How To Keep Your Fitness Mojo Going While On Vacation - Updated

Everyone looks forward to a nice relaxing vacation. We work hard all year long and deserve a week or two of complete rest and relaxation. Often when we go on vacation diets and exercise go out the window. If you are normally disciplined with exercise you may be nervous to get out of your normal fitness routine while on vacation. The most important thing is to exercise so that you don't lose motivation.According to exercise physiologist and fitness consultant Elizabeth Quinn, "You start deconditioning (losing fitness) in about two weeks if you stop exercise altogether. Once lost, it takes nearly three times as long to recondition as it took to detrain." Elizabeth's best advice? "If you need to reduce your training time for a couple of weeks, don't worry, you'll get back to your current fitness level pretty quickly when your schedule returns to normal. Just don't stop exercising altogether."According to Men's Fitness, there are a few pros and cons to not exercising during a vacation. The biggest risk for men or women, however, isn't losing muscle mass or gaining weight; it's losing your drive and motivation.Here are our favorite ways to keep your fitness mojo going while in Sandbridge Beach!

Walk

Walking is a peaceful non-strenuous exercise that nearly anyone can take part in. Walking may sound a little boring, but while you're in Sandbridge you might as well take advantage of a nice sunrise walk across the beach. Not only is this a relaxing beautiful sight to see, the sand will add resistance and give you a nice workout as you stroll under the sun painted sky. If waking up early enough for the sunrise isn't your thing than you can take a walk down the Virginia Beach board walk and visit shops along the way.

Run

If walking isn't an intense enough workout for you take it up a notch and run. As we mentioned earlier, if on the beach, the sand will add resistance and you will definitely feel the burn. Running on the beach will not only work your legs, it will work your glutes and core too. Cardio will burn off indulgent meals and keep you toned while you enjoy your vacation.

Swim

Whether you're swimming laps in the pool or taking a relaxing swim in the ocean, the added resistance of the water will give you more of a workout than you think. Swimming engages nearly your whole body from your shoulders to your calves. WebMD.com confirms this in an interview with Tay Stratton, Head Swim Coach at the Little Rock Athletic Club. "Swimming recruits all the major muscle groups, including the shoulders, back, abdominals, legs, hips, and glutes. And because water affords 12 times the resistance as air in every direction, it really helps to build strength."If you hate to sweat then swimming may be the perfect cardio exercise for you! You will be sure to feel the burn after a bit and you won't be sweating since you will be in the nice cool water.

Golf

The American Society of Golf Course Architects also has some great news to report. According to the article, "...golfers who walk and carry their own bag burn 721 calories, golfers using a pull cart burn 718 calories, golfers walking with a caddie burn 613 calories and golfers riding in a golf cart burn 411 calories on average." You have over a dozen courses to choose from in the Sandbridge Beach area. Because this is a tourist region, pro shops are regularly looking to put together foursomes, so getting a tee time shouldn't be a problem.

Surf, Canoe, or Kayak

Like swimming and golfing, surfing, canoeing and kayaking use resistance to build muscle. Paddling out past the break will leave your muscles burning, but that's when the fun begins. After you get past the break you get to give your muscles a little break while you wait for the perfect wave. When the wave starts rolling in you will begin paddling again against the current, hop up, and ride the wave. Riding with wave will take a lot of core, leg and hip strength to stay balanced. When you canoe or kayak, your shoulders, upper back and mid-back are all engaged along with your core. Because the paddling motion moves you from side to side, the obliques get a particularly good workout. These three activities are sure to feel more like fun than an exercise, and who knows maybe you'll find a new hobby while you're at it.

Play on the Beach

A vigorous volleyball match engages every muscle in your body whether you're playing with your kids or other adults. Throwing a ball or Frisbee can also burn a great deal of calories (especially if your children have no aim!). Running, jumping, and throwing means youhave to use everything from your fingers to your toes.Who said working out had to be work? The goal for a vacation is to relax and destress, with these tips you will be able to fully enjoy your Sandbridge vacation without feeling like you're exerting yourself by exercising. Let us know in the comments below if you have any tips we missed!