Raising Boys n Barbells

Coming to you LIVE from our first family vacation of four to Hawaii. These past couple of months I have been on my own health and wellness journey postpartum, rebuilding strength and energy, and just recently started to feel my strong, confident self again. I was worried that my upcoming vacation to Hawaii may impact my progress while being away from my routine and regimen at home. If you are like most people, exercise and fitness is the last thing you want to think about while you are on vacation and instead there is lots of indulging, laying around, and staying up late. But I believe travel and fitness can coexist, and even thrive if you plan accordingly allowing you to feel your best while on vacation and return right where you left off, if not better. There are a few simple strategies that have allowed me to stay on track while on vacation in Hawaii with my family.

Finding creative ways to stay active.

When researching hotels to stay in, I like to check out the gym amenities – I prefer convenience since I do not want to spend my vacation time driving to and from a gym nearby. Since my kids still take naps, it is best to squeeze in a workout while they are sleeping back in the room. It is also a perk if we can stay at a hotel that has a Peloton bike onsite, otherwise my Peloton app is easily accessible too. This guarantees a good sweat without me needing to plan or think too much about my workout. I will often ask the concierge desk for fitness class options as well, they will often have yoga, water aerobics or bootcamps available for free onsite. Lastly, I apply the 50-50 rule, trying my best to get in at least 3-4 workouts within a 7 day trip, taking the rest of the time off to enjoy.

While I prefer to leverage the hotel gym when possible, I also enjoy combining fitness with exploring a new place. Some of my other favorite ways to stay active are morning walks, sunrise yoga, beach bike rentals, swimming and hiking.

Packing a pair of kicks that feel good to walk in.

You will be surprised how easily it is to get your steps in when on vacation while exploring the location. On top of our morning beach walks, we like to choose a resort that is central to most restaurants and shopping so we can walk instead of needing to get in the car. If you have little ones, you might also find yourself needing to go on long stroller walks to get your child to sleep. I always make the mistake of buying brand new sandals that end up giving me blisters a few days in. I’ve learned the hard way in the past and made sure to bring some comfortable yet stylish tennis shoes that I can walk in all day long. 

Bringing a lightweight, refillable water bottle to stay hydrated.

Between the dry air on the airplane, enjoying the heat and sun all day, to being on the go, it is very important to remember to stay hydrated while on vacation. I always make sure to bring a refillable water bottle that is easy to carry or slide in the side pocket of my diaper bag along with my LMNT packs.

Although I do not drink alcohol beverages much at home, there is something about vacation that makes me crave a refreshing strawberry daquiri poolside, a cold pineapple beer while watching the sunset, or a glass of pinot noir with my dinner. However, I always stop at one glass and make sure I am drinking water alongside.

Indulging but not over indulging.

The first stop after we arrive to Hawaii is, yes, Target, to pick up our drive up order of groceries. Before leaving we create a list of easy breakfast, lunch, and snack foods that we will need during our stay. We like to stay at an Airbnb or resort with a kitchen so we do not have to eat out at every meal making it cheaper and healthier too.  I also like to have nutrient dense, high protein snacks on hand such as protein bars, nut mix, yogurt, and rice cakes with peanut butter so I don’t get too hungry and over-indulge during my meals. I also try to prioritize my protein earlier in the day allowing me to splurge more on carbs or fat during dinner while out at restaurants. It’s all about the balance.

Prioritizing sleep.

Although I wish vacation meant sleeping in, my kids are my alarm clock every morning bright and early. Especially with the time change in Hawaii, my boys are up very early most mornings which means my bedtime is still around 9 or 10 pm to ensure I got at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night. We have learned to be flexible with the kids sleeping schedule while on vacation, even allowing them to sleep with us if that allows everyone to get more sleep. A travel sound machine always helps too.

Applying the sunscreen.

Apply, apply, and re-apply when necessary, this includes you and your children. Even when it is cloudy, you can still get sun. You do not want to be that person stuck inside your hotel room because you got sun poisoning on your first day of vacation and have to lather up on aloe vera for the rest of the trip. Take care of your beautiful skin and enjoy the glow that you can still get from applying your sunscreen (30 SPF+). Don’t forget your hat and sunglasses!

Although I am a strong believer that you should prioritize feeling your best when on vacation, this also means cutting yourself some slack and not stressing over sticking to a perfectly refined wellness regimen. Vacation can be a great time to step outside of daily solid routines and give your body a rest.  All of the healthy habits and routines you’ve built won’t disappear with a week or two off. Give yourself permission to just be, enjoy, relax, and take a mental reset. That’s what you’re there for, and lessening stress levels is one of the best things we can do for our health.

Aloha,

ME