How do you continue to exercise while on vacation?

Rating: 5 after 2 votes

I have a confession. We left for the beach on yesterday and I did not pack my gym shoes, yoga pants or ipod. I did pack my swim suit but it is clear to me that I did not plan to exercise on this trip.

Any advice on how to always incorporate the exercise routine into your family vacations?
Inquiring minds want to know.

Mia

Tags: exercise, vacation

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Permalink Reply by Holly Rigsby on June 14, 2009 at 5:30pm: Great question ...and I found myself in the same situation this weekend ; )

I did a body weight circuit in my hotel room - no shoes required as I just performed 15 squats, 10 push ups and 50 jumping jacks. I repeated this 3 times through for a quick and energizing workout. Plus since we were in Chicago, we did a lot of walking. You could count any swimming you do as a bonus. If you are courageous enough - do this on the beach - the sand adds a whole new level of challenge!

Hope you are having fun and soaking up the sun!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Leilani Gibson on June 14, 2009 at 6:00pm: If it's going to be a hotel stay I pick one with a good gym and use it! I also always travel with my yoga mat and exercise tubing. I can always come up with something to do in my hotel room. Some hotels even have exercise on demand on the TV and will bring up equipment to your room.
If the vacation is a longer one, (we go to a Hawaii for a month) I go to Walmart when I get off the plane and pick up some equipment. With an exercise ball, jump rope, and dumbells, I can put together a great circuit training routine. I also run and swim at the beach. I think it's really just like home you have to make the time and be motivated to do it. :) Something about wearing a bikini everyday in Hawaii keeps me going.
On winter trips, usually ski trips for us I still try to workout. Skiing all day is great but I try to get in a little more. Jumping Jacks, squats, lunges, ab work and push ups are a good workout without any equipment. Every little bit helps.
Also finding a local yoga studio or gym is always fun. Even though it's a family vacation it's important to take some time for yourself.
Have fun!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Amanda Winters - A+ Plan on June 18, 2009 at 6:47pm

I really try to stay in hotels/resorts that I know have good exercise rooms or classes. Even while I was pregnant on vacation, I did water aerobics and yoga. If you're somewhere that doesn't have either, run along the beach (GREAT exercise), or even walk fast! You can also do pushups and crunches ANYWHERE, so no excuses ladies! :)
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Permalink Reply by Carolyn on June 19, 2009 at 2:12pm: If you're at the beach, why not just go for long walks? No shoes necessary!! Not only can you get your cardio in, but you can also spend time with family. Also, you can get games to play on the beach, like paddleball, to help incorporate cardio into your day. You'd be surprise how much energy you can spend playing paddleball with kids.

Crunches and push ups can always be done, as can squats and lunges, in the hotel room, as the other ladies suggested. That's always a great suggestion. Isometric exercises that require no equipment, no shoes, nothing. http://entrepreneurs.about.com/od/lifebalance/a/deskexercise.htm these are desk exercises, but you can do these in a hotel, or even down on the beach.

I would also suggest, since you did bring a swimsuit, to either hit the pool or the water. Pool might be safer, but go out and dogpaddle for a couple of minutes, then come in and do ismoetrics in the chair while sunning. Repeat throughout the day, and you have a work out without it truly feeling like a work out.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by anne on June 20, 2009 at 12:10am: Swimming is a great form of exercise because it works all the muscles.You can't beat it!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by micki/add housewife on June 20, 2009 at 3:08pm: We always go on camping vacations, so I spend a lot of time hiking, Figure that makes up for the s'mores.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cheryl Maguire on June 21, 2009 at 6:26pm: Does the hotel you are going to have a gym? I find it easier to work out if there is a gym (and fitness classes)--it is more motivating for me. Good Luck!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Crain on June 22, 2009 at 5:21am: Yes, I see I'm not the only one -- I love to travel with my yoga mat -- even the smallest hotel rooms (like in paris where I'm writing from) seem to accomodate yoga. my husband hates to take his mat, and sometimes will just lightly wet a towel instead to keep himself from sliding around while incorporating a bit of yoga action...
I also have to admit that this is the first time I didn't bother to bring my running shoes (i'm not an avid runner anymore, but refused for awhile to acknowledge this when packing...) I do, however have some cute ballet flats with arch support that take me around really well. Refusing to use the metro or taxis in favor of going on foot is my very favorite vacation exercise. plus my 5 year old provides weight training when he gets tired and asks to be carried.
I'm inspired by the mamas who mentioned finding local gyms/yoga classes. maybe i'll try that for some local flavor! we'll see... thanks for starting this discussion!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jillian Livingston on June 22, 2009 at 7:00am: What I love the most about traveling is meeting the people and exploring my new surroundings. I wake up early and either run or walk through the back streets of whatever town I am in to find the culture and the heart of the local people.

One Sunday morning, while on a surf trip with my girlfriends in Sayulita, Mexico, I decided to check out an add I saw for a yoga class offered from a local's home. I woke up early and started wandering the back streets to find the elusive house. As I meandered further and further back, I was filled with the authentic music and aromas wafting from the homes as the breakfast was being made.

I inhaled the aroma of the Bougainvillea and looked in awe at the tremendous gardens surrounding every home. By the time I reached the house I was exhausted but satiated.

Of course, you must always be safe and the location does not always lend itself to exploration but if it does...get out of the gym and embrace your new surroundings...early.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ECHOage on June 23, 2009 at 6:49am: My husband and I are both joggers but I have a terrible sense of direction and am always scared of getting lost, so when we go on holidays with the kids he goes jogging the first morning, maps out a route for me and then we switch off every morning for a jog. If the place we are staying has a gym, the person who didn't jog will do some weight training in the gym after breakfast while the kids are swimming in the pool.

All that said - we have just reached a big milestone - our kids (8 & 10) just started doing the occasional jog with us (I've just returned from a 40 minute jog with both kids and the dog).
Cheers
Roz
echoage.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carolyn on June 23, 2009 at 2:57pm: That's incredible! I'm so happy to hear parents including their kids, I love hearing that. I grew up playing softball with my dad's team, so I was always running around, chasing after softballs.

ECHOage said:
My husband and I are both joggers but I have a terrible sense of direction and am always scared of getting lost, so when we go on holidays with the kids he goes jogging the first morning, maps out a route for me and then we switch off every morning for a jog. If the place we are staying has a gym, the person who didn't jog will do some weight training in the gym after breakfast while the kids are swimming in the pool.

All that said - we have just reached a big milestone - our kids (8 & 10) just started doing the occasional jog with us (I've just returned from a 40 minute jog with both kids and the dog).
Cheers
Roz
echoage.com; ▶ Reply to This