How to stay fit and fab on holidays

HOW TO STAY FIT AND FAB ON HOLIDAYS

SUE WALLACE

Take note of these tips for staying fit and healthy while enjoying the culinary delights while travelling. Eat, move, be happy!

Croissants in France, raclette in Switzerland, pasta in Italy and poutine in Canada - who can resist these national staples when you are on an adventure of a lifetime.

But those little extra treats tend to take their toll and you may well discover an annoying extra midriff roll, pants getting tighter or an additional chin at the end of your trip.

It’s all about pacing yourself - indulge one day and not the next – and try to stick to one or two courses.

Here are some simple fitness suggestions to help keep you in tip top condition while travelling. Wear a Fitbit to count those steps or the health app on your smart phone. Walking and taking the stairs instead of the lift all go to keeping you fit on your holiday and will pay off.

You don’t have to endure vigorous workouts at the gym every day or jogging on a treadmill until your runners fall apart. Let’s face it - how often do you see a jogger with a smile on their face?

Keeping hydrated is one of the most important aspects of good health whether you are in the tropics or the snow.

It is great to taste local cuisine but do your research, know what you are eating and select restaurants where the locals go.

Act quickly – don’t wait for a headache to get worse, a tummy twinge to manifest or a sore throat to develop into bronchitis – keep a well-stocked first aid kit and seek medical advice early.

Get plenty of sleep - travelling is exhausting but that doesn’t mean you have to forgo that great play or concert – just take it easy during the day.

CRUISING

Cruising and an abundance of food go hand in hand but the good news is you don’t have to hit the gym every day.

There’s a better way to walk off the kilojoules – pound the polished decks and dedicated walking tracks and savour the fresh air.

Enjoy that high tea with lashings of cream, strawberry jam and plump scones but forgo the dessert and cheese and biscuits that night.

Also wash your hands frequently to avoid nasty germs that linger on door handles.

River cruises usually have bikes for hire so get up early and go for a spin.

COACHES

Confined spaces and people can mean a spread of cold and tummy bugs, so ensure you keep away from sniffly co travellers and take a vitamin C tablet each day. Air conditioning can cause dehydration so keep your water up. Instead of sweet treats in the bus, opt for fruit, yoghurt and health bars. Join in the walking tours.

SELF-DRIVE

Make sure you stop the car and to stretch your legs every two hours and stay hydrated. Don’t park too close to where you want to go to ensure you walk to the attraction.

The beauty of self-drive is you can purchase healthy food and snacks at local markets and have a picnic along the way, rather than eating at restaurants or grabbing takeaways.

Pack a skipping rope and a ball.

CITY BOUND

Combine sight-seeing with exercise. You will see so much more by walking than taking the underground or a bus.

Lace up your runners, plot your course, grab your water bottle and start walking - in no time you will have clocked up an impressive number of kilometres and seen sights you may have missed otherwise.

Most hotels offer substantial breakfasts so enjoy a hearty start to the day and take some fruit for lunch.

Take a dip in the hotel pool and do some laps, also look out for free Pilates or yoga sessions. If you are in Asia join in the community tai chi classes often held at local squares daily.

A little planning and forethought will ensure you remain in tip top condition while on your travels.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT HOLIDAY

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