We all look forward to our holidays and see them as a time to relax and unwind with our families, but it is also the ideal time to stay fit. Many holiday makers spend months getting fit for their holiday as they want to look their best only to let all their hard work slip as soon as the plane lands. Then you have those including myself who like to stay fit all year round and see going on holiday as a way of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and relaxing at the same time. My advice would be to make exercise fun whilst you’re on holiday and be realistic about how much exercise you want to do whilst you’re away and overall don’t be too hard on yourself.

Exercise doesn’t have to be about spending hours in the gym, you can enjoy the outdoors and make it fun, there are plenty of great activities that come with some beautiful scenic views.

Walking is a fantastic way to keep active on holiday and is a perfect way to take in your new surroundings. Walking not only helps to tone your legs, ankles and calves it also helps to strengthen the muscles in your feet, the swinging action of your arms will help to reduce tension around your shoulders helping you to relax further. There’s an abundance of places to walk in Menorca where rolling hills and wooded valleys lead to stunning coastlines and beautiful beaches. You will be able to explore on foot the pretty fishing villages and bustling markets towns that are rich in culture and history. Cami de Cavalls is a 116 mile ancient path that encircles the whole of Menorca, the trail has been divided into 20 manageable sections that range in length and is very easy to follow without a guide as the entire route is well signposted. Many holiday makers choose to walk a few of the sections; the route also passes through the city of Mao and the former capital of Ciutadella. What can be better than spending your time looking out over spectacular rugged cliffs, seeing flower filled gorges and taking in breath taking views?

Swimming is a great way to exercise the whole body and the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean are perfect. Swimming is known to work all the muscles in the body it really doesn’t matter if you’re doing front crawl or breast stroke, you can do it at your own leisurely pace and still keep fit. As swimming is a low impact sport you can do it anytime of the day, even in the heat of the mid-day sun. The Algarve has plenty of safe swimming areas but I would advise you not to swim alone, swim only if the sea is calm and always swim near the coastline. If you don’t fancy swimming in the sea then head to the hotels pool, I have often woke up early on a morning to go for a swim before my husband has even stirred. Even during the day you can still do a few lengths before relaxing back on your sun lounger. I find that as the pools are more accessible I’m more inclined to use them in my fitness routine.

Running is another way to keep fit on holiday, no matter where you go on holiday you will always see people out running especially early on the morning before it gets too hot. The Costa Del Sol is an excellent place to run, not only does running help to release endorphins known as the happy hormones it’s also one of the best ways to burn fat and look great.  Benalmadena has over 20km of coastline, so pop on your running shoes and go explore. A fantastic promenade runs from Benalmadena to Torremolinos and stretches for miles you can literally keep running to the airport. If you don’t fancy running along the prom you can hit the 6km of beach paths and paseos of Fuengirola, running on the beach improves leg strength and balance and is a great way to mix up your running routine, I can’t think of a better way to start the day than with an early morning run whilst the sun rises. I will be one of these early morning runners you see, the first things I pack in my suitcase are my running shoes and shorts. Why not give running barefoot on the beach a try, even if it’s only for 10 minutes, you can’t beat the feeling of the sand between your toes.  My advice would be to take a drink with you and keep well hydrated.

When I go on holiday I like to exercise first thing on a morning as I find leaving it till later in the day increases the chance of me finding an excuse not to do it. I always buy myself a new piece of kit as it’s a great way to keep me motivated but always remember to make your exercise fun and don’t beat yourself up if you skip a workout, tomorrow is another day.