Spring break is a time to reboot, catch up on sleep, and hang out with friends, but you don’t want to forget about your health. While those yummy looking smoothies, or fruity alcoholic drinks may look delicious, don’t be fooled. Most of the smoothies are made with ice cream and unnatural flavors and sweeteners. As for the fruity alcoholic drinks, those are high on the calories too. So we come to a fork in the road. Do we indulge in the drinks? Or do we refrain and keep up our healthy lifestyle? Oh wait! There’s a way to get the best of both worlds.
Moderation is always important. So first be smart about what you choose to drink while you lounge on the beach. Check out this Her Campus article for the 411 on which drinks are high and low on calories. Once you’ve got that down your ready for the next step: Exercise.
Personally, I never feel better than after I work out. It just always feels good to sweat and you are releasing endorphins. So make sure to make time for exercise. Here are some quick or easy workouts you can do without compromising your Spring Break fun!
- Walk on the beach. What better way to scope out the hotties, get some sun, and exercise. Take a few friends and walk at a quick pace down the beach for a half-hour and then return. You can even do this in your bathing suit!
- Play in the ocean. A great way to get exercise is running around in the water. You can run in water that is hip deep or lower for 20-30 minutes to get a great resistance and cardio workout.
- Old-school exercise. Does your hotel have a gym? Get up before the sun gets strong (around 11) and get to the gym for 30-45 minutes. Do cardio for 20-30 minutes followed by weight training (don’t forget to target your chest, arms, back, butt, and legs) and then do abs! Then you can devote the rest of your time to whatever else guilt-freely!
- Bike through the city. Maybe your hotel rents out bikes, or maybe there are bike tours offered in the city, if so this is a great way to see the city and sweat! One year I went to Cozumel on a cruise and we biked to a beach and went snorkeling. Not only was it super fun, but also it was a great way to workout.
- Get a surf lesson. Now is the time to do it, get that surf lesson you always wanted! Go with your friends, or boyfriend, or just by yourself, maybe you’ll even get a cute surfer brahh to be your instructor. No doubt you will be working your legs and abs, and probably the rest of your body. Or try paddle boarding.
- Play a little pool/beach volleyball. If you’re a competitive person then this is for you. You can meet new people, kick some butt, and sweat while you run around on the beach or in the pool. Sweat can be sexy.
These are just a few ways to exercise on your beach getaway. If you’re heading to the mountains to ski that is a great workout in itself! Maybe you’re heading home? Get together with friends and hit up your favorite workout classes, or take a walk with your mom and the dog for a little bonding time. Whatever you may do, there’s no reason to slump and forgo exercise altogether. However, at the same time this is the perfect opportunity to get some rest. Make sure you get enough sleep so you’re rejuvenated for the last couple months of school and finals (GASP!).
What is your favorite fun way to exercise on vacation?
Picture Sources:
http://www.villa-sinclair.com/miss.php?page=photo_tour
http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g150807-d153414-El_Pueblito_Beach_Hotel-Cancun_Yucatan_Peninsula.html