With a little planning and deliberation, it is possible to keep up with your healthy habits, no matter where you are headed. Whether you are traveling home for the upcoming holidays, taking an exotic vacation with friends and family, or just plain traveling for work, here are some basic ways to ensure you can keep up with your healthy lifestyle.
Granted all may not fit you or your travel plans, but I guarantee at least a handful of these gems can help you to maintain your zen, your waistline, and your energy while out of your normal routine.
1. Bring a refillable water bottle.
I use a SIGG bottle. I bring it to the airport empty, and fill it after I pass through the security check-point. Make sure to refill often. One thing that you for sure CAN do while traveling is guzzle the water. Women, make sure to get at least a gallon per day, men aim for at least a gallon and a half. I mean it. Keep up the water intake. This will help reduce water retention, curb hunger pains, and just plain keep those cells in your body happy.
Note: If traveling abroad, nix this idea and stick to the bottled water.
2. Book an aisle seat.
This will allow you to easily get up and move around, stretch, and make many trips to the bathroom without feeling like you are bothering your seat mate. Lots of water equals lots of trips to the bathroom.
3. Bring healthy travel friendly snacks.
Some of my favorites are:
For the plane or car ride there -
- Sandwich or wrap made with high fiber, whole grain bread/wrap, nitrate free lunchmeat, low-fat mayo, mustard, lettuce, and tomato.
- Fat-free no-sugar added yogurt with mixed berries, stevia, and raw walnuts (packed in a disposable container, eat with disposable silverware).
- Kashi TLC crackers (separated into baggies of one serving portions) and a one ounce portion of reduced-fat cheese cut into cracker size slices.
- Bag of cut up veggies like cucumbers, green and red peppers, carrots, and celery.
To keep in hotel room and take with you -
- Kashi TLC crackers (again, separated into baggies of one serving portions) and individual natural peanut butter packets.
- Apples - my favorite are honeycrisp.
- Lara Bars - portable, all natural, filling, and delicious.
- Toasted pumpkin seeds
- One ounce portions of trail mix.
- Individual portions of whey protein powder for pre-workout shakes. Bring a reusable plastic container to add the protein powder to, mix with water, shake, and drink.
- Turkey jerky or beef jerkey
Turn on the burner and add oats and water to the pot first thing when you wake up. By the time you are finished getting ready, your oats will be done. [Note: Make sure to wash the pot thoroughly first before use. Who knows when the last time was that sucker was washed.]
5. Check out a local market.
They typically have a fantastic salad bar, great for lunch, or even pick up a few things and keep them in your in-room fridge if you can. Most hotels will empty your mini-bar fridge or will provide a second fridge upon request. No fridge? Pack your own soft cooler and fill with ice from the ice machine.
6. Get in an early morning workout.
Plan for it. Set the alarm. Go to bed an hour earlier. Even if you can’t go to sleep earlier, get up and get that workout in. You will feel much better in the long run if you do. It will help you burn those extra calories all throughout the day.
7. Make an effort to be active.
In addition to the workout, keep your activity up all day long. If you are eating more, move more. Its just that simple. Depending on your location, try some of the following:
Traveling for fun -
- Take a walking or bike tour of the city
- Take a hike
- Cold climate? Go skiing, sledding, ice skating
- Exotic climate? Take an after dinner stroll on the beach, go for a swim,
- Do some shopping
- Rather than play cards, play charades
- Do 4 sets of 25 jumping jacks in your room before dinner
- Take the stairs
- Stand rather than sit
- Do some calming stretches before bed
- Walk to dinner rather than take a cab
8. Choose one splurge meal per day.
If you are going to splurge for dinner, make sure that breakfast and lunch are filled with lower calorie foods. Focus on lean protein, and high fiber carbs like fruits, veggies, and whole grains.
Although we all have learned that 5-6 small meals spaced evenly throughout the day is best, in this type of situation, it is better to plan for a larger meal rather than eating your normal meals around it.
For example, if dinner is your “splurge” meal, then for breakfast stick to oatmeal with fruit, egg white omelette with lots of veggies, hard boiled eggs, cottage cheese or yogurt with fruit, etc. Then for lunch have chicken or fish with steamed veggies, a salad with grilled chicken and lots of veggies, or a high fiber, protein filled turkey wrap.
9. Don't skip breakfast.
Start your day off right. Even if you know you will be having a big meal later in the day, it is important to get something nutritious into your stomach after a night-long fast.
10. Low calorie foods are your friend.
In general, remember to fill up on a broth based soup or salad rather than bread and/or eating way too much of your main course.
To read 10 more healthy traveling tricks click here
