Staying Fit on Vacation

Tips for staying fit on Vacation!

• If you’re flying, eat a large meal before the airport that way you won’t be tempted to eat in the airport’s fast food court.
• Plan when & where you’ll be stopping for meals. This will help eliminate the number of times you stop at a fast food drive thru.
• Watch out for jetlag as it will make you hungry at abnormal times. Resist the urge to snack at 4 a.m. and wait for normal meal times instead. Or, if you simply cannot wait then it is best to choose a healthy snack such as a handful of nuts or piece of fruit.
• We know you’re on vacation, so you’ll want to indulge in some treats & that’s fine! That’s what vacation is all about! On days you’ll be indulging more than usual, try to keep other meals and snacks on the healthy side.
• Beware of buffets. Avoid them as much as possible.
• Try to eat roughly the same amount and kinds of food as you usually do. Your body will thank you.
• Markets are a great place to soak up local culture and eat delicious, cheap fresh food. Local food is better for the environment; you get to pick what you’re eating and you'll even squeeze in some movement as you walk around the market.
• When you plan to be out all day, bring along your own healthy snacks like trail mix, granola bars, or even PB&J sandwiches to stave off hunger. It’ll save you money & keep you away from unhealthier options.
• Make your own meals if you’re staying somewhere with kitchen access. You’ll know exactly what’s in it & you’ll have more of an opportunity to eat a fully nutritious meal.
• Beware of drinks. A single cocktail can contain loads of sugar (and calories). If a stiff drink is necessary (and sometimes it is!), try healthier drinks instead.

• Skip the bus tours and check out your new surroundings on foot or on bike! You’ll burn calories while taking in the views like locals do! Some cities even offer running tours to let you explore while getting a workout in.
• Take the stairs. Skip the elevator and sneak in some extra cardio. Lots of sightseeing attractions—churches and towers, for example—have stairs with architectural oddities, letting you kill two birds with one step.
• Embrace your surroundings. If you’re at the beach, try doing the usual yoga routine on the sand instead of indoors. A change in scenery might be the boost needed to get physical.
• Take a long walk through a local park.
• Use vacation as an excuse to try a new, fun activity. Whether it’s rock climbing, sailing, or trapeze swinging, challenge yourself to try something different while you’re away.
• Do as the locals do! Take advantage of what an area’s known for—or even plan a vacation around it! Unroll a yoga mat in India, climb boulders in Colorado, learn tai chi moves in China, or woo potential suitors with flamenco moves in Spain. It’s a great way to learn about a different culture while getting fit.
• Make exercise your vacation. A surefire way to guarantee you keep moving while traveling is by planning a getaway around a fitness event or competition. Force yourself to vacation by registering for a race in a different city or try a weekend fitness retreat.

• Check out amenities first. Make it easy to squeeze in workout time by booking a hotel with a gym or pool. If you hotel does not offer these things, see if there are any discounts at a nearby gym.
• Check out the neighborhood. Book accommodation near places where you can sweat. If you need to run laps before starting your day, stay somewhere where it will be safe to go for a run. If you need to hear namaste, stay near a yoga studio.
• Bust a move in your hotel room to keep fit using body weights or simple workouts. Something is always better than nothing!
• Keep your mini-fridge stocked with healthy snacks like fruits, veggies, and nuts to avoid unhealthy room service.

Original: http://greatist.com/fitness/24-tips-fitter-happier-summer-vacation

Fit Tip: Winterize Your Workout

It’s easy to see why people enjoy working out alfresco, whether you are challenging your friends to a pick-up game of volleyball at the beach, testing the strength of a carabiner on the side of a cliff, or jogging with your dog. But, there will undoubtedly be at least a few days this winter season when Jack Frost’s arctic temperature or dangerous, icy terrain will force even the most stalwart outdoor exercise enthusiast inside. That’s no reason to hibernate. Beat the winter blues (and blahs) with these brrrrrilliant tips from Life Fitness.

Bring the Outside In:  Many of your outdoor workouts can be tweaked to function inside. Try transitioning from outdoor boot camp to circuit training on the Cable Motion Dual Adjustable Pulley machine. Take advantage of Lifescape interactive courses, which will transport you to exotic locales across the globe and are available on Life Fitness Elevation Series Treadmills, Cross Trainers, and bikes.

Make a “hot” new playlist: Few things can shake up an otherwise dull workout like some new music. Harness the transformative powers of music by stocking your list with tracks that evoke warm weather and summertime celebrations. Need some inspiration? Start with Don Henley’s “Boys of Summer”, Buster Poindexter’s “Hot! Hot! Hot!”, and the ubiquitous summer 2012 anthem, “Call Me Maybe”.

