Sand is your friend. It is soft enough to keep your joints safe, but is harder to walk on, so you will burn calories more easily. Take off your shoes – there is no better way to feel grounded than to have your feet in the sand. It will slough off dead skin, engage all the muscles in your feet and feel glorious. Walk briskly (until you have to catch your breath a little to continue a conversation) along the sand for 20 minutes each day. It will improve your circulation, help with digestion and get you your daily dose of Vitamin D. Break into a jog if the mood takes you – try alternating two minutes walking, two minutes jogging – you’ll improve your fitness rapidly!
If you are quite fit, or looking for a challenge, head to the closest sand dune. Walk briskly, or run to the top, then repeat as many times as you are able. To target your butt or hamstrings even more, climb the dunes backwards a couple of times.
For serious fitness buffs, bear crawl up the dunes (on all fours – keep your hips high and bring your feet up outside the line of your hands) – it’s not glamorous, but it is effective! Please make sure you don’t disturb plants growing in the dunes and observe local signs – if dunes have been damaged by bad weather, you may need to select another spot.
In the water – swim, obviously. Swimming is a wonderful all-around exercise, and the motion of the ocean provides extra resistance. Keep an eye on the surf conditions. Swim between the flags and look out for rips.
To cool off and have a chat, take a friend into the water and get deep enough to have to tread water – you'll catch up and burn through some calories.
You could also incorporate some water walking or running. Get into waist deep water and go as fast as you can. You can alternate this with walking along the beach). The water provides lots of resistance, which will help with toning and shaping. If you are recovering from injury or surgery, the water will minimise any jarring, making it far more comfortable to exercise.
Find a bench for specific exercises. Park benches or low walls are ideal to do pushups or tricep dips on. Sit on the bench and raise your knees to your chest and then lower your feet to the ground for abdominal work.
A change is as good as a rest when it comes to exercise. A couple of weeks of beach activity may reignite your passion for being active, all while helping to keep the extra few glasses of wine or delicious nibbles that we have on holiday from settling on your hips or tummy!