For most people who take the usual weeklong vacation twice a year, staying on track while they’re away isn’t a top priority. After all, they have dieted and pushed themselves so hard in order to look beach ready, they deserve the week to splurge and enjoy; and that’s perfectly fine. Absolutely no one needs to be spending two hours in the gym or carrying a food scale with them while they’re travelling. However, you also don’t need to throw away months of hard work through Italian pasta binges and French wine. It’s actually pretty easy to remain somewhat on track while travelling and I’m going to tell you how.
Start with Breakfast
You know how you mother always told you breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Well she was right. It’s the first time you’re going to feed yourself after an overnight fast and it lays the groundwork for the day ahead. I personally find breakfast the easiest to eat healthy while travelling; regardless of if you have a continental breakfast buffet or a full menu. Skip the bacon and go for fresh fruit or some granola, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to splurge later!
Hydrate!
This is vital to your health and wellbeing, especially in the summer months when most people travel. If you’re participating in long walking tours or just at the beach for a few hours, you need to be constantly hydrating your body. Make sure to carry a water bottle with you everywhere you go. You’ll look and feel a million times better, and don’t forget hunger pains are often times confused for thirst. Drink up and if you’re still hungry, grab some gelato!
Walk
The rule of thumb I use when travelling is that if it’s a 20 minute walk or less, I walk. Anymore than that I’ll take the subway or call a cab. Walking is obviously going to get your body moving so you can work off all the local cuisine you’ve been enjoying, but I also find that walking is the best way to see a new city; it’s a win, win!
Don’t forget your vitamins
If you’re currently taking a multivitamin, it wouldn’t be bad idea to pack them in your suitcase with you. They won’t occupy too much space and it’s not a big hassle to remember to eat one every morning before you head out. There’s no need to bring your entire supplement cabinet; unless you have a medical condition that requires certain supplements daily, I would stick to just bringing a multivitamin.
Workout!
But I’m on vacation!!?!?! I know, I know. The thought of working out while traveling sounds horrifying to some people, and the opposite while relaxing. However, you don’t need to spend hours in the hotel gym; it can be as simple as doing a few body weight exercises in your hotel room or some yoga right when you wake up, to get your heart rate and your muscles pumping. Below, is my favorite hotel workout I do almost every time I travel. Enjoy!
Note: You can also pack a few resistance bands to incorporate more strength training into the circuit.
Full Body Hotel Room Workout
Do each move as many times as you can in 30 seconds. Once you get to the end of the circuit, rest for two minutes, and then repeat 3-5 times. This circuit should only take 20-30 minutes depending how many times you go through it.
High Knees
Jumping Jacks
Burpees
Push-Ups
Squats (Jump squats to increase difficulty)
Triceps Dips
Mountain Climbers
Alternating Leg Lunges
Crunches
Wall Sit
Over to you! How do you like to stay healthy while travelling?
