Tag Archives: Hostel Life

Travel Workouts- Week 1

Posted on by
2

So the big question is, how does one create a workout routine, when living a lifestyle without a routine??

A thought provoking question indeed!

Coming off my Wholly Fit Challenge, my body was tiiiiiired. So I took two full rest days, and let me tell you, they were glorious! But, by Wednesday, I was itching to get back at it. Ok, actually that’s a lie. On Wednesday I had 5 naps, so working out wasn’t actually seeming all that appealing. But regardless, I tackled this simple workout (after my first nap of the day of course!)

ease in

I kept it arms, cause then it seemed easier, and I was more likely to get out of bed!

Big learning lesson the first day. No shoes, jump squats, tile floors, no good on Kate’s feet. I actually pulled something in my foot, that made it pretty challenging to get around for the rest of the day (and also required Shaun to lovingly but hesitantly rub my foot for the first time ever). I had planned to attempt a run the following day, but opted to create this workout for Thursday instead.

Let's Get Physical

 

Despite my injury, I wanted to pick up the pace a little bit (no surprise for those who know me). Wearing shoes made a huge difference! Fueled by thoughts of wearing a bikini for 5 mos, I finished this off with an attempt at 1000 ab exercises (pick 10 different ab moves and do them 100 times each) I got to 800 and decided I had had enough. Perhaps a goal to strive towards. By Friday my foot was feeling awesome, so I knew it was time for a run. I figured if I ate breakfast when Shaun went Surfing at 630, I could leave at 730, and it would still be cool enough for a run. It was!

First Costa Rican Beach Run

First Costa Rican Beach Run

The conditions were amazing, it was actually a little drizzly and super mild. The perfect running weather. I ran all along Tamarindo beach. The sand is nice and compact, so it makes for great running. When I got in, I had planned to do some legs, but hadn’t written anything down. After a couple of lame donkey kicks while beads of sweat fell all over my candy crush game I called it. Just more proof that writing down your workout before starting is always more effective! I had such a great time, that I thought I would do a repeat performance the next day.

Next Days Run

 

Well what a difference a day makes! I did the same routine, probably leaving the hostel around 7:45, but it was already hot hot hot. I sweated my through the same route, but ended it differently. I found this low concrete wall and did 100 step ups alternating legs and 100 wall push ups. I was spent after this, and cut the run short!

The following day Shaun was taking a day off from surf to nurse a sun burnt face, so we rocked a hotel room Centurion. He modified a couple moves, because although he loves me enough to workout in a tiny hostel with me…100 burpees is another story!

Later that day Shaun and I went on a 13km walk (kinda by accident) so needless to say the following morning I was pooped. I did this workout, but honestly my heart wasn’t in it.

1 hour circuit

 

So that brings us to today! Rest day this morning. I’m planning a 3km walk to the supercompro in hopes of finding oatmeal! I’ll keep you posted!!

How do you stay active while travelling? Should I keep doing these workout recaps?

Pura Vida!

Kate

Healthy Hostel Meals Part 1

Posted on by
8

I’ve decided to start a series of posts dedicated to healthy hostel meals, because let me tell you, it’s going to be a work in progress. I look forward to looking back on this post months from now, and laughing at how ridiculous some of my meals have been. It’s going to be an awesome learning process.

As soon as Shaun and I checked in, we decided are best bet was to do a grocery shop. The fact that I was borderline hangry, and he needed a beer may have helped drive us to the store. Luckily, there is a SuperCompro right next store to our hostel, so off we went! Here is what we ended up with.

Our first grocery run!

Our first grocery run!

  • Rice- brown, much to my insistence, and Shaun’s dismay. Not a time saver in the least, but so much better for you. I kept telling Shaun, we’ve got no where to be!
  • Instant Noodles- You can guess who those are for!
  • A pineapple-You can bet this will be the first of many!
  • Cervasa- Of course
  • Laundry Soap
  • Can of black beans
  • Head of cabbage
  • Salad Dressing
  • Eggs
  • Bananas
  • Mixed Veggies (more on those in a later post!)
  • Tortillas
  • Apples

I had a couple strategies for our shopping. First, find things that had protein that would have some staying power, but that won’t go bad right away (eggs, beans). Second- look for ingredients that we could make mass amounts of and keep in the fridge, (rice, beans, boiled eggs). Third, keep in cheap! Getting cereal and milk would be easy, but its expensive, goes quickly and doesn’t have staying power. Fourth and the most challenging is fresh veggies. We have made a pact that every dinner will include veggies (and in my case lunches too!). I can tell already this will be challenging, but it’s so worth it. It’s amazing how much better you feel when you’ve got veggies in your system!

As soon as we got home with our grocery goodies this happened:

Let me tell you, with my hangry hovering at a dangerous level, this meal was amazing. Banana, almond butter (brought from home) on a mini tortilla. A quick protein burst to get us through to the evening. A perfect start to our Costa Rican hostel dining experience!

Any tips for eating healthy while living in a hostel?

Pura Vida

Kate

Our first night in Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Posted on by
3

We were greeted at the airport by our very friendly shuttle driver from Guanacaste Viajes Transfer and Tours. He was wonderful, but spoke no English, so Shaun and I tested out some of our newly acquired Spanish. It would appear we have a lot of work to do! Regardless, I would highly recommend their services.

After an hour long drive, he dropped us off at our hostel, Villas Macondo. Thank you Trip Advisor, this one is a winner. I will write a full review later, but essentially its a little slice of paradise right in the middle of bustling Tamarindo.

After a quick trip to the grocery store, a snack, and a cervasa (or two), we headed out for a beach walk and happy hour. We figure we would head to Eat at Joes, which is part of the Witches Rock Surf Camp. We’d eaten there many times, knew they had a happy hour, and knew that we could get some good beach walking in to get there.

We stopped along the way to take some obligatory sunset photos

photo 2 (1) - Copy

Our first Costa Rican sunset.

We arrived at Joe’s, took advantage of their happy hour beer special, and ordered dinner. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a traditional Costa Rican Casado.

Casado is Costa Rican for “Married Man” and is a meal consisting of rice, beans, plantains, salad, sometimes a tortilla, and a protein (fish, beef, chicken, pork). Simplicity at its best! Add some Lizano Salsa, and you my friend are in business!

After our meal, we were feeling pretty good, and were thinking about calling it a night, until we realized it was 6:30. So we grabbed a couple road pops (totally legit here by the way), and poked around Tamardino. So much has changed, and yet so much is the same.

During our walk about, we happened across a little bar that we had visted on our last trip. By bar, I mean a stand in the street with stools, but still. We were there on the day they opened over three years ago. They had plastic chairs, a putting green, two kinds of drinks and no customers. We certainly didn’t expect for it to still be standing. Well boy were we surprised. It was not only standing, but decked out with flat screen TV’s and a full kitchen. We had gotten to know the owner during our last visit, so had a great time catching up, and imbibing in his deadly rum and pineapple drink special. I’m going to write a whole post about the bar, as soon as I can track down the old pictures we took on opening day!

At Wild Panda!

At Wild Panda!

After a couple more cocktails, it was time to call it a night. With fuzzy heads, and tired bodies, we headed back to the hostel for a very good night sleep. The adventure of a lifetime has begun!

What kind of local food have you tried while travelling? Anything wild and exciting??

Pura Vida!

Kate