When you think about your vacation, you typically think of the amazing food you will eat, the drinking you will do and how much fun you will have. But you don't usually think about working out, because it is a vacation of course.But on a recent week-long trip to the beaches of New Jersey, I couldn't contemplate drinking alcohol, eating tons of carbs and fatty foods and not working out for a week. I told myself that I would eat as many freshly baked apple cider doughnuts, pork roll and cheese sandwiches, french fries and blueberry pancakes as I wanted, as long as I didn't neglect my workout regimen. Considering that I pretty much never eat any of those foods, I thought the best workout approach for the week would be cardio-focused to burn off all the incredible amount of calories I planned to eat.
My plan? Running on the beach each morning before the sun was too high in the sky. Though I don't typically enjoy running, running on the beach in the morning was the best thing I could have done. It was beautiful, the sun was rising and there was a nice breeze coming off of the ocean. Even though my heart was pumping and my muscles were sore after my first day, it didn't really feel like a workout.
I would track my distance by the lifeguard stands, which adorned the street number. At the end of my run, I would do planks, push ups and dips on a lifeguard stand.
Running on the beach each morning was so zen and I totally suggest you try it out on your next vacation. And no need for an Ipod, the waves crashing was a much better workout soundtrack.
