How to Stay Fit and Healthy while Traveling

It’s a common misconception that traveling and staying in shape are incompatible. While it can be a little more difficult to keep up your fitness regimen and healthy eating patterns when you’re away from home, it’s certainly not impossible to stay fit – and these tips will help you do it.

How to Stay Fit and Healthy while Traveling

Focus on your food. Food is a huge component of staying fit, and for most people, traveling means eating more meals out. But that doesn’t have to mean giving up healthy food. Check out restaurant menus online to see what they offer in advance, and don’t be afraid to ask for healthier substitutions – like a lettuce wrap in place of a hamburger bun, or vegetables instead of fries. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you indulge a bit, but try not to have two ‘bad’ meals in a row. You don’t want it to become a habit.

Drink more water, less alcohol. Alcohol is full of empty calories, offers your body little in the way of nutrition, and can be extremely dehydrating. Many popular drinks come in at 100-200 calories a pop, which can really add up night after night. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with the occasional drink while you’re away, try to avoid the temptation to drink more than you typically would at home. It’s also a good idea to carry a reusable water bottle during the day. Having water on hand when you’re thirsty curbs any temptation to grab a soda from the nearby corner store.

Explore on foot. It’s easy to jump on a bus or in a cab to explore a new city, but there are two great benefits to doing it on foot (or by bicycle). First, you’re likely to see more and you can stop wherever and whenever you want; wandering around a new place is the perfect way to find hidden spots and cute restaurants. Second, it keeps you moving and allows you to burn calories while you sightsee.

Find a local gym. Most hotels have fairly well-equipped gyms with cardio and strength training equipment available for your use. Local gyms can also be a great option, though, and many offer daily or weekly passes for people visiting from out of town. If you enjoy participating in group classes, apps like ClassPass can connect you to a variety of classes in the area.

Try bodyweight workouts. Gyms aren’t for everyone, but bodyweight workouts can be done just about anywhere – including your hotel room. Exercises like split squats, lunges, burpees, squats, push-ups, and glute bridges require minimal space and can get your heart rate up. If you’re lacking inspiration, there are dozens of mobile apps that offer bodyweight workouts for you to follow along with.

Travel with a few exercise essentials. If you travel often and want to add some variety to your on-the-go workouts, consider investing in some lightweight equipment. Mini resistance bands, slides, an ab roller, and a skipping rope are all excellent options. Numerous companies also offer travel-friendly yoga mats, some of which weigh less than two pounds and can fold up to fit in your bag.

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