Should You Really Take a Break on Spring Break???

As you know spring break is next week  and for many, that means more vacations, bad eating, and less boot camp : (   When spring break rolls around I often get questions from clients about what type of exercise they should do while they are away.

Well, there are two different answers to that questions and it depends on two separate variables:

1.    How long you have been in boot camp?
2.    When is the last time you gave yourself a “break” from exercise?

So, depending on which category you fit into you will find your answer below.   This only applies to those who are leaving town for spring break.  If you are going to be in town then I expect to see you at boot camp!

Veteran boot campers who have not had a break in at least 6 weeks

If you fall into this category then you should use spring break to actively rest and recuperate.  Actively resting does not mean taking a week to do nothing.  Instead it means to be lightly active.  This means light jogging, light cycling, swimming (laps-not floating around a pool on a raft with a beer in hand : ), play some tennis, etc.  The goal is to get some exercise in so you burn calories and keep up your exercise momentum.

You don’t want to overdo it during this active recovery week because your body needs to rest to let the muscles rest and completely recuperate.   Believe me, after 6 weeks of boot camp your body appreciates it.   Just be sure to get some exercise in.  When people take a week off to do NOTHING, they find it hard to get back into the swing of things when they return.

Also, be sure to eat as well as possible.  I don’t expect you to eat like a champ on vacation but have some self-control and limit the damage.  Bring healthy snacks to munch on during the day.

If you do all of the above you will come back to boot camp refreshed, recharged, and ready to roll!

Beginner boot campers OR veteran boot campers who HAVE had a break (more than 4 days) in the last 6 weeks

For this group, the news is not so good : )  If you just began boot camp the LAST thing you want to do is take a week off.  You have built up some momentum now and taking a week off will crush it.  Think of exercise momentum like a freight train.  A freight train that is stopped is very hard to get moving but a freight train in motion is very hard to stop.  Right now you are a moving freight train.  Do not bring it to a halt.

And, since you just began boot camp your body does not need the break either (the same goes for veteran boot campers who have recently had a break).  Take this spring break to get some R&R but be absolutely sure to squeeze in some workouts.  They only take 30-45 minutes and you will feel so much better if you do.  This group also needs to watch the eating.  Enjoy some good food while you are away but be careful and smart!

***If you need a “Spring Break Beach Workout” just let me know and I will email one over to you!***

And that’s it!  Now you know what to do on your spring break vacation.  Have a great trip and I will see you when you get back!!

Your Fitness Coach,

Jason