I’m heading out with my family on vacation this weekend so I thought it was the perfect time to write up a little plan on how I intend to stay on track all week. I admit I’ve been having a little bit of a harder time this past week so I need a strategy for how to tackle being away from my routine. We are going on a cruise so lots of challenges but also lots of opportunities.
1. Sign up-I like to check to see if there are any races where I am traveling to. Running through a city is a great way to see the sights and increase your fitness. No race? I check out local fitness studios to see if there is a class that might be different or fun. I am going to be in NYC for 2 days so I signed up for a Soul Cycle class. Knowing that I’ve paid in advance for a race or class, guarantees that I will show up.
2. Healthy Snacks-My husband loves to make fun of me for this! I always pack a few of my go to healthy snacks in my bag. “What they don’t have granola bars in NY?”, he would say. Yes of course they do however, when I am hungry I don’t want to have to go off and find exactly what I am looking for when I want it. It’s too easy to stumble into say a cupcake store-LOL.
3. Don’t drink your calories-Sure it’s totally fine to have a glass of wine with dinner, cocktail at the pool or Holiday party but those calories can really add up over the course of a week. I plan to budget my lattes and wine and make sure that I still drink plenty of water.
4. Pack it in-My husband makes fun of me for this one too but I always pack a resistance band and a mini foam roller in my bag. I am never sure what a hotel gym might have. I know I can do lots on my own with a few resistance bands and my own body weight. Having a few go to exercises and the never ending ideas on Pinterest, I have no excuse not to exercise.
5. Bump it up-Maybe you usually do a morning run so why not add in an afternoon walk with your family? Check out the neighbors holiday lights. Headed to the mall? Park even farther away and get in few more steps on those trackers. Adding in a little something extra can make a big difference.
Bonus:-
Have fun! The Holidays are all about family and fun after all!
I’m linking up with the DC Trifecta-please check out Courtney, Mar & Cynthia for some fabulous tips.
Traveling this Holiday Season? Any tips for me?
Not drinking calories – that is PARAMOUNT! As is keeping up with your work out regime!! It keeps you SANE! 😉
Definitely keeps me sane! It’s all the chocolate that’s doing me in right now!
Nice tips!! I like to bring healthy snacks with me as well! I also like the idea of doing something like walking with the fam or parking further to get a little bit more in. Have a good vacation!
Definitely beware the liquid calories. And get them to pull treats off the counter–you’ll just be tempted otherwise!
I usually try to stay active while on vacation but signing up for races wherever is going to be my new thing! Great way to explore 🙂
I love to do that too! Couldn’t find one this time but I did hit Soul Cycle this morning in NYC.
I always pack my Zone bars. Is that so wrong? LOL. No drinking calories…it’s one of my mottos. If I do splurge on a Starbucks, I ask them to make it with half the syrup. It is still sweet enough. I love your idea about signing up for a class in advance. Enjoy NYC.
I pack some bars too bc I would rather what I know I like. No drinking calories either. I switched my Starbucks to just a non fat latte and add cinnamon.
Great tips. I try to not drink my calories too. I like cheese too much 🙂
I love cheese too and carbs so much rather eat them!
Great list. We’ll be doing the circuit this year and I’m actually hoping it will help to be a little more active, with the extra hands for the kids and the time off means running doesn’t have to be super early to fit in with work.
Hope you enjoy your time off with your family. Happy Holidays!
I love these tips! We’re visiting family this weekend and I’ve already asked my brother to get me a guest pass to his gym 🙂 I almost always have granola bars too.
Good idea! It helps to have plan in place for exercise. Plus sometimes we all need a little escape from the family for an hour right??
It’s so funny because I usually travel for healthy things like races, so I tend to stay very active and alway stake my own food on the plane…what usually gets me is ohh extra dessert :0) but that’s why I run on vacation!
I love the running vacations too-those are easy! It’s the week on a cruise that might put me over the edge.:) Happy Holidays
Just like in everyday life, carrying snacks with me is the BEST option for me. And while in a car, I want to munch, munch and munch. So popcorn and water is my best friend!
I try to carry my own snacks too and it really does help. I hate having to rely on what is there.
But drinking calories is fun!! I have to say I’m the worst on vacation, but most of the time that’s the way I like it. 🙂
Drinking calories is not my favorite way to indulge-I’d so much rather a big piece of bread and pasta yum!
Drinking lots of water is key! I need to do that more when I go home. Happy Friday!
Thanks! I am hoping that will help me a little. I’m a bit nervous about being on the boat for a week right now.
Great tips and fully agree on number 3. I avoid drinking my calories because they add up so quickly. My healthy go to snacks are almonds, always in my bag just in case. Because if I do not have them, I end up hungry then overeat. Blah. Have a great holiday !
They do add up! I would think not drinking might be hard with all of your great wine over there. My husband is a wine lover and tries to tempt me. Almonds are my favorite too!
Great tips – I bring gym clothes and shoes in the carry on so I have my workout clothes with me when I land wherever I am going. I also check out free guest gym passes too.
It is great to find free passes when you travel. Especially this time of year all the gyms offer the. I hope I make it through a week on a boat!
Deborah, these are such great tips; I’m delighted that you will be able to attend a SoulCycle class in NY – amazing! I can totally relate to your flying/airport preparations; I look like a pack mule and my husband always mentions it, as well. He’s never upset, though, when I have healthy snacks at the ready instead of us having to pay for high-priced junk. 🙂 Hope you have a GREAT trip!
Thanks! My hubby hasn’t fully appreciated my large bags that come with us everywhere yet 🙂 Soul Cycle was fun today. Happy HOlidays!
