Planning a vacation?
Most of us have good intentions to keep up our fitness and
exercise routines while we’re away but let’s face it… you’re on vacation! It's an escape from work, stress, and… exercise. Or maybe you’re traveling for work so it’s
not your escape – but it’s also not an excuse to skip your workout.
Here are my tips to help you stay on track while traveling:
Step 1: Pack Your Running Shoes
Leave the running shoes at home and you can skip the rest of
this blog post! Wear sneakers
on the plane to allow extra room in your suitcase for some running clothes and
GPS watch.
Plan—but Be Flexible
Incorporate exercise into your itinerary. I’m a planner. If it’s not on the schedule, chances are it’s
not going to get done. Also, don’t beat
yourself up if you miss a day or two.
Unexpected travel delays, jetlag, and other events may interfere with
your plans. Just get back on track and
plan activities for the next day.
Wake Up Early
Set your alarm and start your day with a workout. While you’re heading to a business
conference, sightseeing venture, or even better—laying by the pool sipping
margaritas, you won’t have to worry about when you can squeeze in your run.
Walk Every Chance You Can Get
Not only will it save you the taxi or subway fees, you will
be getting a free walking tour of the city!
Long layover at the airport? Walk
the terminals. Have a few extra minutes
in between business meetings? Walk a few
blocks to find a new coffee shop.
Research Before You Leave
Going to Vegas? There
are awesome hiking trails just outside of the city.
Weekend in New York
City? You have no excuses with the
accessibility and great paths through Central Park or take a waterfront route
along the Hudson River.
Business trip to
Chicago? Chicago’s Lakefront Trail runs
18 miles along Lake Michigan.
Visiting
Cape Cod? Rent bikes and take the Rail
Trail to the National Seashore.
Spending a week at the beach? Places like Florida’s Daytona Beach or Surfside
Beach in Texas have miles and miles of packed sand perfect for running and
walking. Beat the heat and wake up early
for an unforgettable sunrise adventure.
Sign Up for a 5k Fun Run
On websites like
active.com, you can search for dates and
locations of all local road races.
Sign
up in advance to guarantee you’ll be getting in at least one run during your
trip!
You can also try visiting the
local running store to see if they have any group training runs scheduled.
Hotel Fitness Center
If your excuses are “it’s too cold” or “it’s too hot” or “it’s
dark out,” check out the hotel fitness center.
Most are open 24 hours. Leave
your excuses at the door and hop on the treadmill or elliptical to log some
active minutes.
Hotel Room Moves
Start your day with these moves to target all major muscle
groups:
·
20 Jumping Jacks
·
20 Squats
·
20 Lunges
·
20 Push Ups
·
20 Tricep Dips
·
5 30-60” Planks
Splurge—In Moderation
We are all going to eat different foods on vacation. It’s inevitable. It takes a lot of effort to find healthy options at the airport and once you get to your hotel or the beach, it’s time for a
drink followed by big meals and delicious desserts. It’s ok to splurge and "treat yo self" as long as
you are splurging in moderation!
Pack Snacks
Pack your favorite healthy option snacks for those hours
waiting at the airport.
Crackers, nuts, protein bar, energy chews, etc. Save money and better food choices. It’s a win-win.
Visit the Grocery Store
Once you arrive at your destination, hit up the grocery
store for a case of water, fruit, yogurt, and other essentials. If healthy food is around, you are much more
likely to grab it before heading to Starbucks and picking up a chocolate croissant
to go with your morning latte.
Hydrate! & Have a
great trip!!
