Staying Active on Holiday

Earlier in the month, we spent 5 days in Tenerife, a mini holiday to relax and get some sunshine.

Naturally I packed my running trainers and a workout set! Why? Being active is a lifestyle choice, so I never feel like exercise is a chore - movement makes me feel good!

For me, there's also something truly special about being by the sea. The sound of the waves, the smell of the salt, the feel of the sand. I didn't want to miss this opportunity.

I woke up early and went for 2 morning runs (before it got too hot), a gentle 25 minutes running by the sea and I felt invigorated for the day! Running also allowed me to venture further and explore more of the local area, meeting local people and business-owners, getting ready for the day ahead. The post-run stretches on the beach were absolute bliss too. Early evening, before dinner, I wandered back across to the beach for a 15-minute Pilates flow; just some gentle mobility after all the hours lying on the sunbed! We joined in the aqua-aerobics session in the pool, which was hilarious! The pool was too deep for some of the moves (or maybe it was my little legs) and no-one was co-ordinated, but we had so much fun.

Whether you're holidaying abroad this summer or staying in the UK, I'd highly recommend trying some outdoor workouts. You may not be a runner, but 10 minutes of stretching and relaxation or a 20-minute Pilates workout, can feel so different outside. Try the beach, the countryside, local park or your garden! Why not use the summer (whether you're going on holiday or not), to try something new to maintain your exercise routine and keep it interesting, or use it to feed your motivation and start building some physical activity into your day.

Listening and connecting to the sounds of the birds, the smell of nature, or the feel of grass under foot, gives a whole new element to a workout.

Try this 10-Minute Morning Yoga Flow on my YouTube channel. Simply pop your earphones in and off you go! Whether you're going away this summer or are just able to have a few days off work, happy holidays!