges that come with a new location and a breakup in routine. Often my trips to the US would consist of locating a nearby gym (one-day-first-timer deals are available, check it out). It always offered new experiences.
Rule #3:
Pack the Basics
Carry your fitness essentials. This includes workout clothes for a specified amount of days and any other travel-friendly workout accessories you would need (such as exercise bands, foam rollers etc.) – as some facilities may not have the precise equipment you require.
Rule #4:
Make Healthy Food Choices
Remember fitness is multi-dimensional, thus nutrition is also important. Like, exercise opting for local fresh produce, balanced meals, and being mindful of portion sizes goes a long way on vacation. I suggest if you are ‘going ham’ on your meals, try healthy snacks between meals. Additionally, hydration is key!
Rule #5:
Plan Ahead for Active Excursions
If you hate living vicariously (like me!) then this will apply to you. Research and plan for fitness-friendly activities, such as hiking trails, bike rentals, or guided fitness tours. Usually there are guides and testimonials online that provide great advice on local activities that appeal to a variety of travellers’ tastes, whether you are a foodie, love art or the outdoors.
Rule #6:
It’s all about balance
Coupled with staying active, rest should also be prioritised. Getting adequate sleep, relaxing and incorporating less intensive exercises like yoga and meditation are also recommended. This hits the target of fitness and R&R.
Fit-Friendly Travelling Do's, Don'ts, Tips and Tricks
To sum up, here are some fit-friendly travelling do’s, don’ts, tips and tricks to accompany the 6 golden rules outlined above
DO
Always carry the bare essentials. A crucial aspect of any successful fitness journey is contingency planning. Even if the trip is impromptu, consider the trip as an extended trip to a gym. How would you prepare for a new gym? Hence, bear in mind that destination pictures may be outdated or misleading, so carry “your” necessities. Do not go with the expectation that everything will be available and you will be fine.
DON’T
Avoid completely abandoning all efforts to stay fit on vacation. Try! Whether it is light exercise or balanced meals, make an effort.
TIP
For short stints (for example 3-5 day vacations), plan around the vacation period. If you want a complete period of inactivity (“rest”) then schedule workouts leading up to the short stint and right after. Remember, the fitness journey is all about give and take.
TRICK
Change constraints into opportunities. Research your intended destination to find ways to ensure that you can maximise your stay. For example, if the destination has no fit-friendly facilities, map out a walking route or cater for small workouts in your room.
Takeaways
Congratulations, fellow travellers! You’re now armed with practical strategies to make your next trip a fit-friendly adventure.
Remember, staying active while travelling is not about strict routines or sacrificing the joys of exploration. It’s about finding a balance that allows you to enjoy new experiences while taking care of your well-being.
Using my six golden rules, I hope that your travels are filled with unforgettable experiences, newfound friendships, and a healthy dose of fitness-fueled bliss.
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