Vacation Fit

It doesn't matter what we eat, we’re on vacation…right? Nobody works out when they’re on leave…do they? Everyone together now: “HAHAHAHA”. Of course nutrition and exercise matter when we’re on vacation. Just because we take a break from the daily grind to rest at home or travel to a candy filled theme park doesn't mean that we have permission to ignore our health. One of the big issues that we face when taking a break from our routine is just that…breaking from our routine. Instead of looking at how it can work against us, let’s make that time off work for us by trying some new things.

Let’s start with our nutrition. Often times we think of vacation food as hot-dogs and hamburgers or a trip loaded with fast-food and milk shakes. Why waist a perfect opportunity to try some new foods? We can get the same old fast food any time of the year, but it’s not that often that we have time to grill tuna steaks, salmon, whole veggies, or other foods high in nutritional value (find a few ideas HERE). Eating healthy while on the road may be a little more difficult, but far from impossible. Packing some dried fruit, nuts, and/or whole grains (depending on allergies of course) to snack on are a simple way to make sure we’re getting some much needed nutrition. For more substantial proteins and whole vegetables, don’t be afraid to check out the local cuisine and be sure to ask questions according to your individual nutritional needs. If really concerned, don’t be afraid to look ahead and do a little pre-meal planning. It might even solve that commonly indecisive vacation question’ “what are we eating tonight?”

Some use exercise as a vacation while most of us use our time off as an excuse not to exercise. Well, there’s almost no reason that we can’t stay fit, still have some fun, and try something different.  At home, we can set aside time each day to do some cardio and strength training. Even if it’s just 15 minutes of moderate exercise a day, we need something to keep us in the habit of working out. If we’re on the road, there may be some even easier ways to stay fit. There are a plethora of hotels with small workout facilities. Often times they are within the same price range as facilities without workout rooms. Many of them include a treadmill, bike, medicine balls, and dumbbells up to 50lbs as standard equipment. If in a warm climate, check out the hotel pool for a swim. If there’s neither a gym nor a pool, don’t forget about body weight exercises (check out a few more ideas HERE).

As always, be sure to ask a health professional and talk to one of the licensed personal trainers at the Rec Center to help find a fitness solution that works for you.