How Jenn Stays Healthy on Vacation
If there's a hike around, we'll usually find it on vacation.
We’re going on vacay for this edition of Question of the Week! Okay, so we’re not technically “going” anywhere, but we are discussing how we stay healthy—or purposely and delightfully choose not to— when on vacation!
People say that it’s hard to be healthy on vacation. And I can see their point. You take some time off, kick back, have some cocktails and eat the foods that are calling your name. But as I started thinking back on the vacations I’ve taken in the last five or so years, it dawned on me: I don’t think I’m like most people. (I know I’m weird about a lot of things, but I hadn’t realized that vacation was one of them.)
Without me purposely doing it, I seem to go on super-active vacations most of the time. My husband and I hike and backpack in Colorado just about every darn year for a week (check out our adventures last year here—and know that we’re going in late July this year!), and that makes up the bulk of our yearly vacation time. We might travel a weekend here or there to see friends, but those trips are usually pretty quick (although we do drink copious amounts of beer and eat fried foods)—or it’s a music festival where it’s so hot yet awesome that all you want to do is dance and drink coconut water.
Tish and I running the Disney Marathon in 2010.
The rest of my trips are generally FBG-related, so they obviously involve fitness and workouts—and generally really good healthy foods (thinking about Bagel Thins, Jamba Juice, Reebok and Go Girl Run here). And there are those other trips that center around fitness BIG TIME. Like Tish and I’s trip to Orlando to run our first marathon, which was truly life-changing and a blast.
Heck, even on Ryan and I’s honeymoon to Sonoma, we took time out to hike—twice. And it wasn’t “to be active” or “burn calories” it was just because we wanted to go out and see that part of California on foot. And because it feels good to get outside and move in a new place. So, I guess what I’m saying is, that when it comes to being healthy on vacation, you just have to get out and live. For me, that’s taking the things I love—food and fitness—and doing them in new and exciting ways.
I don’t have off days from a healthy lifestyle. Sure, I miss workouts, eat processed foods and drink too much on occasion, but I never need a vacation from my healthy habits. I love my healthy decisions and the active life I have. So, of course, my vacations would mirror that. My best tip for being healthy on vacation? Do what truly brings your body, mind and soul joy. And, yes, have that extra cocktail.
What about you? Is being healthy a part of your vacations? Or do you leave your healthy habits at home? —Jenn
Comments
I’m a lot like you in that I’m always on the lookout for a good place to hike or wander when I got to a new place. I will say that I do tend to eat more meat while I’m on vacation, so I guess I take a little break from my healthy habits, but I don’t feel guilty about it.
Diehard fitness fan so even on a cruise ship (my one & only time), I participated in the morning runs (yes you can run on a ship, after you find your “sea legs”!) and hit their little gym. It was great and helped with the ever-existing food available!
We always do active vacations! After our honeymoon we even commented that perhaps we should have spent a little more time just laying around on the beach, instead of hiking, biking and kayaking the whole time. The last time we did a big vacation without kids we kayaked the Na Pali Coast Line and threw in a couple of short hikes on top. Vacating with preschoolers is a bit different, but chasing your kids around at the beach is definitely a workout! We love our home in the Pacific Northwest, but we jump at the chance to go somewhere sunny and live outside for awhile.
Vacations have been my time to splurge in the past, but I’m going to test out some of your suggestions when we go away in a few weekends! Although so far the only plans are brunch and a chocolate afternoon tea, so I’m not sure I’m off to a good start!
I love active vacations, too! My husband and I explored Honolulu in our running shoes, stopping to do pull-ups and abs at playgrounds along the way. On other vacations, we’ve been known to tag along to a relative’s gym, hit the hotel weight room, or make up a workout on the beach. We also like to cook for ourselves on vacations (at least some of the time!), so try to book a condo or a place with a kitchen. All of these things help us to go back home feeling rested and healthy, not tired and bloated like can sometimes happen on a trip 🙂
You should try a sun sail holiday. They are great active holidays plus you get to visit lots of different places. Sailing, swimming, water sports etc…great fun
Rachel Barker & Love Fit Life have nominated you for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award and The One Lovely Blog Award! Thank you for being unique, passionate, and inspiring – you are a wonderful part of the blogging world so please know that you are noticed and appreciated. Keep up the great work!
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Hi Jenn! We love your post and fully endorse active vacations! Sure, sitting on the beach, reading a book, is relaxing – right after a long swim in the ocean, right? Thanks for your post. We’ve featured it on our Facebook page today.