With spring break around the corner, upcoming travel plans can be the biggest threat to your waistline. Even with your best intentions to be health conscious, your eating regime goes on vacation the minute you leave home. The long wait times at the airport, delays, and solitude (if you're traveling alone) sometimes allows us to submit to the gauntlet of grease, cinnamon, sugar, and buttery goodness at the airport terminals or train stations.
I've learned several helpful tips to stay healthy and fight the battle of the buldge while traveling:
Keep Hydrated
Buy a bottle of water once you've cleared security. Water will keep you hydrated while you're on the plane and help fight the high-calorie soda temptations.
Brown-Bag It
It's a healthier and (and more economical) option to pack trail mixes, a turkey sandwich, protein bars, or baby carrots and not allow yourself be seduced by that oh-so-warm aroma of cinnamon rolls or a fatty in-flight meal. Make sure to keep all of your snacks in Ziploc bags for security clearance.
Walk Fast Everywhere
You can use your bags and luggages as weights and power walk around the airport. The key is to keep moving. If your flight is significantly delayed, find out if there's a gym near or in the airport. A handful of airports provide exercise facilities, yoga, or spin classes. For instance, at McCarren International Airport in Las Vegas, located above the south baggage carousel, there is 24-Hour Fitness that passengers stranded at the airport can use for $10 and it's free for members. so if your flight is delayed, instead of lounging around the gates, head to the gym and squeeze in a quick workout.
Drink Alcohol in Moderation
I actually say no to cocktails while on flights. Besides not wanting to turn into the rambling passenger that no one wants to sit by, I avoid alcohol because of the calorie count (a Bloody Mary has 125 calories in a 10 ounce serving) and it will leave you dehydrated.
Exercise
Whether you're on a cruise or staying at a hotel, check out the on-site health club. There might be a small fee to pay to use the facility so double check with the front desk. If you just can't be bothered with gyms or even looking for one at the hotels since there's so much to see and do, bring a pair of comfortable sneakers and hit the streets.
Get Enough Sleep
The best remedy to combat jet-lag is to sleep well on the flight. Your body does take a toll when traveling so be sure to sleep early the night of your arrival. If it's still light outside at your final destination, take a light walk and explore the local scene. The following morning, eat a high-protein breakfast and replenish your body with water.
What do you do to stay healthy while traveling? Feel free to share some great tips!
Comments
Feb 20, 2009
I am so bad about working out when I go away! I get so lazy. More and more hotels have maps of good places to run in their cities -- a good way to excercise and see the sights at one time. Also, once when I was in DC I took a City Running Tour. it was really cool -- you go with a tour guide and run from site to site!
Feb 21, 2009
a lot of times travel involves exercise and we don't even realize it. my travels usually revolve around scuba or treks and i'm probably getting more exercise doing that than i would at home!
Jul 09, 2009
I think that the a good way is to exercise and see the sights at one time.