I live within driving distance to an amusement park, so when summer comes, i'm there! Some might think that a place filled with fried food and sugary treats is a dieters worst nightmare, however, it can also be one of the most fun workouts you'll get. These tips can work for families, teenagers, and adults alike. I compiled these tips last summer during the begining of my diet and they worked wonders!
- Park far away from the entrance gate. Remind yourself that the reward is the fun you'll have inside.
- It's going to be hot, so drink lots of water. This is good for your diet and necesary to remain hydrated.
- Don't be tempted to rent segways or hop on the train that surrounds the park to get from ride to ride. The park I go to is well over 100 acres with the rides spread far and wide. You'll walk several miles without realizing it all.
- Don't eat the food.
First of all, it'll save you tons of money. The food is not usually good and it's usually never healthy. Instead, pack a healthy lunch that you'd normally eat on your diet and store it in a cooler. Most parks offer lockers for coolers. Some parks often give you the option to leave and return during the same day. Visit a subway or if you live close enough, eat at home and go back.
- If your amusement park of choice has a waterpark, visit it! Swimming is an excellent exercise and it'll be sure to cool you down. Don't like how you look in a bathing suit? Neither do I! Just remember that these people will likely never see you again they're too busy having their own fun to pay attention to how you look.
- Take breaks.It's okay to find a bench and just people watch. Give your body a chance to rest before you continue your day.
- Make a whole day of it! Start out early by eating a good healthy breakfast.
Make sure you have lunch planned and plenty of water packed. Arrive when the park opens to avoid lines to get in and avoid the temptation to leave when it gets really hot. Remind yourself of how many calories you'll burn walking around for the remainder of the day.
-Invest in a season pass. I used to think these were worthless, but for less than $100, I can visit the park as many times as I want throughout the year and save on parking. Plus, with my season pass I can bypass long lines and go into a special reserved line for season ticket holders. This saves me time and money in the long run. Plus, you'll be encouraged to go several times to get your money's worth.
-Rent a locker. Yes, it kind of is a waste of money
. You're paying someone 10 bucks to put your bag in a box. However, you'll be glad you did after five hours of walking and you want to go on a water ride without getting your wallet soaked. Rent it first thing so you can secure one.Put your car keys, wallet, towels, first aid kits and anything else you've brought. This is also a good place to meet your family after splitting up. The extra walking time to and from the locker isn't bad for you, either!
I hope these tips help some of you this summer.
They did me wonders last year and will surely help me again this year. After spending a day at the park, I lost weight rather than gained and had way more fun than I would have running on a treadmill.
Good luck!