SILVA: Fitness doesn't go on vacation

My wife and I recently went on a short trip to Las Vegas to celebrate our anniversary.

Before the trip, my 9-year-old daughter was asking me what our hotel would be like. I described the lobby, the room, the spa and mentioned that I was excited because it had a really nice gym.

"But dad, you're not supposed to work out, you're on vacation," she said.

For a lot of people, exercising during vacation may seem strange. But to me, my fitness journey doesn't end when I take a break from the grind of everyday life.

Here are some basic ways I approach fitness — exercising, eating and resting — during vacations:

• Hit the gym. I actually enjoy spending an hour or two in a hotel gym every day or so during vacation. They usually have nice equipment, are fully stocked with supplies and have things that my local gym might not have (refrigerated towels, anyone?).

The gym at our Las Vegas hotel had great amenities and blasted good music.

When I was in Hawaii last summer, I ran on a treadmill that featured a great view of the Pacific Ocean. Doesn't get much better than that.

• Survive restaurants. Eating out is always a challenge, and it's especially difficult when you're in an unfamiliar locale.

Because restaurant portion sizes are so large, my wife and I usually split our meals. We also try to do a little research before we choose a spot, going online to check out their healthy menu options.

Also, it's critical to watch out for liquid calories, either in sugary drinks or alcoholic beverages. While I enjoy a cocktail or two, I usually stick to water or iced tea with my meals to keep the calories in check.

• Keep the right mind-set. While I enjoy exercising and want to maintain my fitness even while on vacation, I also understand that it's usually not the time to make major improvements in my fitness level. It's more for staying in good shape and feeling well.

Save the hard workouts for when you're at home and being sore won't ruin your relaxation time.

Yes, you should be able to enjoy your time away. But I enjoy life more when I'm exercising, eating right and feeling well. That's true even on vacation.

Readers have provided some excellent ideas for my "workout of the month" … look for the first report in a few weeks.

Reach Jim Silva at jsilva@modbee.com. On Twitter: @mission26point2