I’m going to start this post with a confession: I almost always get fat on the road. Well, I wouldn’t say fat, but definitely cuddly. This month long trip with my sister will be different – I’m certain of it. I’ve been gyming a lot during my time at home and I’m not so keen on throwing it away just to indulge in a box of Oreos (or ten). There’s lots of little things you can do when you’re traveling to avoid letting the pounds pack on. At home I’ve been gyming 3-5 times per week, and eating mostly paleo. Transitioning into a life without a gym or a kitchen for a month or more, is always challenging. But on this trip I’m committed to putting Fitness First and working hard to maintain my body as best I can. Here are some tips for staying fit on the road, that anyone can do no matter their fitness level or dietary requirements.
1) Walk Everywhere
Walking is a great way to burn off that piece of baklava or your banana and Nutella roti. I find that when I walk a lot during my travels I tend to discover hidden little secrets I wouldn’t have found otherwise. It also helps you kept fit with minimal effort, while saving you money. If the weather’s good, the distance’s not too far then why not walk there?
2) Say no to Rice / Bread
Depending where in the world your next adventure is, you’ll probably be offered some of the staple high carb foods with your meal. Whether it’s roti in India, rice in Indonesia or bread in Italy – you can skip on all of these low nutritional value and high calorie foods. They’re all cheap, so you’ll often be given a generous serving for a minimal price or even for free. As tempting as it is, just decline them or eat only a little what you are served.
3) Exercise Still
On my first trip to Asia I took a pair of running shoes and shorts and managed one whole run in my four month trip. I was in Chiang Mai, one of the cooler parts of Asia, and found myself completely drenched and exhausted 4 minutes into my run. Look into a body weight circuit that you can do anywhere – made up of things like burpees, press ups, sit ups, lunges and squats. Even though you don’t have the weights that you have when you’re at the gym, you’ll still get some good bang for your buck and feel all the better for it. If you’re into yoga, most countries have yoga retreats plastered around and this can be a great way to keep in shape when you’re on the move.
4) Rent a Bike
I used to love riding a bike when I was a kid, but it was not something that I re-visited until I was 22 and in Amsterdam, the city of bikes. Since then, I’ve become quite smitten with renting a bike in a foreign place and exploring that way. You’re so much closer to the environment – the people, the smells, the sounds, which allows you to get a really good feel for a new place at a much slower pace than if you were in a car. It’s cheaper, too and allows you to get in some decent exercise as well.
5) Don’t go Crazy with Your Eating
Against all odds, you don’t need dessert with every meal. Find a good balance between enjoying the local food and sweets, and actually eating an appropriate amount for your height, weight and activity level. There was a lovely restaurant in Hoi An that sold European style cakes and desserts for a measly $1 a pop. I took great delight in having a compulsory daily dessert (or two) for the week we were in Hoi An. Thankfully I hadn’t bothered to get any clothes tailored, because they probably wouldn’t have managed to fit after that week. Life is all about balance and keeping your eating in check will be the best way for you to stay at a healthy weight when you’re away from home.
6) Avoid Excessive Alcohol Consumption
I’m not really a big drinker, thankfully. I think I’ve left that part of my life behind me. However, it’s not uncommon when you’re backpacking across Europe or making your way around the tourist trail of South East Asia to drink every night. This is the most effective way to require a new wardrobe, as drinking your calories allows them to pack on quickly and with minimal effort. Combine that with the poor decisions, including food decisions, that tend to go hand in hand with drinking, and you’ve found a shortcut to getting a solid pair of love handles. Yes, it’s great not setting an alarm, sleeping in, spending your days lazing around exploring and realizing your biggest struggle of the day is choosing where to eat – but just because you can get drunk every night doesn’t mean you should!
These are my tips for staying fit and looking good on the road. Do you have anything else to you do while on the road to keep fit? Let me know in the comments below!
