Tuesday, May 15, 2012

And You're Off!

     So you're off on a little vacation, are you?  Or maybe you're hightailing it out of here for the entire summer.  More power to you.  Either way, I'm quite sure that one of the MOST important things on your mind is, "What the heck is going to happen to my fitness program while I'm away?"  Well, here's your very simple solution.

     If you'll only be gone for a week, do your body a favor and give it a rest.  Honestly, sometimes it's the best thing.  And if you're headed to the beach or the mountains, chances are you'll be walking, swimming, hiking, or being active anyway, so all is not lost.

     With a getaway of a month or more, you've got a little homework to do, but it's not a complicated assignment.  If you're staying at a resort hotel or with family or friends, there will probably be a fitness center available to you, either on the property or nearby.  Use it if you're accustomed to working out in that kind of facility at home, but there are plenty of other options.  For example, try performing a variety of exercises using only your body weight -- squats, stationary lunges, walking lunges, push-ups, pull-ups, dips, crunches, and back extensions, to name just a few.  Do a few sets of each of these exercises in rapid succession two or three times a week while you're gone, and you won't feel as if you're starting all over again when you get home.  And if you don't usually include any of those moves in your regular routine, here's a perfect opportunity to try something new and different.  Check with a trainer at your local gym before you leave home to be sure you're performing the exercises properly.

     If your biggest fear about going on vacation is the temptation to overeat, the same theory applies.  If you'll be away for a week, you're probably going to gain a couple of pounds.  Just plan on it, don't panic, and for heaven's sake don't let your fear prevent you from enjoying the culinary delights that might be available to you in a different part of the country (or world).  When you get home and return to your normal eating and exercise habits, you'll shed those few pounds in no time.  If you'll be away for a month or more, try not to lose your mind at every single meal, but do have some fun, particularly if you're visiting a place famous for its regional dishes.  The day after any unusually large meal, eat a little less and move a little more.  You'll be fine.

    When you get home, be aware of one of the most common post-vacation traps of all.  It goes something like this, "Gee, I'm tired and I've got all this laundry to do and tons of paperwork on my desk, and golly I just don't think I can get back to the gym right away.  I'll start again next week."  More often than not, "next week" becomes "next month," and suddenly you're starting from square one.  So enjoy your well-deserved vacation, treat yourself to some new and interesting foods, move around as much as possible, and get back to real life as soon as you get home.  And have a terrific time!

Been anywhere interesting lately?  Share your adventures with us by leaving a comment!

1 comment:

Granny Blogger said...

Vacation or unexpected life-style changes gain from your words of wisdom, Mar. Thanks for the encouragement no matter which situation arises.