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With so many holidays upon us, most people take a lot of time off to recharge for the remainder of the year.

Just because you’ve planned for a decent holiday does not mean that your regular fitness and eating regime needs to go out the window. In fact, it’s during these times that your commitment to a healthy lifestyle will be tested.

It’s scary how easy it is to develop bad habits like skipping gym sessions and eating poorly. Do it for two weeks; it can quickly turn into four weeks, so don’t fall into that trap.

So what can you do if you are away on holiday:


1. Utilise the hotel’s gym - 

should it have one at least twice a week.

2. Body weight exercises:

 Squats, lunges, push-ups, planks, and burpees can be done anywhere! It just needs a bit of commitment! A simple 20-minute bodyweight workout can do wonders as a holiday maintenance plan. This will keep you in shape so that when getting back into your gym routine, it will not feel like you’re starting from scratch (which can be very demotivating).

3. Get your workout done first thing in the morning: 

During the day, you’ll have all sorts of fun activities planned, after which you will not feel like working out.

4. Any form of exercise is excellent, so make it fun:

You are more likely to do it if it’s fun! Running, yoga, or pilates do not necessarily have to be resistance training.

5. Try to stick to your regular eating regime: 

Three main meals with healthy snacks in between. Healthy snacks – biltong, nuts, yogurt, fruit. These are great to nibble on while out and about, keeping you fueled during the day.

6. Realistically, you are likely to eat poorly: 

Keep it down to one bad meal a day - minimize the damage!

7. Keep your alcohol in-take down to a minimum: 

Mainly if you are not used to drinking alcohol. Go for drinks like dry white/red wine, vodka, rum, brandy and gin. The problem is what do you mix it with, as sweet mixers are very high in calories. Try diet soda or tonic, light cranberry or orange juice, light lemonade, lemon or lime juice.

Moderate the lousy eating & alcohol intake and maintain some exercise routine. By doing this, getting back into your regular fitness and eating way will not be a problem, AND your body will love you for it!