You’ve probably just like me, experienced having one week off work, and forgotten about exercise! Am I right? In this post I’ll share my best tips with you on how to keep that exercise routine during the summer holidays.
Often during vacation I visit the farm I’ve grown up on, with my sisters. Our dad lives there and it’s great to see him and also enjoy the quiet area og sounds of birds chirping in the trees. Basically, on some days you can hear the leaves fall off the trees.
Of course, when I’m away on vacation, my focus and priorites change. On regular days, I exercise 3-5 days per week, and I love it. But, I also do it because the daily life demands more of me than what vacation days does.
Vacation is awesome, but when we get out of our regular routines, it’s harder to keep up with the exercise. And eating healthy. And so forth. When days are slower, or at least different, your body slows down and the desire to exercise as much or as hard might not be there.
Although rest is important to the body, I guess you want to keep up with your good workout routines even during vacation. Here are the tips:
1. When you’re in a new environment, whether in a cabin in the woods, on a beach in Greece or in outer space, new environments trigger different thought patterns in your brain than your normal environment would. Prepare before hand by being clear on why exercise is important to you. Remind yourself of why you want to exercise during vacation, and think of it in an upbeat tone. Exercise should feel light and fun so that you’ll want to do it.
2. Put times in your calendar when you will exercise. Pick a number that feels realistic and comfortable. You’re on vacation, and it’s okay to workout a less than normal. Choose the times of day where you know you’re most likely to follow through on it, and when it’s least likely you’ll have other plans (I know days aren’t as planned during vacation). I recommend following step 3 when it comes to choosing the best time of the day.
3. Exercise before breakfast if you can. Only drink water, and maybe some coffee. Breakfasts during vacation are often slow and cozy, and consist of extra delicious foods! If you’re like me and fall into the cozy breakfast-trap, then exercise won’t happen. And if the body also feels full after eating, you’ll need to wait 2-3 hours. Another reason to skip it. Enjoy a long breakfast after the workout!
4. Choose your workout gear the day before. Make it readily available. This takes away one of the excuses to not follow through. If you exercise in the morning, your clothes will lie there ready for you.
5. Check what exercise equipment is available where you’ll be. If it’s your own cabin, can you bring some equipment there? Can you bring a jumping rope, a TRX and some dumbbells? If you’re in a different country, check if there’s any gyms around you can visit for a week, or an outdoor calisthenics park. You can also choose to do a home full-body workout to stay in shape, consisting of burpees, push ups, crunches, frog jumps and a form of lying row exercise.
Whatever you choose, make sure you have a plan before the day of exercise comes. When I exercise at the family’s farm, I have a spot in the barn that I prepare the day before. I tidy and put out the exercise equipment so it’s ready to be used.
6. Plan what to do during the workout way before you go on vacation. Planning ahead of time makes it easier to follow through, and you can’t use it as an excuse to skip the workout. Create an exercise or follow an existing plan. A CrossFit workout is great because the workout of the day is already been made. I’ve done this.
At least, know that it’s okay for the body to rest and unwind for a longer period of time. There’s a fine line though between lying pale on the couch and choking on chocolate bars, and going for walks and slow hikes in the woods 🙂
Active rest is healthy for the body! It helps the body slow down, recover from previous workouts and repair itself faster. If you’re used to exercising 4-5 days a week, try out a week of only 2-4 workouts, or 4-5 less intense workouts. If you only work out 1-3 days per week, it’s better that you keep at it. Vacations can definitely be a great time to spend more time exercising because you have additional energy from not working.
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