How I tricked my boyfriend into a healthy holiday....

You don't have to book a health retreat to come back feeling detoxed and refreshed!

The boyfie and I booked our first holiday together to Bali. But we had a dilemma- I wanted yoga and green juices and zen- he wanted sleep ins and cocktails by the pool. Luckily he does enjoy keeping active too so we managed to find a balance. It's actually very easy to keep fit on holidays without too much effort, there are so many ways to explore a new environment and keep active. You have more time when you aren’t working, so you can squeeze in a run or strength session at anytime of the day when it suits you.

My Easter break with the family in country Victoria was so relaxing. I indulged way too much but made sure to go for lots of walks in the countryside with my family and the dogs. It was a great way to catch up on gossip and walk off delicious hot cross buns! Walking is a great way to connect with people, you aren't distracted by television or emails or food. It allows time to communicate openly with someone and benefit your body as well.

I also loved going for runs along the river, sometimes stopping halfway to do some body weight workouts and stretch as well. A typical session would be

 6k run

15 Burpees

15 tricep dips

15 squats

30 mountain climbers

Complete 3 sessions then finish with a basic sun salutation to stretch out.

Slow jog 1-2 ks back. 

The new terrain and workout really gave my body a boost and kept my energy levels up.

After my country break I was whisked away to gorgeous warm weather and luxurious villas in Bali. We spent time in Seminyak, Ubud, Uluwatu and Nusa Dua. 

It wasn’t all lazy sunsets, massages and poolside cocktails, although we did enjoy those! We got out and about to explore markets, the Monkey Forrest, Bird Sanctuary, traditional Balinese dancing and temples. There was so much to see! 

I was in love with the delicious (huge) coconuts they were serving everywhere, much more refreshing than sugary cocktails or soft drink. Salads, fruits and vegetable dishes which are plentiful in Bali so we kept our diet simple and fresh.

Of course I was thrilled with being in the cultural and yoga capital of Indonesia, I found so many authentic yoga studios. CJ would enjoy his sleep in and I'd happily head out each morning to find a studio. Each studio I discovered left me with a new dimension and understanding of my practice. I even got the man to a class eventually! For anyone who loves yoga you have to put these studios in Bali on your Travel Dream List-

Prana Spa

Yoga Barn

The Yoga House
Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio

Another beautiful experience was the trek up a volcano to watch the sunrise. This one took more convincing and the promise that we could recuperate at the villa for the rest of the day and have massages. It was a worthwhile compromise. We left at 2am and used flashlights to hike 2 hours up to the peak. It was tricky at times and hard on the legs but worth every step.  We rested with a hot cup of tea and boiled egg for breakfast as the sun rose. A truly magical experience and CJ finally admitted that it was the highlight of the trip for him too (once he was actually talking to me again- about halfway back down the mountain).

 

Our holiday was the perfect balance of active pursuits and delicious indulgence.  Keeping this balance meant we came back feeling rested and relaxed instead of sluggish and guilty. 

Think about ways you can find this balance on your next trip. Holidays don’t have to be an excuse to turn into a slob, they can inspire you to experience different ways to keep fit and try new things. 

 

 I'd love to hear your healthy holiday tips- feel free to connect on twitter or Instagram to see more of my holiday snaps or let me know how you keep fit while traveling! 

T @JadeHunter_

I @jadehunter56