Maintaining Healthy Habits While Traveling for Work
Work travel is something that most of us must do at some point. And many of us travel regularly. But trying to maintain healthy eating and exercise habits while traveling can be incredibly difficult. Through long days of meetings, attending tradeshows, or maintaining a tradeshow booth, it can be incredibly easy to snack, to eat unhealthy foods, and to forgo your exercise routine.
So whether you travel sporadically or a few times a month, these ten great tips will help you enjoy the trip and still eat healthy and exercise. Add these to your days and rest assured that you won’t ruin your healthy habits because of long days on the road or in a hotel.
- Utilize the exercise room.
Most hotels have at least a rudimentary exercise room. Take time in the morning or before bed to run on the treadmill, use the elliptical, or to lift some weights.
- Be wary of the all-you-can-eat breakfast.
Hotel breakfasts offer a lot of foods with unnecessary sugar. From cinnamon rolls to pancakes/waffles and syrup to sweet cereals, these tempting foods may look good, but they are not healthy for you. Skip these items and stick to high-protein foods like eggs and sausage.
- Snack on healthy foods.
Hours in a car or plane, sitting at a booth all day, or attending all-day meetings can lead to boredom. And boredom leads to excessive snacking. Plan ahead and pack a healthy trail mix, some almonds, or make up individual baggies of vegetables to pull out when you’re hungry.
- Drink plenty of water.
Water helps us feel full. And sometimes when we feel like snacking, it’s really our body telling us that we are thirsty. Keep a water bottle near you and sip regularly throughout the day. You can also try our Ready2Go protein water—a terrific way to rehydrate and replenish! With 16 grams of protein in every bottle and no artificial sweeteners or flavors, this great-tasting water is always a perfect addition to your day.
- Add greens to your diet.
A healthy green powder to mix with water is not only easily portable, but it offers numerous benefits. Performance Inspired’s Greens for Life is a powerful blend of organic greens, organic mushrooms, an organic antioxidant blend, and probiotics. These ingredients will help improve your digestion, boost your immunity, increase your energy, reduce inflammation throughout the body, enhance mental clarity, and so much more. Drink on an empty stomach for better absorption. When you add greens to your morning or afternoon routine, you will feel better and more energized.
- Carry PI’s protein bars and cookies.
When you’re on the go, you want to maintain your energy levels and find a way get the protein your body needs. Performance Inspired offers protein bars and even chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies with satiating protein and a great taste. Keep them in your purse or briefcase for a healthy snack that isn’t laden with junk.
- Take the stairs.
No matter what floor of a hotel you are staying on, take a few minutes two or three times a day to walk up and down the stairs. This will get your heart pumping and help you feel energized, especially if you have been sitting in meetings all day.
- Drink coffee instead of soda for caffeine.
Traveling can be tiring. When we are tired and need to stay awake, many of us reach for a caffeinated beverage. To keep the calories to a minimum, drink black coffee rather than a sugary soda.
- If you choose to hit the bar in the evenings, include water.
Alternate a glass of water with your alcoholic beverage. This will keep the calories at bay and keep you from possibly having a hangover in the morning.
- Find a nearby park with a walking trail.
Getting outside for fresh air and exercise will not only help keep you in good physical shape, but it will be beneficial for your mental health as well. Google nearby parks and find a place to walk or jog.
Traveling can be fun, it can be monotonous, or it can be anywhere in between. But it doesn’t have to derail your healthy habits. Use some or all of these suggestions to create a worry-free trip so you can enjoy your travels.
