Who doesn't love to go on vacation? There is something about getting away from your normal surroundings that soothes the soul. Is it just me or when we go on vacation do we tend to leave our diets and exercise habits at home? This makes for a more stress free vacation, but we all know that feeling of seeing the scale jump up a few pounds after returning home. Here are 7 great tips to stay in shape while on your Sandbridge vacation!
#1. Take a Hike
Whether you enjoy a leisurely stroll or a brisk walk that gets your heart pumping, Sandbridge Beach has plenty of beautiful nature trails. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is an 8,000-acre refuge bordering the ocean and Back Bay. While you may hike at home, here you'll get the added bonus of gorgeous views, including sand dunes, forests, marshes, beaches, and ponds.
Adjacent to Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is False Cape State Park. This stunning barrier island has more than nine miles of hiking trails and six miles of beaches. Take your swimsuit; there's nothing better than a dip in the ocean after a long walk.
#2. Rent a Bike
Rent a Bike Riding a bike may seem simple and not compare to your usual work out regiment, but it has actually provided all of us great exercise since we were kids. Several outfitters rent bikes in Sandbridge Beach. Ocean Rentals offers beach cruisers, fat-tire bikes, and mountain bikes. Beach cruisers are an ideal way to take in miles of shoreline while working your quads.
#3. Go for a Jog
There is nothing more motivating than seeing the sunrise over the ocean while hearing the peaceful sound of the waves slapping the shore. Instead of sitting on the deck of your vacation rental watching the sunrise take this opportunity to go for a peaceful morning jog on the beach. Jogging the Sandpiper and Sand fiddler loops that border the beach lets you log some miles while enjoying the scenery. This loop covers seven miles of flat, scenic, oceanside terrain. Start at the top of Sandbridge Road where it meets Sand fiddler Road, head south, and turn around when you get to Little Island Park.
#4. Hit the Beach
Whether you're looking forward to a little solitary sunrise yoga or an enthusiastic game of beach volleyball, the shore is the perfect place for fitness fun. For an alternative to Frisbee, locals bring a bucket of golf balls to the beach and create a version of the classic ski ball board in the sand.Dig five circles increasing in size from golf ball to grapefruit, stand back 10feet, roll your golf ball and try to hit one of the holes. This combination of cornhole, ski ball, and golf is pleasurable exercise — you'll log plenty of steps chasing errant balls.
#5. Learn to Surf
Surfing is not only an amazing full body work out, but it's also a lot of fun. If you don't know how to surf there are plenty of training camps in Virginia Beach. This may be the perfect time for you to learn! The best part of surfing is that it requires total concentration. By the time you've finished practicing, you'll be relaxed and will feel great. Pick up your board from Ocean Rentals and they'll recommend a size and shape for your level of experience.
#6. Paddleboard
Paddle boarding is a great upper body work out. You are constantly engaging your upper body while getting to enjoy the peacefulness of being out on the ocean relaxing. Standup paddle boarding is a clever alternative to surfing. Using a large, buoyant surfboard and a long paddle, you will make your way through the waves while standing or kneeling on the board. When you're ready to catch a wave, just turn around and take your paddle out of the water. For an easy, peaceful experience, go past the breakers and travel parallel to the shore.
#7. Portion Sizes
This last tip is more of helpful advice rather than an exercise. There is no shame in indulging with a delicious pizza or a nice bowl of ice cream, just remember to know your limits. Often we love the taste of something so much that we will continue to eat past the point of being full.You'd be surprised how much food you actually need to get full (and it's not near as much as you think). Next time you indulge on vacation remember that you can save some for later and have two delicious meals rather than one. Your body will thank you later.
Whether you're taking a quiet solo stroll through a nature preserve or trying a spirited group fitness class at the community center, Sandbridge Beach has exciting ways to stay fit on vacation. Pack your tennis shoes and workout gear and you'll likely experience new adventures ... and go home in better shape than when you left.
Remember this list next time you plan your Sandbridge vacation. It may be the difference between feeling bad about yourself after returning home or smiling at the number that you see on thescale!
