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Physically Tweaked by Cat Smiley
In the working world, vacations are the ray of sunshine in a concrete colored
sky. When life runs in circles and over-scheduled days seem to never end, planning
a summer get-away can revitalize even the most stubborn of spirits. Yet whether
you’re off on business trips or family vacations, departure needn’t
mean absence from your fitness plan.
The road to optimum fitness should be strong enough to withhold flying obstacles
along the way your aunt Betty’s thanksgiving dinner, cramming for exams,
a sprained ankle. Whatever makes you feel dubious about adhering to your workout,
the key to staying in shape is treating fitness as a lifestyle, with some weeks
more diligent than others!
Avoiding setbacks in your hard-earned fitness means planning to incorporate physical
ventures into your travels. For example, phone ahead or check online to see if
the hotel has access to a gym facility and what equipment is in it. Usually, accommodations
without an exercise room have a discounted or free agreement for guests’
workouts at a nearby gym. Investing in a few sessions with a personal trainer
before you leave will clarify how you can work out while you’re away, including
sanity saving workouts from your hotel room.
It’s only normal that you may not be able to work out as often as you do
at home. Often a break can rejuvenate your exercise grind. Studies show you only
lose 3 percent of overall fitness in three weeks if you do absolutely nothing
(such as lying in a hospital bed) and can maintain fitness with a reduction in
workout duration by up to two thirds if you keep up your usual intensity. Exercise
is cumulative. Why taxi everywhere on vacation when you’ve got time to walk?
Kit the family out in comfortable shoes and get moving.
Jet lag can hinder even the best of intentions. On days where you’re trapped
in a time warp, shorten your workouts to 20 minutes, cranking up the intensity
equal to what you do at home. Decline the salty snacks offered on the airline.
Drink lots of water and stretch between flights. My favorite is a quick calf stretch
on the stairs. It is discreet and you can do it anywhere. Often when I am caught
on layovers I can be found striding around the airport, down the endless halls
as if I am late for a flight. It’s awesome for stretching your legs and
more energizing than another cup of coffee, especially pounding up flights of
stairs.
Don’t fret if you need to cut back your workouts to a couple of days a week.
Smart exercising is key and anything is better than nothing. As long as you get
in a maintenance-strength workout at least once a week you’ll manage to
keep what you have while you’re away.
Ask hotel staff for maps and recommendations of local recreation areas, safe running
routes or nearby parks good for power walking. Rental roller blades or bicycles
are an economical option and fun for the whole family. (Make sure you check the
weather forecast before you head out and find out what time the sun sets so you
don’t get caught in the dark).
On business trips mention to associates that you’re trying to keep up with
your workouts. Likely someone else is too and you can exercise together. Commit
yourself to working out by setting a fitness appointment with yourself as soon
as you get your trip agenda and never assume you’ll be too busy to fit in
a workout. Keep basic workout gear, a jump rope for handy aerobic workout and
a walkman with your favorite music in an extra bag with your briefcase; you might
be able to skip a meeting or corporate lunch one day. You’ll kick yourself
for not missing the opportunity to work out plan ahead for the unexpected! (Ask
the front desk of the conference room or meeting area where the nearest shower
facilities are before you sneak in a heavy workout).
Don’t turn into a health freak: you’ve worked hard to get your body
looking as good as it does. Remember, nobody cares about the way you look as much
as you do! A couple of drunken patio parties and high calorie birthday cakes won’t
do as much damage as the pattern of regular over-indulgence.
Chose your vacation battles wisely, yet be armed with exercise options to balance
things out. After all, it’s summer! Time to chill.
Cat Smiley is a pro-athlete and award winning personal trainer, available for
training at Fitness World (N. Vancouver), your home, the beach and in Whistler.
She is the fitness host of Physically Tweaked on fitnesseducation.com. Contact
1-604-902-0698, www.catsmiley.com
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