THE lead-up to a well-deserved holiday often means meeting work deadlines and finishing off festive shopping but once you are on holiday, all that hard work often falls away, and you return home feeling sluggish and a little uncomfortable in your clothes.

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“Holidays are meant for rest, indulgence, and making memories, and definitely not guilt. But if you’ve worked hard to build a fitness routine, the idea of losing progress can sneak into your suitcase faster than your swimsuit,” said Selvan Naicker, brand manage for ActivEze™.

“However, staying active on holiday doesn’t mean skipping sundowners or sightseeing. It’s about balance, movement, and mindset,” he added.

Keeping active on holiday doesn’t have to be the same as keeping active while at home.

Change your mindset and routine with these 7 tips:

• Change what you think exercise looks like. While on holiday, no matter where you are, you don’t need a gym to get your heart rate up. Think of movement as part of your holiday experience. Long beach walks, morning hikes, city bike tours, paddleboarding, or even exploring local markets on foot all count. The more you link activity to adventure, the more natural it feels.
• Keep it short and sweet. When you’re surrounded by buffets and beaches, a long workout isn’t exactly top of mind. And that’s okay. Focus on shorter, more efficient workouts: 15 to 20 minutes of bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, or a quick HIIT session in your hotel room when you wake up can make a big difference.
• Pack for success. Motivation often starts with preparation. Throw a resistance band, skipping rope and lightweight training gear into your bag. Even your phone can become your travel trainer with a few downloaded workout apps or playlists to get you moving.
• Move first thing in the morning. Once the day starts, the anticipation of breakfasts, beach time, or spontaneous plans can cause workouts to easily fall off the radar. Sneak in a short session first thing. It sets a positive tone for the day and leaves you free to enjoy everything else guilt-free.
• Be kind to yourself, you are on holiday after all. Holidays are meant to recharge you, not burn you out. If you skip a workout or trade it for a nap by the pool, that’s perfectly fine. Movement should enhance your holiday, not control it.
• Find the fun in it. Choose activities that genuinely make you happy. Join a local beach yoga class, go dancing, snorkel, or rent bikes with your travel buddies. When you move in ways that make you feel good, it stops being “exercise” and starts being part of the adventure.
• Remember your ‘why’. Whether it’s keeping your energy up for sightseeing, sleeping better, or simply feeling confident in your skin, remembering why you move can help you stay committed, even when the beach calls your name.

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