Who here loves vacation? I adore vacation. The food, the sleep, the flexible scheduling, the lack of dishes and work and other responsibilities. Did I mention the food??
Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes weekend getaways, road trips, resort vacays, and an assortment of other relaxation-filled retreats. In the midst of all the lovely distractions, how do you keep up with your usual fitness routine? Here are a few ways I stay motivated while away from home!
1. Get creative. Just a few weeks before my first half-marathon, we went on a Caribbean cruise. At the time, I was up to my eyes in training runs, blisters, weekly mileage goals, and more than a little nervous about losing some of my progress. Rather than stressing about numbers and sticking to my run schedule, I opted to change things up. I snorkeled, explored the ship and ports on foot, and swam until I was exhausted. This approach works for any kind of vacation! Take part in activities that allow you to get your blood pumping while also enjoying the local sights. Try a kayaking trip in Costa Rica, a hotel hike in Las Vegas (for more info, check out Vegas.com’s Aria Resort & Casino page!) , or a rockclimbing adventure in Yosemite. Anywhere you go this summer, there will undoubtedly be plenty of opportunities to enjoy your surroundings in an unconventional way.
2.Take the scenic route. Is the restaurant you’re dying to try a mile or two away? You could pay for a taxi… or you could strap on some comfortable shoes, grab your camera, and make the trek on foot. If the distance is longer or you’re not one for walking, another great option for heart-healthy transportation is bicycling! Bicycling has become very common in most cities and bike rentals are easy to find. For example, there are shops in Austin, TX, Miami, FL, and San Francisco, CA ready and willing to lend you their bikes. Also check to see if the city you’re visiting has a bike share system! They are an eco-friendly, affordable way to get wherever you’re going.
3. Use what you’ve got. I’m not a huge fan of treadmills, but—as I mentioned before—my last vacation landed right in the middle of a rigorous half-marathon training plan. The first morning away, I put in 5 miles on a treadmill in the hotel’s gym room. To keep it interesting—and to avoid staring at my bored, sweaty face in the obnoxiously large mirror—I pushed for a personal record and sang along with my playlist very loudly. (Don’t worry, I was alone.) In this case, I wasn’t familiar with the area and therefore didn’t attempt my usual outdoor run. Later into the vacation, I ran on the cruise ship’s jogging track and a pristine beach—both experiences I am eager to repeat. Take a look at your resources. Is there a gym with several machines in your hotel? Do circuit training! Are you in a safe, easily navigable neighborhood? Get outside! Don’t be afraid to take a different approach to your usual routine. All that matters is that you’re moving!
4. Make a few goals. When you’re away from home and in the vacation frame of mind, it’s easy to neglect time taking care of your body. Small, attainable goals like “run twice” or “always take the stairs” will help keep you motivated so that you don’t abandon healthy habits. Persuading a friend or significant other to join you is always a good tactic as well. Nothing motivates like having company!
5. Have fun! You are on vacation, after all. Take care not to push yourself too hard—an injury could put a damper on things! Try something new, enjoy the view, and keep it all very relaxed. After all, a big part of being healthy is knowing when to rest!
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How do you stay active on vacation?
Share your tips in the comments!
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kaelaprall.com 
Great guide, Kaela! I love your #2. We always try to take the scenic route with most of our trips when on vacation. I love seeing how the people live in their area and what they do in their spare time to keep themselves entertained. The funny thing about scenic routes is how we always end up staying at one of these bed and breakfasts while we’re passing through. It never fails, but at the same time, we’re always up for another adventure!
We like to stay in smaller places, too! Seeing the “real” side of locations in great. We’re always looking for adventures and hole in the wall places to get a memorable meal. Traveling is wonderful!
great tips, all 🙂 Having just returned from a vacay, I can vouch for the hotel gym idea. I usually sleep more on vacation the “regular” life and am also less stressed, so it’s easier to eat well and get the workouts in. All about balance in the end. Wishing you the bestest summer ever.
Liz!!! I just realized I never replied to you. Sorry!
I always sleep more on vacation as well. It’s nice to have a change of pace and scenery to push us along. 🙂 We are having a wonderful summer so far! I hope yours is perfect!