When I go out of town I like to relax and have a good time…sometimes that means having one to many cocktails. Busted! For the most part though I do okay. I like to get in a workout wherever I can. And I alway have my computer with me when I travel so I can get a quick Insanity workout.
Good idea I forgot I can always check you tube for a fun workout if I get desperate.
Great tips. With all the traveling I do I am always packing healthy snacks too. I recently got a mini foam roller that I pack as well.
I love to bring my foam roller too and my hubby makes fun of me for that too!
I always pack ESSENTIALS… snacks, and things I need to be comfortable. And great walking shoes, if not my running shoes. Good reminders.
I pack all of my essentials too and that is why my husband makes fun of me!
Great tips! I love the “don’t drink your calories.” I am not the best at times with it, but once I learned that most sports recovery drinks have more calories than drinking a soda, I realized water is seriously best!
Have a great time on your vacation!!!!
Water is the best for sure. I am all over the homemade sparkling water when I need fizzy. Thanks we leave tomorrow for our cruise.
Oooh have fun on your cruise! Will you be going to Bermuda? (since you will be in NY). I’ve noticed cruise ships have improved their fitness rooms – so I usually use that or take a yoga or spin class. I like your idea of signing up for a class while you are out of town.
We are going to the Bahamas. I have seen pics of the gym and it looks like I will be able to take a lot of spin classes on there. I just need to keep the food in check.
Those are great tips. I always pack workout clothes because if I’ve packed it and it takes up room in my suitcase, I feel compelled to use it! Have fun on vacation!
oh yea I will be using them for sure. I think I brought more workout clothes than regular clothes. I worry about all the extra food around on the boat and eating stupid stuff.
Resistance bands are a great idea! I think packing something makes you less likely to make excuses – I always need to remind myself no equipment is no excuse!
I totally agree! I’m signed up for a spin class tomorrow so off to a good start. Thanks for stopping by!
We’re not traveling for the holidays but when we do travel we choose hotels that have a nice gym and ideally located in a place that works well with going for a run.
We usually do too! We are on a cruise right now with a big gym. I’m signed up for spin in the morning. Off to a good start if I can just stay away from the desserts!
great post and I hope you have a great time! My hubby always has something to say as well but I can tote my own bags so I will put whatever I want in them 🙂 and you know who will be the first one to ask for one of my snacks, right! How do you go about finding a class of two to try out? Goggle search or something? I don’t have a lot to choose from in my little town so I would love to try a class or two when I hit one of the big cities!
Yep I usually just do a search or ask our blogger friends to suggest a class. I love to do a class or run in a new city. We are currently on a cruise and I am signed up for a spin class in the morning. Hope I make it through the week 🙂
Very good advice! I do many of the same things when I travel on business. In addition to signing up for classes, I also look for groups to train with. For example US Masters Swimming website lists local clubs and practice hours and I’ve dropped in on a few and in some cases received really good feedback on my stroke from a different set of eyes! Enjoy your holidays!!
Thanks! WE are on our cruise now and I ran right to the gym to sign up for classes LOL. I try to find MRTT groups to run with too when we travel.
Not drinking your calories is so very important. I had to cut out all those sugary drinks because they were really working against me.
They certainly work against you I’d much rather eat some chocolate LOL.
Great tips! I hope they have a good gym on your cruise! I always like getting on a treadmill that’s overlooking the ocean – makes me feel like I’m running on water!
I know it’s weird running on a treadmill while the boat is moving! I am taking 2 weeks off of running to heal up some little aches and pains. I ran right up to the gym and signed up for spin class everyday. I miss running already!
great tips – i took snacks with us on our honeymoon and i was so glad that i did!
I know I am always glad to have them as well. Happy Holidays!
just like finding races in the area, I like to try the new “it” workout in the city I’m visiting.
I wrote a whole blog post on this too, but I ask for the hotel room on the floor where the gym is…and I also ask for the corner room. The corner room is usually quieter and furthest from the elevator, so I get an extra few steps in. And if I pass the gym on that floor, I’m remind to use it!
Good ideas as well! Being on the floor with the gym is a great idea. Our room was so noisy in NYC I don’t how anyone lives there. Thanks for stopping in!
These are all great! I love the idea of signing up for a race when you travel. beyond the accountability it gives you the opportunity to do a fun new race and see the city in a different light. It’s funny that your husband makes fun of you for packing snacks. its so practical! My whole family get’s very cranky when they are hungry, two year old included, so I always kick myself when I run out of healthy snacks in my diaper bag. It can be challenging to find healthy snacks on the go, better off bringing your own!
Totally agree! Funny my hubs tried to steal my almonds yesterday LOL. Doing a race in another city is so much fun. Happy Holidays!
Packing healthy snacks is a really good idea. Have a wonderful vacation!
It is! Unfortunately I already ate them all-LOL. Need to restock tomorrow when we dock the boat in Florida. This cruise ship doesn’t have a lot of healthy snacks like I expected.
Great tips – I bring my snacks too, but I’ve never tried to sign up for a race or a class.
doing a class is a great way for me to make sure I get it in. If I know I’ve paid for it-it’s hard to bail on it.
another tip: walk everywhere! No better way to see a new city than to walk through it, plus you are sneaking in physical activity!
yes totally true! My feet were killing after walking all around NYC (in a good way)! Happy Holidays
I’ve never looked for a local race when we travel. Mind you, we don’t travel often and when I do, it’s usually because I’m already signed up for a race 🙂
Signing up for a class and paying for it in advance is a great way for me to make sure I am getting that workout in.