Travel Tips: Stay Fit En Route

Posted January 29, 2008 at 03:00 PM by Lindsay Hutton

Section: Her Fitness, Athletics, Sports Medicine, Training Programs, Her Health, Her Motivation

In today’s corporate world, more and more people are required to travel for work, whether it’s to the next state or halfway around the globe. Even if you travel for pleasure, logging frequent flier miles and adding stamps to your passport can wreak havoc on your diet and fitness routine. So what can you do to keep yourself on track, without deprivation? Below is a list of suggestions and recommendations that won’t kill your trip, or your health.

Don’t Overindulge: Sure, it’s easy to stray from eating well, whether you are tempted by the local cuisine or simply the dessert buffet at the hotel. While it’s alright to indulge, choose carefully. Do you really need that piece of chocolate cake on the plane? Probably not. But if you’re in Italy, try the local pizza. If you’re in New England, treat yourself to a cup of clam chowder. Allowing yourself a treat on special occasions will not only help curb cravings, it will also make it taste that much better.

Stay Active: Yes, a business trip can be stressful and busy, and the last thing on your mind might be exercise. It’s even harder to hit the gym if you’re on a vacation simply for pleasure. The hotel fitness center is most likely not where you want to spend your free time, and you don’t need to. Before you leave, look up local attractions that you want to try. Will you be near the ocean? Try ocean kayaking. Have you always wanted to try skiing, but never have? Sign up for a lesson. Anywhere you go is bound to have indoor or outdoor activities that will work up a sweat. Taking time out from a business trip to do something active will relieve stress, making you more productive in the office. If activities outside of your set schedule are completely out of the question, things like taking the stairs or doing isometric exercises while sitting in a meeting will help.

Create a “Fitness On the Go” Packet: A resistance band, jump rope and yoga DVD are all you need to create your own portable fitness center that integrate the three aspects of fitness: strength, cardio and flexibility. Throw it in your suitcase, and you’ve got your own gym, right there in your hotel room. If you have twenty minutes to spare, which everyone does, then you have time to squeeze in a workout, no matter how hectic your schedule might be.

It’s understandable that trips and vacations may throw you off track from your regular routine, but they aren’t an excuse to completely fall off the wagon. Small adjustments in your schedule can make a big difference. You work hard in your daily life, so don’t let a trip undo all the progress you have made. The next time you’re traveling, remember these tips and stick with them. You’ll be happy you did when you return.