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When you go away for a vacation, fitness may be the last thing on your mind. Vacations are meant to be a time to relax and unwind- to get away from the routine of your everyday life and take some time for yourself. You may be eating out a lot more and spending a lot more time relaxing on your vacation, but that doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to losing progress on your fitness goals and returning from your vacation a few pounds heavier.

 

If fitness is important to you, as it should be, it’s easy to incorporate it into your vacation without it feeling like a chore. Think beyond going to the gym (because, unless your hotel has a fitness center, that probably won’t be happening) and try out these four fun tips to stay fit on your vacation!

 

1. Go grocery shopping

It can be tempting to take the easy way out and eat out every night of your vacation. Who wants to take the time to cook when they’re on vacation? However, all those meals out really add up in dollars and calories/pounds. Give your wallet and waistline a break, and designate some of the meals of your vacation to healthy and/or home cooked food.  As long as your residence offers basic kitchen appliances, even just a refrigerator and microwave, take a trip to the grocery store and purchase some of your favorite healthy foods. They will most likely be healthier and more affordable than anything you could order at a restaurant!

 

2. Explore your surroundings

You probably already have some tours booked as part of your vacation, but you could think outside the box and find new, more active ways to explore the area. For instance, see if the city offers bike tours. If you’re staying at the beach, you could rent kayaks. Getting up an hour earlier than you normally would for a run on the beach is both invigorating and therapeutic. Running on the uneven terrain of the sand is a better workout than running on flat pavement, and you will be able to appreciate the beauty of the ocean more when the beach isn’t overcrowded.

 

3. Stay hydrated

Don’t forget to take frequent water breaks throughout the days of your vacation, especially if you’re exposed to extreme heat. Make sure you’re getting your recommended daily water intake because dehydration can easily be mistaken for hunger, causing you to feel hungry when what your body really needs is water.

 

4. Don’t skip meals

You know this one; although it would seem to defy logic if you’re trying to lose weight, skipping meals is not healthy and can actually cause you to gain weight. Skipping a meal can cause you to feel hungrier for your next meal and consume more than your recommended intake of calories. Pack healthy snacks so that when the cravings hit, you’ll be covered, even if you can’t make it to a restaurant or don’t have time to prepare an elaborate meal. Dieticians recommend eating every 3-4 hours.