Do you often come back from a vacation and find yourself a few pounds heavier? Alas, if you hadn't tucked in all those goodies. Well, there's no point fretting and fuming afterwards, is there? The trick is to plan your vacation in such a way that it makes you fit not fat.
To start at the beginning, it all depends on the kind of holiday you go for. There are really 2 types of vacation you would go for: one could be classified as a five-star holiday where you are pampered and everything for you is done for; or the other which is out in the wild, be it the river, the sea, the valley, the plains or the mountains. Depending on your destination, there are two different states-of-mind you can prepare for: in the former, happy-go-lucky, letting go and in the case of the latter, preparing for low levels of comfort and the willingness to rough it out.
Fitness in the wild
This kind of a holiday will keep you pretty much on your toes and depending on where you go, you would need to be prepared, fitness-wise. If a trek is what you planned, make sure that you do not wear new shoes or those that have not been broken into. It 's a good idea to cut your toenails and keep your fingernails clipped. Before leaving on the trek, workout your heart and lung capacity at least a month before. The trek can be pretty trying especially the higher you go, so acclimatise yourself by gradually increasing height. The effect of altitude higher than 10,000 feet can lead to all sorts of problems like hypothermia, hyperventilation so you must be prepared by all accounts.
Fitness in the posh
It isn't the easiest thing but you can try coming back from a holiday as light as you left if you keep these tips in mind!
If the call of the beach or, a walk round the lake does not beckon you enough, try the hotel pool or even a walk around the lobby for keeping those calories from creeping up on you. Or if that is boring, then go out for a discovery walk and savor the local flavor (keep that to only smelling!) and knock off the calories as you go.
For those hell-bent on not missing their resistance training for fear of losing their muscle tone, there are ways out, if the hotel does not have a gym. Squats work as a very good compound exercise for the lower body that take care of the hamstrings, quadriceps and gluteus.
A set of push ups can do the same for the upper body, the shoulders, chest and upper back. Add to that a set of ab crunches and back extensions and you are well taken care of for your holiday away from home!
Eating right or light?
Eating out can be a bane but not so if you are wise. Give the gravies and anything saucy a pass and go for grilled, stir-fried (Stir!!!), roasted or baked fare. Stock up on breakfast of cereals, fruit and milk if you are going to be out the whole day. Carry nibbles with you in case you do not find anything worthwhile. Sorbets and fruit yogurts are good food-enders and will not topple the apple cart much too much!
Party and holiday you must. But just keep in mind that you have a three- week benefit of the last exercise you did, before the effects start wearing out. That should keep you on your toes and off your butt (for too long that is!)
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