Kent Sport health and fitness instructor Sarah Black provides tips about how to stay motivated and healthy while enjoying a break:
If you are getting back from a holiday or planning on taking one, we can all relate to interruptions in schedules and fitness routines, or eruptions in peak fitness dependant on the holiday. Here is a guide that may help you stay fit whilst on holiday or prepare you to stay fit for the next holiday in your diary.
How many of us go on holiday and get fit and healthy? Perhaps shed a few kilos, gain strength and stamina? Waking up, without being in a rush and using the hotel gym every morning ensures you receive an optimal workout that targets a full body approach. Recovery consists of adequate hydration, plentiful fruits and vegetables, with time to enjoy and digest your meals.
A week or two spent treating your body like the temple it is, replenishing your senses and health will have evident benefit and noticeable gains that will last for weeks even after your holiday. Its an easy way to fall back into a busy lifestyle and manage any stressful situations upon your return.
Alternatively, sometimes we go on holiday and naturally rebel against anything representing health, dismissing all exercise and physical exertion and losing the will power to resist temptations. The majority of the holiday will be lingering over the lunch buffet, eyeing out the competition between fellow diners that could eat away your helpings. Indulging on all the glorious spreads, requesting second helpings, even thirds at times of weakness. Plates are so full we struggle to carry them to the table, exercising our jaws and wrists shovelling in sizeable mouthfuls. Regular afternoon naps taken at the pool side, soaking up the glorious UV rays and waking up to cocktails and snacks. Exercise is non-existent and a thing of the past.
I’m sure all of you can relate to both or at least one of the above brackets? Therefore how do we adhere to staying fit, active and healthy on holiday? How can we still treat our body to rest and sample the tasty foods and treats; without feeling deprived and guilty?
Tip time
If you’re going all in, go slim – The buffets will always be stocked with meats, side dressings and variety. Choose lean cut meats and grills with light dressings. Avoid anything with huge amounts of stringy fat and chicken with skin on that come in dripping oils. If you’re adding anything to your food for flavouring-pick the lighter option dressings, avoid adding unwanted and unnecessary calories to your plate.
Stay hydrated – At times our hunger pangs may just be a sign of dehydration. Keep sipping away on the h20 to ensure you remain energised and avoid over eating. Keep your water bottles topped up. When servings of cocktails and beverages are offered, try and avoid anything with a cream base and liqueur mix, as these will tip the fat and calories off the scale chart after a few too many.
Activities – Explore and stay active. Go on lengthy walks, it can be a good social tool to go with your partner or holiday pal and enjoy some fresh air. Take part in any group hotel activities, maybe some aqua aerobics? Competitions hosted at the hotel, even sports. This is your chance to attempt anything new and it may spark an interest that inspires you to continue with it on your return. Keep moving and try and expend energy whilst enjoying your ventures and taking in the scenery.
Tune in – When it comes to second helpings and serving sizes stop and think. Do you need it? Do you want it? Or are you simply eating it because it has been placed in front of you or because it looks tasty? You may find out that you actually don’t even feel like consuming the endless array of food that sees its way to your plate. At times greed can be mistaken for hunger.
Take the stairs – Aim to only use the lift upon your arrival and departure, when you need it to help you with all the heavy baggage you may be carting on the trip. The stairs can be your obstacle of challenge throughout the stay. Any further steps you can clock up whilst you are on your break will avoid accumulating cms around the hips and bulging waistlines.
Regular sleep – Avoid patterns that will disrupt your regularity and body clock. Try and aim to get restful uninterrupted hours every night and perhaps set an alarm clock so you are not sleeping until noon and then struggling to fall asleep that evening. Sufficient sleep with significant hours will help maintain energy throughout the day.
Avoid the jet lag dragging you down – The sooner you can adapt to the local times and foods the better you will feel. Take power naps, but be sure to avoid over sleeping as this will throw your body clock out of sync and disrupt your natural cycle. Plenty of fluids and remember to adjust your eating schedule to make sure you remain energised and fuelled at the appropriate times. Keep in tune with regularity.
The key tip to remember on holiday is to relax, replenish and revitalise. Breaks and vacations are supposed to be fun and enjoyable. Let go of your worries, reduce your stress and show kindness to yourself. It is important to have regular breaks from the busy hustle and regiment of everyday life. Nurture your minds, nourish your bodies and bless your health. Stress will come and go, worries will fade but the damage you inflict on your health will come back to haunt you unless you address your symptoms with sympathy.
For further advice about how to achieve a healthy lifestyle don’t hesitate to chat with members of the Kent Sport fitness team; and you can find out about fitness consultations offered by visiting the Kent Sport website.