Does the increase in your frequent flyer miles seem to correlate with an increase in your waistline? Business trips and vacations can sabotage even the best laid plans to exercise regularly. And to maintain results, a fitness routine requires consistency. Gains in aerobic capacity, strength, and muscle tone will start to disappear when you don’t exercise, in as little as 2-3 days.
Luckily, you don’t have to carve out hours at a time to maintain your fitness goals. Even small amounts of physical activity will help you stay fit and combat low energy, jet lag, or stress.The most obvious way to exercise while you travel is to stay at a hotel that offers a fitness facility. In addition, many hotels offer swimming pool workouts or yoga classes that can add some variation to your daily routine. But if your hotel doesn’t provide a gym, look to your hotel room as your private gym away from home. Pack your favorite workout DVD, yoga mat, jump rope, or resistance bands so you can slip in a workout at the start of your day.
If your time is so tight that you can’t fit in an entire workout, sneak in physical activity during the day. Walk to appointments, take the stairs instead of the elevator, and use breaks during your meetings to stretch or take short, brisk walks. If you’re on vacation, build a hiking trail or city walking tour into your day. Small amounts of activity can really add up.
For travel schedules that are more flexible, research gyms and fitness centers ahead of time. You can get a one-day pass or weeklong pass at these facilities depending on the duration of your stay. Look for fun exercise classes or innovative types of sports training that will make your experience unique and more enjoyable. Try indoor rock climbing, anti-gravity yoga, or pole dancing – just to name a few!Total wellness and balance on the road depends on the simple act of building healthy routines into your travel plans. These can be fun, easy practices that pay off in big ways…physical well being, mental alertness, and better performance will make it well worth your efforts!
