5 Ways to Keep Fit and Healthy When Travelling
I’m the world’s worst when travelling with regard to keeping fit, especially if I’m flying. I get stressed, which leads me to drink more alcohol and eat more food. If there’s a delay I get bored and what do I do? Eat! It’s like the health and fitness God’s are against me. As for exercise, I do tend to walk a lot and carrying those bags is like lifting weights isn’t it?
As you have probably gathered I’m not a gym rat, but I do try to do something by way of exercise while away and I’ve always found Accent Inns’ fitness rooms (every location has one) well equipped. I’ve just learned that Kelowna, Kamloops and Victoria’s fitness rooms have just been renovated and now have more space and fabulous new equipment – how is exciting is that? I can’t wait to don my spandex and workout Accent Inns’ style! There’s a sight you won’t want to see!
A couple of locations (Victoria and Vancouver Airport) even offer free, or discounted passes to a nearby Steve Nash Fitness World, which is pretty neat.
Recently I came up with five things I’m going to do while travelling to prevent myself from spiraling out of control and returning home a blob.
- Pack my fitness gear first – that way I don’t have the excuse upon arrival – “Oh no, I can’t train I have nothing to wear!” Sound like someone you know?
- Make myself a food survival pack. This might include roasted spicy chickpeas (better for you than nuts); energy bars (the ones with a goodly amount of protein); fresh fruit (unless I’m flying – did you know they have fruit sniffing dogs at some airports?); homemade trail mix (so I don’t get the crappy stuff I don’t like); seaweed snacks (seriously, these weigh like nothing, and are full of iron and other good stuff); rice cakes (okay, they mostly taste like cardboard, but they are filling); and of course pumpkin seeds (you can munch on these for hours and fake yourself into thinking you’re indulging in binge snacking!)
- Plan my exercise time in advance and put it in my calendar. That way I don’t have the excuse that I don’t have time.
On arrival pop out to the local grocery store, usually Save-on Foods, and grab a pre-cut veggie platter, and one of fruit. Once that’s in the fridge in my room I have no excuse to eat poorly. Let’s face it, most of the time we eat crappy food because it’s easier. Make healthy choices easy!- Last but not least, eating out can be hazardous. Inevitably the portions are larger than you serve at home, and of course you’ll finish it all won’t you? Here’s a neat trick I saw while surfing the Internet – ask for half the meal to be put in a doggie pack BEFORE it arrives at your table. Now you won’t be tempted to eat it all, but if you are starving later you’ll be able to make yourself a snack in your Accent Inns kitchenette!
There’s so much more you can do to keep fit while travelling, such as never using an elevator, and going for a walk after dinner, or of course spending another 30-minutes in that fitness room!
Mike Wicks
Douglas, YAM and Salt Magazines