If you’re getting excited about your summer travel plans, make sure your getaway doesn’t wreak havoc on your health. Studies have found that 60% of participants gained an average of 0.9 pounds during and after their vacations. Some participants gained as much as seven pounds.
There are many different ways to travel overseas, but once you’ve reached your destination, it can be difficult to maintain healthy habits. Vacations may have unlimited buffets and plenty of sugary drinks, so make sure you continue to exercise while traveling.
Let’s dive into the different ways to stay healthy while on vacation.
1. Do Squats Anytime, Anywhere
Squats are a full-body workout. They train muscles in your thighs, quads, hamstrings, hips, and buttocks. Squats strengthen bones, ligaments, and tendons all over your body.
Squatting builds strength by improving your lower and upper body strength. Squatting is the best functional exercise you can do. You can burn 150 calories doing 10-minutes worth of squats.
The best part about squats is you can do them anywhere. While vacationing, find a few minutes to bang out some squats, whether it be on the beach, by the pool, or in your room. Don’t worry about adding extra weight. Squatting with your bodyweight is still excellent exercise!
To make your impromptu workout better, add in a few sit-ups and pull-ups, too!
2. Walk, Walk, Walk
Don’t underestimate the power of walking. Thirty minutes of walking increases cardiovascular fitness, lowers body fat, boosts muscle endurance, and strengthens bones.
A good walk does wonders for your mental health. Walking helps you sleep, increases self-esteem, and lowers anxiety. Walking leads to better cognitive functions, like enhancing memory and decreasing your risk of dementia.
While you’re on vacation, make a habit to walk as much as you can. Vacationing in a tropical paradise? Take a long stroll on the beach.
Floating on a cruise ship? Take a walk around the ship. If you’re looking for more things to do in the area before or after your cruise, read on here!
Walking is a great way to exercise your body and mind while on the go. Don’t forget to grab a few travel buddies. Walking around a beautiful vacation spot is a fun way to work out with friends.
3. Go for a Bike Ride
When it comes to options for cardio while vacationing, biking is a top choice. Instead of ordering Ubers or getting onto a crowded bus, rent a bike and go for a ride. Biking allows you to take a scenic tour while boosting your heart rate.
Cycling is considered a low-impact exercise, which makes it safe for most people. It doesn’t put too much stress on your bones and muscles, like running or lifting. Biking builds strength, stamina, and is a fun way to get fit.
Biking ride leads to:
- Lowered anxiety
- Decreased body fat
- Posture and coordination improvements
- Better joint mobility
- Improved muscle flexibility
Most vacation hot spots and resorts have bike rentals available. There are also bike-sharing systems located throughout most major US cities.
4. Try Yoga in the Morning
When you wake up in the morning, take a few minutes to do some yoga. Yoga is an excellent way to start your day, improve your flexibility, and get you in a good mindset. Yoga requires little to no equipment, so it’s an easy way to exercise while traveling.
Yoga improves energy, balance, and circulatory health. Yoga can protect you from injuries, help you manage your weight, and enhance your athletic performance.
When it comes to mental benefits, yoga is an excellent way to manage stress. Lowered stress levels lead to less back and neck pain and more mental clarity. Yoga helps people remain calm and relaxed, which is exactly how you want to feel on vacation.
Always Exercise While Traveling
It’s easy to get caught up in an unhealthy lifestyle during and after a luxurious vacation. But with so many easy and fun ways to exercise while traveling, there are no excuses for not getting physical while enjoying your vacay.
If you’re looking for more health-related advice, check out our other articles on our blog.
