Five tips for staying fit in spite of your next family vacation

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Sara Stevenson the "Tini Yogini" offers tips to stay fit during family vacations
“If you enjoy being able to slip into your skinny jeans when you get home from a week vacationing with the kiddos, then read on.” – The Tini Yogini

Today’s guest post comes from Sarah Stevenson, a.k.a. “The Tini Yogini.” I thought these tips were very timely with Thanksgiving travel (and general holiday gluttony) around the corner, though they can certainly help anyone planning an upcoming family vacation where they don’t want to lose their post-baby pound-shedding momentum. Sarah is mom to a 12-year-old son and is a Certified Yoga Instructor in Southern California, where she teaches not only yoga classes but also life-affirming workshops.  She also writes for Beachbody, which provides effective and popular workout videos, including the Insanity Workout, a high-intensity cardio workout for total body conditioning you may have seen featured on TV.

Getting out of your family’s normal routine for a vacation can be so freeing and exciting, but you don’t have to throw your healthy lifestyle out the door while doing it. If you enjoy being able to slip into your skinny jeans when you get home from a week vacationing with the kiddos, then read on. These hints should keep you on the road to good health during travel, so plan ahead and make this your healthiest most creative family vacation so far.

  1. Build exercise into your family’s itinerary. I don’t mean tying your kid to your waist while running on a treadmill. You may have to abandon your usual exercise regime for a while, but doing physical activities with your children during vacations can burn serious calories too. Plan a hike for your family, take the kids to a local park and swing with them, or  run around the perimeter of the playground while they play with new friends.
  2. Pick the right hotel. Spend time researching the most kid-friendly hotels. For starters, you’re going to want a swimming pool. Swimming with your children is a great, full-body form of exercise. It improves your cardiovascular system, strengthens your muscles, promotes flexibility, and improves your posture. Also keep in mind that finding hotels with a kitchenette equipped will be a huge plus for those who like to eat right — and economically. Cooking some of your meals will also keep your wallet and your waist healthy.
  3. Take turns with your partner. If you are traveling with a partner, you’re in luck. Two are definitely better than one when trying to stay fit while taking care of children. The two of you can take turns visiting the hotel gym or going for a jog. It’s important that you give yourself “Me time” each day. Being caged up in a hotel room with people who typically have their own space can be challenging.
  4. Bring exercise DVDs. If you’re already bringing videos for the kids, why not bring your favorite yoga DVD as well? You could squeeze in a workout while your partner gives the nightly bath, or even entertain the kids with their favorite movie while you are working it in front of your laptop.
  5. Research healthy, kid-friendly restaurants before you go. When vacationing, a healthy balanced diet is usually the first to go, especially when you have kids around. Research healthy, kid-friendly restaurants before you go so you can all enjoy eating right and dining together at your destination. Planning ahead will save your waistline and your mind.

Thanks for the tips, Sarah–I won’t pretend I didn’t just eat a leftover piece of German Chocolate birthday cake while re-reading this, but I have some good ideas of what I’ll do next to make up for it! 😉

How about you? Do you have a clever way you keep in shape during family travel? Do you have a secret weapon for fending off french fries and fatty foods when traveling with your kids?

Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli,

Author of the award-winning Travels with Baby and Take-Along Travels with Baby  travelswithbaby.com   facebook   twitter   about the author  

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