Staying Fit While on Vacation

As you travel for work and pleasure try to identify hotels that offer good fitness options. It's not easy! The state of the art fitness center is likely only a closet-sized room with old or broken equipment. Or, the lap pool is a short oval without lane lines. Or, the running routes consisted of a map provided by the concierge that directs guests to jog around the streets of the hotel 10 times. Here are some recommendation for the best places to stay for those who enjoy healthy living and staying fit.

If you are a couple looking for an ideal romantic getaway, also take into account the fitness facilities. Exercise not only helps boost your immunity system, lower stress, and improve your sleeping habits; it also helps your sex life. Studies have shown that healthy people have better sex and tend to be happier. Not necessarily an hour of hard-core running or lifting weights at the gym, but 20 minutes of brisk walking should be sufficient.

Romance/Fitness winning cities include:
San Francisco, complete with the bridge, the fog, the rain, the restaurants, and the cultural offerings.Hotel Rex is the best deal for the money. A small, intimate hotel property just steps from Union Square and China Town, Rex also provides guests with a discounted pass to a fantastic (but small) health club down the street, Club One.
Tuscon, where if money is no object, The Miraval Spa and Resort in Tucson is a marvelous getaway for couples looking to stay fit and be pampered. All meals are included as well as any type of exercise option you can imagine---horseback riding, lap swimming, rock climbing, etc.
Miami's South Beach hotels are filled with romance. The Shore Club, Delano, Ritz and National are all in the book, bestowing lots of love and liveliness to their guests.
Colorado Springs' Broadmoor Hotel is a breathtaking resort beset by serene lakes and mountain landscape. Broadmoor's Fitness Center and Spa is well-equipped with modern machines and a regulation lap pool. And, the nearby trails create fantastic jogging and mountain biking opportunities.
New York City can never be left off the romance list. Several properties make exceptional romantic destinations, but Le Parker Meridien, across the street from Central Park, tops my list. It's NYC, so expect small yet cozy hotel rooms. The Scandinavian flavor, tremendous views, and extensive on-site health club make it one of the best.

Exercising for only 20-30 minutes each day will allow you to start the day healthy and help you make better choices throughout the rest of the day. Then, enjoying small indulgences like your favorite piece of pie or a few cocktails or sitting around by the pool for six hours will not seem like a big deal. Don't forget about your improved "nightlife" too!

Before travel, research each property you are considering, the quantity of exercise machines, their condition, the brands, weight/strength options, pool dimensions, running routes, etc. Phone the concierge and ask him your specific questions. Sometimes it even helps to confirm with the maintenance workers.

To avoid the fully relaxed, but very out of shape, post-vacation common results make exercise part of your daily routine, just like showering or brushing your teeth. When you think about it, 20 minutes is not that much time at all. Especially while on a vacation, when you don't have to worry about going to work and all of the other hassles at home.

There is always a temptation to overeat when we are on vacation. How can we fight off this temptation while at the same time still enjoy ourselves? Exercise will allow you to not fret so much over what you're eating and drinking. You may end up taking in more calories, but being active and exercising should help to burn those off fairly easily.

Vacation is supposed to be a break from all that troubles and worries you. Eat the local food and experience the local customs without concerns about how many calories are in each meal. Knowing that you performed your daily workout reassures you that anything you eat will be worked off either that same day or the next. So, no, don't worry about avoiding certain foods---just make sure to get in a daily sweat. Of course, that doesn't mean that you can load up on fried twinkies and cheesecake, though. Sorry.