Staying Healthy While Traveling

Whether it’s for business or pleasure, the fact of the matter is that most, if not all of us, will find ourselves traveling at some point during the year.  For some of us, this can mean getting completely off track with our health and nutrition plan. While this is nothing to beat yourself up about, here are a few tips to try and limit those extra pounds you might gain:

1).  Take advantage of on-site workout facilities:  Chances are the hotel that you are staying at has some sort of fitness area available to its guests.  Now, these are not going to be state of the art facilities, but most are equipped with cardio equipment and light dumbbells.  Use this to your advantage and squeeze in a quick 20 minutes of cardio before starting your day or do a quick set with the weights.  If you typically use higher weight than what is available, up the amount of reps that you do.

2). Eat smart meals: No one is saying that you cannot enjoy your vacation. By all means, live it up!  Enjoy that cocktail!  But, keep it in the back of your mind that your body weight is mostly determined by what you eat.  Make smart choices when you have the option and try to limit the portion sizes on your meals.  Include healthy snacks in your day like nuts or fruits.

3). Utilize your resources:  So you don’t have access to a gym and let’s say that there is no workout facility at your lodging.  Now what?  USE THE INTERNET!  There are a huge number of body weight workouts and HIIT workout routines on the internet that can be done from the comfort of your room. 

4). Get outside:  If you are anything like me, you want to explore and see the sites.  Staying fit while traveling can be as easy as getting outside and enjoying the landscape around you.  Have a beach outside?  Go play in the ocean!  Swimming will burn calories and use muscles you never even knew you had.  In the mountains?  Go hiking!  In the city?  Go for a walk around the city, go shopping, go site seeing, and always take the stairs!

5) Stay hydrated:  Who doesn’t love a few beers or cocktails while on vacation, right?  Like I said before, feel free to enjoy that cocktail or glass of wine.  After all, you are on vacation.  BUT, don’t forget to stay hydrated; especially if you are vacationing in warmer climates.  Dehydration can cause you to feel hungry and may result in excessive calorie consumption and weight gain.

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t stick to your normal fitness routine.  No one expects you to.  Just try your best and remember, ANY workout is better than NO workout!