Fitness expert Sarah Cowley shares her tips for staying active over the summer.
Having the time to take better care of your health on holiday is magic. While some people may crave total rest on a break to unwind after a stressful year, having time to be active is an opportunity not to be missed.
Holidays act as great stress relievers, restoring our energy levels. We know exercise has tremendous benefits for our physical and mental health. So why not combine your holiday and exercise?
The first step to exercising on holiday is overcoming inertia. Be bold in your desire to stay active. Whether it’s a walk on the beach to start the day, a hike to a water hole to share a picnic, jumping in a kayak or doing a home circuit, we are lucky to have beautiful environments to explore and lots of exercise options to suit everyone.
Typically, on holiday we increase our food and beverage intake so staying active is a good way to bring some balance to the festive season.
Holidays are a great time to take stock of your exercise goals and to make plans to prioritise your activity levels in 2017. A new year brings a clean slate and a chance for you to invest in your health through exercise. Enjoy the time to think about what you want to achieve, whether it’s about walking a certain distance, completing your first triathlon, or starting to cycle to work – this is your time. Writing your goals down and sharing them with friends and family is a great way to keep committed and motivated.
I love goals because they provide direction for me to get my exercise needs in on a weekly basis. Breaking your goals down to have progress steps along the way can be really helpful to make 2017 a fantastic year for you and your health.
Plank push-ups
A great exercise to try on holiday and one we featured at the Healthy Food Guide LIVE! stage in Christchurch in 2016.
Note: Please get the all-clear from your GP before trying any exercises.
1. Start in a plank position with straight arms.
2. Bend your right elbow and lower down onto your forearm. Your left elbow will be bent out to the side.
3. Bend your left elbow and lower down onto your forearm so that you are in a lower plank position.
4. Place your right hand under your right shoulder. Push through your right hand to straighten your right arm and at the same time take your left hand underneath your shoulder and return to the starting position.
5. If this position is too much of a challenge for you start with four-point kneeling with your knees under your hips. As you feel stronger you can move your knees out away from under your hips.
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