Summer Vacation

Seems like I just got the Christmas decorations put away...how can it be summer already?  I guess when you're having fun, time really does fly by!

Summer is upon us and time for those coveted and well-deserved few weeks that we take time to be with our families to decompress and make memories.  Vacations are a somewhat new thing for me.  I didn't grow up taking summer vacations so it wasn't something that I naturally fell into when I had my own family.

Fortunately I figured out that they are great and something we should all do from time to time, if only to keep our sanity!  I learned the value of taking my family do different places for the experience and growth that it brings.  It's neat when you can say you've been to those places that others are talking about.  I think it makes you a more interesting person.

But I didn't start this blog to extol the virtues of vacations.  Most of you already know.  What I wanted to talk about is the destructive force of a vacation on a workout routine.  I'm guessing that most of you know exactly what I'm talking about.

I've seen more workout habits changed (some permanently) by vacations.  I'm all for taking a physical as well as mental break when on vacation.  Some people go on vacation and think they need to exercise while they are gone.  Not totally necessary but good for them for keeping up the habit.

Wait a minute...did I just say it's not necessary to exercise while on vacation?  Yes, I believe I did.  See, I'm not such the hardcore guy that most of you that know me think I am.  I believe vacations are a good time for some total rest, both physically and mentally.  Your body and mind go a hundred miles an hour on most days of the week.  We can usually find some time to refresh on the weekends, but lately it seems that the weekends are just as busy (if not more) than the week is.

It's important for our bodies and our minds to get rest.  They need to recover more than just a day or two.  Getting several good, restful nights sleep can do wonders for the body and soul.  You come back feeling refreshed and relaxed.

That's were most people find themselves in an interesting place.  They have become too relaxed and enjoyed the time off.   However, like your job, you have to return to your workout habit once again.  Some of us get so side-tracked by all the things that have piled up while we were gone that we feel we don't have time to exercise until all the piles are eliminated.  That can take a few days or even a few weeks.

Once you have been out of your routine for more than a week, each day drives a wedge further between you and your exercise habit.  Then when you do come back (usually after a few weeks off), it feels like you are starting all over again.  Hey, don't shoot the messenger...I'm just reporting what I hear you saying to me.  We've all been there and know it can be somewhat challenging to step foot back into your health club, but trust me on this, the sooner you return, the better you will do, the better you will feel and the sooner you'll be reminded why you workout in the first place. 

So my best advice is this: Go on vacation. Have a great time. Get rested and relaxed.  Come home, unpack and get to the fitness center the next work day.  If you don't work outside the home, go to the fitness center when your spouse goes to work.

Believe me, following this advice will get you back into your routine quicker than anything else.  It will also be less painful!  Trust me.

Have a great summer and get a vacation booked if you haven't already.