Keeping fit while you travel
Travel is fun and exciting but whether it’s for business or pleasure it can take its toll on your fitness levels. It just takes a little effort to squeeze in some regular activity which will make you feel better and energise you especially if travelling means you are attending busy meetings, under extra stress, not eating or sleeping well.
Always plan ahead by checking out if the hotel has a pool, health club, or exercise room. If not, ask if there’s one nearby. Always pack a swimsuit and running shoes. You can bring your own gym by packing an exercise DVD or a skipping rope.
If you have a long trip, then walk instead of taking escalators or elevators. Walk around the airport, train or bus station while waiting to leave. If you are on a plane, train, or bus get up and stretch your legs every hour and when you are sitting do some foot exercises by rotating ankles, flexing them and stretching them. Remember to stop and take a rest and walk if you are driving for long periods of time.
Once at the hotel take a walk to check the place out and unwind. See if there are places you can walk or jog safely. If you’re on business and going to be in meetings all day, climb stairs or walk around the building during coffee breaks. This will recharged both body and mind and help with new ideas.
If there’s no exercise room at the hotel then turn your room into a mini gym. Pop the DVD in and do a workout or find an exercise program on TV. Alternatively just turn on the radio and do some dance moves, push ups, sit-ups etc. If you do yoga or Pilates at home you can practice when you’re away.
Remember to eat well as business trips and holidays are often a perfect excuse to overeat. You rationalise that you are on holiday; you’ll go back to a healthy diet when you get home; also restaurants and airports serve lots of high-fat, high-calorie foods that are low in nutrients. Try and choose salads and baked food instead of fried. Eat healthy snacks – nuts, fresh fruit, and whole-grain crackers to stop feeling hungry. Get into the pattern of eating porridge in the mornings as it will help with any cholesterol high foods you have been eating.
Just because you are on holidays does not mean you throw your eating plan out the window. One serve of protein a day, fruit, vegetables and one or two carbohydrates are what you need to keep you in top shape. You will have more time to explore so take advantage of that and walk from place to place. If you do these two simple things you will get your proper diet and some exercise as well as have a good time.
Remember also to carry bottled water and to go easy on the coffee. Green tea is a good, easily obtainable travel drink. Also remember to take your vitamins as travel takes its toll on your energy levels. As a rule a general multi vitamin, some vitamin B for stress, an antioxidant should be enough to get you through provided that you have no other underlying issues that need attention.
Taking care of yourself when you travel will make your holidays and/ or business trips easier in that you will feel a lot better both during and after.
