Fit Family in the Windy City
My family loves vacations. It’s easy for all those healthy lifestyle habits you’ve formed
at home go right down the drain during your trip. With a family to watch out for, I
have to think about more than just my own health and fitness. With our extended
family coming to Chicago, here are some nifty tricks I’ve developed for maintaining
everyone’s health, many of which I’ve suggested to my family.
Research Fitness Opportunities
A few minutes of searching online will yield information about any hiking trails, parks,
bike trails and other great fitness opportunities near your destination. It’s ideal to
wake up early and get your exercise routine out of the way so the rest of your plans
don’t get in the way. Furthermore, take advantage of opportunities for incidental
exercise. For instance, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or walk instead of
driving. Incidental exercise is any significant physical activity you achieve while doing
something else.
Get Your Sports Thrills
No matter where you visit, there is always some unique and unusual sporting
activity being offered. Get the most out of your vacation by trying one of them. The
best thing about these sports is that they help make up for any lack of time spent
working out. Some popular examples of these sports include rock climbing, mountain
climbing, white-water rafting, hang-gliding, para-sailing and kayaking.
Catch Some Zs
Perhaps one of the best parts of being on vacation is the ability to sleep as much
as you want. If you’ve been lacking sleep lately due to an overstuffed schedule,
your vacation is the perfect chance to catch up. Research has shown that adequate
sleep controls the hormones involved in appetite, preventing you from impulsively
snacking.
One study in particular, which was published in the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, allowed a group of men 12 hours of sleep one night, but they weren’t
allowed any sleep the next. After a substantial breakfast, the participants used 20
percent less calories than when they slept adequately. The participants continued
to burn upward of five percent less calories throughout the day. When you combine
this metabolic effect with diminished appetite control hormones, it’s easy to see how
weight gain could follow.
Join the Local Food Movement
If you start feeling a bit peckish while you’re out and about, don’t head for the first
fast food restaurant you see. Instead, take the time to see if there’s a local food
restaurant around. Here, you’re certain to find healthy and nutritious prepared meal
options for the whole family. Besides helping to support local agriculture, you’re also
getting more nutrients in your meal. Produce, meats and dairy that spend days or
weeks in shipping lose a lot of their nutrients over that time, so they’re not as good
for you. At local food restaurants, however, you get fresh, local, in-season foods that
create some of the best dishes available.
If you’re counting calories, it’s all the more reason to eat local. Meals are typically
prepared without drenching the food in a fatty, sugary sauce and dressing to
make it taste good. Plus, fruits and veggies are often served steamed, fresh or
otherwise gently cooked to help them reach their optimal flavor and texture while still
preserving their nutritional value.
We’re all thrilled about our family coming to Chicago in a couple of months, but of
course, my main priority is to make sure everyone is healthy. I also suggested they
stay right in downtown Chicago, not only is it close to all the sites, but many hotels
have great gyms. In many cases, healthy vacation habits involve having fun and
eating good food, so it’s never too difficult to get everybody involved. Try out some of
these tricks on your next family vacation, or come up with a few unique ones of your
own.
By Kendra