Zayed Sport City is a one stop shop for fitness if you looking for ways to fill your days actively. Yalla turns to the pros for advice on staying fit whilst on extended break.
The spring holidays are a chance to relax, enjoy, and indulge a bit, but this one might be an exception as it’s on the long side. Without having to keep to strict diets or workout regimes, here are a few tips for how you can minimize damage to your waistline, keep your cardio intact, and return to your normal schedule in a month’s time. Yalla chatted with two experts in the wellness industry, both based at Zayed Sports City, to get the scoop on simple, unobtrusive ways to keep your waistline and tummy in check while on extended break.
Indulge Part-Time
Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Mim Kleiberg, of THE ROOM Abu Dhabi, suggests that you let loose… just not for the entire time. “Choose one meal a day to indulge and keep the rest healthy, light, and simple,” she says. Psychologically, you get a break from your regular eating plan while physically, you can return from your holiday the same size as you left.
Pro Tip: Stopping by the grocery store not only means you can get fresh veggies to snack on, but you get a sense of the local food products as well.
Stay Hydrated
Keeping your fluid intake high is important in this desert climate. Not only will you avoid fatigue and headaches, but drinking plenty of water helps to curb hunger, making you less likely to overeat.
Pro Tip: “Avoid taking on extra calories in drinks with added sugar,” Kleiberg notes. Instead, she suggests sticking with still or sparkling water, adding a wedge of fruit for extra flavour.
Don’t Take Shortcuts
Fitness doesn’t have to happen in a traditional gym setting, notes Michael Haddin, owner of Haddins Fitness. “Thinking outside the gym, you can take a few extra rounds of a hill or steps, or choose an active outing like kayaking,” he notes. Try to take the stairs at your hotel and if your attractions are close to each other, walk instead of taking a car.
Family TIP: Be on the lookout for parks and playgrounds. These are great places for the whole family to move around.
Take advantage of the water
Sand, water and currents make the beach and pool a great spot to sneak in exercise while fully enjoying the vacation. Walking on the beach engages more muscles than a stable surface and treading or swimming in the pool is an easy way to get your heart rate up.
Family Tip: Haddin likes swimming out with his kids and having them chase him back to shore.
Attend a Group Fitness Class
While this is definitely a more overt attempt to exercise, it can serve improve your holiday beyond the fitness. Group fitness classes tend to be social, so you can mix with locals and learn about the community. These folks have insider information about hidden gems for food, sightseeing or entertainment.
PRO TIP: Look for limited trials. Group fitness focused studios like THE ROOM Abu Dhabi and F45 offer a week of free sessions, while Haddins has an affordable 7-day pass that lets you use their functional gym floor.
Zayed Sport City, zsc.ae
