Relax.  Unwind.  Refresh.

You are counting down the days for a much anticipated vacation.  You are SO excited for a trip away, getting to see old friends, new places… but one thought pops into your head.  You start to stress about coming back with unwanted pounds.

I have clients all the time tell me they are finally feeling energetic, have a great routine going, and are excited about leaving town for a few days.. but scared about breaking the good thing they have going with their fitness routine.

Here are 9 tips to help you stay the course while on vacation!

 1.      Make a Plan

Know how many days you are leaving and plan your workouts ahead of time!  Know you have a full day of travel?  Make that your rest day.  The day after you don’t start until 9 AM?  That will be a 6 AM cardio day.  Whenever clients leave town, they know exactly what workouts they will be doing and which days.  They when they come back, they jump right back into their routine!

Not motivated to exercise alone?  Look for 5K’s in the city you are traveling to and sign up!  One of our Bay View Boot Camp members, Jaime, is going to Chicago this weekend and while she is there, is already signed up for a 5k! :)  Not a runner, but love golf?  Research the country’s top courses.  Headed to the beach?  Ask around for recommendations on surfing lessons or ocean kayak rentals.  Not only is this a great way to see and do more than the typical vacationer, you are burning calories and staying active.

2.     Be Active Each Day

Some vacation destinations, such as theme parks, museums and large metropolitan cities, require you to be on your feet and walking all day long.  Take advantage of this opportunity to sight-see and get exercise all at once.  If you are going to a more relaxed destination, take walks along the beach, head down to the hotel gym, or sign up for something you’ve never done before.  Many cruises offer classes such as yoga and dancing which are great ways to learn something new while burning some calories.  Make it a family affair and get the kids involved!

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