We are all guilty of it — we go on vacation and ditch our diets and workout routines. It’s hard not to when everywhere you turn, you are surrounded with yummy foods and kids begging for tantalizing treats. Unfortunately, we pay the price once we return home and settle back into reality.
There is no reason we should have to suffer the aftermath for enjoying some well-deserved vacation time. After all, vacation should be fun, not work, right? So how do you balance between having fun, indulging in temptation and maintaining your healthy diet and workout routine? The answer is simple — balance! You’ve got to live a little when on vacation, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find creative ways to sneak a little exercise into your trip to balance out all those extra calories sure to creep into your diet.
While you may not be able to follow your regular routine of yoga and spin classes, these tips can help you keep your body moving until you get home and get back to the grind.
Walking Tours
Almost every city has one. They are not only a great way to get some much needed exercise in for you and your family, but they are a great way to get an intimate look at the city you are visiting. Tours range from guided to self-guided, high-end to donation-based, and are designed to meet a wide range of interests. Take a walking tour of the best chocolate shops in Paris or an after-dark ghost tour in New Orleans.
Photo: Marina Potapova | DreamstimeOutdoor Activities
Historical sites, amusement parks, museums and shopping are all great ways to enjoy your vacation destination but dig a little deeper to find some of the outdoors activities available as well. Horseback riding, water sports, hiking and skiing are great ways to sneak in some exercise while spending time with the family in a new city.
Walk the Beach
If you’re visiting a beach town, try to book a hotel near the waterfront. Walking the beach is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the fresh air. Walking in sand works muscles you may not ordinarily use, giving your body a unique workout. It’s not only good for you, but it’s something the whole family can enjoy together, especially if you’re in an area famous for beautiful seashells, such as the Gulf Coast of Florida and Alabama.

Photo: Flair Images | Dreamstime
Hotel Gyms and Pools
Do your research ahead of time and make sure you choose a hotel with a gym or a pool so you can sneak in a workout during downtime. Almost every hotel has a gym these days, and many of them have flexible hours so your workout routine won’t interfere with the activities your family planned. Some new boutique hotels are even offering a pass to a local gym when they don’t offer any on-site facilities.
While you may not be able to keep up a regular workout regimen during your vacation, a little bit of planning and determination will let you indulge a little while keeping you from straying too far from your fitness goals.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Sep 21, 2023Spooky Haunts to Visit in Cayuga County, New York, This Halloween
Halloween is right around the corner, which means its time to start making plans for spooky and scary stops for having fun with the family this fall. New York’s Cayuga County is always a fun visit for family travelers, but if you plan on being in the area this October, you will definitely want to explore its haunted history with some choice spots along New York’s Haunted History Trail. This curated list of haunted and spooky stops throughout New York features incredible locations showcasing the perfect combination of the state’s beautiful charm and fascinating history.
Sponsored Content
Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
Slideshow
Sep 21, 20236 Tirana, Albania, Destinations for Family Travel
It’s time to start dreaming of your next family trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Tirana, Albania, with us.
Destinations / North America
Sep 21, 20234 Reasons to Head to Franklin, Tennessee, This Fall and Winter
The next two seasons see Franklin, Tennessee, come alive with festive events, fun pop-ups and colorful lights. Family travelers planning a trip to Tennessee this fall or winter must make time for Franklin, a city just south of Nashville with plenty of history and festivities awaiting.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines Celebrates its First Class of United Aviate Graduates
As the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, United Airlines already hit a major milestone, and now the carrier celebrates another important — and historic — step as the inaugural class of United Aviate Academy pilots graduates, leading the next generation of aviators. The 51 students in the graduating class were majority, at 80 percent, women and people of color — another stride toward United’s goal of training 5,000 new pilots by 2030 with half women or POC.
Destinations / North America
Sep 20, 2023Where Can You Find Both Bioluminescence and Rockets in Florida?
Mysterious glowing seas? Yes, actually! Through October, Florida’s Space Coast waters within Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River and Indian River Lagoon glow with blue-green bioluminescence — a phenomenon resulting from the presence of comb jellies and dinoflagellates (tiny, single-celled marine plankton that exist in some freshwater locations).
ShareThis