Shine Fm Blog

Week Thirteen: Fit For Travel

Staying Active on Your Vacation

Vacations are a time to relax, unwind, and let personal enjoyment take priority over everything else. For most, that means taking it easy in a lawn chair and soaking up the hot sun for hours on end. Exercise and weight loss often take a back seat to indulgence. But what most people don't realize is that your vacations can be made a lot more enjoyable by injecting a little activity into your routine. Travel can be stressful after all, and the best way to cope is with exercise. You'll feel more relaxed, sleep better and have more energy for more exciting activities. Here are some tips for staying active on your vacation:

Check Out Before You Check In
Do some research and find a hotel that will offer you the opportunity to stay active. Ideally, you'll want to be within walking distance of major attractions. You might be tempted to take a bus or a cab if your hotel is too remote, so give yourself the chance to get in some quality cardio and calorie-burning time. If your hotel location isn't ideal for walking, make sure it is equipped with a gym or a pool. Just a brief, half-hour workout to start or finish your day can make a world of a difference.

Yoga and Meditation
If the gym isn't your thing, start off your day with a 30-minute yoga session. You'll effectively combat the stress of travel and start off your day feeling more relaxed. Some resorts offer yoga sessions, so be sure to consider that when researching your ideal travel destination.

Set Off, On Foot
Aim to do most of your sight-seeing on foot. Guided walking tours are available at most historical areas, and there isn't a better way to take in any scenery than by strolling through it and taking in all that every nook and corner has to offer. If you aren't sure where to find the best spot for a leisurely walk, ask a visitor's centre or your hotel's front desk for details.

Dance the Night Away
Dancing is a great and fun way to burn calories. As long as you bump up the intensity, of course. Waltzing certainly won't do the trick, but higher-tempo dancing is a good way to get in some quality cardio in a fun, social atmosphere. So take a dancing lesson on the beach or check out a local club and shake things up!

Shop Till You Drop the Pounds
Shopping can be an effective aerobic exercise under the right conditions. Do a little more to get your heart pumping while you shop, like taking the stairs instead of the escalator. It also helps if you increase your pace while walking and avoid the food court!

Resort to Exercise
All-inclusive resorts offer an array of activities to get you moving, so be sure to take advantage of them. Swimming, snorkeling, beach volleyball, tennis, bike-riding and hiking are all great ways to stay active on a resort.

Enjoy Long Walks on the Beach
Probably the most enjoyable and definitely the most iconic vacation activity, walking on the beach is scenic, romantic and more challenging than you might think. In fact, walking on sand burns more calories than walking on flat ground. Wearing shoes would be ideal, as walking barefoot for long periods can cause shin splints. Enjoy the workout and enjoy the view.

Finding time to exercise on vacation is easy, and you'll be glad you did. So, when you set off on your trip this summer, don't forget to bring your healthy lifestyle with U!

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