HOW TO HAVE A HEALTHY HOLIDAY: the must-know tips and tricks

It’s understandable that keeping on top of your game when it comes to fitness is challenging whilst travelling. When the temptation to let it all go and forget about it is there, many travellers fall into bad habits and effectively have their work cut out once they’re home.

Thankfully, there are many ways to combat this and keep your fitness up whilst enjoying yourself. Here are the must-know tips and tricks to ensure a healthy and happy trip.

BRING SOME EQUIPMENT WITH YOU

If you’re going to long for the gym whilst you’re away from home, it might help to bring some pocket-sized equipment with you that will aid in your daily routine. From skippping ropes to mini dumbells and weights, there are plenty of tools to incorporate into a quick workout, perhaps every morning to get you going.

A skipping rope, for example, is a great thing to include in a cardio workout – the British Rope Skipping Association states how just 10 minutes of skipping equates to 45 minutes of running, as highlighted by Cosmopolitan. If you’re looking for an effective workout in a shorter time, this could be the right thing for you. Best of all, it won’t take up much room in your luggage.

WATCH YOUR DIET


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One of the biggest hurdles many travellers have to overcome whilst travelling is their food intake. With the temptation of local cuisines proving to be too much for some, with TINZ highlighting how a shocking 90% of travellers put on weight during their holidays.

If you want to indulge, just don’t make it a regular thing. It makes sense to want to explore and challenge your taste buds to the best of what’s on offer, but be sure to be mindful of what you’re eating (and drinking). Keep it regulated and sensible and the blow won’t be too heavy.

GO SWIMMING

Why not jump right in and have a swim? If you’re travelling it’s likely you’ll be splashing in the sea or a pool during your trip, so be sure to get a few lengths in while you’re at it. Swimming is arguably underrated as an exercise, as it’s actually one of the most effective.

Acting as both a strength and resistance workout, it will also help improve your cardiovascular fitness. Not only that, but it will build muscle all over the body, trim your body fat and improve your flexibility all at once. And, as an added bonus, it’s good for your mental health too – swimming is a natural remedy to alleviate stress, which is perhaps necessary when travelling.

PARTAKE IN SOME ACTIVITIES


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Don’t hold back on your travels – make sure to try your hand at some activities. Whether it be hiking, which doubles as an effective and strenuous cardio workout, or something more high-octane such as white-water rafting, you’ll be exerting your body in ways you won’t be able to back at home.

The fun and excitement of activities means the fitness side of them is harder to notice. When you’re purposefully exercising you likely feel more tired and unmotivated, but when the adrenaline kicks in as you battle waves and rapids in a fast-moving river, you’ll really be pushing yourself to the limit without even having to think about it.

OPT TO WALK OR CYCLE



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Instead of relying on public transports or taxis – the latter probably setting you back considerably in terms of money – why not use your feet instead? When you opt to walk instead of catching a ride elsewhere, you’ll have more time to take in your surroundings and explore.

If walking doesn’t take your fancy, you could always cycle. It makes for another effective exercise, working your leg muscles whilst trimming body fat, and will also get you to your destination quicker than walking. Enquire to see if you can rent a bicycle, and go forth and explore.

Do you have any more fitness tips for the active travellers? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.