Traveling during the holidays are hard enough, but when your traveling throws you out of your fitness routine you can begin to feel out-of-sorts.
Our Facebook members group “Healthy Living for Life” was participating in the “Planksgiving” Challenge during November and I easily fell out of my routine during the week of Thanksgiving, and I didn’t travel anywhere.
It is easy to allow our daily fitness routine to become interrupted when we throw new tasks into our daily schedule. Then, when the holidays are over, we realize we haven’t exercised in weeks and we’ve ate more sugar than we had all year long. UGH!
Are you traveling for the holidays?
Whether holiday travel plans, vacations, or work has you on the road, it can certainly disrupt your usual routine and throw you off track. So how do you still get in a workout and eat right even when you’re miles away from home?
It’s absolutely possible with some intention setting and pre-planning. You may have to be traveling but taking the time to take care of you is critical no matter where you are.
Here’s 6 tips to keep you healthy during your travels without it feeling like a chore…
1. Check out your hotel’s fitness options
Most hotels have fitness centers or swimming pools. Find out what they contain before you book. If your company is footing the bill, you may not even have a say in where you stay, however knowing what exercise options you have available will allow you to keep a fitness plan while you’re traveling. Should there be no fitness room of any kind, you can stream videos in your room to exercise to or get in some walking as you explore the area you’re visiting.
2. Learn about the food in your destination
Most places will have healthy eating options, though they might not be as robust a selection as you’re used to. Find out what kind of food is available in your hotel and nearby. Some hotels have kitchenettes where you can cook your own food, which is an excellent option for keeping your own healthy foods on hand for your meals.
3. Don’t just sit there
Long flights mean lots of sitting, which affects your circulation. Get up and move about the cabin and do some exercises while in your seat to battle it. Trapped in the airport from a delay? Get up and walk around a bit before returning to the gate. Incidentally, if you’re traveling internationally, moving about more will help you beat jet lag faster. There’s plenty to do and see in an airport, so have fun exploring and getting some extra steps in.
4. Stay hydrated
Water is essential when you’re flying. It might mean more trips to the lavatory, but without enough hydration, you may become dehydrated. It’s easy to slack off of water intake as you travel, but be extra mindful this year of staying hydrated along the way.
5. Adapt to the time zone
Even if you fly from one end of the country to the other, the time zones will play tricks on you. Eat all your meals at the correct times in the time zone you’re in. If you’re not entirely hungry, eat a fiber-rich snack to help power you through.
6. Keep the right attitude
No matter where you are, even when your normal routine gets shaken up, always remember that a healthy and fit lifestyle isn’t just some short-term goal. It’s a way of life, and sometimes life has bumps in the road. Keeping that on your mind will help you make healthy choices.
That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t enjoy yourself while away, but rather, make smart decisions. Small tweaks to your travel plans can show significant results, and I invite you to keep that in mind as you travel this season.
Whether you’re traveling or staying home, you may have noticed the over abundance of holiday food. It seems that every event is centered around food.
What’s your plan when faced with so many delicious food choices?
Request this free eGuide to help you to eat mindfully this holiday season. You’ll get 6 strategies that are easy to implement before you head out to your next holiday event.
