I love to eat a lot of food on vacation. There’s always so many amazing things to try and I don’t want to miss out. At the same time, I don’t want to come home feeling sluggish and heavy, so I look for ways to stay active while having I’m fun.
There are so many different ways to stay active on vacation, but today’s top 4 tips are my favorites for water-based trips!
1. Scuba Diving
One of the reasons we started diving was to find an active pursuit for our summer vacations (snowboarding in the winter). Our normal active lifestyle makes diving even more fun, because we are able to do more underwater with less air. :)
It’s crazy how hungry you get after a few dives – a fantastic way to burn some calories before lunch or dinner on the ship! And the scenery is pretty great too.
2. Lots of Stairs
There are lots of elevators on a big cruise ship like this…
…but that also means there are a LOT of stairs. Our cruise rule is to take the stairs the whole vacation! We do break “the rules” when I’m wearing super high heels for formal nights.
That also means that when there are long lines of people waiting for the elevator, we can smile to ourselves and walk on by. And believe me, we got a GREAT leg workout last week because of this tip!
3. Try a New Gym Class
If you’re on a ship or resort that offers gym classes, take advantage! There are usually lots of free options and it’s a great way to try something new. On this trip, I decided we had to try out the class with a name like “Fab Abs”.
Yes, I’m serious with that name!
I wish I had taken pictures, but I was too busy dying in the two classes we attended. Kirk and I were both a crazy, shaking mess in both sessions and sore for days. It was fantastic. Try a class, you never know what you’ll find!
4. Running in Exotic Locales
We found out a few days into the cruise that a 5K would be held on Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island). Did I mention FREE?! Free or not, races on vacation are so much fun – whether it’s just for fun (like this was) or it’s a goal race that starts the trip.
The race started a 10AM in the Bahamas – that means it was mind-melting hot, sunny, and HARD! But after we finished, we walked straight into the ocean to cool off…now that was pretty cool. And we got Mickey ears, even if they are plastic!
And if there’s no race nearby, go for a run to explore a new location – memories of running in exotic locales last a lifetime.
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Questions for you:
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What other tips do you have for staying active on vacation?
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What is your favorite memory of doing something active on vacation?
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What is your favorite summer activity?
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
i can’t believer you were in bahamas. We’ll be back there next week for a training camp and i’m helping out a race director for the upcoming tri. Come back! And bring those butt seats. LOL
lindsay recently posted..What I’m Enjoying Wednesday: VLOG
I love staying active on vacations!! Itz fun to find new things in new cities!
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted..RW Half Marathon Discount Code
No stairs in the stripper heels? I’m disappointed!
How was the 5K at a reasonable altitude? A nice relief?
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Eat Your Tequila Lime Tilapia
That butt-cheeker bar stool pic is HILARIOUS!!! Thanks for all the great tips. I will file them away for 3+ years from now when I actually take another tropical vacay :p
Kelly @ No Sugar Sweet Life recently posted..Plans Change + {Twisted Watermelon Juice} – HLTT8
After frolicing in the sun all day on a cruise, I like to take my honey dancing. Actually, if you dance a lot and with enthusiasm, it’s a good aerobic work out.
haaaaaaa, I LOVE those stools! hilarious. and I would have been all over the stairs too – I do that a lot, because I get impatient with waiting… rather keep moving!
very cool there was a 5k scheduled – should have been about 5 hours earlier?
Kris recently posted..sushi veggie sliders
What good idea! Now I need to go on vacation to put them into practice.
(That first picture made me laugh so hard!)
Katie recently posted..Freezing Tomatoes
running then jumping in cold water is at the top of my love list!! best feeling ever!
Lindsay @ Lindsay’s List recently posted..a blessing
The bar stool picture is so so darn funny!!!! Great tips. Love love love active vacations! Have a great day!
Linda@getlindagetfit recently posted..Weekend at the Lake and Football
Oh my goodness… that first photo… :)
It looks like Greg and I definitely need to vacation with you and Kirk! As you know, most of our trips are based around being active, so hiking, biking and kayaking, etc. are just built in.
Scuba diving scares me to death! I took a class in college and almost drowned during the emergency ascent exercises. Never again!
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning recently posted..Rants Of Group Exercise Instructor [+ A Cho Fashion Show]
That’s awesome that you were able to participate in a 5K. My favorite active vacation memory was definitely when we biked down haleakala crater in Maui on our honeymoon. It was about 20 miles (all downhill, so not that much of a workout) and it was so fun.
Lee recently posted..Recent Salads plus a Cute Murphy Picture
Some really great suggestions! I try to schedule activities throughout the vacation and do a lot of site seeing on foot :). I also find that eating out too much can really do a number on me so I try to bring food or hit up a grocery store for some healthy snacks if possible!
Amber Ellison Walker recently posted..Yoga for Fitness? Why it is perfect for Beginners
I love that first pic!! lol! I love to walk in new cities and explore! Why drive?? you see so much more on foot, plus it is great exercise!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted..Jambalaya with Okra, Peppers, and Sausage
What fun ways to get your exercise in on vacation. I want to do a Fab Abs class.
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets recently posted..Drop It Like It’s Hot
#willrunformouseears
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen recently posted..Monticello Heritage Harvest Festival Garden Tour and Tasting