Fitness Travel

Healthy vacations that allow you to get away and get fit

Do you always feel fifteen pounds heavier after coming back from vacation? All that eating out and indulging can pack on a few pounds. Whether you are worried about packing on the pounds while traveling, already have a few to lose or just simply love exercising and would like to tone up; consider trying a fitness vacation. It is one of the hottest new trends in travel, not only do you get to get away, which in itself feels good, but you also get to lose weight and get fitter. There are plenty of fitness friendly travel options, but here are just a few of the many fitness vacations out there.

Bikini Boot Camp - Amansala Tulum Mexico

Bikini Boot Camp: Mind, Body and Spirit, was created as a place for women and men to get into great shape, relax - and feel good about their selves while doing it. This six-night program is limited to 25 men and women and is held at the chic resort Amansala, located on a secluded beach setting in Tulum, Mexico.

A day, while on this fitness vacation, starts with a powerwalk through the beautiful beaches or jungles and is followed by a combination of body sculpting, power ab sessions and Pilates. The day winds down with yoga and meditation. In between these activities, there are excursions to the nearby jungle for swimming and snorkeling in fresh water swimming holes, Mayan Clay Treatments, lots of water and plenty of sunshine.

The Bikini Boot Camp also gives its guests delicious, low fat meals free of chemicals. The meals consist of fresh caught grilled fish, jicima salads and mangos, which will leave you feeling lighter and healthier.

With exercise and toning, delicious low-fat food, exciting excursions and a beautiful and relaxing setting - you'll come back fitter and more relaxed.

The six-night programs are held year round, and three- and four-night programs are available upon request. Prices for six nights start at $1,842, not including airfare.

Fatpacking - Nationwide

Fatpacking is definitely not as resort-like and fancy as Bikini Boot Camp or other healthy spa fitness vacations, but just simple, back to basics exercise. Basically, fatpacking is weight loss backpacking. Fatpacking leaders take clients on one and two week wilderness hiking vacations with two objectives: getting fit and giving guests an unforgettable wilderness experience.

Fatpacking gives its hikers a supportive environment for slower or older hikers to feel comfortable and unrushed, so they can enjoy the beautiful scenery around them while getting fit. Unlike other programs, fatpacking allows you to eat whatever you'd like, but you got to carry it all on your back. The walks are intense and long, but at a slower pace. The end goal is for backpackers to lose weight, feel great, rid themselves of stress and enjoy the beautiful remote places within which they hike. Upcoming hikes include the Adirondacks in New York, Redwood National Park in California, the Great Smoky Mountains through North Carolina and Tennessee and the Appalachian Trail Fall Foliage Trip through western Connecticut and Massachusetts. Costs vary from $725 to $1,100.

Hilton Head Health Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Hilton Head Health is more than a quick weight-loss fitness vacation, their programs focus on creating for its guests a new healthy lifestyle. The program focuses on not only weight loss, but also diabetes prevention or management, cardiovascular health or other chronic disease management.

There are four elements to their health fitness programs: education, nutrition, fitness and regaining control. Each guest gets a personalized program to fit their needs and lifestyle. A typical stay begins with a brief meeting with a Lifestyle Coach to determine the best options and goals for the duration of the spa stay. Mornings begin with a beach walk before breakfast and all meals are gourmet and healthful. The rest of day is filled with demonstrations, fitness classes, educational lectures and more, all focused on what you and your Lifestyle Counselor think is best.

Costs are $3,550 for one-week and $5,620 for a two-week stay. This includes accommodations, balanced and nutritious meals, lectures, demonstrations, classes, individual lifestyle assessments, including blood screening and nutrition, and free use of all fitness and recreation facilities. Hilton Head Health is more than a fitness vacation, but a lifestyle change.

From a relaxing resort to wilderness hiking and island healthy lifestyle changes, there are tons of fitness travel options out there to fit anyone's lifestyle and fitness needs. Why not get fit and travel at the same time?

Jillian Scheeler makes it easy to provide ways to enjoy healthy vacations and remain fit. To recieve free 4 part mini course visit the Healthy Vacations Website.