Traveling for the Holidays? Do These Quickie Workouts to NOT Gain Weight

I’m the first to admit that an out-of-town attitude includes skipping out on my regular workout. But that’s the great thing! It's your opportunity to try something new, work new muscles, and maybe even LOSE, as opposed to GAIN weight! I know... the holidays can be brutal for your diet. You're too busy, tired, and full to do your entire regular workout routine. Instead, slip in several quickie workouts into your day, every day, to keep your metabolism stoked and naturally burning off even more calories for you.

When it comes to holiday travel, immediately get your head in a fit mindset. Here's how:

BURN CALORIES JUST GETTING THERE
The surprising fact is that you start racking up calories burned even before you arrive to your destination. Yup, the hour it takes to pack (or unpack) your bags burns up about 118 calories. Then just the act of travelling (lugging your bags through a busy airport, negotiating the signs in a foreign train station) can burn an average of 117 calories per hour. You can even burn calories while waiting around at the airport! Here’s how:

Carry-On Bag Curls-
Do curls with your carry-on or purse to tone your biceps, shoulders, back, even your core. It can be a total upper-body toning session. Don’t worry if you tire yourself out, you’re about to be sedentary on an airplane seat for the next several hours. May as well make the most of your freedom of movement now!
Terminal Lunges-
You may look like a bit nutty lunging around the terminal, but honestly, who cares? It’s not like you are ever going to see these people again. With generally an hour to kill, why sit around and twiddle your thumbs when you could be getting a good leg and butt workout?
Calf Raises-
Feel the need to be a little more discrete? I get it. Calf raises are a great way to tone your legs without being too obvious. It’s perfect for those long boarding lines. You don’t have anything else to do, so why not work out?
Wall Sit-
No available seats? Great! Instead of sitting on the disgustingly dirty floor, pretend to take a seat with a wall sit. Push your back up against the wall, step your feet about 2-feet from the wall (the length of your quad muscles), then bend your knees so that your hamstrings are parallel to the ground (as if you’re sitting on a chair). Hold this position for as long as you can- which will likely be only about 60 seconds.

More Pre-Flight Quickie Workouts:

Mile High Quickies
More than pre-flight workouts, when in-flight, don’t just sit there, burn some calories! These seated exercises will help you to get your metabolism pumping, your blood flowing (& so you don’t get blood clots in your legs).

Hotel Room Quickies
Staying in a hotel or taking up a small space within a relative's house? You can STILL slip in your workout (you can even do it on a bed!)! Try Hotel Room Quickie Workouts to burn calories without going anywhere!

For traditional workouts, try yoga. It’s the perfect vacation workout because you can do it in your hotel room or even on the beach. I make up my own routines. I also like to explore the destination that I have traveled to by walking it (instead of driving it). Forget sightseeing in your car, ask the concierge for the best walking routes. You get in some exercise and get acquainted with the place at the same time.

Because I'm a big believer that you can indulge on vacation and Not gain weight.

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Laurel House is a Fit Living Expert, 3x published author, and believer in living a life of balance. See more of her "Quickie Tips" on her website QuickieChick.com. Her 4th book- "QuickieChick's Cheat Sheet to Life, Love, Food, Fitness, Fashion and Finance on a Less than Fabulous Budget" (St. Martin's, May 2012) is available NOW for PRE-ORDER.