10 ways to have a healthy holiday

Booking a summer holiday can be a great motivator to stick to your diet plan. But what about keeping in trim once you actually arrive?

If you're worried that a week by the pool will interrupt your weight-loss plan then don't worry as we have compiled 10 top tips for a guilt-free break in the sun:

Be Active

Sightseeing is probably one of the best ways to keep active on holiday, as an hour spent walking at a moderate pace can burn 280 calories. Guided tours are a great way to see the best sites around. Carry on taking part in a fitness routine by going for long beachfront walks, swimming and making use of gym facilities at your hotel. Just 30 minutes of activity a day will keep you on track and still leave you plenty of time for well earned pool-side relaxation. Aqua aerobics classes are usually organised at larger hotels. Not only is this a great way to cool down from the midday heat but also a 20-minute session can burn 160 calories, enough for a pint of beer Anyone for tennis? Activity breaks with tennis tuition are becoming increasingly popular and can be an affordable way to improve your game. A 30-minute lesson will burn 300 calories, earning you a portion of tiramisu If you've never sailed, surfed or jet-skied before then give it a go. Many resorts will have equipment to hire and English-speaking instructors on hand for your safety. In just half an hour you could have discovered a new hobby and used 120 calories.

Dining

Start the day well and be careful what you pick for breakfast as temping buffets can be a big culprit for over-indulgence. Many hotels cook eggs to order so ask for poached eggs on toast rather then a continental breakfast and save over 100 calories. It can be easy to forget about drinking water especially on an all-inclusive break with unlimited alcoholic and fizzy drinks. Keep hydrated with bottled water to avoid upset stomachs. Watch out for those national dishes! Although tempting, a typical Greek mousaka can be over 800 calories whereas tasty lamb skewers are just 450 calories. In Italy, tomato-based sauces are a much wiser choice then rich and creamy carbonara. Choosing frozen yoghurt is not only more refreshing but also lower in fat than ice cream.

Activity packages

Resort-based holidays are a great for allowing you to try different activities which you may not do at home, such as sailing, kite surfing and professional tennis coaching. Hotels such as the Select Maris Beach Resort in Turkey offer all of these as well as opportunities to explore the local area on horseback and experience the fabulous private beaches.

For more information on activity holidays you can visit specialist tour operator www.markwarner.co.uk, with available destinations including Turkey, Sardinia, Portugal, Corsica, The Algarve and Greece.

For great money-saving travel tips, check out Nick Trend's iVillage blog.