By Barb Batson

Now is a good time for seniors to have a get-away on their mind.  March is the month when many seniors in high school or college are thinking about spring break to get away from the winter chill to somewhere warm.  And as an active older adult, you deserve a break too, especially if the particularly cold winter weather has kept you confined when some of your snow bird friends have flown the coop for the winter, leaving you behind. 

Unlike the spring break seniors, your idea of a good time may not be frolicking on the beach in a bikini, playing volley ball in the sand and consuming more than your share of adult beverages.  But it is not the time to just go somewhere warm to sit and snooze away the days.  Staying active even when you escape your home town routine is very important since fitness can diminish quickly when exercise is abandoned.  Keep in mind that beach walking is an excellent exercise because walking in soft sand is twice as challenging as on a flat surface.  Start gradually and wear comfortable walking shoes if you plan to build up to a long walk. 

If you are a member of the YMCA, YWCA, or JCC, check with your facility regarding reciprocal privileges at your travel stops or destination.  Similarly, if you belong to any nation or world-wide fitness organization, checking before leaving home regarding traveling benefits may help you easily find your fitness home away from home. 

Here are some ways you can be certain to include exercise in your vacation even if you are not near your hometown gym or its vacation site branch.   

Hotel/Timeshare – most of these accommodations include a fitness center.  To be certain what equipment is available ask for details when making reservations.  If there is a pool, plan to take appropriate water wear and include some aqua aerobics or water walking at least twice (three times is better) weekly.  If there is no fitness center available at your accommodation site, take a resist-a-band to continue your exercise.  They are portable and your hometown fitness instructor can give you some movement activity coaching to go.  Moderate paced bike riding at your vacation destination is a good way to see the sights up close and personal and great exercise too. 

Visiting Grandchildren – This, for some of us, is naturally another way to say exercise.  Take comfortable clothes and shoes, so you can get up and down from the floor with ease if your twinges in the hinges will allow.  Be prepared body, mind and spirit to take the newest baby for a walk with the stroller.  No matter how hard you try to take it easy, you may overdo.  Be sure to get plenty of rest while you travel by taking naps when the children do and save some quality time for story reading or telling about when you or their parent was their age. 

Exploritas – that’s the new name for Elder Hostel (www.elderhostel.com).   If you are interested in a travel experience geared to lifelong learners who want to broaden their educational horizons while traveling, then consider Exploritas.  Trips are rated in seven activity level increments.  The minimum, being capable of handling your personal luggage and ambulatory without help from sleeping quarters to class rooms and dining to the maximum - high physical fitness and proficiency in the programs selected with the expectation of full days of fast-paced, strenuous physical challenges.  One dash for a flight with luggage in hand tells the tale about which category may be your best fit.   Exploritas urges honest personal fitness level evaluation to assure good vacation experience for you and those in your group.   

Themed vacations are all the rage – here are two of many options:
Spring training - for those who like baseball, making the rounds of the spring training sites in Florida can be a great trip.   You may want to take your bat, ball, and glove or find a batting cage to hit a few between viewing practice games.  Parking a distance from the bleachers will help get in some good walking. 

There are also themed vacations featuring exercise and travel which was recently enjoyed by residents of Nashville’s Belmont Village, Dale and Joan Harnishfeger as they joined an older adult fitness group cruise to the Caribbean arranged by Fun & Fitness Travel Club.  Their host was a certified exercise instructor and one of the highlights of their trip was exercising in the water. “This is our second trip with this group and we hope to do it again, perhaps to Alaska, if the schedule works out right. The chair exercise classes were great for both of us.  And the price can’t be beat.”   said Dale.      

Whether you add new exercise experiences to your travel get-away, or make plans to bring your hometown exercise routine with you, exercise is important every day, whether at home or traveling.  Get out there – and exercise along the way.  
_____________________
Barb Batson, certified exercise specialist, leads active adult aquatic exercise classes at Nashville wellness facilities.   She also focuses on aqua and land based exercise for special populations-arthritis, MS, PD, and stroke recovery, now also offering aquatic personal training by appointment.  Barb plans to host summer Alaska cruise and seeks input regarding winter ’11 destination preferences. Public speaking engagements being scheduled now for spring/summer - for more information contact Barb at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 800-500-8905.