How To Stay Fit While Traveling In Florida

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Staying fit sounds easy when you’re traveling, especially if you’re planning to see sights and do activities. There’ll be walking, swimming, and maybe even hiking, depending on what you’re crossing off your Florida bucket list! But the cold, hard truth is that most of us let fitness fall to the wayside when we’re on vacation.

Any gyms you may have subscribed to are far away back home, and the constant temptation of great local food beckons. So how do you stay fit while you’re traveling in Florida? Read on to get easy tips and tricks that’ll keep you healthy and on track to your fitness goals!

Book Accommodations With Fitness Facilities

This is the clearest and simplest option to help you stay fit and incorporate workouts into your day. If you book a hotel or resort room that offers gym access, it’ll be easy to roll out of bed and do a quick workout.

Also consider visiting one of Florida’s LGBTQ-friendly gyms.

Plan your workout before doing touristy activities so you have enough energy and endorphins throughout the day. You might be too tired to lift weights or cycle after several hours in the Florida heat!

Plan a Wellness Retreat in Florida

Why not plan your vacation around healthy living? Florida is filled with a variety of health and wellness retreats, from yoga on the beach to Ayurvedic experiences.

There are options for every budget, too. Luxury resorts offer daily classes after which you can pamper yourself at the spa. If luxury isn’t your thing, but healthy eating and opportunities for yoga and meditation are, then the Ayurvedic Health Retreat in Alachua is perfect.

Work Active Movements Into Your Travel Plans

Go for a stroll in the sand if you’re near one of Florida’s many beautiful beaches. Florida even has beaches you can enjoy with your dog. You can also check out any nearby parks for a short walk and to enjoy good weather.

Take it a step further and add fun water sports to your trip like windsurfing or kayaking. Central Florida is filled with lakes for fishing and water sports. These activities will help you exert more physical effort while still getting to see more of Florida’s natural beauty and coolest attractions!

In the cooler months, skip the water and go for a long solo bike ride along the Pinellas Trail or sign up for Smart Ride, which rides from Miami or Key West and raises funds for Florida area LGBTQ nonprofits. Golfing if a favorite Florida past time, too!

Walk Everywhere

If you’re not staying on a floor that’s too high up, challenge yourself to use the stairs instead of the elevator. This is a nice bit of cardio that’s easy to work into a busy day of sightseeing in Florida.

You can also ask your hotel concierge or vacation rental owner if they have a map of nearby must-sees. You can then nix taking a cab and get to these spots on foot instead. What better way to learn more about Florida than by seeing it all on the ground?

Pack For Fitness

Don’t make excuses for yourself by packing clothes that aren’t good for working up a sweat. Pack light-colored, sweat-wicking clothes that you can easily slip on for a fast workout, even in your hotel room.

If your accommodations don’t have a gym, you can also pack light exercise equipment like a jump rope or an exercise band. These items will barely take up any space in your luggage, and they’ll ensure that you can get some serious cardio in before or after a day out in Florida!

Stay Hydrated

The hot and humid weather in Florida can be really dehydrating, so drinking enough water is a must! Rehydrate by drinking at least eight glasses of water a day – more if you’re active or the weather is extra hot. Avoid alcohol, coffee, and tea if you can. These are diuretics, which means they can make your body lose even more water.

Worried about having to run to the restroom more often from all that water? Just think about those short trips as more exercise opportunities!

Eat Healthy Snacks

It can be tempting to succumb to gas station chocolate or a treat from a fast food establishment when traveling. While there’s no harm in the occasional treat, you may find yourself eating bigger portions of more indulgent food almost every day. This can really add up over a few days of traveling, especially if you don’t have a lot of active movement!

Curb your snack cravings on the road or the beach by packing healthy snacks that will satisfy you. Dried or fresh fruit, nuts, granola, and protein bars are all things you can easily pack into your pocket or bag and tuck into when you get hungry.

Indulge In Moderation

Florida is home to many incredible restaurants, but quite a few of them are favorites because they use a lot of fresh, healthy ingredients. They also have many vegetarian and vegan-friendly spots that have delicious, light menus for those watching their calories.

While traveling in Florida, alternate your treat meals and your lighter meals. For example, if you’re planning to go all-out at a pizzeria for dinner, have a salad and smoothie bowl for lunch so you don’t feel bloated before you sleep. Eating healthier doesn’t mean depriving yourself, just that you have to cut back, balance it out, and eat more fresh stuff!

Maintain Some Level Of Fitness

Be realistic about the fact that you’re on vacation and there won’t always be opportunities for you to do your regular home workout. Aim instead for maintaining at least half your usual fitness level, and work as much activity in as you can without sacrificing your fun. After all, you’re traveling and trying to savor the moment, so don’t stress yourself out too much – a little bit of fitness is better than none at all.

Reward Yourself With a Massage

Nobody wants sore, tight muscles on vacation. So relax and unwind with a pampering experience. Luxury resorts are always a go to for spa experiences but don’t forget your local LGBTQ massage therapists. Most gay resorts around the state offer massage services. And there are several small massage studios that tailor their services to achy bodies. We highly suggest St Pete Massage Therapy and Clearwater Sports Massage.

Conclusion

These simple tips will help you stay fit during your vacation with very little time and effort. And don’t forget to browse the articles on our site if you’re planning a weekend away in Florida. We keep OutCoast regularly updated on the must-sees in popular spots, so you’ll always know where to book and what to add to your itinerary!

**Disclaimer: There is a good chance that this post contains affiliate or sponsor links. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you (for which we are extremely grateful).

Also, while we do our best to highlight LGBTQ-friendly destinations and businesses, info provided is based solely on personal experience and recommendations by community partners. We hope that nobody experiences discrimination or homophobia while visiting Florida, but we make no guarantees. Please inform us if you experience discrimination or homophobia while visiting any destination so we can make updates to our recommendations.

Rachel Covello

Rachel Covello is an award-winning speaker, writer, diversity consultant, and LGBT advocate. She was the Founder of LGBT Equality Alliance, a Chester County, PA nonprofit organization. She is currently the Publisher of OutCoast.com and Producer of the OutCoast TV YouTube Channel, both of which highlight LGBTQ welcoming destinations in Florida.

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