Try a new class: Winter is the perfect opportunity to try out a new class and a new way to work out your body.  Group fitness or small group personal training also helps motivate you to show up for the camaraderie, the fun, and the benefits that accompany working out with a pro.  Plus, you may meet some workout buddies to help you greet the spring thaw.

Get in the zone: If you are used to high intensity, strenuous outdoor workouts, you may think it’s impossible to achieve similar results inside.  Try preprogrammed cardio machine workouts that simulate hills and/or intervals and customize the settings to push you both aerobically and anaerobically.  Don’t forget to use a Heart Rate Monitor; keeping track of your zones will ensure you are working hard enough but not overdoing it. 

This Fit-Tip was brought to you by Life Fitness

Fit Tip: Strength Training Technique

Do you ever cringe when you see someone lifting weights because their form is so bad, you can almost predict a disaster? Well, your concern is warranted. Lack of proper technique can lead to all sorts of injuries including sprains, strains, fractures and more.

If you or someone you know needs a little refresher about strength training technique and form, follow these tips.

Stand up tall and breathe. Posture is important. Stand tall with your chin up, chest lifted and shoulders up, back and down. Don’t hunch over or hold tension in your neck. Contract your abs during strength training to protect your lower back. And make sure you breathe instead of holding your breath, exhaling on the exertion.  

Use muscle not momentum. Don’t use momentum to lift weights – engage your muscles. Avoid swinging the weights and instead lift and lower with purpose through the range of motion. You will activate more muscle fibers and get better results. As a rule of thumb, if you cannot lift a weight without swinging it, it is too heavy.

Solicit help.  If using machines, take a quick look at the placard on the machine. Read the instructions and understand which muscle(s) you will be using. If you are using free weights and have questions about your knee positioning or arm movement, consult a personal trainer or take a group fitness strength class to get tips for proper technique.

Use all muscle groups. One of the most efficient ways to build muscle is to do compound exercises—those that work more than one muscle group at a time. For example, a walking lunge requires multiple muscle groups such as your quads, glutes, hip flexors and hamstrings. Throw in a bicep curl as you do each lunge and now you are also working your biceps.

Make sure you feel it. If you aren’t feeling anything after 12-15 reps, the weight or resistance is probably too light. Change up your weight or the machine so that after 12 reps you are feeling fatigue. Listen to your body and make sure to differentiate between muscle pain and muscle fatigue. Muscle pain is “ouch that really hurts”.  Muscle fatigue is “wow I’m getting tired, can barely do another rep”.  Never work through intense pain.

When strength training, make sure to alternate the muscles you are working out. If you are sore, allow a day or two of recovery before working those muscle groups again. Aim to get in some strength training two to three times every week.

This Fit-Tip was brought to you by Life Fitness

KEEPING YOUR VACATIONS ACTIVE

When you think vacation, visions of warm sun, a good book and a frosty drink probably come to mind- and then you remember how challenging it is to maintain your exercise routine when you go on vacation. The good news is you don't have to choose between total indulgence and dedicated fitness on your next vacation.

Life Fitness shares tips on ways to be active no matter where you go!

Take a staycation. Sometimes enjoying a vacation at home can be just as enjoyable as a destination vacation. Staycations can be excellent opportunities to start new routines and seek out healthy activities near your home that you don't usually have time to do.

Try out a new fitness class at your gym, get the whole family together for a rollerblading adventure or explore a new bike path for a peaceful ride with the family or by yourself.

Plan an adventure vacation. If you need to get away, plan a cruise that makes stops at exotic locations where you can rock climb, snorkel, hike, bike or swim. Many cruises have tracks where you can power walk or jog, and often offer top-notch gyms on board. If ships and open water isn't your thing, plan a trip to a tropical destination where you can trek through the rainforest or a mountain adventure, which will guarantee a good calorie burn.

Visit a spa. If life has been crazy and stressful, you can plan a fitness-focused vacation to a spa that specializes in wellness. Partake in yoga or meditation, and eat healthy foods all in one location. Recharge your mind and body, and you'll feel refreshed without the guilt of fatty foods and calorie-ridden drinks.

Stay active at your traditional vacation spot. If you like going to the same beach or vacation spot each year, you can find ways to fit more fitness into your days there. Always look for opportunities to walk rather than taking a cab or bus. Schedule activities for the day that involve being active like paddle boarding or wind-surfing. Find some walking trails, swim laps, play a game of tennis or golf - and skip the golf cart!

Vacations can include the right amount of rest, relaxation and fitness with just a little bit of planning.

   

This Fit Tip was provided by Life Fitness, June 2012