Dumbbell or Daiquiri? How to Balance Working Out on Vacation

Years ago, whenever I was headed on vacation, I had one big question rolling around in the back of my mind:

“Does the hotel have a gym?”

If I wasn't in the middle of some obsessive 6-week challenge or restrictive diet, I didn’t even think to check. But if I was deep into one of those “fix your body fast” plans? You better believe I made sure that gym was open and that everyone in my travel party was miserable while I figured out how to stick to the plan.

I'd stress over when I was going to work out. I'd panic over every meal. I'd try to be “fun,” but truthfully? I wasn’t fully present. I was too busy trying to stay “on track.”

These days? Different story.

Working Out on Vacation: Rulebook or Relaxation?

Let me let you in on a secret: working out on vacation isn’t mandatory. It’s an option. A tool, not a rule.

Now that I’ve built a sustainable lifestyle, my mindset around travel and fitness has completely shifted. Some trips, I don’t even look at a dumbbell. I just walk, hike, swim, explore...move because it feels good, not because I feel guilty. Other times, I’ll hit the hotel gym once or twice because it genuinely adds to my energy.

The difference now? I no longer feel like skipping a workout means I’m lazy or "falling off." And that mental shift is what truly changed the game.

Flashback: When Vacation Me Was a Buzzkill

Let’s rewind to the version of me who thought working out on vacation was the ultimate test of willpower.

She packed resistance bands and protein powder like she was prepping for a fitness survival show. She mapped out workouts before even picking excursions. And she was constantly doing math in her head: “If I skip the gym today, I’ll need to go twice tomorrow. But what if I eat dessert? Should I squeeze in cardio after dinner?”

Exhausting.

I thought I was being “committed.” In reality, I was missing the joy of the moment, something no workout plan is worth.

Dumbbell or Daiquiri? Yes.

Here’s how I think about working out on vacation now:

Sometimes I move my body with intention. Sometimes I move it toward the swim-up bar. Both are valid choices.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about knowing what you need.

That might look like:

• Walking the city instead of catching an Uber

• Playing with your grandkids at the beach

• Stretching on the patio with your morning coffee

• Or, yes, squeezing in a strength session before brunch

  
  
  
  
  
  

Movement is movement. It all counts. And if it supports your energy and mindset, it’s working.

Before You Pack the Sneakers, Ask Yourself These 3 Questions

1. How often do I travel?

If you take one big vacation a year? Skip the gym. Enjoy the piña colada. You won’t lose progress in a week.

But if you travel regularly, whether for work, family, or fun, then having a flexible plan for working out on vacation can help you stay in rhythm without feeling like you're starting over every time.

2. What does movement mean to me right now?

Are you craving structure because your routine’s been off? Or are you in a season where your body’s asking for rest?

Listen to the signals. Honor where you’re at. You don’t get extra credit for grinding when your soul just needs a nap.

3. Will a workout add to or take away from my trip?

If it helps you feel energized and present...amazing. If it means skipping breakfast with your partner just to get a treadmill run in? That might be a signal to loosen the grip.

Not a Workout... But Still Moving

Let’s retire the idea that only structured workouts “count. ”Here are just a few sneaky ways to stay active without stepping foot in a gym:

• Take a walking tour or bike through town

• Hike to the best view instead of driving

• Dance at the wedding, the party, the backyard BBQ

• Do a 10-minute mobility flow while your coffee brews

• Swim, stretch, play, chase your grandkids, they keep you moving whether you like it or not 😉

What You Do After Vacation Is What Matters Most

Here’s the truth: it’s not the one-week break that derails you, it’s the three weeks you spend trying to get back into routine.

The real key isn’t whether you crushed five workouts on vacation. It’s whether you come home and pick up where you left off, without guilt or punishment.

Pro Tip:

• Order your groceries ahead of time for delivery the day you return.

• Block 30 minutes on your calendar for your first workout back.

• Lay out your sneakers so you can’t “forget” about them.

  
  

Make the comeback as seamless as possible, and you’ll keep the momentum rolling.

Need a Travel Workout Plan That Actually Works?

If you want to move on vacation but don’t know what to do (or don’t want to spend hours figuring it out), I’ve got you covered.

Download the FREE Carry-On Strength Guide ^⬅️ It’s packed with dumbbell and band workouts that take less than 30 minutes and can be done from your hotel room, the patio, or wherever you land.

No gym? No problem. Just strength, simplicity, and sweat.

Final Word? You Don’t Have to Choose.

Dumbbell or daiquiri? You don’t have to pick just one.

You can enjoy your trip and honor your body.

You can rest without falling behind.

You can sweat... or sip... or both.

Because the goal isn’t to have a “perfect” vacation...it’s to return feeling good, energized, and ready to jump back in.