Tips for Travelling

This past Sunday we returned from an amazing trip to New Mexico. I'll cull some of the best photos to share soon.

(image source)

I mentioned that I'm participating in a six-week challenge on the Nerd Fitness message boards. My challenge, however, faced its own challenge - staying active and eating healthfully while travelling. Maybe you aren't staying in a spa with a fitness facility on site. Maybe your vacation doesn't include a $30 day pass to a local gym. Fortunately, there are still ways to maintain good habits despite being in an unfamiliar environment.

Pack your sneakers. This may seem like a "duh," but if you don't pack your sneakers, you won't work out. Easy.

Pack travel snacks. Even if you plan on eating out during your entire vacation, you'll still want snacks to stay fueled and sane during the actual traveling. It's fine if you want to indulge with local cuisine, but don't start your trip on the wrong foot with a rest stop McDonald's lunch. Some of my favorites include:

• Nutrition bars for sweet cravings, plus protein, fiber, and carbs (depending on the brand).
• Hummus and nuts for protein.
• Grape tomatoes and popcorn for when you just want something low-calorie to snack on.
• WATER. Lots and lots and lots of water.

Plan active activities. This one depends on your personal preferences, but I love when vacations include some sort of walking, hiking, swimming, or dancing. Many urban destinations offer walking tours exhibiting architecture; many natural destinations offer hiking tours exhibiting local flora and fauna. Swim in your hotel's pool, at the beach, in a nearby lake. Take a dance class from a local cultural center or dress up for a night on the town.

Utilize bodyweight exercises. These are great if you dont' have access to a gym. Steve of Nerd Fitness wrote a great post outlining a bodyweight strength workout for beginners.

Fitness podcasts and apps. If you have an iPod or smartphone, these can be a great resource for a dedicated sweat session. Two suggestions:

• Nike Training Club. Has a variety of workouts, some are cardio-based, some are strength-based, and some are a combination. Gives great verbal cues and includes videos showing proper form. Works offline and allows you to play your music in the background.
• Power Yoga with Dave Farmar podcast. Practices run for about an hour. He has a really fun, relaxed personality.

Relax. Sometimes you won't be able to get in as many workouts as you want. Sometimes you'll eat something that you wouldn't normally eat. You're on vacation. Enjoy it. A few slips here and there won't completely derail your health.

Do you have any tips for staying fit while travelling?