I started my fitness journey about 5 years ago. One thing I used to always, and sometimes still struggle with, is staying consistent while on vacation.
And let me make this clear: I don’t make myself workout on vacation to make up for the excess calories I am consuming or to punish myself for not hitting my step goal. I like to stay on track because it genuinely makes me feel better during and after vacation. But sometimes, we don’t have access to our everyday things on vacation, which can make staying on track a little more difficult.
Here is the good news: Lexi J Wellness workouts can go with you anywhere! You just have to be willing to pivot and accept that your routine might look a little different than normal. But everything above zero compounds, so we are going to do the most we can with what we have!
I am someone who does better with examples, so let’s make up a story about going on vacation and what I would do if I were trying to stay on track.
1. Prep Before You Leave
Let’s say I was leaving for a tropical beach vacation on Monday and getting back on Saturday. I would prioritize prep the weekend prior.
Things I would prep that would help me stay on track with my fitness journey: workout clothes, workout shoes, a device to play LJW workout videos on (your phone works great too!), LJW booty bands, a weighted vest if you have one (sounds crazy, but I have seen multiple LJW girls do it!), and any supplements you use.
The goal isn't to recreate your entire normal routine while you're on vacation. It is simply to give yourself the tools you need to make staying consistent as easy as possible.
2. Scope Out the Gym
Once I get to my destination, I am going to immediately scope out and see if there is a gym. 9 times out of 10, there will be one.
Whether it’s at the hotel or resort you are staying at, or maybe you’ll have to drive down the road and get a day pass at the nearest local gym, now you have a place to do your Lexi J Wellness workouts where all you need is some variety of dumbbells.
You don't need a perfectly equipped gym. You just need enough to make your workouts work for you.
3. Get Creative With Your Equipment
Let’s say you are staying somewhere that has no access to a gym or dumbbells. Bummer. But don’t worry, we can still make this work! Time to get creative, ladies.
The good news is that since all we need is some dumbbells to complete our workouts, we can use random objects of varying weight too. Remember, our muscles do not know the difference between a 5lb dumbbell and a 5lb gallon of milk.
I have talked about what you can use in place of dumbbells before, so I am going to list that here for you to check out here.
You may have to get a little creative, but that's okay! The point is to work with what you have instead of deciding that because your circumstances aren't perfect, you can't do anything at all.
4. Be Willing to Modify
I would then complete my workouts as usual. I would go into it knowing that there may be times where I have to modify the movement a little bit or go lighter than normal because I don’t have access to my heavy dumbbells.
I would substitute some lower body movements for banded movements and still get an effective lower body workout.
This is where I think so many people get caught up. They think if they can't do their workout exactly how they normally do it, it isn't worth doing.
But that isn't true!
Your vacation workouts might look different. You might use lighter weights. You might use bands. You might have to modify a movement. That doesn't mean the workout doesn't count.
5. Do the Most With What You Have
I would remember that this vacation is not forever, and I am going to do the most with what I have.
That's really what this comes down to.
You don't need to have your exact dumbbells, your normal workout space, your usual schedule, or all of your normal resources to continue taking care of yourself. You just have to be willing to pivot.
And remember, everything above zero compounds. The WHO's guidelines specifically say that any amount of physical activity is better than none and that all physical activity counts.
So enjoy the vacation. Eat the good food. Go explore. Sleep in. Have the margarita. And if moving your body makes you feel good, find a way to get some movement in too.
You don't have to choose between enjoying your vacation and staying consistent with your fitness journey.
Happy traveling! ✈️🌴
