Healthy on the Road :: Break Routine, Not Activity

Keeping active while travelling will bring you home feeling refreshed and ready to get back into your regular routine!

Don't Let Travel Sabotage your Exercise Efforts Whatever your reason for travel may be–-business or pleasure--it is safe to say that routine is tossed out the window, and more often than not, exercise goes with it. Whether you regularly exercise, or intend to start, travel can sabotage your efforts…but it doesn’t have to be that way! Unfortunately, when we toss exercise, we are also saying farewell to great energy, reduced stress level, clear thinking, good circulation, good mood, refreshing sleep…you catch my drift.

Inactivity Does Not Lead to Refreshment Routine is important and definitely has a place in our lives, but the reality is, we all get bored if we keep doing the same thing; however, inactivity does not lead to refreshment…in fact, if you don’t engage in some physical activity, you will likely return home tired and daunted by the idea of starting up your exercise routine again.

Transportable Exercise So …how about not stopping? How about embracing a style of exercise that is different, doable, fun, and transportable? How about having an array of options rather than a rigid routine that requires your regular gym, or trainer, or specific pieces of equipment? It doesn’t need to be a battle. It can be fun and invigorating. It could involve doing your regular, favourite activities in a different environment, or it could involve trying something completely new.

So, staying true to the importance of foresight (highlighted in last month’s post), here’s an idea for you: before setting off on your next trip, make a list of activities you could do at your destination, to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity (get a mild sweat going) or 60 minutes of light activity (e.g. strolling), each day you are away. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Walk whenever you can. You will need more than flip flops…pack your sneakers.
• Purchase a pedometer before you go and simply be conscious of gathering the recommended number of daily steps (10,000) over the course of your day (no need to do anything more).
• Choose excursions which involve physical activity.
• PLAY – tennis, body surf, volleyball, dance…have fun!
• Swim…don’t forget to throw a cap, goggles and appropriate swimwear into your bag.

In the months to come, our Healthy on the Road series will take a closer look at some of these ideas. In the meantime, make that list, choose what appeals to you, or speak with a personal trainer about designing a program for you to take on the road.

[Stay tuned for more Healthy on the Road posts on the first Thursday of every month, written by our resident expert, Leah Munday, owner of OTfit.ca.]

Healthy on the Road :: Forethought & Discipline

Frequent travels can wreak havoc on health due to a) loss of sleep b) loss of time [to eat healthy or exercise] b) fewer healthy eating options c) lack of exercise facilities d) less space to pack work-out gear

This is a subject I'm particularly passionate about because our health shouldn't suffer at the expense of our business or pleasure travel. Yes, it's easy to pack runners and work out gear on a week-long trip to Hawaii because it's safe to run, most hotels have gyms and there are plenty of heathy eating options. Same goes for a cruise. But what about when you're on a multi-leg business trip in Asia or traveling through South America?

Forethought and Discipline
Complicated and not-so-complicated trips make it tricky to maintain a healthy way of life, however, two important steps in keeping healthy on the road are forethought and discipline.

Forethought
- Does your hotel have a gym? If not, does it have a safe walking/running route nearby?
- Does your hotel have a program like Fairmont Fit, whereby the hotel provides workout gear to President's Club Members?
- Pre-plan time in your schedule to exercise
- Do you like the food in the region you're visiting? If not, does your hotel have a restaurant on site (or nearby) serving a more globally-inspired menu?

Discipline
- Don't partake in the wine, coke, tea/coffee offered on the plane, it will just dehydrate you 
- Think twice before grabbing a morning coffee with a baked good; opt for a protein-filled breakfast instead 
- Go for the 90/10 rule -- 90% eat well, 10% indulge
- You've pre-planned when you can likely exercise, now do it 
- Be intentional about sleep -- avoid late-night bar chats and hang out with your pillow instead. 

BONUS
- Now we all have less of an excuse not to exercise while on the road, this television programming company has teamed up with ExerciseTV to provide free workout videos in hotel rooms at Hyatt, Marriott, Fairmont, InterContinental, Hilton, Loews, Omni, Radisson, Crowne Plaza, DoubleTree and other hotels throughout the US.

Stay tuned for more "Healthy on the Road" posts on the first Thursday of every month, written by our resident expert, Leah Munday, owner of OTfit.ca.

[image via fairmont]