For millions of us, summer means travel. Whether it’s jetting off to convention halls for business trips or heading down to the shore with the family, the change in schedule can throw off anyone’s fitness routine. Combine that with the laid-back summer weather and easily accessible junk food, you could be looking at another 5 pounds by the end of your vacation. Whether you’re whisked away to a tropical island or headed to a meeting across the country, use these tips to stay fit, healthy and energized!
1. Use the coffee maker
The coffee maker is for more than just making coffee in the hotel room. Pack your own healthy, easy, non-perishable snacks, like instant oatmeal packages or trail mix. The hot water you can make with coffee can be used to prep healthy breakfast foods like oatmeal. Avoid the continental breakfast with gooey pastries and cheese-filled belly busters, and see if you can snag some Greek yogurt or fresh fruit to add to your healthy meal.
2. Pack a workout
A jump rope, a resistance band, and a Polar heart rate monitor. They take up less room than a hair dryer and are the most time efficient travel workout tools. Using the heart rate monitor to work in your maximum fat-burning zone saves you time – a 10-minute workout in your maximum zone can do as much good as an hour on the treadmill.
3. Open the mini-bar
Hit the grocery store before the hotel, shove the tiny vodkas and $10 M&M’s to the side and stock your fridge with baby carrots, pre-cooked, yogurt and fresh fruit. Having your own food can cut down on those excess calories you don’t want or need. Prep yourself and have something healthy on hand to minimize the damage of vacation snacking. With a little planning, there are no food excuses!
4. Walk the town
What better way to experience the city you’re in than on foot? Ask the hotel staff for some sights within walking distance – shops, parks or neat neighborhoods. See if you can walk instead of taking shuttle buses or driving. Make it a rule that if the route is under a mile, you have to walk!
5. Every hotel has a fitness center – use it!
lan ahead – pick a hotel that has a fitness center where you can actually workout. If you don’t, or don’t have time to use it, your room can be your fitness center. Fit in a quick 5-minute workout with your jump rope, resistant bands and heart rate monitor.
6. Wake up early
I can hear the groans already, but it’s true. Typically, at the end of your day you’re not in the mood to exercise. Rise & shine 30 minutes before you normally would and get it over with. It may seem like a chore, but studies have proven that working out gives you more energy and makes you much more conscientious about your food choices throughout the day – why not start the day out right?
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