Even though technology has bridged a lot of gaps and enables us to communicate with people around the world quickly and easily (…in most cases wink ), still so many of us need to travel for work. Whether you’re on the road more often than not or have work trips sprung on you from time to time, being away from home and our regular routines can play havoc with our MNB lifestyle.
We spoke with our friend Michelle from WANTactive, to get her top 5 fit tips for when she’s away from home.
Around two years ago I decided to begin sharing my love of health and fitness. My goal was to show people that leading a healthy and active lifestyle didn’t have to be hard, you just had to WANT it. I started sharing some of my personal tips and tricks, favourite workouts and healthy recipes in the hopes I could inspire someone (really anyone!) to try to lead a healthier lifestyle. My 9 to 5 job is not in the Health and Fitness industry, so I’m able to relate to people who need to find the time for their health.
My day-to-day job has me travelling fairly frequently. Most of my travel keeps me in Canada, which has given me the opportunity to explore cities I wouldn’t otherwise have had the chance to visit. Despite how much I love to travel, it means adapting to a new routine. When I first started travelling for work, I often found myself falling into bad habits. Instead of following as normal a routine as possible, I would find quick and easy solutions and ended up eating later, eating more, and completely skipping workouts due to lack of time. I would come home after a week of being away and feel as though I was starting all over every time.
It was after one particularly grueling week away that I decided the only way to break the cycle would be to come up with a better plan for myself while on the road.
That’s when I developedmy personal “Tips to Fit” for when I travel. I find that by following these five easy guidelines, I am able to continue to feel like myself, without driving myself too crazy.
I no longer have to fully reset when I get home and I feel better during the weeks I am on the road.
Work Travel – 5 Easy “Fit Tips”
Do your research
Always do a bit of recon before you leave on a trip. See where your hotel is located in comparison to the closest grocery stores or healthy restaurants. Check to see if your hotel has a gym. If yes, pack your running shoes and workout clothes. If you have them with you, you’re way more likely to use them wink
Stock up!
As soon as you arrive at your destination, or as early in the trip as possible, make that grocery run. If your room has a fridge, all the better. Grab a few staples like yogurt, fresh fruit and cheese. If it doesn’thave a fridge, no worries! Grab some fruit that can stay out for a few days, mixed nuts, rice crackers and so forth so that you have some healthy snacks on hand or even a light breakfast if needed.
Don’t eat for the sake of eating
Travel often results in a lot of meals out. Don’t eat just because the people around you are. Follow your gut, literally. If you’re not hungry, have a salad or an appetizer, instead of having a full meal. This will ensure you’re not missing meals, but also won’t force you to eat more than your body needs.
Walk as much as you can
If you don’t think you’ll be able to make it to the hotel gym, try to walk to as many of your destinations as possible. It may not be the workout you’re used to, but at least you’ll be moving! Travel results in a lot of sitting around, so making a conscious effort to get up and move will reduce the amount of time spent sedentary.
Don’t be afraid to indulge a bit!
After all, you are travelling somewhere new! Just be conscious of what you’re eating and how often. The “I’m on vacation” mentality often leaves people feeling sluggish at the end of the week because they eat or act in ways their body isn’t used to. Instead of going all in on the junk food, alcohol and sleep in’s, try to compromise. Sleep an hour longer than you usually would, have a few desserts and drink in moderation. No one is saying not to enjoy yourself when you travel, just don’t trick yourself into thinking it’s a free for all
I try to follow these tips every time I’m on the road. I’m not going to kid anyone and say I’m able to do it 100% of the time, all the time, but by even just following a few of these points some days, or all of them every day, I feel significantly more like myself. While these tips work for me, just choosing one or two of them could help you keep on the health track while on the road.
What are your top ‘Fit Tips’ for when you’re on the road for work?
Michelle Levine of WANTactive
Michelle is a health and fitness blogger who specializes in travel (within canada) and vegan, gluten free recipes! Her instagram handle is @wantactive and her blog is here!