New Year, New You at Waikoloa Beach Resort

Many people’s New Year’s resolutions include doing more exercise, eating more nutritious foods, losing weight, and taking better care of themselves. If that includes you, Hawaii is the perfect place to start positive new habits, or amplify the good health habits you already have.

The Big Island in particular is known for its wealth of sports and recreational opportunities, health-conscious menus, and outdoor activities of all kinds. Here in the land of triathlons and fresh foods from the land and sea, it’s hard not to be active and eat well. With a year-round climate suited for everything from hiking to surfing, from bicycling to golf, residents and visitors alike make a point of doing something outdoors every day.

At Waikoloa Beach Resort, your options for a healthy lifestyle are endless. Ocean sports abound, spas and fitness centers are conveniently located, healthy cuisine is available on most menus, and classes from yoga to strength training are offered just about every day of the week.

The Perfect Place to Get or Stay Healthy

“Waikoloa is the perfect place to get or stay healthy,” says Scott Head, Vice President of Resort Operations. “From the moment you wake up in the morning until you turn in at night, you can do yoga, snorkel, paddle a kayak, bike, run, play golf, work out in a spa…there are so many options here that there’s certain to be something everyone will enjoy.”

If you and your family want to rent a bicycle for a day of exercise and sightseeing, head over to Big Island Motorcycle Company in Kings’ Shops or Bike Works Beach and Sports in the Queens’ MarketPlace, where a complete line of rentals are offered. The roads in Waikoloa Beach Resort are perfect for leisure rides, and more adventurous riders can trace the cycling portion of the Ironman Triathlon along Queen Kaahumanu Highway if they so desire.

State of the Art Fitness

A state-of-the-art fitness center with a full schedule of classes is found at Kohala Spa inside the Hilton Waikoloa Village.  Daily classes given by certified instructors include Pilates and yoga, core conditioning, body sculpting, stretching, and more.

At the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, guests can enjoy a peaceful morning yoga on ‘Anaeho’omalu Bay, or exercise the entire body with stand-up paddleboard adventure; build upper body strength with a daily kayak excursion; or rent mask, snorkel, and fins for a colorful underwater exploration. The resort’s hydro-bike is also a popular way to enjoy working out while admiring paradise on ‘Anaeho’omalu Bay.

And the knowledgeable concierge staffs at both resorts can assist guests with everything from surf lessons to hiking and bird-watching tours with the experts from Hawai’i Forest & Trail, through both the rainforest and dryforest of Pu’u La’au on Mauna Kea.

Back on resort grounds, golf enthusiasts should try walking the Kings’ or Beach golf courses when you play. It’s a scenic — and healthy — day of fun.

Fresh from Land and Sea

When it comes to dining, resort guests are well taken care of. Fresh fish from local waters is on almost every menu, and most chefs find most or all of their produce from local — some organic — farms.

At Waikoloa Grill’n Bar, for example, patrons find a menu that includes several lighter, healthier menu choices. “Our dishes feature fresh island flavors that you want to taste when you’re on vacation, because you don’t find them anywhere else,” said owner Dickie Furtado. “We make a paella with fresh-caught mahi mahi, clams, shrimp, garlic, Maui onion, and saffron. Our Grilled Caesar Salad can be customized with choice of shrimp, chicken, or blackened ahi. And wait till you taste the Signature Calamari!”

At Hilton Waikoloa Village, head to Kamuela Provision Company for a full range of fresh seafood choices. If you prefer a completely vegetarian meal, try the Hamakua Mushroom Risotto with Truffle Oil paired with an Organic Caesar made with locally-grown Romaine lettuce and Big Island avocados.

“Fruits here in Hawaii are fantastic,” says Charles Charbonneau, executive chef at Hilton Waikoloa Village. “So our breakfast buffets feature fresh fruits year-round, depending on what is in season. At all of our restaurants, we put an emphasis on local produce and local fish, and we adjust our menus as produce comes into season… right now we’re adding a roasted beet salad with local greens and Puna goat cheese.”

At Hawaii Calls Restaurant & Lounge in the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, lighter dinners include fresh fish in a variety of tasty preparations, and salads crafted from locally sourced produce.

If you are interested in preparing fresh, locally grown foods for yourself, head to the Kings’ Shops Farmers Market, held every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Here you’ll discover the best of the local bounty, talk story with farmers about their harvests and island-made products.

“If you are someone who already practices great health habits, you will find Waikoloa Beach Resort a very supportive place,” Head says. “And if you’re someone whose New Year’s resolutions include starting a healthier lifestyle in 2013, there’s no better place and no better time to start than here and now.”