"Travel is one of the finest and most life-enhancing stimulants to health, happiness and longevity."

Maybe the idea of a two-mile jog every day in tropical heat (especially after a very late-night luau) doesn't appeal while you're traveling, or maybe you're afraid you'll get lost in unfamiliar surroundings or.... maybe worse. Bottom line is you need another exercise and fitness regimen -- something simple, short and scintillating that you can use daily to counteract all those additional treats and indulgences of travel.

Over our decades of traveling, my wife and I have developed our own little ritual that, as far as we can tell, has worked just fine and it is indeed short and simple. Scintilating? Well, you decide.

10 STEPS TO SUPERBODY HEALTH (A slight exaggeration! But let's say "sensible body health" maintenance):

1. First, stretch! Follow your natural instinct to stretch and yawn when you leave your bed, but stretch further and higher and combine it with some deep breathing and exhaling (for a nice little morning buzz!).
2. Cold Showers. Great for body and mind rejuvenation -- not too good for other urges. But it's guaranteed to get the day off to an energetic and invigorating start. Some stick almost entirely with cold water but we mix 30 seconds cold -- as cold as you can bear without howling, and 30 seconds hot -- very hot. (It's amazing how long 30 seconds can seem when that cold water first hits you!) Usually about 3 or 4 sequences are enough.
3. Morning Dance (together or separately). Turn on some upbeat music and just let go in any way you wish, shaking, gyrating, spinning, loosening up limbs and letting your mind merge with the day. Don't overdo it -- just enjoy it. And if you'd prefer something a little more graceful, try ballet-type arm and let stretching exercises to quieter music and using a chair for support. This is to prepare your body and stretch your muscles for the next few phases.
4. Side Bends (2 minutes -- five on each side of your body). Stand with legs about 18" apart and knees slightly bent. Contract your stomach and slide your right hand slowly down the side of your right leg as far as you can without learning forward. Repeat on the left side.
5. Head and Shoulder Rotations (1 minute). Stiffness and tension tend to center around the shoulders and neck so just gently roll and turn your head, neck, and shoulders in any way you feel creates relief.
6. Cat Curls (2 minutes -- about 10 curls). With knees and hands on the floor and as vertical as you can make them, contract your stomach and arch your back slowly upwards as far as you comfortably can, like an angry cat, then straighten, then arch again. Keep movements catlike -- fluid and easy.
7. Waist Curls (2 minutes -- about 10 curls). With knees bent in a tent shape and feet flat on the floor, lie on your back with stomach contracted. Stretch out one arm to touch your opposite leg as far down as you can without straining your back and hold for a few seconds. Alternate the curls.
8. Horizontal Stretch n' Lift (2 minutes -- about 10 lifts). Relief at last. Lie face down on the floor, stretch out your legs and arms and start by lifting your right arm and left leg about 9" off the floor. Switch limbs and keep repeating, slowly and rhythmically.
9. Pressups (up to 10). Apologies, but it's still a great exercise if you can manage it. Try to keep only your hands and toes on the floor as you slowly raise and lower your body. If it's too much, move to the final "cool down" of....
10. Running on the Spot. Similar to the morning dance but a little more structured as if you were really running. Continue as fast or slow as you wish and for as long as you feel necessary or comfortable.

Okay, that's it! Of course, there are a host of other far more sophisticated fitness and feeling-good regimens, including: seaweed bath soaks, floatation in Epsom salted bathwater, a coarse sea salt and water (mix in a paste) scrub, a Jacuzzi soak (15 minutes maximum) with aromatic oils, plus those delights involving others in massage, reflexology, sauna, reiki and ayurveda treatments. Spoil yourself. After all -- you're on vacation!