10 Tips to Stay Healthy While Traveling
How many times have you worked so hard to get in shape for that trip you’ve been planning forever and you look and feel great… then you set foot in the airport or buckle up for that long car ride and it all goes out the window. Or, how about you go on that work trip that’s not even fun, but it still throws you completely out of your routine. I can’t count the number of times I’ve finally reached my destination and I am already bloated and feeling bad about myself. Or, you go to that conference and you are so bored that you will eat any and all of the bad snacks that they put in front of you. Not to mention, how miserable I feel in my body when I return home from the trip after all the cocktails and eating out. We all do it, and it is called a vacation for a reason – we should enjoy ourselves. Recently I’ve tried to make health a priority on trips, and guys I promise you will feel 100x better and will enjoy yourself just as much. With my up and coming trip to Vegas, I thought I should compile a list for you guys AND as a reminder for myself.
1. HYDRATE
We know this already, but how many of us are soooo bad at it when on a trip? A couple days before your trip start upping your water intake. I know how much it sucks to feel like you have to stop every hour in the car or have to crawl over the person beside you on the plane to go to the bathroom, but your body will thank you! When on my trip, I bring or buy a liter bottle and make sure that I drink one liter before any alcoholic drinks, another liter throughout the day, and a glass of water with every meal. Voila, you’ve had your water intake for the day.
2. HEALTHY SNACKS
Realistically you are not going to find anything as healthy on the plane or in the convenience store as the snacks you could bring from home. I am a Starving Marvin in the car and on a plane (shear boredom) so I bring plenty of snacks that I feel good about eating. Also, try packing a lunch (just don’t eat it at 10 am like I do – boredom). Again, you’re not going to find many healthy options on the go. I always bring a box of some sort of bars to have throughout the week to eat between meals to keep me from being hangry and/or ravenous during meal time.
3. WALK
I walk everywhere when I am traveling. Bonus, you will stumble across some cool little spots that you would have missed if you just hopped in a cab. I’ve found when traveling that most sights really are not that far from where you are staying so just walk. And, you will save money on that cab fare. Extra points if elevators don’t exist on vacation, which means taking the stairs everywhere. As for work trips still walk! Find restaurants for dinner that are .5-1 mile away and just walk there, you won’t regret it.
4. BE SMART ABOUT YOUR BEVERAGES
We all love sugary cocktails and frozen drinks but don’t do it to yourself. Because two reasons, they are packed with calories and the sugar will give you the hangover straight from hell. Instead, allow yourself to have one of those fabulous drinks and move on. Stick to those cocktails that are healthier. If you want that same fruity feel ask for some fresh fruit muddled into your vodka soda!
5. SPLIT YOUR MEALS/ EAT UNTIL YOUR 80% FULL / COUNT YOUR CALORIES
We do it every time, we order apps and a meal each and then we can’t finish it all wasting food, money, and calories. You are on vacation so you are going to want to treat yourself, but just be smart about it. Split an appetizer, a meal, and a dessert with your companion. Don’t fall into the “I’m on vacation” trap and completely disregard all your normal eating habits. If you are traveling alone no problem, eat half your meal saving the other half for lunch the next day or eat until your 80% full. stopped counting my calories a while ago but for work conferences full of unhealthy breakfast, snacks, lunch, more snacks, and dinner out, I need some way of staying on track. I download my fitnesspal just for my work trips. Know you are going to that burger joint for dinner that has zero healthy options with your co-workers, go ahead and pull up the menu and enter your calories for dinner helping you make smarter choices throughout the day. Also, I have a bad habit of following whatever my co-workers are eating. Just be aware that you are doing it, and let them make fun of you for the salad that opted for.
6. SLEEP
I know, I know, you have so much stuff to see and do! Traveling is tough on your body, staying out too late, early mornings, time changes. Take the time to sleep, that extra hour in the morning isn’t going to hurt you and naps in the afternoon will be crucial. You’re going to need your energy to truly enjoy yourself.
7. DON’T COMLETELY FORGET YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE
Always bring your tennis shoes and a workout outfit! I try to incorporate exercising into my trip everyday whether that means going for a hike, renting a bike, paddle boarding, or a quick morning jog/walk. Just something for 30 minutes of my day. Vegas will be a little bit tricky because I have early morning meetings and I hate working out in hotel gyms. But I plan to bring a pure barre video to do in the hotel room and the strip is more than four miles long, so I can see the sights while burning a few calories.
8. TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN
Lather up with sunscreen every two hours. No tan is worth wrinkles, freckles, and cancer in the future.
9. TAKE TIME TO CHILL/RELAX
Have a day with zero plans and just do whatever your little heart desires. These days normally end up being my favorite days of a vacation. If you are on a work trip and don’t have much time to yourself, I recommend picking one evening to have to yourself. Order in or eat some leftovers, watch some terrible TV, enjoy that king bed to yourself, and just unwind your mind.
10. DON’T STRESS
I am 100% guilty of this. So you ate an unhealthy meal or ate that giant slice of cake. So what! Follow the next meal with a healthy choice. You haven’t worked out in a week. So what! All the beach time allowed you to relax and rejuvenate. You are on vacation to enjoy yourself!
Here is a preview of my bag for my trip to Vegas