Yes, It’s Possible to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle While on Vacation

Have you ever gone on vacation where you can take a day tour on a bus or rent a car and see all the tourist attractions in a day? This is exactly what I experienced on the the island of Aruba which is only about 21 miles and located in the southern part of the Caribbean Sea. This island maybe small but because there are no distractions, it is the perfect place to unwind and relax. Question… do you know how to relax? I mean really unplug and let yourself go? Practice is required. If you are out of practice then desire and choice are a must as you put your mind to rest. It has taken me years to learn but the payoff has allowed me to feel refreshed, relaxed and rejuvenated! If I can relax… so can YOU!

Relaxation is key in order to gain the full benefit from any vacation. You must remember that you need time, peace and quiet in order to really benefit. Once you have your mind set right then it becomes pretty easy to maintain your healthy lifestyle while you’re on vacation. One great way to do this is through exercise which allows stress to leave your body as you burn calories, improve cardiovascular health and circulation through your entire body.Simply have fun. Exercise can be a good experience and doesn’t have to be associated as negative. While on vacation, why not experiment with exercises you’ve never tried before. That’s what I did. Simply ask for the schedule when you check in. My favorite place in Aruba is the Casa Del Mar Resort (where my lounge chair still resides lol) because of the different classes they provide for their guests. You may choose from Zumba (a dance and fitness class), water aerobics and an abs stretching class.

My experience was a great eye opener. I have never taken a water aerobics class in my life and was truly amazed how much fun you can have. For years I’ve sat on my lounge chair simply reading a book or listening to the music when the class was taking place. However, this time I participated. I’m so glad I made the plunge! This year I’ve been on a mission of losing weight and living healthy mainly through incorporating better food and activity choices into my daily life. The water aerobics class was a huge step since I do not go to a gym. I workout from my home so I had to first tell myself not to worry about what others would think and be open to being around others without feeling self conscious. Lucky for me the first water aerobics class was small with about 10 people in the pool. Sylvia, the very fit instructor greeted all of us with a big smile and plenty of positive energy. (You may know by now that this inspires me). I went into the water as my favorite Donna Summer tune played in the background. I would hear Sylvia’s voice saying, ‘keep moving 1-2-3-4…’ and for the next 40 minutes my arms, legs, and body were moving. No more lounging for me. I was hooked!

Water aerobics was a pleasant experience because it was refreshing, rejuvenating and a fun way to burn calories while on vacation. Just because you are on vacation doesn’t mean that you need to eat and drink everything in sight. Temptation is everywhere so even more willpower is required. If you run into that midnight buffet then simply pick your food very carefully or maybe not go at all. I had made up my mind there was no way I was going to gain 10 pounds on this vacation. Good choices were required and I knew after one session water aerobics was a good one. I was determined to move my body the rest of the trip. In the back of my mind it helped that I knew I had promised my trainer and myself that I would be active, workout and then I could be free to find my lounge chair.

The next day would arrive with the ‘Abs Stretching’ class on the agenda. Of course now I had no hesitation or thoughts that I was not able to do it and no longer fearful of others judging me. I went to the class with my daughter and her friend. My daughter is an exercise queen. She loves to dance and is always in our home & gym focused on being healthy. This class was a bit different than what I usually experience in that it had mats spread out to welcome us all. Burt was the instructor for this class, a truly nice man with a thin build but all muscle. He was a good instructor, with a powerful voice, as he explained well how to do each exercise as he inspired you push yourself as you moved your body. I can hear him now saying “push it” as he counted. I followed along and surprised myself that I was able to keep up. Wow, my at home workouts were paying off!

If you are exercising on a regular basis at a gym most resorts have fully equipped facilities that can be used for guests. Our gym is small and quaint; however I was surprised to see all new gym equipment that had just arrived the previous week (now that’s perfect timing). There before me were new bicycles, elliptical equipment, tread mills, weights machines, free weights, mats and even a fitness ball. There was no excuse for me not to exercise since I had everything necessary within arms reach. All I would need was determination, commitment and willpower. I even had help as I was held accountable by my trainer, Gena Livings via the internet. Although most people might think a trainer over the internet is a disadvantage, I made it work to my advantage since our daily routine could continue even while I was in the Caribbean. The big difference is you are in control. Only you can make the change and facilitate the choices. Seeing her email reminders did the trick for me to regain my focus after a few days of less than healthy foods & beverages. But with support like that it really is possible to go away on vacation and clear your mind and exercise as you move ever closer to a better health. The best part is if do you get sore from all the exercises then there is usually a spa on the resort that offers relaxing massages which will help rid your body of built up lactic acid as you rejuvenate your muscles. Oh, so nice.

What I got most from the experience is that exercising while on vacation can be fun and also that you can still have a great time on vacation without stuffing yourself. What has stuck with me most is that you must move through your fears. Without change you are stuck. There is a first for everything, so I do recommend you to try exercising while you are away in an effort to maintain your healthy lifestyle. I was exposed to many new exercises and learned some exercises that I still do since I’ve returned plus and I was so fulfilled by just being open to what was before me. It was a great surprise that the next class of Aerobics and Abs was even better than the first. Imagine that!

Yes it is possible to relax as you enjoy your vacation and not put on 5-10 pounds. Healthy living is a choice, one that is very much in your control. Remember you need to ‘enjoy doing’ so that you will stay the course whether you are home or away on vacation. Give yourself time, take small steps, use the power within as you experiment with new experiences that bring you joy. As you persevere and have the will power to forge ahead great things will happen. Your body will appreciate your healthy choices and will tell you exactly what it needs if you will just stop & pay attention. Enjoy your next vacation using these tips and share your experience below.

Bonnie S. Gortler

Bonnie Gortler, a Consultant, Coach, and Author, is a Wealth & Well-Being expert with over 35 years of experience in managing multi-million-dollar client portfolios at a top-rated investment firm. As the author of Journey to Wealth, Bonnie is dedicated to teaching the importance of risk management and achieving true financial well-being by integrating both the technical and mental aspects of investing. With an M.B.A. and certification as a life coach, Bonnie combines her passion for coaching, consulting, and blogging to inspire people globally. Her powerful techniques and winning mindset help others experience personal growth and financial success. Explore wealth-building tips, personal development strategies, and more at BonnieGortler.com, and discover how you can enhance your wealth and well-being.  


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