BUSINESS TRAVELERS: HERE’S HOW TO STAY FIT AND HEALTHY WHILE ON THE ROAD
It can be really challenging to maintain your health when your work involves some degree of traveling. Whether you're managing extended lunches with customers or stopping for gas station snacks in between sales calls, eating healthy and finding time to exercise need a bit more effort. Having personally experienced some of these challenges, here’s my advice for business travelers on how to stay fit and healthy while on the road.
“AS SOMEONE WHO TRAVELS FREQUENTLY FOR WORK, I KNOW FIRSTHAND HOW CHALLENGING IT CAN BE TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE ON THE ROAD.”
It's so easy to fall into unhealthy habits like eating fast food, skipping workouts, and not getting enough sleep. And let me tell you, it catches up to you.
I've personally experienced the negative effects of not taking care of myself while traveling. I've gained weight, felt sluggish and unmotivated, and even gotten sick more often. It's not worth it.
“BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY”
With a little bit of planning and effort, you can maintain a healthy lifestyle while traveling for work. Here's what has worked for me:
I started packing healthy snacks: Instead of relying on vending machines or fast food, I packed healthy snacks like nuts, fruit, and protein bars to keep my energy levels up between meetings. This really helped me avoid overindulging at meals.
I started drinking more water: It was easy to become dehydrated while I was traveling, especially if I was in a dry climate or on a long flight. I began carrying a water bottle with me and set a goal to drink at least 8 ounces of water every hour. Just that small change made a huge difference in how I felt.
I committed to getting some exercise in: It was hard to find time to exercise when I was constantly on the go, but even small bursts of activity made the difference. I started taking the stairs instead of the elevator. I would for a walk during my lunch break. I would do a quick workout in my hotel room using bodyweight exercises and an exercise app on my phone.
I chose healthy foods when I would dine out: When I was eating out, I did my best to choose healthy options like salads, grilled proteins, and vegetables. I avoided the sugary drinks and opted for water or unsweetened drinks instead.
I tried my best to get more sleep: It's important to get enough sleep while traveling to keep your energy levels up and your immune system strong. I made a point to target at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night, and I ted to create a relaxing bedtime routine by winding down with a book or even meditating in my hotel room before going to sleep.
“BY STICKING TO THE RULES I HAD CREATED FOR MYSELF,
I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN A MORE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE WHILE ON THE ROAD”
Trust me, it was well worth the effort. My body (and mind) was in such a better place.
If I can do it, you can do it.
~ The Formerly Unhealthy Traveller