If fitness is an important part of your life than staying fit while traveling can pose a problem. Most people who stay fit keep to some sort of routine and when you travel the general rule of thumb is that you are thrown out of your routine. Similarly, when you are in a different destination it is more difficult to maintain your usual diet as you want to partake in the local delicacies and all-you-can-eat buffets at the hotel. So how can you stay fit while traveling?
Actually, staying fit while traveling is easier than you think. If you have the self-discipline to stay fit whilst at home, there is no reason why you can’t do so whilst traveling. Almost every half decent hotel these days has a gym and pool, so you should always have at your disposal at least the ability to swim as well as basic weights and a treadmill to help you maintain fitness.
What better way to explore a destination than on foot? You get to meet the locals and see how they live at close quarters, you save on taxis, and you keep fit. Obviously, no one expects you to walk tens of kilometers to a destination but even walking part of the way will do you good in so many ways. Similarly, instead of using the elevator at the hotel, use the stairs. Walking stairs is a great form of exercise and running them is even better.
As an insurance policy, pack a skipping rope and you are well on your way to staying fit while traveling. It is light, takes up little space in your luggage and is a very effective form of aerobic exercise. I was once in a hotel with some doctors in Israel who just happened to be cardiologists, when they saw me working out with my skipping rope they could not commend me highly enough.
One part of staying fit involves exercise and the other part – no less important, involves watching your diet. Drink lots of water. This not only ensures you stay well hydrated which is of vital importance in hot and humid climates, but it also helps “fill you up” thereby suppressing your appetite. Of course, when you are in a foreign land, or even in your own country but at a different destination, you are going to want to indulge a bit and there is nothing wrong with that, just do so in moderation. Visualize how difficult it is going to be to lose that extra weight and how much more difficult it will be to return to fitness and that should provide sufficient motivation to suppress your urges at meal time.
Staying fit while traveling is nothing more than a challenge – a challenge that differs slightly to that of staying fit while at home but a challenge that anyone with a bit of desire and willpower can overcome.
