Stay Healthy and Fit While Traveling!

Traveling and vacations are great times for relaxing, but how much is it ok to relax your health habits? If you are like me, you don’t keep to your typical eating or exercise routines, and that’s ok! This isn’t really the time for a nutrition lesson or the nutrition police. Still, I know I feel better if I eat somewhat healthfully and move a bit. Here are my top five tips for staying healthy while traveling.
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1.       Eat breakfast to get your metabolism going and your blood sugar stabilized. I almost always have yogurt (good for your digestion), along with fresh fruit (especially local fruit in season). Try to add a protein source as well, like an egg or some nuts.
2.       Drink a lot of water. There may be more opportunities to drink fun beverages (lemonade, sweetened tea, alcohol) so be sure to stay hydrated with plain water as well. In a reusable bottle, please!
3.       Enjoy novel foods. Traveling often offers a chance to try new foods or local dishes, so I indulge in those and enjoy them completely, while skipping foods I could have any time, like cheese and crackers, chips, or candy.
4.       Keep portion sizes reasonable. By reasonable, I mean eat what you are hungry for, not mindless munching. Slow down, enjoy your food and drink, and pay attention to when your stomach says stop.
5.       Find opportunities for physical activity, even if you don’t want to go for a run or hit the gym. Take the stairs to your room, walk to your destination instead of using a car, and schedule a long bike ride to see the town from a different perspective. I also look for a yoga class, and I have friends who make sure they spend at least one night out dancing.
 
Find more ideas here and here!

Just One Thing to do:  Eat and drink what you want while traveling, but in small portions, listening to your body when it signal it’s full.
 
Just One more Thing to do:  Slip in physical activity throughout your trip. It feels good to move.
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