by James Johnson

Created on: June 23, 2008   Last Updated: August 05, 2008

Vacations are a time to relax, recharge those batteries, and enjoy life. Unfortunately this break from work can also be a time when you eat excessively, drink too much, and get eye strain from watching the television! You need to move more muscles than just those from the elbow up! One may also have accumulated just a bit of excess weight during work from not being able to get out much. Thus the question arises of how to incorporate exercise on your next vacation. As they would say in the Caribbean, "No worries, Mon"!

Getting exercise can be simple and done though a wide variety of activities, from free and simple things to do to more complex and expensive planned programs.

First, and most obvious, check out the gym and workout rooms found at almost every hotel or in every city today. There are treadmills and weight machines, yoga classes and aerobics, even lessons in martial arts; all available for the right money. Spend 30 minutes to several hours at one of these resort facilities, and then go "exercise" some more in the pool.

That's right, swimming is an exercise, and it doesn't need to be Olympic Laps. Just paddling around will work those muscles while burning a few calories. If vacationing near a beach or lake, consider snorkeling or diving, they involve swimming as well as trying a new sport. One may forget to watch the clock during this "exercise", but don't forget the sunscreen!

Next, consider walking some where each day, something more extensive than from the couch to the refrigerator and back. It will cut expenses by saving gas and allowing time to see the vacation spot; make the whole family walk and tell everybody they are being environmentally friendly! It doesn't need to be fast paced, can be done window shopping along streets in town or meandering around the golf course watching birds and butterflies. The really energetic can try hiking rugged footpaths or take up mountain climbing, but know your limits and don't strain yourself.

Of course if there is a golf course near by, think about joining the golfers by trying a round of golf! Golf will help work the shoulders and legs. You can also practice hand and eye coordination while learning to duck other golfer's balls. Golf may also let you practice a whole new vocabulary while making new acquaintances .

Walking sounds to slow for you? If you like animals, why not consider horseback riding! It will work out those thighs and calves, and tighten up that flabby bottom. As long as you don't over do things, you won't get saddle sores. Again, you need to know your limits.

Maybe one is allergic to horses or just uncomfortable around them, but still want to go faster than a walking pace? Bicycling could be the answer. You enjoyed it as a kid, so try it as an adult. Children will tell you that todays bikes even come with padded seats and deluxe shocks, but please wear a helmet as you can go very fast and they are others on the road!

All of these ways can and will help you incorporate exercise into your vacation, some, such as yoga, can even be taken home for use after the vacation. If you have a family or friends, get them to join you while you exercise, it will make the workout even more fun. Children can give you exercise just keeping up with them!

All these activities add to the vacation, cost little and will help you relax. Isn't that what vacation is about?

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