How I keep fit on holiday
Going on holiday means different things to different people, but for most, it means a time of excess. You might eat more than usual, in larger quantities or of a richer quality. You are more likely to laze around by a pool doing nothing than you are at home. Going to the gym, or sticking to a diet, seems like a buzzkill when you’re on holiday. Here’s how I do it and stop it from being too much of a chore.
Get the right rental
First off, when you are looking at accommodation, consider a holiday rental so that you can have a more complete living arrangement. I usually use sites like
Gumtree. Getting your own kitchen means that you can cook healthy and light meals, and make sure that you get enough protein to keep your energy levels up. You might be lucky enough to find a home rental which has its own swimming pool, or access to a private gym. This would give you a good basis for working out every day.
Get moving every day
Even if you don’t have access to a gym, you can still make sure that you do your fair share of moving during the holiday. Try to plan your activities and excursions in a way that spaces them out. You can plan to go swimming one day, then walk around a museum or art gallery for several hours the next day. You don’t need to stick to a rigorous workout plan – after all, you are on holiday – but you should aim to stay active. It’s lovely to sit by the pool with a good book, but if you can fit in 30 lengths every now and then, you can also maintain your fitness levels.
Exercise restraint
While on holiday, it can be tempting to eat anything and everything. You might think that you can get away with dessert after a big meal, or that it would be rude not to try all of the local delicacies. But try to show some restraint! If you are eating to the point where you feel uncomfortably full, it’s definitely time to stop and rein it back a little. The same is true of drinking. You might want to go out and get drunk, but neither your bank balance nor your waistline will appreciate it. It’s also not recommended to get drunk on holiday where you might be at an increased risk of being mugged or coerced into a situation that you cannot escape.
My secret weapon
When I go on holiday, I utilise all of the above strategies to ensure that I can stay fit. But there’s one more thing I have up my sleeve – a secret weapon that ties it all together. That’s friends and family who understand me! My partner and my friends that I tend to go on holidays with all know how important keeping fit is to me, and they would never ask me to compromise that. They won’t be egging me on to get a dessert if I don’t want to, and they won’t be complaining about me going for another swim – in fact, they’re more likely to join me. The key to success is
surrounding yourself with people who have similar goals and mindsets, or at least won’t try to make you change yours. That’s how to keep fit and also enjoy a happy and relaxed holiday at the same time!
If you feel like it’s too difficult to keep up your routine on holiday, you can always tone it down a bit. Just work harder when you get back home to make up for it!
