Motivation to exercise and eat healthy while abroad is tough. The trick is not to overthink it. There are plenty of ways to stay active and make smart meal choices.
So here’s a list of 5 things for living healthy, taking care of yourself, and still doing all the fun stuff that made you want to travel in the first place
1 – Make sure you pack your work out gear
We have all been there, it’s the night before your trip. You’re sitting on the floor packing your bag and face that usual dilemma. Do you or don’t you pack your trainers and gym clothes? The answer is YES people!
2 – Keep active on the journey
Whether you’re travelling by car, train or plane, travelling can force you to sit for long periods, which isn’t good for your #health. Wearing your running shoes on travel days makes doing some physical activity easier. Some ideas are to walk through the airport terminal instead of sitting (you will be doing plenty of that on the plane), walk up the escalators, don’t stand, take the stairs instead of the lift. If driving take stretch breaks.
3 – Explore a new city by walking, running or even on a bike
Skip the bus, train, or taxi and go by foot or bike! I find that when I travel I discover SO much more on foot. I am always finding cool streets, restaurants and alleyways during my morning runs. Local walking tours are another great way to explore cities via foot.
Additionally, some cities are made for cycling (Amsterdam, Portland, Tokyo) so hire a bike and go explore. Plenty of cities also have ride share bikes stationed around that you can easily use for an hour or for the day.
4 – Water sports
Swimming laps a great low impact exercise and is always an amazing full-body workout. Alternatively, try kayaking or Stand up paddle boarding, both are great for working the core and upper body strength.
5 – Be prepared to eat healthy
After landing in a new city, it’s very easy to fall into the “you only live once” mindset and just go with the flow. But you need to build in a healthy LIFESTYLE #mindset. One way is to plan your meals ahead. I find that if I don’t, once I get hungry all my willpower goes out the window. Instead, I try to carry multiple healthy snacks with me incase I don’t have access to a healthy option throughout the day. For me airports are the worst and full of horribly unhealthy and overpriced food, don’t let them get you – Pack a couple of sandwiches, nuts, protein bars, and try to eat a healthy meal before you leave for the airport. Finally, don’t forget to pack your reusable water bottle and make sure to fill it up after going through security.
Going on a holiday means taking be a break, but don’t let that be an excuse to turn off all your healthy lifestyle habits! Take a break from your work and other commitments, but remember to still take the time to focus on yourself.
What do you struggle with most when traveling? Comment below and let’s come up with some strategies to combat those moments