A holiday is to relax, isn’t it? Of course! But that doesn't mean that the progress you've spent months or perhaps even years making needs to suffer. Over-indulging and falling out of sync with your workout routine is bound to happen at some point, and so it should, but there's a way that you can plan your break so that you’re able to stay on top of things, without sacrificing the fun.
Schedule a few workouts
Depending on how long you’re away for, it’s easy to let your fitness regime suffer, and if you’re the type who thrives from that post-workout feeling of achievement then no doubt you’re going to miss your gym sessions sooner or later. You might be on holiday, but that doesn’t mean you need to stop exercising! After all, exercise should be enjoyed – not resented! If you feel the latter, you might just be doing it wrong. So, how can you work out without your trusty gym equipment? Firstly see if your accommodation has a gym, failing that, pack some space-saving equipment in your suitcase, such as resistance bands or a suspension trainer, and make use of the space around you. Not only will a quick workout leave you feeling fit and fresh, you’ll also be combatting that holiday indulgence even by doing as little as fifteen minutes every other day.
Keep active throughout the day
If you’re going on an active break, such as a skiing, boating or sightseeing – which inevitably involves a lot of walking – then you don’t really have a choice but to move as much as possible, but if you’ve got a week pool-side, then aim to go for plenty of walks or better still, get involved in hotel or local activities. If you have kids, that’s all the more excuse to get involved in water aerobics or volleyball! Walk during the day, take advantage of that swimming pool, dance with friends and family in the evenings and you’ll be keeping that step count up and burning calories as you go. Win win.
Be mindful when ordering your food and drink
By all means order the local cuisine for dinner and pair it with a big old Pina Colada, but be mindful. Firstly ask yourself “do I really want this?”, and secondly keep an eye on those portion sizes. Instead of getting five pastries, a fry-up and perhaps a third course of cereal or toast at the breakfast buffet each morning – limit your portions and say “no” to the foods you could actually happily skip. Do the same at lunch and dinner, and keep a watchful eye on the amount of trips you’re making to the pool bar/café during the day. By doing this, you’ll be able to enjoy all of your classic holiday favourites without feeling overwhelmed, full and uncomfortable by the time you go to bed. Remember – moderation, not deprivation! Nobody’s telling you to turn away the good stuff. We certainly wouldn’t.
Drink even more than usual
Just to clarify, we’re talking about water – not sangria. You’ll need to stay hydrated if you’re in the sun anyway, so making sure you’re drinking a good few litres of water each day really is important. This will not only help you stay hydrated, but it will also help flush out any bad toxins, keep your skin healthy, keep you feeling fuller and leave you with plenty of energy for whatever you have planned that day.
Take your best clothes
It might sound strange, but if you pack the clothes which you feel don’t do your incredible figure any justice, then there’s more room to fill and therefore an excuse to feel as though you can get away with eating more than you really need. Instead, pack the flattering, fitted clothes you’ve been dying to show off ever since you bought them back in the spring sales and aim to still fit comfortably into them by the time you head back home. Unless you’re extremely lucky then you won’t return home looking quite as you did when you arrived, because we all know that weight fluctuates a huge amount due to a number of factors, some of which aren’t even food related, but you can certainly do your best to stay as on top of your game as possible! Eat the food, drink the drink and soak up every last ounce of your time abroad, treats and all, but stay true to yourself and your fitness goals for an easier ride when you return home!