In 2014 I went on holiday 2 two weeks in Florida. I’d slimmed right down in preparation for going, eating sensibly, gone to the gym every day, and or the first time in a long time felt ‘bikini ready’. We had a fantastic fortnight driving around the state, visiting the parks, laying out in the sun, exploring the Keys and Miami. And of course eating. Eating anything and everything because I’d deserved it.
I went back to the gym the day after we got home. My normal workout consisted of 45 minutes on the crosstrainer then sprinting for 2K on the treadmill. That day after we came back, I only managed 20 minutes on the crosstrainer before I had to stop. So i got off, went home and cried. All my hard work had been undone in only 2 weeks and I was devastated. I wasn’t too bothered about the weight I’d put on, I know you can’t eat a Dairy Queen every day and maintain a slim figured but I was gutted and shocked that I’d lost my fitness so quickly.
I’ve vowed ever since then to try and do some kind of exercise even when i’m on holiday. So this year saw us staying in my uncle’s villa in southern Portugal. I’m back into running again so toyed with the idea of taking my trainers over and trying to bash out a 5K everyday but there’s no way I’d be able to cope with running in 30 degree heat. So, I reached out to friend of a friend (and personal trainer to Vicky Patterson) Robbie Thompson on instagram to see if he cold help me out and he knocked it out the park with the HIIT circuit he recommended for me.
Seeing as taking any kind of weights or gym equipment on just hand luggage (I couldn’t even manage my trainers afterall) it was important that the work out didn’t requite any special kit. It as 6 simple exercises that you do 10 to 20 reps of and repeat 3 or 4 times.
I found this fit in with our holiday routine perfectly, after a few cups of coffee on the terrace it the morning, hubby would head out for a run and I would spend some time with Robbie.
Although it only took about 15 minutes to complete 4 sets i felt like a pretty intense and whilst I’m not saying you’ll burn as many calories as 45 minutes on the crosstrainer, I definitely had a good sweat on afterwards (and my bum was killing me after those squats!). The only downside is that it got a bit repetitive quite quickly and you soon find which exercises you enjoy (the glute bridge walks) and the workouts that are more of a chore to do (for me it was plank ups – they’re just not my jam). So on days I felt like I needed a break from planking I would jump in the pool. Our pool wasn’t the largest, more of like a plunge pool really so instead of trying to do lengths (or laps as it would have been for me) I set a timer on my phone and did 15 minutes which, according to myfitnesspal will burn you about 200 calories not to mention swimming is excellent for toning your arms and your tum.
Now, i know what you’re thinking, holidays are for rest and relaxation and recharging, not worrying about exercise and while all that is true, I go on holiday to get away from 2 things; work and the British weather. I’m the type of person who gets down and agitated if i don’t exercise and it would put a dampener on my holiday worrying about how difficult regaining my fitness was going to be when I got home. I’m not saying everyone has to exercise on holiday, all I’m saying is I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t enjoy it or feel the benefit. And 15 minutes a day doing something you love doesn’t seem like a high price to pay for a happier workout experience when you get home.
Follow Robbie and all his excellent fitness advice on instagram or participate in his new diet and fitness programme Happy Balanced life
