Holiday fitness
Do you quit your exercise regime when you’re on holiday, then struggle to get going again in January?
Everybody needs a break sometime, so unless you are training for a big sporting event, you can tweak your holiday programme to suit your current rest time. We’re not suggest you quit exercise completely over this period, but rather to find ways to help keep you motivated at time when you are likely to feel like slacking off.
You are more likely to keep up with some form of exercise if you’re fitting exercising into your holiday, rather than trying to holiday around your exercise programme. Keeping up with your programme will go along way in helping to prevent weight gain during the festive period and getting back into your proper regime in January won’t be as tough either.
On holiday at home
- If you gym regularly, try to carry on for as long as you can – every second day if you aren’t able to go every day. Push yourself to do a longer circuit on the days you are there. If you’re still keen to go every day – excellent!
- Set yourself a fitness challenge – something that can motivate you to exercise more regularly or hit the gym every day.
- Get the kids together for some fun family biking. Plan routes before you go and make sure everyone is wearing protective and helmets, as well as reflective gear if you ride in the evenings.
- If you have a pool, swim laps every day. Make it a challenge. Time your laps and try to improve your score. Nothing shouts ‘summer holidays’ more than an early morning swim.
- Try something new for a few weeks. Look for a studio that doesn’t close over the holidays, or classes at your local gym. Join a Pilates class, do yoga, a dance class, karate, tai chi or CrossFit – you may find something you like and you could end up carrying on in January.
- Keep a look out for any 5 km charity fun walks or runs taking place in your area. Some events allow parents with babies in strollers and pets to participate too.
- Take your dogs for extra walks while you are home.
On holiday at the coast
- Book a hotel with a gym. Most offer use of the facilities for free.
- Many coastal towns have outdoor gyms that are free for the public to use. If you find that you aren’t utilising the hotel gym, an early morning run followed by a gym session at the outdoor gym can be exhilarating.
- Get the whole family up before sunrise and head down to the beach for a long early morning walk as the sun comes up. Alternatively, do a relaxing yoga session on the beach as the sun rises.
- If you’re on the west coast, try a long sunset stroll.
- Find a nature reserve that allows walks, hiking or cycling. South Africa has nine national botanical gardens – find a nearby one and take a stroll as you learn more about the flora and fauna of the area.
- Take a skipping rope, resistance bands, ankle weights, an exercise mat, and small equipment that can fit into your travel case. Exercise on-the-go.
- The sun sets later along the more southerly coast in summer, so make use of the extra daylight. If the town or area where you are staying is safe, take a walk after dinner. Babies and toddlers can be strapped securely in a stroller and older kids can walk or ride their bikes.
- Go dancing. Find a club in the area and dance until morning.
- Take a beach day but include a rousing game of beach volleyball or cricket in between tanning and swimming sessions.
- If you are staying at a holiday resort, check the schedule. Some resorts offer an early morning aerobics session, water aerobics or even a dance-a-thon.
On holiday in the bush or the mountains
- Walking is one of the best way to get into shape and to stay fit. Walking in nature also provides great stress relief. So give it a go – get out there and see the sights on foot.
- Book a hiking trip with a trained guide. Trip durations vary from one-hour to six-hour full day walks. The walks are usually informative and engaging, and you’ll be burning calories all day. Take healthy snacks along and plenty of drinking water.
- If you’re close to a river, try kayaking. Hire costs are relatively inexpensive and you can spend the day seeing the sights from a different angle. Pack plenty of sunblock as you are likely to burn on the water.
- Use the camp pool for an early morning swim before the crowds arrive to cool off in the heat of the day.
Resources
- WebMD, www.webmd.com
- Active.com, www.active.com
- Parents.com, www.parents.com