why and how to stay fit on holiday

First things first: I’m well aware that exercising might be the absolute last thing you want to do on holiday.  Below ‘get covered in 538 midge bites’ on your list of priorities.  However… not exercising for 7+ days might also be the last thing you want to do to your fitness routine.  Totally depends on the type of holiday too ofc – in France I worked out every single day (save for the couple that I was ill and didn’t have the energy to drag myself out of bed for hours, let alone workout), but in Budapest all the walking and sightseeing kept us more than busy and active enough.  So when I say holiday, what I actually mean is ‘chilled out holiday where you have time to breathe’.  Not ‘jam packed city break with an itinerary from dawn to dusk’.  Just to clear that up. :)  Onto why I think it’s worth getting your sweat on, and how to go about it!

Why it’s worth the effort

— You won’t undo all your hard work.  All that effort you put into healthy eating and working your arse off in the gym during your holiday countdown?  Why let it all go to waste?  You worked hard for that, you got this, keep it up!  Believe every motivational quote Nike tells you!

— It’s easier to get back on the bandwagon when you get home.  Stamina and strength (and motivation!) seem to disappear loadssss quicker than you gain it back.  It’s a 2 steps back one step forward kinda thing.  Dragging yourself out for a run after 2 weeks of nada exercise is a hell of a lot harder, I tell ya.  If you can reduce the ‘ugh need to burn off the holiday food baby’ feels for when you get back, then you are one step ahead of the game my friend.

–You’ll feel less guilty about the holiday carbs and wine.  Because what’s a holiday without treating your stomach like a bottomless pit once or twice, eh?  ‘We’re on holiday’ doesn’t mean pig out every meal, but you’re gonna treat yo’ self a few times, let’s be honest.  Did someone say baguettes?  So carby and fluffy and good.  But yeah, indulge in moderation and keep your workout game strong, and voila, damage to waistline minimal.

— It’ll boost your energy.  Lazy days are great to chill, but the lazier you are, the more lethargic and ‘yucky’ you feel after a while.  A burst of energy on lazy holiday days certainly doesn’t hurt!  Tired’s the last thing you want to feel anyway.

— Workout clothes take up minimal space.  Couple of pairs of shorts and sports bras in your suitcase with an optional pair of trainers squished in at the end, easy.  ‘No room’ isn’t an excuse!

— You’ll feel more confident in your clothes.  You’ve saved your fave new clothes for holiday, now to put your fave, energised, sore-muscled self into them.

How to get your gym on (without a gym)

Improvise!  This one’s probably my fave tip.  Working out on holiday doesn’t have to be as long as your home routine, as long as you do something.  Literally just running laps around the garden (looking like a crazy person) or up the road and back is better than nothing.  Make an improv pilates mat with a doubled over beach towel on grass.

Take your workout outdoors.  If you’re lucky enough to have warm weather, make the most of it.  I found late mornings were perfect, when the sun wasn’t high enough to be boiling on my back but the early morning chill had worn off.  Anything outdoors is good on hol.

Download workout programs beforehand.  If you’re a fan of following along with workout instructions, lack of wifi needn’t be a problem!  Insanity is my favourite because it doesn’t use any equipment (and Shaun T shouting in your face is as motivating as a laptop screen can get) but there are plenty other programs available too.  Pinterest Printables are a good shout, if making up your own routines isn’t your thang.

Keep it short.  Whilst it’s important to keep your routine going, it doesn’t need to take massive chunks out of your day.  Choose something disgustingly difficult that’ll have you sweating buckets in 5 minutes and your leg muscles screaming in pain after half an hour, and get it over and done with!

If you’re lucky enough to still have a chillout holiday to look forward to and feel like adding workouts into your lazy days, let me know how you get on!

lily kate x

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