Breathe In Breathe Out - Health and Wellness Article - Winter 2009 - Los Cabos Magazine

Breathe In, Breathe Out

Health & Wellness Article
Los Cabos Magazine - Issue #19 - Winter 2009 - Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos, Mexico

Is it possible to enjoy México’s delicious cuisines and tropical drinks without boarding your flight back home ten pounds heavier than when you arrived? Before I moved to Cabo San Lucas, I was living in Los Angeles “enjoying” my fat-free flavorless meals in between my rigorous gym workouts. When we decided to move to México last year, I was excited and eager. However, I wondered how I would get along without my fitness club and my Whole Foods Markets.

Once I arrived in Cabo, the solution became obvious. I spent my first few months here floating in the pool with a frosty margarita in hand like any normal vacationer would do. After all my hard work back in Los Angeles, I deserved a little R & R! Chips and guacamole became my best friends, along with anything spicy and covered in cheese. I soaked up the sun and enjoyed every minute of my new life.

Then reality finally hit, and boy it hit me hard. I was going through my closet looking for a cute outfit to wear for yet another night out on the town. Sadly, everything seemed just a bit too snug. What was I to do? I didn’t want to give up my professional vacationer lifestyle, but I didn’t want to get rid of my favorite wardrobe pieces either. It was time for me to get moving. You may think that working out on vacation can take the fun out of your trip, not so. There are plenty of great ways to stay fit and enjoy a workout without making a lot of changes to your vacation agenda.

Instead of just floating in the pool, I started to spend more time engaging in other outdoor activities. While my boyfriend rekindled his love for surfing, I went for morning walks/jogs on the beach. I found that the beautiful scenery and lively beaches were much more entertaining than the white walls of my old gym. Who knew working out could actually be scenic? I was finally getting back in shape and having a blast doing it!

At just about every resort hotel, you’ll have numerous fun-filled activities offered, activities that can burn hundreds of calories. Start by taking a refreshing jump into the pool. Swimming provides a low impact workout that is easy on the knees and ankles. It builds endurance, muscle strength and cardio-vascular fitness. A one hundred fifty pound person can burn up to 900 calories in a one-hour water workout. Water aerobics, pool running and regular swimming are great for the heart and lungs. Board certified physician, Dr. James McAlister of Los Cabos, says that “You can obtain an effective cardio workout by maintaining your target heart rate for at least 20-30 minutes. Cardio workouts lower stress levels and reduce risk of heart disease. Most importantly, cardio exercise increases energy levels and promotes confidence in the way you look and feel.”

Snorkeling, diving, kayaking and even wave-running are all fun and physical. Arms, legs and torsos are given a workout even if you are doing it wrong! Actually, you better know what you are doing if you’re diving and there are plenty of professionals in the area to assist you in learning. Surfing is another water activity that provides a full body workout. Paddling out through the waves requires intense upper body and core strength. In San José del Cabo, surf spots such as Zippers and Old Man’s Beach are known for great waves and warm waters. Former World Champion surfer, Mike Doyle, owns a surfing school in San José for anyone looking to rent a surfboard or sign up for lessons. (624-172-6188; www.cabosurfshop.com)

The sea is not the only place where you can get in a good workout. For a heart thumping upper-body workout, race around the track at the Cabo Karting Center (624-144-7073 www.cabokartingcenter.com), or through the desert in a purpose built racecar from Wide Open Baja (624-143-4170 www.wideopenbaja.com). Rock climbing, nature walks, and invigorating mountain bike excursions through the scenic valleys and mountains of Cabo are also good cardio exercise choices. Author Steve Jones says, “Biking uphill not only provides an intense lower body work out, but it also requires upper body strength engaging your lower back, shoulders, arms and neck. Cabo’s diverse terrain leads to variations in speed and incline. This forces the body to utilize different muscles, burning major calories.” Horseback riding, golf and sport fishing all take physical endurance and are easily accessible. Check with Baja Xplorer Expeditions (624-142-3572 www.bajaxplorer.com) and Tio Sports (624-143- 3399 info@tiosports.com). Both offer a variety of both land and water activities. Baja Wild (624-172-6300 www.bajawild.com) can guide you on a hike through the foothills of the beautiful Sierra de la Laguna Mountains, where three of the Baja Tribes (Pericus, Guaycuras and the Cochimies) once inhabited. Hike the desert and foothills and wind up with a soothing dip in an amazing natural pool nestled next to gorgeous waterfalls.

Yoga is a unique low impact exercise that connects the mind, body and spirit through poses, breathing and meditation. This workout builds long lean muscles, improves posture, balance and control. Yoga is said to be a wonderful way to detoxify the body and improve blood circulation to the brain, which helps memory. It also promotes hand-eye coordination, dexterity and endurance. Other health benefits include decreased blood pressure, a balanced metabolism rate, stronger immune system and cardiovascular endurance. Yoga is a spiritual practice which can lead to a happy and stress-free lifestyle. Many activity or concierge desks can help you find a yoga class or personal trainer in Los Cabos.

My absolute favorite Cabo workout is dancing the night away! Hit up one of the many hot spots such as The Passion Lounge and Night Club or Zoo Bar & Dance to shake off that unbelievably scrumptious dessert. Of course, there’s also non-stop dancing entertainment at Cabo Wabo, The Giggling Marlin, and El Squid Roe! Dancing elevates the heart rate and increases stamina. It improves flexibility, endurance and leg strength. Different dancing styles target different areas of the body. Improve posture, strengthen and tone legs with ballroom dancing; release toxins through a steamy salsa dance; or work out your upper body while swing dancing with your partner. Best of all, you can burn around five hundred calories per hour during your fabulous night out on the town!

There are great, fun and wonderful memories to be made in Los Cabos with your new indoor/outdoor automatic vacation workout. So, go ahead and enjoy those frosty margaritas accompanied by delicious chips and guacamole, guilt-free. Take advantage of all Cabo’s entertaining physical activities and you may even board your flight home ten pounds lighter than when you arrived.

By Lauren Glenn

Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico - Last Revision - January 27, 2009 - fap