Guest Post: Maintaining Your Fitness Between Holidays

With an increase in demand for a healthy lifestyle, extreme sports holidays are becoming more desirable. The chance to participate in a variety of extreme sports such as canoeing, white water rafting, rock climbing and paragliding are appealing to more and more holidaymakers. But how do we maintain our fitness throughout the rest of the year especially in those cold winter months when all you want to do is hibernate.
We all know it is easier to get fit come the new year and the start of spring; it is no longer dark when you leave the house and dark when you return. The light evenings prompt us to get fit in time for summer. However we should all try to maintain our fitness levels all year round to avoid fluctuating weight and diets (always consult your GP before starting a new diet or fitness regime).
One way in which we can stay fit and healthy all year round is by having a balanced diet; it is essential to staying healthy on the inside and out. A way in which you can do this is by snacking on fruit and swapping your white carbs for alternatives such as wholemeal, which will keep you fuller for longer. Drinking plenty of fluids is also vital in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
It may be that the last thing you want to do at the end of a day at work is to drag yourself to the gym so it is fundamental to enjoy exercise and the sport you're partaking in. By getting into a routine such as doing specific classes on the same day every week you will get into a pattern. Another option is to go with a friend to make the exercise experience more enjoyable.
Reputable gyms now offer a variety of classes including: Body Combat, Legs, Bums and Tums, Zumba and Spin Class, guaranteeing guests will find a workout that suits them. Many of these classes are to up-beat, motivating music and the class teachers are very engaging making exercise fun and enjoyable. However if you haven’t got the funds to join a gym, it is likely that a local school, hall or center will provide a variety of fitness classes that you pay week by week ranging from £3-£6 depending on the class.
Another great way to keep fit between extreme holidays is by taking part in conventional sports - Football, Tennis, Cricket etc - It doesn't matter what it is, as long as it keeps you interested you will be more motivated and it will become easier to increase your fitness. Many people find that reading sports blogs and finding out what's going on with the 'pros' makes them more motivated to continue and improve with the specific sport they are interested in. Check out the Youwin Blog as an example.
If your passion is solely for the extreme, then why not have a look at your local area and see what alternatives you can find. Many places now offer indoor rock climbing walls and depending where you live, there are many outdoor water sports places dotted around the country that can be a great way to get fit and have your adrenaline rush at the same time!
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet is fundamental to feeling good; you will feel better on the inside and out when frequently exercising. It is a good idea to start an exercise programme from a young age to help yourself get into a routine that you can maintain as you get older, and to avoid that pre-holiday panic to get fit.