Vacation Workouts?

 ​Vacation Workouts-
By Jen Campbell of Escape Destinations Travel

Why on earth would you want to get a workout in while on vacation?

I get it, I truly do. Working out IS a lot of work, takes time, consistency and the last thing you want to do is workout while you’re on "vacation". Sometimes it's necessary to keep up your consistent workout schedule. Or, when you’re in the "zone" and want to keep those workouts in while on your vacation, I say go...for it! My body needs the workouts in order to stay active, move my joints, I have much needed energy and also for the nice mood booster. To me, workouts can be fun, just find the one thing(s) you love to do and get to it!

One of my most favorite things to do, while cruising, is jogging around the outdoor track on the ship. Some of my most favorite memories are running as we entered the ports of both Jamaica and The Caymans. It was a gorgeous thing to see the ocean turn into beautiful islands! It was beautiful to see the sun come up over these amazing islands and I could take in the sights while I was working out. I would have missed this, and probably have been in bed, had I not forced myself to get up and get a warm up on, while the sun was coming up.

Another one of my favorite runs/walks involved running the streets and small hills in Landstuhl, Germany. Imagine running up the hillside and looking down onto the beautiful, quaint sites of Landstuhl. If you’ve not been here, it’s quite picturesque. Can you imagine the smells of the Schnitzel cooking in one of the local restaurants and the smell wafting out, the espresso shot just poured by the local barista, or the smells of the Germany Bakery with the scent of Brotchen cooking, with the smells escaping their small shop. Or, perhaps the ability to simply say good morning "Guten Morgen" to the locals as you’re walking/jogging by. Let us not forget the smell of the gluhwein during Christmas time, this mulled, spiced, warm wine is delicious and smells yummy.  Talk about immersing yourself into the local culture.

This past Christmas I was blessed with a wonderful treadmill (Thank You Santa) that allows me the
option (should I choose) to run/walk in different, beautiful places all over the world...but remotely. Just this past week I've re-visited Germany (my favorite destination) all from the comforts of my own home. While it’s not “quite” like being there, it is pretty darn close. Imagine running up the side of the small mountain to gorgeous Neuschwanstein Castle up front, walking and running the Christmas Markets in Nurnberg and running through the quaint, romantic Rothenburg ob der Tauber is pretty spectacular. My favorite (of course) was my recent run across the old bridge in Heidelberg as I made my way up the side of the mountain to reach the castle! Exhilarating!!!

So go for it. Talk a journey on your next vacation, whether it’s running along the shoreline in Bora Bora, or hiking up an old volcano in Hawaii…just get out there and enjoy the beauty of the beautiful outdoors! Your body will thank you for it and then just think...you can then eat that yummy dessert- guilt free.
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I know on my next vacation, I’ll be doing just this. So, off I go...Time for a Jog!

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