How to Stay Fit and Healthy on the Road

Choosing a healthy lifestyle is a commitment. You are committing to eating right, exercising, and keeping that momentum going on a daily basis. Of course, the benefits are well worth the time investment you’re making, and once you’ve lived healthy for awhile, those choices become habit. But what happens when your schedule is disrupted?

Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, being on the road doesn’t mean that you throw your exercise and diet out the window. And while you may have more time commitments than normal while on a trip, there are easy ways to stay healthy while traveling.

It’s all about attitude

What do you think of when you think road trip? Vacation? Food plays a large role in our travels, whether it’s experiencing new cuisine while vacationing or dining with business colleagues at a conference. While you’re looking over the menu, you have to decide whether your healthy eating habits came with you or were left at home.

The same can be said for exercise. Not all hotels have gyms, and even those that do might not be up to par. Still, there are plenty of opportunities to exercise without a gym if you make a point of prioritizing it on your schedule.

Let’s talk about food

There are some instances when you’re going to indulge, and that’s okay. If there’s a local delicacy you’ve been waiting to sample or you decide that one evening you’re going to celebrate your trip with some friends at the bar, you still can choose healthy eating choices the rest of your trip. Just make sure your indulgences are special occasions, and remember that just because you slipped on your diet once doesn’t mean you should give up for the rest of the trip.

Make sure you pack healthy and filling snacks. Eating plenty of vegetables and getting your daily dose of protein will help curb your appetite and also give you energy to enjoy traveling. You should limit your liquid calories as much as possible. Not only are these empty calories with no nutritional value, but sugary sodas and coffee drinks lead to energy crashes later, and nobody wants a hangover on a road trip. Bring your water bottle and stay hydrated—your body will thank you.

There’s always a way to exercise

Many of us have a routine we follow when exercising. Whether it’s going to the gym, a daily run, or a group exercise session, going to that familiar environment helps motivate us to get moving. You can still maintain some of that routine on the road, even if it’s just keeping a schedule for when you’ll work out. Set an alarm on your phone to remind yourself it’s time to work out.

While a lot of hotels do have gyms, if you’re used to a full service gym at home, these rooms feel pretty useless. If you’re traveling somewhere where heading outside for some exercise is possible, it’s an excellent way to get to know the area and getting your heartrate up at the same time. Invest in a FitBit to help track your steps, set a daily goal, and then challenge yourself to exceed it every day. Pack some resistance bands and a jump rope. These items take up minimal space in your luggage, but you’ll be able to do a full body workout, no gym necessary. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, make sure to utilize the swimming pool to get some laps in, and make sure to stretch every couple of hours during a car trip. All of the common sense tips for fitting exercise into your busy day work on the road as well. You just have to be mindful of putting them into place.

Will Norquay is a frequent business traveler who shares his experiences and thoughts writing for Stayz, Australia's #1 holiday rental website.