Traveling can derail your fitness goals if you let it. Luckily, that doesn’t have to be the outcome. In fact, there are sometimes more opportunities for exercise and healthy eating when you are somewhere new. Use these tips to maintain (or even improve) your fitness routine the next time you hit the road.
Make the Most of Your Hotel Gym
Unless you’re roughing it in a remote wilderness location, there’s a good chance your hotel has some sort of fitness room. This is a great place to start maintaining your workouts if you are willing to be realistic. The hard truth is that most hotels aren’t going to have a top-notch workout room. It is up to you to make the most of this limited resource.
Start by taking inventory of what you have to work with. Even a few machines or a set of free weights can help you stay fit when you are on the road. It may be helpful to turn to the internet for some creative cable machine chest workouts or dumbbell exercises if you are unfamiliar with the equipment at hand. It may not be what you are used to, but you just may find a new workout you want to continue once you get back home.
Walk or Bike Wherever Possible
Active transportation can be one of your best friends on vacation. That means walking, biking, or otherwise using your own power to get from place to place. It may take you a few minutes longer to get places, but you’ll use your body and get a closer look at the local scene. So, skip the taxi or rental car and slip on your walking shoes.
Take it a step further by signing up for a bike tour of your destination. Activities such as guided hikes, rock climbing, and scuba diving are all great ways to have fun, enjoy your trip, and still get in some very functional exercise.
Try Local Specialty Foods
This isn’t to say that you should always eat out, either. Packing some staples, such as tuna packets, nuts, and fruit or veggies is a great way o stick with your regular diet on the road. It just means that, given the choice between a local place that sources fresh food and a chain, you are probably better off picking the former.
Skip the Afternoon Cocktail Hour
It might be nice to partake in your hotel’s afternoon cocktail hour, but it’s probably better for your fitness levels (and overall health) if you skip this daily social activity. Drinking alcohol is widely considered fine in moderation, but that is one drink per day for one and two for men. If you sip a few glasses of wine before dinner, you’ve already exceeded those amounts.
Additionally, the World Health Organization recently published a statement that drinking any alcohol, no matter how little, is detrimental to health. That means it may be time to rethink what goes into your glass no matter where you are.
Pack a Yoga Mat and Resistance Band
A simple folding yoga mat and resistance band are lightweight and portable, making them perfect for travel. Plus with a little creativity, you can use these tools for several complete and effective workouts. The mat is a perfect platform for bodyweight exercises such as planks, squats, and lunges, not to mention being a great place to stretch after your workout.
The band, on the other hand, offers enough resistance to challenge muscles without overtaxing them. If you have never tried one, now is a great time. It’s helpful to look for one that comes with a chart of exercises so you aren’t struggling to find them on the road.
You can maintain your fitness routine and level while traveling. A little planning, some resistance, and a lot of creativity are the keys to your success. Mix them with active transportation, a hotel fitness center, and some clean eating and you’ll be good to go.
