The holidays are in full swing and people’s efforts in the gym, run the risk of being sabotaged by too much good living.
Fret not! Read on to discover how you can keep on looking sexy, while having fun too.
- Plan your holiday:
The greatest thing about off-time is that it’s not dictated by responsibilities and schedules. However, it helps to have an idea of the outlay of your holiday. Will you mostly be at home, or going away? This is the first question you should ask yourself, before designing your game plan.
“If you’re going to be home, try to hit the gym as much as you usually would. That won’t be as hard as it sounds; if you normally exercise, your body will start craving the satisfaction provided by a solid workout,” said Pierre Louw, owner of fitness directory www.myhealthandfitness.co.za.
In the case when you’re on vacation in an alternate location, you’ll have to tailor a fitness plan for your requirements – that will likely consist of calisthenics (bodyweight exercises) and cardiovascular training (think running). Consult a qualified personal trainer.
- On retreating and eating:
Braais, lazy lunches and decadent suppers are a given. The festive time is known for overeating on decadent cuisine.
“The reality here is that it’s very hard to stick to a diet regimen (which you should ideally be doing) when there’s so much tasty fare to go around. What it comes down to, is that you’ve got to decide on which foods you’d like to feast on, how much you’ll be consuming and how frequently you’ll be doing it,” said Louw.
- Prioritise:
If possible, set out dedicated days for misbehaving in advance. If you discipline yourself, you’ll be able to prepare your body for the ensuing binge-fests and be aware of how much work you’ll require, to relinquish your gains.
- Live life:
Instead of lazing indoors, lying on the beach or floating in the pool, why not plan some fulfilling activities?
“Go hiking, camping, trail running – anything that gets you off your behind. Design a holiday packed with adventure and create great memories to reflect on, all the while staying in shape,” Louw said.
“If you’re going to be far away from home, trade in the spas and fun parks for activities like learning to surf, or whitewater rafting.”
- Maintenance is key:
Holidays need not solely be intended for laziness.
Does your garden (or your mom’s) require some landscaping?
Have a construction project you’ve been wanting to complete?
Get down, dirty and productive, while keeping physically active too.
q CO2 is your go-to:
Keep your body hydrated and flush out toxins by drinking plenty of water. Simple and effective.
- Hit the road:
If you really feel like taking a break from your hardcore workout, at least go for a stroll every day. The benefits of this low-intensity cardiovascular workout are infinite.
“The holidays can be a fun, relaxing time, but need not mean that you’ve got to sacrifice your fitness gains,” said Louw.
