Travel and fitness might seem like two words that don’t really go hand in hand. Hectic itineraries with no access to a gym can urge you to skip your healthy meals and workouts while you’re on the go. But, fret not! Even though you’re out and about, maintaining an active lifestyle can still be manageable. There are simply alternative workouts and habit changes that you can do to keep your body in its tip-top shape.
And, the good news is that you don’t necessarily need a gym membership to achieve your fitness goals while trotting the globe!
Here is our 5 step guide to stay in shape while traveling.
1. Stay hydrated
Do you notice feeling fatigued or getting dizzy in the midst of your travels? More than feeling thirsty, these symptoms are actually some tell-tale signs of dehydration. One of the things most travelers frequently forget to do while being on the road is keeping themselves hydrated. It also doesn’t help your body when you’re taking long airplane rides, staying in hot and humid locations, or moving your body more than usual.
That’s why staying hydrated is all the more essential when you’re traveling.
According to health and travel experts, it’s best to drink at least 8 ounces of water every day, and even more when you’ve been perspiring a lot. You could also opt to increase your fruit and vegetable intake, as these foods are high in water content as well.
Here’s a great pro tip: Carry a collapsible water bottle during your travels. This saves up space and weight on your carry-on luggage. Just make sure to refill it whenever you find a drinking fountain or visit a restaurant.
2. Just keep walking
Ask a budget traveler what’s their best advice for traveling cheaply, and you’ll hear them talk about the wonders of walking! Not only is walking cost-effective, but it’s also easily the best way to keep yourself fit while traveling.
According to studies, walking 10,000 steps a day can be the most convenient way to burn 300-400 calories. Just remember to wear the appropriate walking shoes! After all, when it comes to traveling, comfort over style is a priority.
3. Use a suspension trainer
Suspension trainers are considered a classic piece of equipment and for good reasons. These training tools help you build and train muscles, without the need for heavy equipment. It uses an elastic band with an attached handle on each side, which can be mounted on either your hotel room’s door frame or on the power rack of the hotel’s gym.
There are many brands of suspension trainers in the market, so searching for the right one can be a challenge. Ideally, you’d want to bring suspension trainers that are suitable for outdoors and indoors. Not only that but they should also be travel-friendly. Monkii Bars and TRX are well-known brands that you should definitely check out. They are both compact and portable, making them perfect for taking them with you on your travels.
4. Get enough sleep
It can be difficult to sleep when you’ve traveled on the other side of the world since your body clock is adjusting to the local time. However, there are a few hacks that you can do to get yourself slumbering at the right time. One trick is choosing red-eye flights, so you can get some sleep while on the plane. You can also opt to take some sleeping aids, like melatonin, which helps induce sleep.
Jet lags can be inevitable, but your body clock should adjust after a few days. What’s important is that you’re aiming for the regular 7-8 hours slumber every night.
5. Maintain a healthy diet
One of the most exciting parts of traveling is that you will experience tasting different kinds of cuisines. However, maintaining a healthy diet is also important because our bodies rely on diet rather than physical activity. Some foods can be mouth-watering and delicious, while others can be unhealthy as well.
If you stay at a hostel or a friend’s house, you can buy groceries or fresh foods from the market. The bottom line here is to consume the right foods that your body needs. You are what you eat, they say. So as much as possible, make it a goal to eat healthy foods by adding vegetables and fruits to your meals.
Conclusion
Staying in shape can be a challenge if you’re traveling the world. However, it can be possible to juggle the two as long as you make time for it. Aside from following the basics like drinking lots of water and getting enough sleep, it’s important to get yourself moving and break a sweat to maintain your weight.
Another way to stay in shape is to bring suspension trainers. These are small but travel-friendly tools or equipment that will give you a full-body workout anytime and anywhere. We hope these simple tips will help you in your next travels. Stay safe and healthy!
Also read: 4 Helpful Tips for Forming Healthy Habits
