Staying on Track While You Travel

Whether traveling for leisure or work it is important not to let your journey get in the way of your workout regimen.  Getting out of routine, even for a few short days, can lead to abandoning your fitness program altogether.  To avoid a relapse and the sabotage of all your hard work, consider the following tips when you travel.

Pack Fitness Equipment

Suzanne Somers takes her Thighmaster EVERYWHERE!  Okay, I don't know if that's true....and if you have a Thighmaster consider taking it out to the curb before you take it out of town.  Resistance bands, jump ropes, and stability balls, on the other hand, are a few reasonable objects to take with you on your next trip.  Having a small piece of fitness equipment with you gets you one step closer to actually working out while you're gone.  At the very least, you'll have to look at it every time you open your luggage.  Give the guilt a little time to work it's magic...

Use What Your Hotel Has to Offer

If your hotel has a gym...USE IT!  You're paying for that in your room rate, you know?  If it doesn't have a gym then use what it does have to your advantage.  Consider getting a cardio workout in on the stairs or at the pool.  If your hotel has a courtyard then utilize that space for exercise.  Be creative!  Just remember that 12oz curls at the hotel bar don't count.

Come Up with a Body Weight Exercise Routine

Keep in mind that there is a lot you can do without any equipment.  Squats, lunges, pushups, and crunches are just a few examples.  Running is another way to stay active without equipment while you're out of town.  Come up with a short routine that you can complete using only your body weight.  Ask your trainer to write you a travel workout or visit You Tube for ideas.

Walk When Possible

Once you arrive at your destination consider walking rather than taking buses, trains, and cabs.  Walking is an easy way to get some activity in without interrupting your trip itinerary.  Depending on where you're headed you might ask the concierge at your hotel whether or not bike rental is an option.  Either mode of transportation can be a great way to explore your destination.

Plan Ahead and Make a Commitment

While the above plans would make a stellar vacation itinerary, try to add some exercise into that agenda.  If you plan ahead and commit to working out a certain number of times on your trip, you are more likely to follow through with your good intentions.  Making a promise to yourself to run a certain number of miles or visit the hotel gym a certain number of times while you're gone is a great way to get moving.  This type of commitment may even inspire you to get your workouts over with in the first few days of your trip.  Make a plan and stick with it!