I am guilty of using the excuse of being on a vacation to not have to exercise. The funny thing is, with the amount of free time I usually have, a little bit of some activity would not be so bad, perhaps even welcomed (gasp!) with all the extra food and drinks I consume. Many people have a routine that they follow at home, and when on vacation, it all goes down the tubes. I am definitely one of those people. But I have learned that finding a few fun ways to exercise while on vacation is a great way to experience your new surroundings!
- One of my all-time favorite ways to exercise is running. Although I have had a bit of a chronic hip flexor strain, it really is a great way to get outside and enjoy the sites. I like to bring my Nike – Free Tennis Shoes
with me (they compact really flat) and throw them on for a quick 15-30 min run around the neighborhood we are staying in. It’s a great way to check out the streets, perhaps the residential neighborhoods, and some places to visit a little later (like a great outdoor cafe for an afternoon cocktail!). Make sure to be aware of your surroundings and perhaps ask a person at the hotel for a suggested route. Don’t just go out randomly with no idea how to get back (this is particularly true for those directionally challenged individuals).
- Something else I enjoy is taking advantage of the hotel/resort/cruise’s exercise programs. Depending on where you are staying, you may be able to join a great yoga class on the beach, a fun water aerobics class in the pool, a competitive game of water volleyball, hula dancing, who knows?!? The idea is you get to meet a bunch of fun people, be outdoors, and get some exercise. This is a lot more appealing to me than staying inside for a class or using their stuffy gym. No thanks.
- Find some of the great outdoor adventures that require you to spend a couple hours moving. This could mean hiking up a volcano, winding your way through rainforests to a beautiful secluded waterfall, walking the rim of Santorini from one city to the next, doing a self-guided walking tour of New Orleans, tons of options (I chose my recent trips and activities for the examples)! This is one of my favorite activities to do when on any vacation, because you simply cannot get that experience any other way. It forces you to be active, get a little sweaty, and jump right into their environment. Usually it’s very beautiful and so worth it. Remember to wear a lot of sunscreen, bring a hat, comfy shoes, and a camera!
What are your favorite ways to exercise or stay active on your vacation? Leave a comment below!
Love, K.
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I love bringing my own Yoga DVDs and doing the in the hotel room. I am obsessed with your site! Great original tips.
Thank you, Kat! You are too sweet. Bringing exercise videos on vacation is a great way to exercise without having to pack a ton of stuff!