Tag Archives: summer

8 Fit Tips for Travelers

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Along with dusting off the cobwebs on your favorite pair of shorts, Memorial Day weekend acts as the official harbinger of summer. Now that the weather has turned the corner, it is time to pack the bags and go for a vacation, because you deserve it!

However, Memorial Day also marks the beginning of swimsuit season, so how do you keep the tummy tight during vacation nights? With that in mind, here are 8 Fit Tips for Travelers.

  1. Workout at the Airport
    More and more airports around the world now have gyms for travelers. Before you travel, see if the airport you have a layover at has an accessible gym. Instead of hitting the bar for a cocktail, hit the treadmill to burn some calories. If your airport does not have a gym, use the airport as your own personal track and walk laps around the terminal.

  2. Pack an Easy To Travel With Workout Kit
    Find some space in your luggage for some exercise tools to allow you to workout under any condition. An example of some items are bands that you can use for strength moves, DVD for that motivational boost, the Fitdigits Saddle iPhone mount and a jump rope so you can do cardio right in your hotel room. Of course, don’t forget your sneakers!

  3. Book a Hotel That Offers a Way to Workout
    Book a hotel that offers a fitness center or a free pass to a local gym. Many hotels these days offer fitness gear to use in your hotel room as well, so check the website or call the front desk to inquire. You can also stream free workout videos using apps such as DailyBurn or on YouTube so you can workout right in your room.

  4. Get Your Workout Out of the Way
    Set your alarm clock for an hour earlier than you planned to wake up and get the workout in before the day gets going. Otherwise, you will run out of time and energy, while finding plenty of excuses to ditch the workout all together.

  5. Consider the 10/10/10 Workout.
    Whether you exercise for a full 30 minutes or split it up into three separate 10-minute bursts, you reap the same benefits, if not more, according to this article in the New York Times. So if you don’t have a full 30 minutes to an hour to workout, remember something is always better than nothing. Aim to squeeze in 3 ten-minute intervals of activities. Some examples are speed walking to pick up breakfast for the family, lunges and pushups before taking a shower, or jumping jacks or mountain climber intervals when you return from the day’s adventures.

  6. Plan an Active Activity
    Being a tourist can give you a workout as long as you plan it right. Choose activities that get you moving like a hike, bike ride and swim or just explore the city by foot. You never truly know a place until you get lost there, so go out for an aimless walk and enjoy the new scenery. Make sure to check with the front desk first about safe streets and areas to explore. Otherwise, opt to walk to destinations over driving or taking a taxi to fit in a workout when time is limited.

  7. Track Your Calories
    Fitdigits’s iCardio app will help you track calories burned during each activity like window shopping or a trail hike, this way you can plan your meals accordingly and not overindulge if you happened to be sedentary one day. Fitdigits syncs with the app MyFitnessPal, which allow you to track your caloric intake accurately.

  8. Scope Out a Fun Fitness Class at Your Destination
    For those who enjoy yoga, you may find a fun new twist on the class structure depending on your destination. Heading to the mountains means you may enjoy a mountainside morning flow class, while those headed to a lake cabin may get a chance to try yoga on a stand up paddleboard. Trying out these new types of workout classes gives you that sense of adventure you seek during your travels while still getting in a good sweat session. Groupon and LivingSocial are great sites to check for discounts on such classes.

8 Tips to Help Maintain Exercise As Your Family Heads Back to School

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Exercising with your familyMove over summer…it’s back to school again.

Getting back to the daily grind of homework, schedules and less free time for all can be an adjustment for all. Staying active and exercising can be even more challenging. We’ve created some tips for you and your family to stay active and healthy all year round.

  1. Play sports together: Whether your kids play soccer, basketball or volleyball, find opportunities to play as a family. Your child can teach you various techniques and skills they’ve learned, which will help boost their confidence while everyone gets a chance to be more active. You don’t have to be good – just involved and moving.
  2. Park and walk: Every step counts towards your daily activity so finding ways to walk more can lead to better health benefits, promote weight loss and help alleviate stress. Find a parking spot at the end of a parking lot or avoid the school parking lot during drop off. Track your steps and calorie burn using Fitbit Ultra Activity Monitor.
  3. Workout around drop off: Parents spend a lot of time driving their kids around town. From school to after-school activities and play dates, there are plenty of opportunities to be active while you wait. Plan a run or ride while your kids attend gymnastics or baseball practice even if it’s for a short period. Breaking up your exercise throughout the day in 15- to 20-minute increments offers the same health and fitness benefits as hour-long workouts. Use Fitdigits to track your heart rate can calories on your smartphone.
  4. Plan active family time: After a busy week of work and school, it seems easier to plop the kids in front of the TV while you attend to household chores. But this isn’t really great family-bonding time nor does it help your children establish healthy habits. Carve out a few hours every weekend for active family time. From biking to hiking, swimming or even walking around the zoo, there are so many opportunities to have family fun while being active. If your family feels up for a challenge, sign up for a family 5K and practice running and walking together before the race. Track all your races with Fitdigits and review your progress as a family.
  5. Turn exercise gear into toys: Look for types of exercise equipment that are fun to use and your kids will enjoy using them. Your local sports store offers tons of gear that double as toys like jump ropes, hula hoops, platform stilts, lemon twists and tumble mats. Tip: turn your backyard or living room into an obstacle course using this equipment and see who can get through it faster! Bonus tip: find the used sporting goods store in your area and save $$$.
  6. Go virtual: Modern video games aren’t for couch potatoes. Today’s virtual gaming systems incorporate physical movement and are a great way to entice kids to stay active. Gaming consoles like Nintendo Wii, Playstation Move and Xbox 360 Kinect all offer games that get users moving. If your kids insist on playing games when they get home from school, trade off by making them active games. From dancing to boxing or playing ball, you and your kids will be burning calories while having fun.
  7. Beat bad weather: Most of us don’t have the pleasure of living in a climate that offers 365 days of sunshine. From heat waves to freezing temperatures in winter, staying active can be a challenge. Plan one day a week after school to visit a museum, go window shopping at the mall or visit your local roller or ice-skating rink. Start a calendar to keep you on track, and give everyone a chance to choose an activity.
  8. Get some alone time with the spouse or family: Once the kids are big enough, as soon as your spouse gets home, first thing, take a walk through the neighborhood with them. If the kids are too young, take them too. Unwind and talk about the day while moving. Use this time to discuss how to be consistent in relating to the kids. It may seem tough, but the dividends can pay off in spades with a stronger relationship, with the spouse and the children.