What are the odds that you will maintain your current fitness routine while you’re away from home? If you’re like most people, the answer is likely…not good. According to recent research, only 40% of Americans maintain their fitness habits while traveling for business.

Why is that?

The truth is, it isn’t hard to incorporate wellness into our routine when we’re one the road. Whether you’re travelling for work or off on vacation, there’s no reason you can’t incorporate fitness into your schedule while you’re away. To help, we’ve created a list of our top 5 tips to shift your mindset and keep you fit while you’re traveling. Let’s dive in!

Change the way you view workouts

There’s a reason this is our number one tip…it’s crucial to your success. You must stop thinking of your exercise time as a chore or unpleasant activity to plow through. It is this negative mindset that makes skipping workouts so easy when we’re away from home…that makes us think not working out is some sort of reward.

It’s time to flip the script, friends.

Stop viewing your workouts as something you deserve a vacation from and start thinking of them the same way you think about brushing your teeth or drinking enough water. Do you go on vacay and say to yourself, Woohoo! No brushing or flossing this week! Of course not! The same should go for fitness…keep it up when you’re on the road.

Don’t limit yourself to the hotel fitness center

If you’re in a new locale, the last thing you want to do is waste time grinding through a workout in a small, possibly ill-stocked hotel gym. Get out in this new section of the world and explore! Swap the treadmill for a hike in a nearby park or a jog along the beach. Pick a scenic location for an outdoor bodyweight strength training or meditation session. Walk to your destination instead of hopping on public transportation. Doing so will allow you to see more of your destination while getting in some healthy movement.

Eat well while on the road

Your diet is a huge part of your wellness journey, so it’s important to maintain good eating habits while travelling. That’s not to say you can’t enjoy the delicacies of the area, but you should also plan to get a serving of high-quality protein and at least one serving of veggies in with every meal.

Bring your own equipment along

It never hurts to be prepared and bringing a few pieces of packable equipment with you when traveling can be a life saver. Our very own booty bands fit easily into a suitcase or carry-on bag and allow you to get in a full-body workout without leaving your hotel room (though you could certainly take them with you to an outdoor workout location).

Be kind to yourself

Let’s be honest—you’re in a new place, with interesting food options, and likely off your normal routine. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself enjoying more calories than normal or working out a little less. Do your best to nourish your body with healthy food choices and to get as many workouts in as possible…and be kind to yourself if you happen to overindulge or miss a workout opportunity. Enjoy your travels! They won’t last forever, and you’ll back home and into your regular routine before you know it.

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References

She Goes the Distance

Nomadic Matt

Hostel World