While your away, still keep the work out on...

"Its easier and quicker to get out of shape than to get in it." I completely agree with the unknown person who said this. If you take a week and a half off from working out, boy do you feel it when you go to that first work out back. Sad, but so true. You can work hard for months and it can be undone so quickly. So, when I go out of town, I  stay active. When me and my sis went on vacation to Huntington Beach, Cali, I only took a day off from work outs-- mostly from fear of packing on all the good food calories and getting out of shape. I mean, running by the beach in 70 degree weather def wasn't torture. It was sooo nice!

I felt better about enjoying the food at all the good restaurants too. I often go visit my family in a different city as well. This has teamed up to be an easier match to keep work outs up b/c me and my sis are both Lifetime members and really enjoy a really good work out. Its nice to have a work out partner as well. We are kinda competitive too so that makes it fun. Your more likely to go with a partner than by yourself.

So, to help my fellow fitness fanatics, I looked up some things to do when your out of the comfort of your own gym. This website had some great ideas http://exercise.about.com/cs/fittingitin/a/vacation_ex.htm.

Exercising On Vacation

How to stay in shape when you travel

By Paige Waehner, About.com Guide

Updated June 22, 2009

• Walking on the beach. Walking in soft sand is a killer workout and burns more calories than walking on flat ground. Some experts suggest that you can burn twice as many calories walking in soft sand. Keep it safe by wearing shoes (you may get shinsplints if you go barefoot for too long) and going for a few minutes at a time to get used to it. You'll be surprised how hard it is.
• Beach volleyball. You can burn more than 150 calories an hour, depending on how hard you work and it's a great way to meet other people at the beach while having fun.
• Surfing, swimming and snorkeling. Surfing is a total body workout that will challenge every muscle in your body. Even if you just paddle out to the waves and fall off (like I do), you'll get a great workout. Snorkeling is a bit more leisurely, but you can add intensity by swimming a little harder. If you're at a beach that doesn't have big waves, put on your snorkel gear and swim out and back for a few laps to get your blood moving.
• Leisurely bike rides. Long bike rides are a great way to see the area while getting in some low-intensity exercise. If you take your time and go all day, you'll burn calories without even thinking about it.
• Hiking. Anytime you add elevation to your walks, you'll burn more calories. If you carry a backpack, you'll challenge yourself even more, all while enjoying a little nature. Check with your hotel concierge to see about hiking adventures nearby or visit Local Hikes to find trails near major metropolitan areas.
• Golf. Golf can be a dud of a workout if you ride around in a cart and drink beer at every hole. If you want to burn more calories, though, carry your clubs and walk the course. You'll burn around 200-300 calories per hour, even more if you hit every ball into a bunker and add 19 strokes to each hole, like I do.
• Tennis. Like golf, a game of tennis can be as easy or hard as you want it to be. Chasing the ball and hitting it like you're Serena Williams or Roger Federer will give you a great workout, burning up to 400 calories for a 150-lb person.
• Shopping. Okay, maybe shopping isn't the highest intensity activity, but it can be very aerobic under the right circumstances. If shopping is your activity of choice, make it count by walking fast, taking the stairs and avoiding fatty foods at the food court.

 I couldn't have said this better. These are great ideas and alot of these don't involve any money or a gym! I would also like to add walking also burns calories-and parents love when you visit them and ask for a walk. There are often little gyms in hotels...even if their old, take advantage of it! You can also ALWAYS run for free. Mapmyrun.com is a great resource to find a good run with accurate mileage anywhere. I LOVE this website. You type in your address and its based off a satellite. Then you map your run by moving the line. Play with it a bit to learn the website. Also, do the zoom button to make sure its on the path more closely. Its free too!! Just make an account and pick the most basic one. So, I hope that your vacation doesn't involve a complete vacation from the work out scene. Yes, I believe in breaks and know there are times in the year where a week off is just how the cookie crumbles. I am not a 'work out every week for 36 weeks with absolutely no break' girl. Thats stupid and I am not going to say thats how I am.. ..come on now.  But, stay motivated in your work outs and staying healthy. Don't give in to going down hill just cause you are on "vacation." Grab a friend or a family member and get your work out on!!
Happy work outs.