Do you exercise on vacation?

I'm going back to NJ for a visit next month and it's been really bothering me that I was going to have to give up my daily workouts. I stay with my sister, so I don't have the option of a hotel fitness center. Through a friend, I managed to find a gym that would give me a one week membership so that I can still work out. But now I'm wondering if this is completely obsessive of me and I should just relax and take the week off! lol!

Replies

  • ValerieMomof2
    ValerieMomof2 Posts: 530 Member
    I do exercise on vacation when I can. I NEED it for my moods and a break from chaos so it may be obsessive, but at the same time, it's good for you!
  • eskiadas
    eskiadas Posts: 45 Member
    I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting to workout while on vacation. You could head out to the gym in the AM and still have the rest of the day to spend with your sister. I went to Florida with the family last year to my brothers condo. They have a gym so before we would head to the pool for the day, I did a quick but effective workout. I loved it and I felt great :)
  • MG_Fit
    MG_Fit Posts: 1,143 Member
    I'll usually do some HIIT or other cardio workouts on vaca :) Nothing beats a pair of running shoes on a beautiful day.
  • caseythirteen
    caseythirteen Posts: 956 Member
    Not typically but it would depend on the type of vacation. I don't have to travel much to visit family but maybe if it was that kind of situation than yes, I would try and get in a few days. But my general types of vacation don't involve me exercising.
  • Amberh82
    Amberh82 Posts: 468 Member
    You can always go for a walk or jog outside around the neighborhood or an area park where there is a loop or something. I've done that before while visiting a friend. It was nice to see a change in scenery.
  • EKN1417
    EKN1417 Posts: 34 Member
    I think there is a happy medium. Vacations should be VACATIONS- and sticking to a rigorous and inflexible workout schedule can lead to more stress at a time when you are supposed to be taking it easy. That said, if you think of fitness as a lifestyle, than working out shoudl be something you find rewarding and relaxing and WANT to incorporate into your vacation to some degree.

    Personally, I like to use my vacation to still be active but take a break from my routine. I love to run outside to explore the area I'm staying in, attend a yoga class or kickboxing class with a friend, try some new things out in the weight room, go for bike rides, hike, etc. Find a way to incorporate fitness into your vacation without making your workouts into a chore that will detract from your relaxation.

    Also- early morning workouts are great on vacations. You can get up early and go for a run before your sister will even know miss you.
  • Schmidt722
    Schmidt722 Posts: 35 Member
    I don't think it's obsessive. I try to fit in some exercise on vacation, but not necessarily my "routine" at home.

    Are there any hikes in the area that you can do with your sister? That's my go-to on vacation. Or, will you be staying somewhere that is condusive to going for a solo run, in case your sister isn't down for a hike?
  • Vain_Witch
    Vain_Witch Posts: 476 Member
    My sister definitely isn't a hiker. lol I'll probably hit up the gym on a few of the days and go walk on the other days. :)
  • Meaganandcheese
    Meaganandcheese Posts: 525 Member
    It's not obsessive if it's a part of your lifestyle. No shame in that game. Depending on the vacation, I like to wear my fitbit and work on NEAT. It's about finding a happy medium and not letting the WLJ interfere with life, but still meeting your goals.
  • I'm going to Las Vegas next week and plan to get up early and run. There's nothing like the Vegas strip early in the morning after the party people are fast asleep. We'll see if this actually happens. I try to work out on vacation...the best of intentions doesn't always happen.
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    Yes, I exercise on vacation.

    I do it because I know that I'm likely to eat a lot of high calorie foods so I want to make sure that my TDEE is high. However, if I have plans or something interferes with the workout, I don't stress about it.
  • montana_girl
    montana_girl Posts: 1,403 Member
    Since most of our vacations revolve around half marathons or backpacking, I guess the answer would be yes! :happy:

