“This year is going to be the year I figure it out! I’m going to get my exercise on point, eat better, [fill in more pump-up phrases here], etc!”
You sign up for a gym. ✅
You start to go. ✅
You get more conscientious about food choices. ✅
You start building momentum. ✅
BAM.
Then, two weeks in, work sends you away for a week. Or, you decide to take a quick, spontaneous 5-day cruise (please take me with you). Or, your family goes away for a weekend....
BOOM! Your efforts have been totally blindsided. You aren’t sure what to do on the road, away from home, away from your routine, habits, etc.
DUH-DUH-DUH. 🎶
This can go one of two ways:
- Succumb to the lack of routine, accept defeat, and revert to old habits
- Continue building momentum or, at the very least, keep him/herself in a state of maintenance until he/she returns!
If I had a dollar for every time someone chose option #1, I’d have a lot of dollar bills. 💸 #dolladollabillsyall
But let's not make that the case for us. Instead, choose number two! ✌ Let's keep on keepin' on. Without further ado, here are FIVE ways to survive traveling and keep your workout and diet game on point!
1. Prioritize, Prioritize, PRIORITIZE
Believe me, it is SO easy to let working out fall by the wayside on vacation or on the road. You’re away from home. You may have had some action-packed days, whether in the office or on the beach. But if you weren’t physically active, you’re going to want to fit in some sort of workout at SOME point during the day.
Just like I said in the Barriers post, you can likely find 30 minutes to spare, even in a packed schedule. Squeeze that time in for yourself. It is self-care.
2. Hotel Gyms Exist for a Reason. So Does Google.
This sounds like a no-brainer, yet people forget it constantly. Look up or call up the hotel to find out what equipment they have. More than likely, they have some cardio equipment (treadmills, ellipticals, etc) and some very basic weights, which should be ample for you to keep on your routine. Best part? It’s included with your stay!
Not enough for what you need?
Maybe you prefer AirBnB? Here lies the magic of Google. You can search fitness centers in the area to use while you are away.
Some may give a free 3 day trial, some may charge a day or weekly rate, but there ARE options. You can even search for at-home workouts online! 🙉
💡Pro-Tip: if you belong to a chain gym in your hometown, you (typically) can use any location of that gym nationally. For example, if you belong to LA Fitness in Tampa, you may be able to go to one in Charlotte.
3. Take a Hike! 🏔
If you’re visiting somewhere warm or there’s a heat wave, take full advantage.
Go for a run, interval train with sprints, or perform some body weight exercises. Just get outside! It's new terrain with new scenery. There is so much to explore.
4. The Excuse Buster AKA Hotel Room Workouts
I can picture it now:
You tell me you’re marooned in a hotel without a fitness center. No car. Ubers are too expensive. Maybe the gyms around you are closed and you’re in the middle of Nowheresville, USA.
What do you do? A hotel room workout of course!
How do you do one? Simple.
💪 Warm-up and get your blood flowing. Jumping jacks, lunges, running in place, and others can get your body primed and ready.
💪 Pick 4 exercises that involve your bodyweight (intermediate/advanced readers can also utilize a resistance band packed in luggage)
💪 Perform them sequentially with minimal rest between
💪 Take 1-2 minutes off between sets
💪 Repeat for 15-20 minutes (set a timer)
Exercise examples can include squats, pushups, rows (with suitcase), lunges, burpees, planks, reverse crunches (and most abs movements), and much, much more. The possibilities? Endless.
5. Consider Modifying Your Workout Schedule
This is NOT a free pass to skip your workouts. If this is a short vacation or trip, consider modifying your typical workout schedule to be more conducive to the traveling.
For example, if you are working out on four days during the week and you have a weeklong business trip, consider taking your three rest days as a part of the trip. This way, you workout two days during the week and can catch up on the other two once you return to normal life.
💡Pro tip: since cardio equipment is more easily accessible, consider saving cardio workouts for the road and resistance training when you are home.
Next time you are on the road, you have the keys 🗝 for success to staying in top shape!
