Opt for walking tours
Instead of paying for expensive bus tours, use your own two feet to explore your destination away from home while also saving a little dough. Although there are guide-led walking tours available in most major cities, hoofing it on your own allows you to take your time to see the sights and customize your vacation the way your family wants to spend it, which is a plus for family vacations that involve youngsters.
Choose active activities
Since the goal of family vacations is to have fun, knowing that you don't have to take extra time for family fitness can take the guilt out of letting loose. When you plan accordingly, excursions like hiking, snorkeling or simply splashing around in the hotel pool can burn calories without putting a damper on your good times.
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Walk along the beach
"Children do what they see. They imitate what they are exposed to. If you want children to move more, then parents should move more," advises Frank Pucher, award-winning personal fitness trainer and owner of Fitness 121 Personal Training in New Jersey. "Parents who move more and lead active lifestyles have children who move and lead active lifestyles." So, instead of just lounging on the beach, try to sneak in a little family fitness while taking in the sunshine. Whether you walk, run or simply chase your kiddos around on the sand, your body works a little harder when trying to keep stable on the sand's soft surface, helping you and your brood burn off those vacation pounds long before you head home.
See the sights by bicycle
A leisurely bike ride not only lets you see the city while on family vacations, but also burns tons of calories while disguised as fun. Inquire with your hotel about local bicycle rentals or hook up with a bike tour company for an adventure on two wheels.
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Get active after meals
Although no one expects you to run a marathon as soon as you put down your dessert fork, engaging in a little physical activity after you eat will not only aid in digestion, but will also burn those extra calories you indulged in. A leisurely family stroll downtown, a little shopping after lunch, or even simply walking back to your hotel after your meal instead of catching a cab counts as family fitness when you're on vacation.
Still not keen about fitness when family vacations are best spent relaxing? These five ways to sneak in family exercise on vacation do not have to be incorporated into your everyday itinerary. "You don't necessarily have to break a sweat in order to burn calories," shares Abbie Davies, My First Yoga, LLC. "When on a family vacation, there is usually less relaxing and more doing, as parents want to pack in as much fun for their kids which usually means you're exercising more than you think during your vacation." So, try strapping on a pedometer; you may be surprised to see how many calories you and your family are already burning!
Pick up more tips for family vacations
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