It's difficult enough to exercise throughout the week, but when holidays are added to the mix, many of us find that exercise becomes less of a priority as our to-do lists become longer. You've somehow worked hard at home to keep in shape, but your upcoming backpacking trip, vacation(which you'll be doing as soon as the threat of COVID is gone), business trip, relocation, or remote work lifestyle threatens to throw everything off. And now you're panicking because you don't know if you'll be able to travel and work out, and you're afraid you'll lose all of your progress-and, oh, the horror, what if there's no gym?!

The last thing you want is to add to your stress. Many of us find that sticking to our regular fitness routine accomplishes just that. Simultaneously, remaining active in some way will provide you with energy, alleviate stress and tension, and, of course, help you offset some of the excess calories you may be consuming.

Don't worry because it's all going to be fine!

You might have 100 problems but getting out of shape during a vacation is definitely not going to be one of them when you're done reading this article!

These simple recommendations can help you plan ahead, be prepared for anything, and keep active throughout your next vacation.

1. Plan in advance

If you're going on a trip, planning beforehand can save you a lot of time and money. Take some time to consider your options so you'll be prepared for anything. Find out if the hotel you're staying at has a fitness center or a hotel gym by looking up information about it online. Plan basic workouts that don't take up a lot of time or require a lot of equipment. You might be able to sneak in a workout in your hotel room without bothering anyone if you're traveling. Look for nearby walking, running, or park trails.

2. Prepare yourself.

If you're unsure about your schedule or if you'll be able to squeeze in an exercise, prepare for the worst. Staying in your room with no equipment and only 10 or 15 minutes to yourself could be an example of this. Make a 10-minute routine that you can do in your bedroom. You may, for example, choose ten exercises and perform each one for one minute.

3. A Workout You Can Do Anytime

The majority of people associate exercise with someone torturing themselves in a gym with weight equipment and running on treadmills for hours at a time. Plus, when you're on the road, the last thing you want to think about is being cooped up in a gym when you should be out experiencing your new surroundings.

To begin, and perhaps this goes without saying, cycling, hiking, and going on walking tours are all fantastic ways to begin establishing a healthy body. Because you're also discovering new places, it's a workout that doesn't seem like exercise.

4. Use any opportunity on vacation

Although planning and preparation are beneficial, even the best-laid plans can be derailed, particularly during a vacation. If you can't seem to find a method to exercise, get creative and find ways to move your body in any manner you can.

5. Incorporate movement opportunities into your everyday routine while on vacation

Is your morning spent standing at art museums and churches (with very little walking)? Take off for some aerobic adventures after lunch. Take a long walk in the park or along the beach. Alternatively, inquire at your hotel's concierge about walking maps in the neighborhood. If you're in a new area, your concierge should be able to recommend safe, crime-free pedestrian areas.

6. Transform airports into walking tracks

Rather than sitting (which you'll be doing plenty of on the plane), turn on your favorite music and march up and down the terminal. Although it isn't a full-fledged workout, every step counts. You can burn up to 100 calories in 15 minutes of brisk walking. Furthermore, all of the walking may keep you from being bored and will help you feel a little healthier while on vacation.

7. Look for restaurants within walking distance of your hotel.

Why take a taxi when you can take a leisurely stroll to and from the restaurant in the nice evening air? Furthermore, according to Robert Bauer, MD, diabetes expert at the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa, "walking after a meal is a wonderful way to help keep blood sugar levels down."

8. Walking while Sightseeing Rather than taxis and trolleys on vacation

Walking is often the best way to take in the joys, aromas, and surprises of the cultures you're visiting, from London's gorgeous parks to Tiananmen Square. Speaking from personal experience, this is one of the best ways you can stay fit on vacation. It is not only a great workout but also is a great way to soak in your surroundings.

9. Stairs are a great option.

Leave the elevators at home and use the steps on vacation instead, whether you're in a hotel or visiting a higher-altitude location like the Eiffel Tower. What a fantastic calorie-burning exercise! This can actually be something you incorporate into your daily life as well. It's unconventional but if you do it enough it just might end up working for you!

10. Eating Healthy

Nobody wants to hear it, but what you eat accounts for 80-90% of how you look and feel while traveling. Really! A lousy diet can't be outrun, and it can't be out-trained either. Make a good strategy so that you don't go astray while traveling and don't have to take dramatic steps when you return home. Make healthier choices with regard to food. Opt for a healthy snack whenever possible. It's unrealistic to imagine a vacation without a pina colada by the pool and room service, but a healthy meal once in a while is recommended.

11. Don't be too hard on yourself.

This isn't intended to be too tense and vacation is not the time to achieve your fitness goal. So don't be too hard on yourself if you forget to get up for a morning workout or if you just get halfway through a jump-rope session. The goal is to keep all of the gains you've achieved at home and, at the very least, address the effects of all those burgers and beers on your body. Don't forget that simply being on your feet for days on end will be a major, good shift in and of itself.

12. Don't get drunk every night!

Every night is the keyword. Simply pick your nights. We wouldn't recommend working out every day of your trip anyhow, so plan your big evenings out around a day off and make a healthy routine. When it comes to what to drink and what not to drink during the week, stay away from the sugar! Avoid those Margaritas as much as possible! This is due to the fact that most vacation drinks contain excessive levels of sugar and alcohol. Both cause dehydration, and when combined, they can put the liver under a lot of strain. As a result, you'll be suffering from a terrible hangover.

While keeping all this also remember not to overwhelm yourself. You're on vacation to enjoy yourself, don't stress too much about gaining a couple of kilograms. After that time we've all had, stuck at home during COVID, god knows we all need to just have a good time!