How to be fit while traveling

I enjoy traveling for work. I love the smell of freshly brewing coffee greeting me at the airport. I love having a neat, well-organized bathroom and a room to myself. I love to walk on the carpet of the hotel room without having to fear that I will step on to someone’s clothes strewn on the floor and the bed always ready when I am ready for my sleep. And the feeling of no wet towels on the bed – it’s heaven.

However, maintaining an exercise regime and eating healthy becomes a problem.

Exercising during travel is very important. The long hours of sitting at the airport, in the flight, long business meetings can wreak havoc on our back, coupled with endless cups of coffee and food high in fat and simple carbohydrate, can cause some good blow to the overall health. Sleep schedule gets impaired and water intake gets compromised; leaving us with a difficult jet lag to deal with. And a sluggish week follows once we are back to base. Exercising helps to deal with the impact of traveling by improving sleep, relieving back pain, improving digestion and much more.

The challenge most people face is getting a place and time to exercise. Well what I figured, it only takes me 30 mins for a good full-body workout. I try to workout in the hotel room such that I save time in changing and going to the hotel gym. A sample full body workout which gives both strength and endurance benefits:

12 shoulder press push ups, 1 min plank, 12 elevated push up, 12 burpee, 12 Squat, 12 one leg glute bridge, 12 calf raises, 12 jumping jacks. Stretches.

I believe, encourage and recommend fitness anytime anywhere, which does not need gym or any equipment, uses my body weight to make me fitter and gives me the flexibility to chose my location and time of exercise.

With regards to food, I try packing almonds, walnuts, roasted peanuts, roasted chana, muesli with me when I travel. They serve as great snack when one is hungry having to rely less on unhealthy options while one is out. Bowl of curd and fruits are usually available in the hotel if one wants to avoid snacking on high sugar, high fat options. While dining, the steamed and the grilled varieties are better.

I have adopted these workarounds for my travel days. Does it sound simple and do-able? What are your hacks to remain fit while travelling? Would love to hear yours.

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