In honor of the new year and all of those fitness and health resolutions that the majority of us make, I wanted to write a post about planning and taking healthy holidays. After all, it is possible to keep those fitness resolutions while exploring the world too. And staying active while I explore is actually one of my favorite ways to travel.
Related: How to keep your new year’s resolutions
My formula is pretty simple. Find a buddy or two. It could be family members and/or friends. Pick a destination you really want to visit, and then research all of the races and athletic events that are taking place there during the year and pick one. Voila, you have a healthy holiday!
Even better, when you design a trip that involves a fitness race or goal, you’ll have something to train for which will keep you motivated to exercise and stay healthy. Plus, you’ll have an awesome trip to look forward to!
Fitness Events Around The World:
Celebrating our half marathon run in Reykjavik, Iceland
Since I’m a runner, my first choice is always a half-marathon. (Running is also a great way to see a city.) One of my personal favorites is the half marathon in Reykjavik, Iceland which I did with a group of friends a couple of years ago.
Related: Why I love to run
There’s pretty much a race taking place around the world every week, so check out this calendar for inspiration. But if you’re not a runner, there are so many other options to choose from!
Photo by Mira Bozhko on Unsplash
How about kiteboarding? You can find that as well as windsurfing, paddleboarding, and mountain biking competitions at the annual La Ventana Classic, in Baja, Mexico. Even better, it’s an event that raises money for charity, so you’re doing some good for yourself and others at the same time.
Checking out the Wanderlust Festival in Prospect Park, Brooklyn
If you fancy a triathlon, there’s a complete list of races in the United States here. If yoga is your jam, I highly recommend trying out one of the Wanderlust festivals, some of which take place in breathtaking mountain resorts throughout the world. (The Stratton, Vermont Wanderlust Festival is on my healthy holiday list this year.)
For cycling races, there are plenty to choose from. Check out this list of the top ten amateur bike races in the world. And before you shoot down the idea of a healthy holiday because you feel you’re too out of shape to plan a trip that involves a fitness component, there are even walking races, like the famous Portland to Coast walk relay. So, there’s no excuse to not get moving and exploring!
Tips For Planning Healthy Holidays:
Checking out the waterfalls in Iceland after our half marathon.
I do have a few guidelines when planning a trip like this. I always like to do it with a few people. It’s more fun to share the experience with others, and when you are working towards a fitness goal with others, you’re much less likely to give up.
Choose a destination that is easy to get to, which typically means one flight. I like to pick a location that is easy to explore during a long weekend. It’s also the ideal amount of time to fit in a race and a couple of days of sightseeing. Lastly, I pick a place I’ve never been to because that increases my overall excitement for the trip.
In terms of the race or event itself, try to plan your schedule so that it takes place at the beginning of the trip, ideally on day two. It’s good to have one day to acclimate to where you are (especially if you took an overnight flight) before you lace up your sneakers or jump on your bike.
On the flip side, you don’t want your race or event to happen at the end of your trip, because then it will be hanging over your head the entire time. The point is to enjoy the trip after your race or event is over. You won’t feel like indulging as much if you’re still in prep mode for your event.
Now I’d love to hear from you. What are your fitness goals this year? And have you ever thought about combining them with travel?
If you’ve competed in fitness events in amazing locations, please tell me about it in the comments below. I’m always looking to add new adventures and destinations to my list!
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