Maintaining your gains while on vacation

Vacation is a time of rest and relaxation away from the troubles of everyday life. But whether you travel to an all-inclusive tropical resort, a cabin in the middle of nowhere or even a cruise ship, you shouldn’t let your gains or fitness plans wither away while you’re on holiday. After all, you’ve worked very hard to get to this point after putting in long hours at the gym, watching everything you eat and staying active through the winter doldrums. So just because you’re enjoying your reward for all the work you’ve put in, that doesn’t mean you should hit the reset button on your fitness goals. But there are plenty of things you can do to stay in shape on your vacation without sacrificing the fun and relaxation you’ve earned. Like anything in fitness, it’s just a matter of how bad you want it.

Cheat, but don’t gorge yourself:​ All-you-can-eat buffets are very popular, cheap and appealing. Cruise ships, vacation resorts and luxury hotels will
tempt you with enough delicious food to feed a small country, but these buffets are an easy way to wipe out all the hard work you’ve put in. You’re on
holiday, so it’s OK to cheat on your diet, but don’t overdo it. Indulge yourself with some of the foods you don’t get to normally eat, but skip the buffet
unless you plan on losing all those gains.

Take a walk or run: ​If you’re on vacation, odds are you’re staying in a place that’s either new to you or is filled with sights and sounds that can be a
once-in-a-lifetime experience. And there is no better way to take in the scenery, enjoy the vistas and experience the culture than by foot to experience
your vacation spot in all its glory. So skip the cabs, Ubers and rickshaws, swap out your sandals for shoes and get some exercise that will also save
you money as well. Whether it’s a casual stroll or a spirited run, using your feet is a great way to enhance to your vacation. However, if you’re staying
someplace where it’s not advised that you leave the direct resort area due to safety concerns, then skip this step.

Hit the water: ​Few exercises are as complete and enjoyable as swimming. Whether you’re in a hotel pool, the ocean or a lake, take advantage of the
water and get a great workout that will burn off calories, provide great cardio and keep your muscles toned at the same time. But do be careful if you’re
in strange waters and make sure you understand the risks from things like strong currents, tides and various critters that can turn your fun into tragedy.

Resistance bands are your friends: ​They might not be a complete replacement for weights, but resistance bands give you a great workout that you
can do anywhere. They’re inexpensive, lightweight and easy to use across any fitness level. And because they take up so little space, resistance
bands make for a great traveling companion.
Find a gym:​ Most resorts, hotels and cruises have state-of-art workout facilities that you can take advantage of for free. So find out where the gym is
located and utilize it as much as you can. If you don’t have access to a gym, look around the area for gyms and find out if they offer free trials. Many
facilities, YMCAs and weight rooms try to attract new customers by allowing you access for free for a day or even a week. So take advantage of their
generosity and get a free workout in.

Get creative:​ Where there’s a will, there’s a way. There are plenty of exercises you can do from the comfort of your room with little to no assistance.
For starters, go old school and do some pushups, situps, squats, crunches, planks and lunges. You can also use common objects found in your room
as weights to keep your muscles toned.

Try new things:​ Many common vacation activities can also be great exercise. Surfing and stand up paddle boarding are not as easy as it looks, but
they can be a great workout. Odds are there are people who can give you instructions to help you get the hang of it too. Get in a canoe, kayak or
rowboat, do some climbing or strap on some snow shoes if you’re in a place with lots of snow. Most common vacation areas also rent out bikes so you
can get your cardio and exercise in while taking in the scenery.