You will probably have more chance to gain weight by staying in the US. Here in Europe the portions that you get in the restaurants are more modest than in your country.And for the wine... it is not so expensive as in the States. Enjoy!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with walking or trying to be active throughout the day - in fact, it's a great idea. However, Elvira's comments that being more active during a regular day is more beneficial and more "real" than a rigorous 120 minute workout are simply absurd.

Jon----"stupid idea"!!!!!!<BR><BR>QTR-----"absurd"!!!!!!!!<BR><BR>What loaded words for a very simple topic. I'm surpised you didn't inlcude "mean spirited".<BR><BR>Hmmmm

To Hmmm(???) - <BR><BR>I don't think QTR's response was over the top, especially in light of the way people on this board come closing to having a stroke over what other U.S. tourists wear overseas, and other issues that are important to our national security.<BR><BR>I also have to agree with Runner - this board is not especially "athlete friendly". I too have seen people ask sincere questions about where to run, and the most common response is "don't bother, just walk everywhere." I realize that walking is good exercise, especially for those who get so little here in the States - it's a big change for them on vacation. But that really doesn't help the people who are into running and simply asking for help.

stated as "I am looking for ideas OTHER than the obvious ie running." Ergo Brandon was NOT seeking help for a running routine. He was asking for "an exercise routing that you have <BR>used in your travels<BR>to help stay in shape<BR>and work of some of the wine you have consumed.<BR><BR>Again, nothing about 'serious athlete' in there. So the question as asked, was answered, as helpfully as possible. <BR><BR>

to "thequestionwas" - <BR><BR>Wake up - someone segued into a more general issue several posts back.

Call me naive but I cannot understand that if someone is going on holiday for 2 weeks why the hell are they so worried about weight gain? Going on holiday is about forgetting your every-day lives back home. Even if you did gain a couple of pounds in weight you have 50 weeks to work it off. If my maths serves me correctly you would need too lose 0.62 of a ounce weight over 50 weeks. Relax and enjoy your holiday, forget about the weight gain! Drink like Helen B Merry!!!!!

I don't get the question. If you're so worried about staying in shape in Europe, don't you have some routine you follow at home when it's, like, snowing or hurricaning, that you follow if - OMIGOD!- you can't follow whatever your regular routine is? Are you just showing off here or what?<BR><BR>Hell, do some situps and pushups in your hotel room. Jog a few miles in the morning around wherever you are. Bring weights and lift them in the hotel if you want to. Bring an exercise video and play it. Do Tai Chi in the local garden. Who cares? Do whatever it takes. If you think walking around Europe won't do it, supplement it with whatever you think will do the trick. Why ask here except to let us know what a jock you are?

Elvira - <BR><BR>Eliva is a smoker. Is anyone surprised that she would scoff at working out and consider walking back and forth to one's desk to be more "real" exercise than something that's actually athletic?<BR><BR>

I spent some time in Spain recently, and had to give up my morning run while I was there. I tried twice to go for runs in the mornings, but both times various men started running alongside me. No, they weren't initially out for a run. They were dressed in normal street clothes, but decided that a woman out for a run on her own was a nice target. A bit nerve-racking even though nothing happened, so I stopped running until I got to Ireland, and could take some runs on the beach.

And if you don't want to run, hiking is the best thing for you. Make for the nearest mountain as often as you can.<BR><BR>I actually found that golf in Ireland is really good exercise, at least on the courses I played. It was like mountain climbing, up and down and up and down steep hills, with my golf bag on my back. I lost weight after 2 weeks, even though I was in the pub every night, and enjoyed more than my fair share of gravy chips and Cadbury cake bars.

Reading these posts makes me laugh remembering two joggers I saw once when I was living in Spain. They were dressed in typical European skimpy workout clothes, and one of them was actually smoking a cigarette!! <BR><BR>Anyway, I'm a runner, and I travel to Europe on business quite a bit. I have brought my running shoes/clothes every time, but never seem to get the opportunity, despite my best intentions. However, I usually come back a few pounds lighter due to all the walking and lack of quick access to a refrigerator. <BR><BR>My advice to Brandon is the same as it is to people in the US looking to lose weight - don't take the easy way out. Walk, take the stairs, park far away, eat lots of whole grains and vegetables.<BR><BR>Good luck - you can always drop a couple of pounds when you get back!

The only thing I dislike about travelling is that I have to break from my regular excercise routine, and then when I return home, it takes another two weeks to get back to where I was when I left. Even after just two weeks away, I notice a significant deterioration in my stretching, aerobic and weight lifting abilities. Minor distractions, however, after two weeks enjoying the sights.

I also am a fanatic exerciser!! And I don't give it up just because I am walking alot in Europe. Though admittedly I don't usually go every day as I do at home, usually I will end up exercising about 4 times per week.There are different ways I've found to do this.<BR>1) Pick a hotel location that is very near a park or safe waterfront.Example: Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, Hyde Park in London or along the river in Salzburg. Near the beach in Cornwall, Run or race walk for about an hour every couple of days.<BR>2) Plan on hiking a few times. Usually local places have hiking trail info. I usually plan a day or two of hiking, I've hiked in Scotland, Wales, Italy, Greece, Austria, Ireland.<BR>3) Opt to spend a little extra on a hotel with a fitness center.. now this is mostly for urban areas, and keep in mind the the standard of equipment and/or the types of machines availible vary GREATLY. From broken exer.bikes in Budapest to a million dollar facility in Kenya. Fitness centers are catching on overseas and sometimes it's worth it to stay in a business style hotel a night or two to have access to a gym.<BR>4) Work out in your room,, in absolute desperation and/or after consuming too much salty food, if walking is not an option, (as in a recent trip to Africa) I will do a 30 min, aerobic work out in the hotel room with my walkman, followed by floor exercises (crunches etc)<BR>5) Look in the yellow pages, or guide books, usually in urban areas there is a public access gym somewhere. Usually for a minimal fee, I go to the same city gym at least once every time I am in Dublin, also have done step class in Munich (with a hell of a hangover..lol). It never hurts to ask the hotel management if there is a public gym nearby. Good luck.. I know working out is important for having a good time..and walking around just doesn't cut it for me either!!!

You shouldn't even have enough time to think about exercising. You SHOULD get plenty in the form of walking. & several of you are correct running is different it is much harder on your body, joints, etc. You are on vacation, after all. SA.