    But... we've been know to go for extra walks or workout in the hotel gym when we are on vacation. But most of our vacations involve a lot of walking, or running, or hiking, so it's just a given we will be "exercsing" at some point.
  • matt2442
    matt2442 Posts: 1,259 Member
    Does NJ have a sidewalk and do you have a pair of running shoes? Do you have your own bodyweight to lift up? Sure, you can definitely work out on vacation
  • Lisah8969
    Lisah8969 Posts: 1,247 Member
    I do my running on vacation, but not strength training and other cardio. Sometimes it is nice to get away from family for a little run!
  • manhn1
    manhn1 Posts: 137 Member
    My local gym is a member of IHRSA, so I try to find gyms that are part of that program. I also check for YMCA's--but apparently, not every YMCA accepts non-members (San Jose, I'm looking at you!). I also check out community/recreation centres. Exercising outdoors is a last resort (I just don't like it) but I will do it, weather permitting.
  • dandandee
    dandandee Posts: 301 Member
    if you want to exercise, than exercise! But don't let it take over the vacation.

    In feb when I went on holidays, I stayed at a place with a pool so I went swimming every day so I guess I did exercise, but I wasn't stressing about it.
  • RunnerElizabeth
    RunnerElizabeth Posts: 1,091 Member
    I try to plan my vacations to include plenty of exercise. My sister comes along on trips with my daughter and I, she is very active too. We go on a lot of hiking vacations. We'll do canoing and kyaking as my daughter gets older. Our favorite thing to do is run. I'll rent a jogging stroller at my destination and we'll hire a private guide. We did this thru City Running tours in DC. It was awsome!

    Anyway, I don't think it's obsessive. Healthy living is a lifestyle, you can have fun on vacation and still be healthy. If you just let it go, it's that much harder to get back to your routine after you get back.
  • dondimitri
    dondimitri Posts: 245 Member
    My wife and I are discussing this right now with respect to our upcoming 10 day car camping trip.

    I think we are going to try to hit a happy medium between relaxing and getting away from the routine but still staying active.

    I know we'll do a bunch of walking and probably some day hikes. I'm contemplating taking along a pair of weight adjustable dumbbells.

    There will be an opportunity to do as much swimming as we like although the water is a little bit cooler than ideal.

    I'm looking forward to taking a break but I know we won't completely veg out for the whole 10 days either.
  • links_slayer
    links_slayer Posts: 1,151 Member
    I'm going to Las Vegas next week and plan to get up early and run. There's nothing like the Vegas strip early in the morning after the party people are fast asleep.

    Or watching them heading back to their hotels after a night of debauchery as you are waking up!! That's usually good for a good chuckle or two :)
  • I do! I see no reason to not treat your body right just because you're on vacation! :)
  • Mrs_Duh
    Mrs_Duh Posts: 263
    Not obsessive at all. I always workout on vacation!
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    I always exercise on vacation. That is one of the joys of vacation. Longer runs or workouts.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    Yep. Gym every morning for at least 45 min. We will only stay at hotels that have gyms. Good thing my DW gets Marriot points when she travels.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • I will be exercising. I finally got myself to a point where I do 60 minutes exercise a day, every day. I will be going away for a week in October and I booked a hotel near the river because I know it has a path that I can run on easily and not get lost and so I can stay away from running through a really busy city with all the lights and being disorientated and the people to avoid. Meh.
    There is also a gym at the hotel though I am more of an outdoors person.
    The biggest thing for me will be running in 35-40 degree heat... I have never done that before and I am not really looking forward to it.
  • MyOwnSunshine
    MyOwnSunshine Posts: 1,312 Member
    If I were to vacation and visit family, I would probably run instead of going to the gym. Easy, no equipment, and it would give me some time to myself.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    I always work out on vacations but:

    1. I only sleep 4-5 hours per day
    2. I enjoy coming up with new workouts to suit wherever I end up on vacation
    3. Working out is how I relax

    If it's not the same for you, don't work out and enjoy a relaxing vacation with your loved ones. The gym will be there when you get back home.
  • HSingMomto7Kids
    HSingMomto7Kids Posts: 345 Member
    Why not if you can? Everyone does it differently and neither is wrong. I say if you want to workout then go for it!! I love to workout if I can when on vacation!!
  • Justkeepswimmin
    Justkeepswimmin Posts: 777 Member
    Yes.

    Maybe instead of 6 days a week I'll do 3-4.