Summer is the most popular time to travel. Wherever you’re headed on vacation, it can be tricky to keep up with health progress while on a trip. Check out these tips to help you stay on track while out of your normal routine.
Commit
No matter where you’re at in your health journey, make sure to commit (or recommit) to reaching your goals during this period. Traveling can often make it more difficult to maintain your healthy habits, but it’s important to decide beforehand that you’re going to stick to your guns and make smart decisions, even when it gets hard.
Make a plan
Look over your travel itinerary and where you’re staying. Will there be time available to workout? Will there be workout equipment? What will the food situation look like? Think ahead about obstacles that might prohibit you from your wellness habits, how you can work around these, what your non-negotiables are, and what you’ll prioritize.
Pack
If your hotel has a full gym, great! If your Airbnb barely fits a bed, you might need to pack a little extra or find a gym nearby. Many gyms offer a free trial period without having to commit to a long-term pass, but if you’re short on time, throw a jump rope or resistance bands in your suitcase. If you don’t have tons of space indoors to use them, you can find an open area outdoors.
There are also tons of body-weight video options online and if you ever need a mat, an extra towel can always suffice. Of course, going for a walk or jog is another great way to move your body which doesn’t require much equipment. Plus, you can always use your location to your advantage for a little activity. If you’re in Hawaii, do a shoreline swim before laying out. If you’re in Paris, see how many steps you can get in each day. If you’re in Switzerland, take a hike to get the blood pumping. Whatever you decide to do, remember to pack workout clothes so you’re prepared.
Nutrition
Vacation can really test nutrition habits, but don’t stress. First off, know it’s okay to not be perfect in your nutritional health. Traveling is often a time to splurge a bit with food. Besides, a trip is a trip for a reason; it’s not constant, so indulging a bit more than usual is understandable. However, this doesn’t mean go crazy and live it up with a sugar-only diet for a week.
Put an emphasis on protein, whole foods, and hydration. This “triple threat” will help to maintain a bit more balance in your system and fill you up with better options. For instance, it’ll be better to eat your burger meat, salad, and a full glass of water first at the family reunion barbeque, rather than filling up on potato chips and soda.
Enjoy
Yes, it’s important to be conscious of what you’re consuming and why you’re consuming it, but it’s also alright to enjoy. Don’t let food or fitness noise take over your trip. Instead, proceed with caution and confidence. Listen to your body and do what you can, where you can. Safe travels!
