5 Easy Ways to Stay Fit While Traveling

I really made a point to get outside and move around on our trips.  That meant a few mornings I set the alarm earlier than the rest to go for a quick run before sitting down with my coffee and my laptop.  Some days it was only a slow mile outside, and other days it was on the treadmill and felt more like a stress-relieving sprint.  But all in all, I prioritized to simply break a sweat, and thought if it more as a treat for myself mentally than anything.  It may sound silly, but it worked, and it helped me get through a long time away from my routine back home. 

Don’t worry if you don’t have a gym or equipment.  Like I mentioned above, I used this app a few days in the hotel room when I was too weary to go outside or find the gym.  And I found this fun no-equipment workout that would be great to do with a travel buddy, and I’ve always liked this one too. 

And get creative!  If you can’t dedicate 20-30 minutes to yourself for a workout, think about ways you can work up a little sweat even if it means taking the stairs instead of the elevator or riding a bike instead of catching a cab. 

Staying hydrated is especially important while traveling.  You do not have the time to be bed-ridden with a migraine or sluggish the day after a client dinner. As McKel at Nutrition Stripped reminded us, water helps healthy digestion too, which is a huge factor in your everyday wellbeing.  When you have healthy digestion, you feel better ALL around.  I was also excited to learn from McKel that water helps us feel more energized and more alert, making it another no-brainer reason for staying hydrated.

During our two almost back-to-back trips, I made sure to have (read: hoard) water bottles in my hotel rooms, and I always ordered water with every cocktail.  I also avoided too many mid-day drinks as I’ve learned I get sluggish, unmotivated and make poor decisions with eating if I’ve had too many!  Instead, I ordered unsweetened iced tea during the day so that I could stay sharp and focused. 

I’ve realized that having healthy snacks with me helps curb the cravings (and gives me more will-power to say no to the temptations on the restaurant menus). 

My favorite non-GMO organic meal bar is this one.  I stashed several in my suitcase for both our Louisiana road trip and South Carolina road trip.  We also had a bag of Pure Growth Organic munchies for our time in the car; these helped us avoid the dismal snack offering at the gas station.

If your travel allows, also consider bringing homemade snacks like these Spirulina Energy Globes to keep you going full-speed ahead.  

I’m sure you’ve already seen me raving about The Five Minute Journal, but I swear this thing is life-changing.  I found a pattern in my notes on daily gratitude and my daily affirmations about my health—specifically the food I was choosing to nourish my body with, and the time I was setting aside to have “me time” and workout.  I really credit the simple act of writing down those affirmations and grateful thoughts about my health for my continued motivation while on the trips.  I felt more accomplished because I prioritized these things for my self. 

Other great ways to keep track of your goals digitally while on the go: My Fitness Pal and Map My Run. 

Strong immunity is as important as ever while you’re on the go (because who has time to be sick these days?!), and it’s right in line with healthy digestion.  When your body is functioning at its best, you’ll truly feel like you can tackle the full schedule ahead.  By remembering to pack supplements and vitamins, you’re giving yourself a boost that will have you feeling amazing all the way until you’re back home. 

Here are a few goodies I had with me:

• A probiotic (here’s a quick run-down on refrigeration-vs.-no refrigeration, because I was confused too) 
• Thieves essential oil (it will help fight germs around you, while boosting your immunity when applied topically)
• Peppermint essential oil (Dr. Axe reminded us that it’s great for the tummy, and can offer topical relief after one too many glasses of wine)
• Vitamin C (as we learned from The New Potato, this one’s for immunity support)
• Sleeping Monk Nite Nite (I discovered this blend of ancient Chinese herbs from a guest on fitness guru Ben Greenfield’s podcast; it always helps me get restful sleep which is SO important on work trips!).