Taking a break from work doesn’t have to mean a break in your fitness journey. It’s too difficult to pack dumbbells and a yoga mat in the suitcase, so we better leave them behind, right? Yet, when we get back home, we feel bloated and guilty, regretting unhealthy choices.
Resting is a great thing; in fact, it’s necessary at times, but it can also hinder your progress by a loss in motivation and a reintroduction of foods once addictive for you. The best thing about exercise, though, is that you can do it anywhere.
Plan ahead
Before you even hop on the plane or fuel up for gas, you have to plan. Irene Anderson, founder of Method78 Fitness, says to mainly focus on bodyweight exercise when on a trip. This makes it so that you won’t need to bring a lot of extra equipment for your workouts. For example, if you want to focus on strength, travel with fitness bands. There are many exercise combos you can do with just a few bands.
Check ahead of time what the area is like where you’re traveling. Do they have a gym? Are there hiking spots nearby? Emma Lindsay, a writer for Future.co, says, “Many gyms offer free trial periods that range anywhere from one to seven days, meaning you can easily squeeze in a session or two (or more) at no cost.”
Choose your workouts
After choosing which materials to bring and where you’ll do the workouts, pick which exercises you’ll do. Irene says to focus on where you’re lacking in your workouts. If you often focus on strength, this is a great time to focus on cardio by walking and exploring the area you’re visiting.
However, she advises keeping the actual routine similar to your normal one. “Get up at the same time, and do your workouts on the same days, if possible.” On the flipside, Irene says that if you’ve been working out consistently for a while, this might be a good time to take a break and let your body reset—rest is okay and good.
Stick to your diet
Diet is a large thing to account for when on vacation. This is a time when many for go restrictions, embracing lavish dinners and irresistible desserts. Though it’s tempting to gorge nightly on creamy fettuccine alfredo or a juicy patty, don’t eat that every night. Irene says to keep with healthy eating, especially when you’re on a business trip. If on vacation, it’s alright to be more lenient, but every day should not turn into a cheat day, or you’ll lose most of your hard work. If you’re consistent with your workouts on the trip, though, a sweet treat won’t be sabotage.
There are always ways to get your body moving, even if it’s doing lunges across your hotel room. The key to maintaining progress while away is having a plan, even before you leave home.
