Thursday, June 3, 2010

Staying The Course on Vacation

Last night's National Running Day fun run and happy hour to raise money for the NYRR Youth Programs was a HUGE success! We had about 140 people attend, 11 fantastic raffle prizes, great drink specials, absolutely perfect weather for the run, and we raised a lot of money to help get kids running! 

Yes, it's true, this week my mind has been filled with thoughts of vacation: sleeping in late, lazy mornings on the porch, kayaking around the lake, soaking in some sun, reading for hours... no car horns or dirty air.

With vacation at the cottage comes a week without the gym. This means it will be more difficult for me to keep a high level of activity since my foot is still keeping me from running. Add that to the fact that we will indulge in s'mores by the fire pit at least once, we're planning to eat out a few times, and two of our very favorite ice cream spots are in Northern Michigan, means that I'm going to have to be a bit creative to make sure the only extra pounds I bring back are in my suitcase!

Here are a few tactics I have in mind:
  • hike the sand dunes at Sleepy Bear National Lake Shore
  • kayak around the lake at least once per day, on the other days
  • go for a walk in the woods all the other days
  • take resistance bands to use and do 20 minutes of yoga poses a few times during the week
  • stretch each day to stay loose
  • keep only healthy snacks like fruit and veggies on hand rather than 'treats' just because we're 'on vacation'
  • pay attention to portion sizes and don't overdue it
I also plan to walk a few miles Saturday morning before I meet up with the girls to get ready for Melody's wedding and I'm walking a local 5k race with my mom Sunday morning before Woody and I head up north!

Since we don't get to enjoy some of our favorite Michigan foods very often anymore, we'll definitely take advantage of the opportunity while we're there, but we'll also cook healthy meals back at the cottage!

Hopefully a combination of moderate activity and rest will do my foot some good!


What are some of your go-to travel tactics to enjoy vacation while not letting your usual healthy lifestyle go?

By this time tomorrow, we'll be on our way to Michigan, but be sure to stop by for the weekly edition of "5 for Friday!"
*************
18.5 mi bike
3x12 upright row
3x12 front straight arm raise
3x10 weighted side bends
3x10 tricep dips
150 crunches
2x30sec planks on a stability ball
2x30sec full locust pose
foam roller and stretching

10 comments:

Katie @ Health for the Whole Self said...

I think your vacation plan sounds like it will be a great success! My usual strategy is similar to yours in that I try to think of vacations as an opportunity to try out activities and exercises that I wouldn't normally do at home.

Robyn said...

Sounds like you got it all figured out. You're so good! I'm never fitness focused when I'm away. Hiking sounds like a great activity though. Have fun at the cottage!

Jocelyn said...

I like all of your plans. I hate when something keeps you from running. I always get into lazy mode and just gain the lbs!

Heather (Where's the Beach) said...

I hope you enjoy your vacation. I leave Saturday for the beach. Luckily, the condo has a mini gym with treadmills, an elliptical and recumbent bike. I am also taking along some of my workout DVDs, resistance bands, and hand/ankle weights. I am a firm believer in trying to maintain my workout schedule even on vacay!

ALFIE said...

you are seriously inspiring! keeping up ANY exercise on va-cay is a challenge!!

Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly said...

I always try to be active on vacation then you always feel better when you get back!! :)

Barbara said...

Many people don't realize what a great place for vacations we have here in Michigan. A Great Lake is never far away. There are so many inland lakes ,too. There's always a festival going on somewhere every weekend and lots of bike and hiking trails from mountain biking to paved , wonder trails for biking, rollerblading and walking.
Looking forward to seeing you and Matt.
Congrats to Melody !

Jen Cole said...

Don't forget all the exercise you'll get dancing the night away at the wedding! :)

Anonymous said...

love the plan you have for vacay! good idea to think about it before hand......

Unknown said...

Lately it seems like all my vacations have been either running or surfing related so I guess they are healthy lifestyle themed. I probably wouldn't know what to do with myself if I couldn't do one or the other.