1. Reset your expectations – It’s not likely that you’ll be able to keep up your full workout regimen while on vacation. So, don’t set unrealistic expectations for yourself. Remember that accomplishing just 40-50 percent of what you normally do is better than nothing!
2. Do your homework – Before you even leave town, investigate the workout facilities in and around your hotel. Some hotels offer fitness classes, gyms, even walking programs. Also, check for nearby parks with jogging trails or local gyms with day passes.
3. Pack it up – Your suitcase will easily allow room for a resistance band and a jump rope. Use the resistance band for upper and lower body strength-training moves. The jump rope provides an intense cardiovascular workout in a short bout of time.
4. Carry a load – Instead of packing one large suitcase with rollers, try distributing your luggage between two smaller suitcases. Then, balance the weight of the two cases on each side of your body as you carry your bags through the airport. Your upper torso will feel the burn!
5. Take some steps – Strap on a pedometer and count your steps each day. Aim for 10,000 steps per day as you trek your way through your destination’s tourist sites.
6. Take a detour – If your vacation involves a long road trip, plan a day for a hike along the way. Check with the parks or forestry service in the areas along your route to find a trail that fits your fitness level.
7. Get adventurous – Rent a bike, kayak, or surfboard. Many rental shops also offer lessons. Try something new on vacation, and burn a few calories while you’re at it!
8. Make a splash – Lounging by the poolside is a common activity during vacation. So, while you’re lounging, why not hop in the pool every half-hour for a swim? If you’re not a strong swimmer, try walking through water that is higher than waist deep. The simple act of moving against the water’s resistance will provide a moderate workout.
9. Catch up with family – Many vacations involve visits to relatives, near and far. This year, instead of chatting about the latest news over chips and salsa, invite Aunt Sue for an evening stroll around the neighborhood. Enjoy some quality time with your family while doing something good for your body at the same time.
10. Come prepared – Check the weather for your vacation destination and be sure to bring comfortable workout gear. The last thing you need is one more reason to ditch your workout plans!

(Brought to you by Jazzercise)

To keep track of your fitness progress, please visit the LifeBalance Activity Tracker and Journal.

For a complete listing of fitness clubs, please visit the LifeBalance Fitness Club pages.

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The answer is yes! But first we must stop and include reflective thinking into our working practices. The Center for Disease Control reports that up to 40% of job burnout is due to stress. If you're afraid to take a day off because your inbox can't handle it or if you find yourself answering emails way after dark, then it's time to work on your awareness and set up new strategies to include balance into your life. Where to begin? I triple dog dare you to spend just 5 minutes searching the LifeBalance website and find one activity you can do with your family or friends this Spring Break to begin creating a healthy and balanced life.(Brought to you by Jason Stein Coaching)

There are over 200,000 miles of hiking trails in the US. Get out and explore some of them this month! Check out the Backpacking / Camping / Hiking section and save on hiking trips and gear.

According to the Seattle Times, some of the heaviest and best snow falls on Northwest ski slopes in March. Take advantage of the snow while it lasts with a trip to the mountains! Find savings on tickets, trips and rentals in the Skiing / Snowboarding / Snowshoeing category.

Studies show that those who visit spas while on vacation feel more energetic, more productive, more connected with friends and families and better about themselves than general vacationers. Find savings at spas near your vacation destination by visiting the Massage / Spas / Relaxation category.

The American Zoo and Aquarium Association reports its members had more than 134 million visitors in 2007. This attendance figure is more than the professional baseball, basketball and football attendance combined. Take your family this Spring Break and search for savings in the Wildlife / Zoos / Aquariums category.

Remember that even when all else fails, love grows stronger. When love surrenders, that is its greatest triumph. Could anything be more miraculous or powerful or enduring? Give love, and align your world with the highest and best possibilities. Expect nothing of love and you will have everything. Love can never be fully comprehended. And so, it is an endless source of delightful and joyous discovery. Give love, again and again. For you can always know it even better and experience it even more. (Daily Motivator)

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add chicken, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and garlic. Stir-fry for 2 minutes. (Decide amounts based on number of people)
• Add mushrooms and continue cooking, stirring constantly, until chicken is cooked through. Stir in sun dried tomatoes and spinach. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until spinach is wilted.
• Place a portion of mixture in center of each tortilla. Top each with a portion of the feta cheese. Fold in sides of tortillas and roll up burrito-style. Slice in half and pack them in your picnic basket or cooler!

Prep Time – 20 minutes / Cooking Time – 10 minutes

(Brought to you by Spud)

On vacation of course; taking advantage of their annual allotment of 42 days off from work. Europeans take their vacations seriously. The European Union mandates a minimum of four weeks paid vacation for all employees. Laws mandate a minimum of two weeks vacation in Canada and Japan. The United States is one of the only modern countries without vacation-time minimums mandated by law. We are taking less time off than ever. Studies report that the average number of annual vacation days granted to American employees is a mere 12.4, three fewer days than that of the average medieval peasant. When we have earned vacation, we struggle to use it. Collectively, American workers give 1.6 million years' worth of unused vacation time back to their employers every year. More than one third of Americans don’t use all of their vacation each year. Of those that do take their vacations, 50% are surreptitiously checking their email, voicemail or calling the office to check in. Disconnecting is not something we are doing well. Many employees spend the first day of their vacation tying up loose ends and return from their vacation early to get a jump start on the transition back to work. Studies show that the pressures on workers not to take time off are usually self-imposed. Employers and employees are both beginning to realize the toll vacation deprivation is taking on the workforce. Increased levels of stress and anxiety, rising absenteeism and growing dissatisfaction with work are natural outcomes of too much time at work and not enough play. Some employers are requiring their employees to take at least one to two weeks of time off each year. It may be a stretch of the imagination to envision August in New York ten years from now, quiet and still. We have to start somewhere, and the Grand Canyon does have Wi-Fi. (Brought to you by Xenium)

For a complete overview of the LifeBalance Program website, visit the About LifeBalance section of the site.

For more information on how to access program benefits, visit the LifeBalance Proof of Membership / Frequently Asked Questions page.

Find exclusive LifeBalance savings at thousands of recreational, cultural & wellness related businesses throughout Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The LifeBalance Program Vendor Network gives members the opportunity to quickly search for specific recreational, cultural and wellness providers by geographic region and category, or by business name, through the LifeBalance Search for Savings.

You can use our secure server to make payments online for many LifeBalance Member Events and Tickets. LifeBalance offers members thousands of special events at reduced rates with the top vendors, instructors, and venues. LifeBalance also has your ticket to the arts, including theater, dance, musical performances, sporting events, ski resorts, museums and more. Visit the LifeBalance Events Calendar and the LifeBalance Ticket Window for a complete listing and select the listing that interests you and then complete your registration.

The LifeBalance Wellness Window offers members food and fitness tips, wellness calculators, information about community events and more. MyLifeBalance is the component of the LifeBalance Program that includes personalized wellness tools, customized content and more.

You can also easily print the LifeBalance Program materials and this newsletter by visiting the Printable Materials section of the site.