Friday, January 16, 2015

How to Stay Fit While Traveling: 9 Tips & Tricks


One of the challenges that comes with traveling is finding a balance between enjoying your vacation to the fullest while also maintaing some sort of a fitness routine. I know personally, when I am traveling the last thing I want to do is hit the gym. Fortunately, there are still tons of different things you can do to keep yourself in shape. Today, I'll be sharing the best tips and tricks to stay in shape while on vacation!

1. Walk, and walk everywhere. Skip the taxi, bus, or train, grab your walking shoes and hit the road. Walking between attractions is not only exercise, but also saves you money- and perhaps introduces you to sights and places you may not have explored otherwise.

little bit sweaty after a 5K in the Thai heat!
2. Find a local fitness activity and join it. Before heading to Thailand for our honeymoon, Nick and I did some research and discovered there would be a 5K run where we were staying. It was one of the last nights of our trip, which was perfect motivation to us to stay somewhat in shape throughout the trip.  The Koh Samui Midnight 5K was the perfect fun activity that also had us performing physical activity! The 5K run we chose was a charity event that benefited children in Thailand- so not only did we feel good from the run, we also felt good from supporting a charitable organization in the country we were visiting.

3. Learn to love jet lag. If you are like me, jet lag means that you may be waking up some time before you usually would. Learn to love this aspect of the vacation, and use that extra 30-60 minutes for a quick workout. Hit the beach for a run, go for a swim, use your hotel's fitness center. Whatever activity it is, waking up and getting a quick workout in will kickstart your day and leave you feeling awesome.

4. Pack a workout. Have extra space in your bag? Throw in a jump rope. Super small, compact, and lightweight, even the presence of this will help motivate you to workout. When you are fresh out of the shower and selecting your clothes for the day/night, you might happen to grab this- and do a minute, or three, then get on with your day. Any physical activity here helps.

5. Drink water. It can be hard to drink enough water while on vacation or traveling, but you definitely need it. Not only will it keep you hydrated, but it will also boost your energy levels, leaving you more in the mood for a good workout.

family hike in Bergen, Norway
6. Make exercise a part of your daily activities. Are you headed to the mountains? Great, go for a hike, skiing, snowboarding. Going to the beach? Go for a run, or hit the water and swim, snorkel, windsurf. Going wine-tasting? Instead of enjoying your wine at a table, grab a glass and walk through the vineyards. Instead of thinking of it as a workout, think of exercise as an activity you are doing. This will make it an experience, and definitely be more enjoyable than simply hitting the gym.


7. Take a bike tour or rent a bike. Many cities will have bike tours, where you can rent a bike and have a guided tour with all the sights. Look into these tours, or rent a bike on your own. It can be another great way to explore the city, and definitely a great form of exercise.

8. "Getting Ready" repetitions. While brushing your teeth, do wall sits, or lunges. Whenever you have a task like this, take the two minutes of down time and use it. Men, I'm looking at you here- instead of watching TV while your wife/girlfriend gets ready, use this time the get a few reps in and you'll feel much better about your day.

9. Relax & make smart choices. Relax, buddy. You are on vacation. Enjoy it. If you want that dessert, go ahead and have it- just don't have four. Same thing applies with alcohol. Making smart choices and enjoying everything in moderation is the key to your vacation.

35 comments:

  1. I always try to workout when I travel. Even if it's just running up and down the stairs at the hotel a bunch of times.

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    1. That is a great way to get a workout in- just the little things matter!

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  2. I think it's great that you stay so active on your trips. I have to confess... I become a total layabout when I go on vacation. =/

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    1. Jennifer, I used to do that- but now with my husband, he helps to motivate me and stay somewhat active!

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  3. Great tips! We usually opt for walking everywhere and add in some type of physical activities. I love that you guys ran a 5k while in Thailand!

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    1. Kaelene, walking everywhere is great activity, and I think it brings you to so many new places you may not have experienced otherwise. The 5K was so much fun to run!

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  4. I love this post! I think it's so important to keep up healthy habits while on vacation. I spend my summers in Italy and although I eat a ton (lol!) I exercise just as much as I would if I were at home...I alternate between long walks in the countryside, yoga, and trx ;-)

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    1. Its great that you are able to exercise just as much as if you were at home while on vacation in the summer! I definitely don't exercise the same amount, but I try to get some activity in every day.

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  5. These are great tips for staying fit while traveling. Walking is a great way to exercise while on vacation or traveling instead of using transportation. Renting a bike is also a great way too. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Love it. You just really stay active whatever and wherever your doing or going. Did anyone ever tell you your husband looks like Woody Harrelson, you know the bartender from cheers... ?

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    1. Marie, I have actually heard that before! One of our good friends thinks that, so I took a picture of this comment and sent it to him :)

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  7. Most of my vacations are the opposite - I plan them around a race I'm running. We'll be heading out to Houston in the morning so i can run the marathon on Sunday. Nice little 3 day weekend trip!

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    1. April, that is definitely a great way to vacation. I hope your marathon goes smoothly today- good luck!

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  8. great tips!! we're usually THE worst at doing exercise on our trips.. but depending on where we go, most of the time we choose to walk around more to explore rather than cabbing it or taking other modes of transportation.

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    1. Esther, walking is a great way to get some exercise- and explore new places!

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  9. These are great tips! I'm traveling to NYC tomorrow and every time I visit, I always walk everywhere! When I went to florida this summer (and winter) I rented a bike and biked everywhere. Not only was it great exercise but it allowed me to really get to know the cities <3

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    1. Have so much fun in NYC! Jealous of your trip- I bet it will be awesome!

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  10. I should definitely take this advice. It's so easy to just postpone all of your fitness habits until you get back home. Doing this can set you back or reinstate old bad habits though.

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    1. Liz, it is definitely way too easy to postpone all fitness habits. Thats why I try to do some form of exercise, just to keep me going somewhat!

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  11. I loved when we went to Hawaii and all the walking I was able to do there! How fun that you fit a 5k into your honeymoon.

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    1. Thanks Jennifer! The 5K was actually one of our favorite parts about our honeymoon- such a different memory.

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  12. You're such an inspiration! I honestly get lazy when I am on a vacation. All I can think is food, sleep and repeat! I'm going to take note of all the things you've said! I will give this a try!

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    1. Rashell, I hope it helps you! I'm definitely somewhat lazy on vacation, but when I do exercise I feel so much better.

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  13. Those are really great ways to stay fit on vacation! I find that I actually get more exercise on vacation because I'm exploring new places.

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    1. Nikki, that is awesome you get more exercise! I feel like sometimes I am the same- just from walking- but other times there are days where I do nothing.

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  14. Great tips you have here and so much inspiring as well! <3 Always nice to be able to do workouts as we travel.

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  15. These are such great tips! Usually when I go on vacation, I totally forget about working out! I need to stop this habit haha!

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  16. Excellent tips! I do yoga during my trips and that really helps.

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    1. Thanks Vidya- I bet yoga really helps you to get exercise and relax and unwind from traveling.

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  17. I can’t imagine focusing long enough to research; much less write this kind of article. You’ve outdone yourself with this material. This is great content. see here

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  18. I love the idea of finding a local fitness event! We try to do 5ks whenever we visit family!

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    1. Carly, that sounds like such a fun activity for your family to do. I'm hoping to do a 5K with my family this summer!

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  19. I definitely have to agree with the walking - it's the best way to see everything and especially a nice break if you had a long trip in the car!

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