Norm:

Why should couples be concerned about fitness activities when they are away on a romantic getaway or on their honeymoon?

Jim:

Exercising for only 20-30 minutes each day will allow you to start day healthy and help you make better choices throughout rest of day. Then, enjoying small indulgences like your favorite piece of pie or a few cocktails or sitting around by pool for six hours will not seem like a big deal. Don't forget about that improved sex too!

Norm:

How can we determine quantity, quality, and brand of exercise equipment at recommended hotels if we never have been there?

Jim:

Buy The Athletic-Minded Traveler (laughs). In addition to providing a comprehensive written review covering everything you want to know (room appearance, room service, free breakfast buffets, sheet thread-count, etc.) about each property, we also specifically detail in chart form quantity of exercise machines, their condition, brands, weight/strength options, pool dimensions, running routes, etc. But, if you're going to a city that's not covered in book, best you can do is call up concierge and ask him/her your specific questions. Sometimes it even helps to confirm with maintenance workers.

Norm:

Very often when we vacation we seem to return home fully relaxed, however very much out of shape. How do we avoid this?

Jim:

Make exercise part of your daily routine, just like showering or brushing your teeth. When you think about it, 20 minutes is not that much time at all. Especially while on a vacation, when you don't have to worry about going to work and all of other hassles at home.

Norm:

There is always a temptation to overeat when we are on vacation. How can we fight off this temptation while at same time still enjoy ourselves?

Jim:

Like I was saying before, exercise will allow you to not fret so much over what you're eating and drinking. You may end up taking in more calories, but being active and exercising should help to burn those off fairly easily.

Norm:

Are there any food we should avoid when we are on vacation and if so, why?

Jim:

Vacation is supposed to be a break from all that troubles and worries you, right? When I go away, I like to eat local food and experience local customs without concerns about how many calories are in my dinner, etc. Knowing that I performed my daily workout reassures me that anything I take in will be worked off either that same day or next. So, no, don't worry about avoiding certain foods---just make sure to get in a daily sweat.

Norm:

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Jim:

Only that I've been really touched by large number of people who have written us saying that they are so happy we wrote this book because they too were constantly frustrated by travel industry's ignorance about fitness preferences. Letters and emails have come from hard-core athletes as well as recreational exercisers who just like to put in 20 minutes on a good elliptical machine or bike. Our goal all along was simply to provide a reliable resource that would help people enjoy a healthy lifestyle while on road. So far, it seems that we've succeeded.

Visit SOCAL PRESS.COM to view a sample chapter and find more information about The Athletic-Minded" Traveler, a first-of-its-kind travel resource for those who enjoy a healthy lifestyle and working out while on road.

Norm Goldman is editor of the travel site, sketchandtravel.com and the book reviewing site, bookpleasures.com.

Norm and his artist wife Lily are a unique husband and wife team who meld words with art focusing on romantic destinations and hospitality properties.

Seek out support A workout partner with similar goals and a positive attitude can make your workout more fun. knowing you are accountable to another person can be a great motivator too. So can working with a certified personal trainer.

Devise a backup plan Time and access are largest obstacles to fitness, and even devoted exercisers experience lapses. Don't use these as excuses to avoid exercise. Having some portable home workout gear like a stability ball, resistance tubing, jump rope, and dumbbells, will allow you to work out while traveling, at home or even at work. With limited time, focus on compound movements for largest muscle groups and superset 2 for opposing muscle groups. A brief but intense workout can be accomplished in a few minutes.

Just do it While pumping iron may not be right for everyone, idea being active is. Find something you enjoy doing that elevates your heart rate and challenges you most days of week. Also pay attention to how you feel. If you are like most people in as little as three weeks you will find yourself sleeping better and feeling more rested.

The information contained in this article is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended to provide medical advice. If you are sedentary or over 40 please get clearance from a doctor before starting an exercise program.

Rick DeToma is a fitness coach, and trainer who specializes in home workouts. Contact Rick for a no obligation telephone fitness assessment at: http://www.tailored-fitness-home-workouts.com/contact.html