Walking Another Continent

I just returned from a marvelous vacation in Buenos Aires. While I like my vacations to be centered around beach relaxation and margarita sipping, this one was an on-the-go adventure exploring a small slice of South America.

It’s so easy to get off track with exercise and eating right while you’re on vacation. You’re not in your normal routine, you’re jet-lagged, you’re not habla-ing the language, Argentine beef and empanadas are available three meals a day…it’s enough to throw anyone off their best game. And while I didn’t fit in a single “workout” in the week I was gone, I got enough activity to offset my massive culinary experimentation.

Fortunately, Buenos Airesis a wonderfully walkable city. We logged what felt like 20 miles in just a few days traipsing around the city, looking at the architecture and landmarks. We also walked miles exploring the rows of mausoleums at La Recoleta Cemetery.

Nothing makes you want to get active more than being cooped up in a plane for 10 hours or on a bus for two 20-hour trips. That’s right folks, 40 hours on a bus. The payoff for the bus rides (which really aren’t all that bad when you have fully reclining seats) was Iguazu Falls, which is a must-see if you ever make it to South America.

The falls are not only awesome to behold, but are surprisingly accessible, allowing you to walk miles through walkways that get you close enough to feel the mist. A massive stair climb toward the end of the day burned my glutes off and wiped me out. The view was slightly better than the one I get at the gym.

Fitting in Vacation Workouts

1. Walk.The best way to see a city is by exploring on foot. Pack good walking shoes and bandages in case of blisters. If you’re at the beach, you can walk miles down the coast without even realizing it.

2. Bonus features. Use the gym at your hotel. Fit in a 30-minute jog on the treadmill before your day gets going or hit the elliptical during those afternoon showers in the tropics.

3. Poolside. Cool down with some pool exercise. Even treading water is a serious calorie-scorching workout. Check out the Fit Bottomed Girls’ pool workout tips here.

4. New adventures. Rent a bike to explore the city on wheels, or try a new activity such as water skiing or surfing. The cross training can work muscles you didn’t even know you had.

5. Keep your strength.A few push-ups, lunges, squats, crunches and tricep dips can help you maintain your muscles enough to get you by before you get back to the daily gym grind. Do the bare minimum and enjoy your vacation!

Have you tried a new activity while on vacation? Walked your feet off around a natural wonder? We’d love to know about your vacation workouts. Give us a shout in the comments!—Erin