Vacations are awesome and extremely necessary to replenish ourselves for another year of hard work and day-to-day struggles. We need a break from our tedious routines, which is why a change of scenery works wonders. If you are going away from home for a while, your health and fitness regime is going to be somewhat affected.
However, this concern should not come in the way of the excitement associated with holiday plans. Do not even think about changing your mind out of the fear of gaining a few pounds on the trip. In fact, you can return from your vacation fitter than ever if you live by the following rules:
1. Check into a Hotel that comes with a Gymnasium
If spending an hour or two at the gym every day is a must for you, find a hotel that comes with a well-equipped gym for all guests. The environment might not be the same as you’re accustomed to, but it’s a reasonable substitute.
If you have your own free-hand workout or yoga routine, you can keep up with that in your hotel room at the beginning or end of the day. It’s absolutely okay if you can allot as much as half the time to exercising than you do under normal circumstances.
2. Enjoy a Big Breakfast
There is no need to starve or skimp on meals while you’re on vacation, especially not at the most important mealtime of the day. Many hotels built for tourists offer free breakfast, so take advantage of that. Fuel up with all the healthy options on the menu, and start your day on a full stomach.
If you leave for sightseeing on an empty stomach, you will be tempted to eat every kind of junk food you come across on the way. As a result, you will end up consuming a bulk of unwanted calories that hardly satisfy your cravings.
3. Always take the Stairs
Why take the elevator when there’s a perfect set of stairs to every destination? Ascending and descending flights of stairs is an excellent workout. It may take up a few extra minutes of your time, but all the calories you torch are worth it.
Go up and down the stairs with speed for a cardio session and break a sweat. Prefer the stairs wherever you go, and you won’t feel guilty when you indulge your sweet tooth or get an extra snack.
4. Stay Hydrated
You must always carry a reusable water bottle with you on a trip. If you plan to visit several locations over the course of the day, adequate hydration is necessary to keep you active and energized. When feeling thirsty, opt for a serving of fresh or sparkling water rather than reaching out for a soda or juice box.
Water plays an important part is digestion and assimilation; dehydration will lead to fatigue and heighten your food cravings. Most places you go will offer the facility to refill your water flask free of charge, so you don’t need to buy disposable bottles every time; this is ideal for the health of you and the environment.
5. Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum
Alcoholic beverages are not your friend, especially if you’re travelling solo. If your trip involves a great deal of outdoor adventure, alcohol will accelerate dehydration and tire you out. You need to stay sober in order to enjoy every moment of your holiday plans.
Binge drinking leads to the consumption of an excessive amount of calories that cause bloating and stubborn belly fat. If you’re visiting someplace where drinking is the main activity, let 3 standard servings be the upper limit; also help yourself to plentiful of water between drinks.
6. Don’t compromise on Sleep
Avoid making late night plans, unless it’s a special occasion. You need sufficient hours of sleep at night to rejuvenate for the next day. If your night time sleep cycle is disrupted, you are going to feel drained during the day.
As a result, you will experience untimely hunger pangs and not be able to resist unhealthy foods. In addition, you’ll feel lazy, which means you won’t be doing much to burn the overload of carbs.
7. Take part in Recreational Sports
If your vacation destination offers a variety of outdoor activities and recreational sports, you must be keen to participate. The physical exertion is excellent for your body and mind, so you will definitely feel fitter than ever.
If you’re visiting a mountainous region, try hiking, trekking, and mountain climbing. If you’re near water, go canoeing, swimming, fishing, and/or surfing. If there’s snow and ice, you can go skiing, snowboarding, and even try ice skating.
8. Travel on Foot as much as possible
When sightseeing, travel on foot between places that are within a few miles of each other. Travelling on foot is a lot more enlightening, as you can stop and see things up close. The exercise will keep you stimulated and provide innumerable health benefits.
Doctors and health experts recommend 10,000 steps per day, which is roughly equivalent to 5 miles. Most of us walk no more than 2 miles a day, so you can change that while you’re on vacation, and enhance your fitness goals.
9. Be Conscious of what you Eat
Do not shy away from trying the local cuisine and their most talked about delicacies. However, you must be aware of what ingredients go into every dish, so you can keep track of the food’s nutritional value.
When you figure out the number and type of calories consumed for each meal, it’s easier to maintain fitness. For instance, if you allow yourself to eat a little rich at a lunch buffet, you may skip dinner or opt for a light snack to compensate.
10. Relax
Physical fitness is essential no doubt, but so is mental fitness. Many of us are overly conscious of our external appearance, yet we completely neglect our mental health. If you’re constantly anxious or stressed, your overall health will deteriorate.
A vacation is meant to release tension, so do not end up worrying about staying fit while you’re eat it. Lounge by the pool, soak in a hot tub, enjoy a luxurious spa day, surround yourself with nature, and let loose to feel good. When your mind is at ease, your body automatically takes its best form.
Elijah Cole is the founder of The Witty Minds blog and a professional content creator. His expertise lies in creative writing and lifestyle blogging. At Witty Minds, he is the lead writer, editor, and publisher of all original content.