Unless you’re in the cast of the TV series Survivor, it’s unlikely that
you won’t gain some weight during a vacation.
This is what fitness trainers fear most – their clients leaving
for a short trip and coming back only to have gained all the pounds
they’ve lost in 3 months.
When we’re on vacation, our resolutions are tossed
out to sea.
We meet with relatives and friends who take us to the best local
restaurants. We drink and party until the wee hours of the morning. And
if it’s a business trip or seminar, there’s a big chance that we’d be
eating at buffets and sitting behind a desk all day.
Of course, you’re allowed some leeway since you’re on vacation,
anyway. But just to make sure you won’t be charged for “extra baggage”
around your waist, try practicing these four helpful tips on your next
journey:
- Take advantage of the hotel’s
freebies.
An accommodation
most likely includes use of the pool, sauna, and gym.
Use these to your
benefit!A few easy laps at the pool in the morning
is perfect if you don’t want to get into something too strenuous before
a business meeting.
When you’re back at
the hotel after a long day, spend a few minutes
on the treadmill. It’s the perfect equalizer for the huge pasta plates
you’ll be having during power lunches.
- Participate in fun activities.
Vacations involve a lot of action
so you need not lie in the hotel bed with a huge sundae watching HBO.
Before you embark on your trip, make one
resolution: You’re going to learn a new sport.There
are tons of new sports coming out each year that you’re likely to find
one you haven’t tried yet. Para sailing, wall climbing, whitewater
rafting – the list is endless. Even a game of catch with a Frisbee at
the beach can keep your waistline trim and buff.
- Avoid sleeping right after meals.
Okay,
so it’s a vacation! You’re supposed to have a good time and be able to
indulge in comfort food – it only happens occasionally, anyway.
If you plan on “binging,” if you’ll call it
that – then at least
wait a few hours for your body to metabolize what you’ve just eaten.
Typically, we feel sleepy right after lunch
and give in to an
afternoon siesta. This can be avoided by fixing a schedule wherein you
would need to participate in some light physical activity right
after lunch or dinner.
In addition, eat what you want if you must,
but try taking several light meals instead
of three huge meals every day.
- Keep
walking.
It’s recommended for any
age and fitness level.Take in the sights. Go on a cycling tour instead
of a bus tour. Walk to the souvenir shops instead of taking a taxi.
If you’re having
dinner at a restaurant outside of the hotel, walk
the distance. The great thing about walking while on vacation is that you
won’t feel forced about exercising while you’re on break!
Make sure you pack a
comfortable pair of walking shoes with you. You
can also phone a friend who lives in the vicinity and ask him or her to
walk with you – it’s a great way to keep in touch without altering your
business or vacation schedule.
