- 5 Tips for Traveling Fit - August 13, 2015
By Kerry, Trainer
@kerrylovescarbs
This summer, my family of 4 had the amazing opportunity to take a month off and travel. We spent 10 days in the beautiful country of Sweden, 2 weeks in our home state of Georgia, and a few days in Nashville, TN. Needless to say, temptations were everywhere! From Smörgåsbords and fikas to BBQ ribs and pecan pie, food is naturally a part of travel. BUT, you can enjoy your vacation without feeling deprived by following these 5 tips:
1. Plan Ahead.
Scope out the best restaurants that serve the local flavor. Don’t waste money or calories on poor quality dishes. Keep healthy snacks (nuts, granola bars, etc) on hand so you are not tempted by the greasy food trucks or street vendors. And don’t make your trip revolve around food-‐-‐sign up for a fitness class and try something new. In Nashville, I participated in a group exercise class of over 25,000 people and 5 celebrity trainers! What an experience!!
2.Eat Mindfully.
Enjoy Every Bite. Take your time. Soak in the scenery and people watch. Put your fork down when you are full. It’s okay to have a bite of cornbread without eating the whole tray! But don’t over indulge or pig out because that will just make you feel sluggish and tired! It’s about moderation, not deprivation.
3.Move!
Get a Bicycle. Go Hiking. Do a walking tour instead of a bus tour. Get your steps in! You can see more of the city and save on transportation costs. When in Sweden, I aimed for 20,000 steps a day (one day, I even hit over 31,000!). I kept up with my FitBit challenge and even went running-‐-‐and I am not a runner! One of my favorite memories from the trip was hiking and foraging for wild blueberries with my family in Linköping. I totally felt that in my hamstrings the next day!
4.Drink Lots of Water.
Limit the liquid calories you consume. Too much alcohol or sugary drinks will zap your energy and make you feel bloated. You can still enjoy the night life, but stick with a beer or two-‐-‐not five! Drink a glass of water inbetween to stay hydrated. Trade a sugary cocktail for a vodka tonic. And stay away from soda!
5. Get Your Rest!
Make sure you get enough sleep. That way, you can make better choices during the day. You want to have the energy you need to stay active and explore everything your vacation site has to offer. Most importantly, don’t use your trip as an excuse to throw out your goals and be unhealthy. Wouldn’t it be amazing to come back from vacation feeling recharged and refreshed, rather than guilty, bloated, and sick? You can have a restful, relaxing trip while maintaining a healthy perspective. It’s all about balance.
Share your best fit travel tips in the comments below!
