Just because you are traveling doesn’t mean you need to forgo your fitness goals. I know it’s so hard to make an effort to exercise during a trip because you are busy, tired, and out of your normal schedule. However, to keep energy, mobility, and immunity levels up during your trip, it’s best to keep active. Here are some tips that can help:
Count your steps.
During your trip, you are probably already taking way more steps than usual! I like to keep track of exactly how many with my Fitbit. Matt uses his geeky Apple Watch. On most days, we clock in 2-4 times more steps than at home. No wonder our feet are so tired! This is important to keep in mind, as you are probably already burning more calories just by walking everywhere.
Pack sneakers.
Pack stylish ones if possible, so you can also wear them to museums without looking too frumpy. If you don’t have a pair of comfortable sneakers in your backpack, you are way less likely to want to do anything that involves exercise. Packing prepared keeps you open to more active experiences, and your feet will thank you.
Plan active experiences in your itinerary.
Search online for at least one active outdoor experience per week that is so fun you won’t even think about the fact that it’s exercise. Snorkeling, hiking, bike tours, kayaking, zip lining… Specifically make plans to do these types of activities wherever you are going.
Walk or bike around cities.
While taxis, busses, and subways can be great ways to save your feet, many cities are perfectly laid out for biking around. If there isn't city bike share program, consider renting a bike for part of your trip. Bikes will get you off of your sore feet, but still keep you moving. Plus, bikes are a fun way to explore!
Use on-the-go exercise apps.
My favorite workout apps for traveling (and at home, really) are quick and require no equipment. I like the 7-Minute Workout, VTBodyweight, and Yoga Studio. I recommend doing these in the morning before you are exhausted from site seeing all day. Germophobes use a towel on the floor so you don't need to touch the carpet. These mini-workout apps help fill in fitness gaps by building muscles and getting your heart rate up. While you are probably getting plenty of steps in during the day, these types of exercises help increase strength, flexibility, and blood flow.
Keep in part of your home workout routine.
If you are a runner, get up early and go running. You’ll get a whole new scenery! If you are into CrossFit, go find a playground or something to do pull-ups. Just because you can’t go to a gym (unless you are in a hotel with a gym!) doesn’t mean that you can’t still work out in some capacity.
Get your nutrients.
Without enough fresh vegetables and fruits after even one day, I get lethargic and cranky. To prevent this, I generally eat salads for lunch, and at dinner I always make sure that I get some kind of vegetable in. If I need a quick pick-me-up mid-afternoon break, instead of just ordering coffee, I order fresh squeezed orange juice (especially when I’m in Italy- my god it’s good!). In addition, just like at home, I drink Emergen-C every morning before my coffee and protein-rich breakfast.
Drink enough water.
It is so easy to forget to drink water while out sightseeing. But dehydration is the worst energy bandit. Start and end your day by drinking a big glass of water, carry a water bottle with you at all times, and drink plenty of water with each of your meals (in addition to that bottle of wine).
Use your trip as a goal to get in shape before even leaving home.
My husband and I usually try to increase our hiking distances before leaving on a big trip. If our destination requires hiking, it gets us in shape for those hikes. In addition, it helps get us acclimated for walking around cities all day and going up many flights of stairs when climbing cathedral domes, or let’s face it, hotels with no elevators.
Fitness and travel are not antonyms, and there are many websites specifically dedicated to this hot topic. So whether you are a gym rat or a fair-weather walker, don't forget to consider your health and fitness during your next adventure!
