There’s no rest for the wicked(ly buff).
If you’re an avid gym-goer, exercising while you’re on holiday is a no-brainer. But if you’re more likely to be found curled up on the sofa with a tub of Ben & Jerry’s and Netflix (hey, there’s no judgement here), chances are you’re not going to be spending much of your time away on a treadmill.
Having said that, restoration and rejuvenation of both the body and mind is a key goal for most people when they go on holiday. So instead of viewing leisure time and exercising on opposite ends of the scale, reframe your perception of a holiday and think of it as an opportunity to top up your energy stores by keeping active while having fun.
Here are seven tips from Celebrity Cruises to help you stay fit while on your travels this year.
1. Look for opportunities to move
One of the most important ways to reinvigorate your body is to keep moving – and not just when you’re at the gym. There are always opportunities to move when you’re on holiday, whether that’s taking the steps instead of the elevator, or opting for the scenic route when you’re out exploring. Before you know it, you’ll have taken 10,000 steps a day.
2. Break your routine
Let’s face it, going to the gym isn’t exactly the most exciting thing in life. If you’re feeling stuck in a rut, your holiday is the perfect time to try something new, change up your routine, and take that experience back home with you.
3. Savour your meals
For many people, food is essential to that blissful sense of indulgence we associate with going on holiday. So while the last thing you want to do on your trip is worry about what you’re eating, try complementing your favourite meals with a healthy starter, like a salad or a vegetable soup, to keep a balance.
4. Time for a quickie
No one wants to spend their entire vacation thinking about fitness, but rest assured it’s possible to work out without dedicating to much of your precious relaxation time to it. Laura DeAngelis, a professional trainer and fitness instructor from New York City, recommends brief but high-intensity workouts like circuit training. “Doing a few minutes of something is better than doing nothing,” she explains.
5. Take some H20 to go
It’s easy to forget that drinking water is one of the easiest – and cheapest – ways to stay healthy and hydrated, especially when you’re spending lots of time in the sun or enjoying a few (or many) cocktails on holiday. Take a sturdy water bottle with you and re-fill it throughout the day to make sure you keep that skin looking flawless. Ideally, you’re looking to drink half your body weight in ounces a day.
6. Enjoy instant gratification
When trying to fit exercise in with your travels, it’s important to schedule some time to enjoy yourself as a reward: Book yourself in for a spa treatment, savour a long poolside nap, or enjoy a quiet read on your veranda. A little R&R time can be just what you need to push you through that workout.
7. Or, let exercise be it’s own reward
Alternatively, if you’re the kind of person who loves a good workout but never gets the chance because of your busy lifestyle, use your time away to enjoy something extra. Whether that’s a five-mile run, some weight training, or a luxurious 20-minute stretch – now is the perfect chance for some uninterrupted “me” time.
To find and book your perfect Celebrity Cruise holiday click here.