The Fit Traveler

The Fit Traveler

By Stacy Moutafis CEO of SM Fitness

During the summer do you find yourself struggling with your fitness routine while traveling? How about traveling for work? Here are some valuable tips to help you overcome your traveling obstacles in order to ensure that you are able to stay active and healthy while on the road. This way, you will never have to sacrifice your health for your profession.

Book close to the gym
One of the best fit travel tips to follow is to keep the gym close. When booking your room, request it near the hotel fitness center. Going to the gym may seem like an obvious way to stay healthy while traveling for business –and it is- but many people do not think about how their room’s proximity to the gym is a key factor in actually making it there. I advise my clients to make this a priority because so many people go away on vacation, and the gym is on the other side of the resort. The same applies for business travelers as well; they go on a business trip with the intent to make time to work out and lose their motivation when they realize their room is nowhere near the hotel fitness center. Think about it: Would you make the effort to walk over to the complete opposite side of the hotel in order to go to the gym as opposed to a few yards, especially after a long day of meetings? Probably not. Asking for a room close to the gym eliminates this hurdle.

Go to a class
There are some hotels offer workout classes at the fitness center, and this is also a great way to stay in shape. Being in a group setting helps people stay motivated since it is helpful to do things together. When you want to achieve a specific task, having other people in the same situation doing it with you is encouraging because you’ve all made the same goal. So booking a room near the gym helps get you in the door and taking a class creates an inspiring and productive workout environment, leaving you feeling accomplished and revitalized.

BYOB (Bring your own Bands)
Throwing in some workout equipment in your travel bag is another way to make sure you’ll be able to get a good workout in during your business trip. I recommend resistance bands, anything you can deflate, such as a 10-ounce stability ball and a yoga mat. Packing these lightweight items in your travel bag will not take up much space either. Plus, it is important to vary what kinds of workouts you do at your hotel.

Utilize Mobile Devices
We always have their laptops and smartphones whenever we travel, so download 30-minute workouts with stability balls or yoga mat. This way, you can make use of the workout equipment you bring with you. By downloading various exercises, you are able to work different parts of your body, and it keeps working out interesting. Plus, there is no shortage of resources in this departments as a result of the numerous travel apps available, which makes this one of the easiest healthy travel tips to follow.

Find a trail
Finding a walking trail near the hotel is a great way to exercise as well. You do not have to go far, but you will get a good workout in. Plus, walking is a great way to stay relaxed; business trips are grueling and demanding, so walking can help you unwind and clear your head. This could be a great habit to get into after a long business meeting. And if the weather is nice, it allows you to enjoy the time outside of the conference room and actually outside in the fresh air.

Inquire about the menu
Plan ahead and call the hotel before your trip in order to find out more about their menu options. You will know what is offered before you even arrive. Stay away from dressings and sauces filled with fat and sodium. When you are not cooking for yourself, it is important to make smart food selections while on your trip. It will definitely make a difference when it comes to your health. To take this a step further you should always ask for sauces on the side and try to avoid the bread basket. Instead, hit the salad bar when you are eating out. All of these small, but rewarding, decisions will ultimately affect your health for the better.

Pack Healthy Travel Snacks
There are plenty of snacks you can pack in order to avoid calling room service and divulging in sugary and fatty goods. Stacy provides a great list that you can refer to whenever you are preparing to travel:
· Organic steel, plain cut oats (in packages): This snack is low on carbs and sugar. Plus, it is easy to make. You can heat the oats by simply using “hot water and coffee cups.”
· Rice cakes: Packing plain, lightly salted rice cakes because they are low on carbs and won’t go bad.
· 100 calorie snack packs – almonds or walnuts: Bringing along low calorie packs with you is another healthy option. Besides the fact that they are low in calories and sodium, they are a “great energy source” as well. For frequent business travelers, this snack is essential as you will need to be energizing on your trip.
· Protein powder: This is a “great protein source without all the sodium,” Stacy notes. And it is easy to prepare as she explains that all you have to do is “Just add cold water and bring your shaker!”

Look for the fridge
Lastly, I recommend calling the hotel in advance to find out if there is a refrigerator in your room for storing your healthy snacks, meals and beverages.

Stacy Moutafis
Fitness and Nutrition Expert, Coach, Speaker and and Author
www.stacymoutafis.com
www.bridalbodybook.com

MUSCLE MEDIA MAGAZINE FOR WOMEN
The premier source of training, nutrition, supplements, fat loss and health for women.