Exercise during holidays "on the move" - advice needed

morticia16

Hi everybody.

I just recently joined MFP to help me monitor and control my calories balance. At the same time I started exercising after years of inactivity. This is helping me tremendously with my attempt to introduce a healthier lifestyle and yes, I am after some weight loss and body toning. I am in it for the long run...

Nevertheless, I am in August leaving for 1 month holidays that will consist of 2 weeks of traveling (a tour by car through some major cities in Europe) and a 14 day stay in the country side.

I am not so much concerned about my calories intake, this part I am sure I can handle well (well, sort of) while on the move. And some guess work for a few weeks won't kill me.

What I am concerned about is my exercise regime. As I said, I hit the gym after years of inactivity and I am now well settling into my work out rhythm. I do cardio (stationary bike and treadmill walking) and strength exercises 2-3 times a week and I swim (30-45 minutes) 2-3 times per week. Combined, I in this respect exercise at least 4 and up to 6 times a week.

This last part isn't easy for me. I have a very busy professional life and combined with private obligations I can only go to the gym and pool in the evenings (after 7 pm or later) or during the weekends. Compounded by the fact that this has for a long time not be part of my routine, I am still working on making it a natural part of my daily things that I do without thinking.

I am therefore a bit concerned for August. I will not have access to my gym and pool, I will be either on the move (changing hotels all the time and I won't be able to choose those with gym etc since it will be an unplanned, go after the feeling journey) or in a rather distant house in the countryside. I am therefore asking for some good advice to prepare my holiday exercise plan. I'll discuss this also with my 'coach' at the gym (once per month I meet with the coach to adapt my exercise plan) but would love to hear some wise advice from the community here too.

Note that I cannot jog (at least not for another few months) and I really don't have any knowledge of yoga or similar. What would you recommend? Any good not too strenuous workout DVDs? Learn yoga in a few days? Anything else?

Thanks!

jaz050465

Look at the Body by You book - it's like you are your own gym. It's about body weight exercises. Or you could get resistance bands.

morticia16

Thaks. I google the book, sounds interesting and indeed helpful.

sozisraw

A run before breakfast , job done for the day !

schnarfo

Buy a kettlebell and take it with you. Lots of routines online you could learn easily. Cardio and weights

morticia16

A run before breakfast , job done for the day !

I know that would be the simplest solution. But I cannot jog for a few months due to medical reasons. So am out of that option.

But otherwise, thanks for all the advice!

ktsmom430

There is always walking. Use the stairs if possible. You will be on holiday, walk as much as possible.
You would be surprised how much it will add up. Visit museums, go to parks, and other activities that involve walking, and walk, walk, walk!
Have a wonderful time!

morticia16

There is always walking. Use the stairs if possible. You will be on holiday, walk as much as possible.
You would be surprised how much it will add up. Visit museums, go to parks, and other activities that involve walking, and walk, walk, walk!
Have a wonderful time!

Thank you. That I will be doing lots. I hope it really adds up in the end, the walking!

88meli88

1 hour of moderate pace walking burns 230 calories. If you make an effort to walk a couple of hours every day, you should be ok. Also, just use youtube in your hotel room for exercise videos. and why dont you build some pool time in your vacation plan. on your drive, you can stop at lakes, rivers, and in the cities, you can hit the public pool to cool down.

vivaldirules

I would recommend going to YouTube and search for "hotel room exercises". You'll find a bunch of videos. These will usually include lunges, squats, push ups, crunches, leg lifts, Pilates-type exercises, and burpees and jumping jacks (but be mindful of the people on the floor below you). Take your sneakers and workout clothes. And if you can throw in a couple of stretch bands into your luggage, you can do some resistance work. For weights, you may be able to find something appropriately heavy (e.g., water bottles, rocks, your suitcase, the bed) and then you can do at least some light weight lifting. And if you can use the hotel fitness room (in case one or two of them you visit has one) or go outside for a brisk walk, then you'll be in good shape if you can make the time. Good luck to you!

pkw58

Get a pedometer or fitbit bug or fitbit flex or nikefuel band and wear it. I bet you find you are getting plenty of steps in. Learn a 5 to 10 minute yoga routine, with a few Sun salutations and warrior poses (check out you tube or google "free yoga on line".

I bet , if you watch your nutriution, drink plenty of water, and say no to recreational eating, you will end up maintaining or losing weight while traveling.

Pack your swimsuit just in case you get the opportunity.

Here are my tricks while traveling in addition to the above:

1. pack small packs of something healthy - like almonds in 100 calorie packs or those small squares of dark chocolate.
2. Say no to bread, chips (crisps), potatos , pasta or rice or at least limit yourself to one serving at a meal, never as a snack.
3. Water, water and more water. It is availalbe on planes, trains, cruise ships, etc.
4. wear flats every where.
5. Stand up as long as you can every opportunity you have.
6. Stuck in the airport for a long delay? Walk, walk, walk, walk.
7. travel light. google how to pack light. a month is along time.

And most importanly, LOG what you eat!!! Seriously!!!


Good luck! Report back how you do and how you did it!

coreyreichle

Grab a 30 Day Shred video, and use that for the two weeks you're on holiday.

morticia16

Thank you all, some great advice!