Staying Fit on Vacation

It’s a familiar scenario; you come home from a satisfying vacation with pleasant memories, a brightened complexion and a practically crease-free brow, but are your favorite jeans a little tighter? Readjusting  to your regular life shouldn’t have to include feeling guilty about the previous week’s indulgences, so prevent the post-traveling I-feel-fat blahs by taking a different kind of vacation.

There’s no need to make your physique the focus of this trip; rather, plan to include some heart-pumping activities on your itinerary that reveal the secrets of the region and burn calories as a happy side effect. It’s not about starving yourself or running yourself ragged; just explore, sightsee, and leave the door open for rejuvenating exertion.

Location is everything, and because your time is precious you’ll want to choose a top-notch place that suits your style and mood. So whether you opt for the desert sunshine, the crisp mountain air or the salty ocean breeze, you can probably find a way to incorporate a little fitness into the plan.

Eco-Tour

As you hike through a rainforest, kayak down a rushing river or trek up a mountain, Mother Nature will engage your senses so completely that you’ll barely notice your quads are burning. Leave the gas-guzzlers behind and burn energy instead of fuel by heading to a place like Acadia National Park, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Florida or Antigua to become acquainted with responsible, restorative travel.

Learn New Tricks

Always wanted to scale a cliff? Is the promised thrill of conquering a surf board keeping you up at night? Now is the time to fulfill your potential and discover your inner daredevil goddess. Taking a lesson or joining an adventurous tour group will not only satisfy your curiosity, it’ll rev up your heart rate, adrenaline levels and calorie-dropping mechanism to boot.

Support the Cause

Whether you’re a seasoned runner/biker/swimmer or just like the idea of squeezing in a worthwhile endeavor in the middle of an otherwise self-centered vacation (not that there’s anything wrong with that), charity walks and races can make a fine centerpiece for a fun and not-altogether gluttonous trip. Use this as your reason or your excuse. The bottom line is that you’re getting out of town, and , when you dedicate your time and energy to a charitable cause, everyone’s a winner.

Follow your Passion

Maybe you can trace your love of the outdoors back to Girl Scout Camp, or perhaps the yoga classes you’ve been faithfully attending have inspired you to know more. Now is the chance to send yourself on a retreat of your own making; round up your gal pals or do it alone, but don’t deny yourself the chance to nurture an interest and better your mind and body.