When I say ‘travel’, I mean anything from being out on the road a majority of the day for work, traveling via train, plane or automobile (I love that movie!), hell…basically anytime you are going to be away from home for an extended period of time. You need to prepare for what you will be feeding your body while out and about, or else….you may end up at some fast-food restaurant toxifying your body and undoing all your hard work!!!
Let’s start with work. Some have a kitchen at work and access to a refrigerator and microwave,
which is wonderful. You people have it easy! Bring healthy snacks (nuts/apples) to work and pack a lunch (salad, steamed veggies, cooked chicken) & if you need to warm it up, pop it in the microwave. Prep your meals in tupperware for the week on Sunday or at least the night before. If you’re out on the road a majority of the day, prep meals/cook meals than put it in tupperware and put in a cooler bag if need be. Bring some fruit & nuts for quick snack to keep you fueled and ready to seize the day! And for those that have the ability to stop on home, well…make sure your refrigerator is stocked with all the healthy options so you can pop in for lunch and get back to work!
When we travel, sometimes people trick themselves into thinking… It’s PARTAAAY time! I’m going to eat whatever I want and drink whatever I want. Big mistake!! You can undo all your hard work with exercise and diet in this one trip, all for what? Greasy, high sodium, high sugar, high fat, high calorie, highly processed crap (that will make you feel like crap, physically & mentally)…I’ve got one thing to say, IT’S JUST FOOD PEOPLE!! We eat to live, not live to eat. Ask yourself,
why am I traveling to this destination? Usually it’s for work, leisure, adventure, sight-seeing? So keep this in mind when it comes to meal time, feed yourself with healthful options, then get on with your trip & learn to enjoy life for the experiences that it has to offer! Here are my tips for those traveling.
First, prepare for the actual traveling part. Whether you’re hopping on a plane, train, or bus, there will be limited healthful food options unless you bring your own. Fruit (apples, bananas, oranges) & nuts or seeds (almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds) are great snacks you can pack that don’t require refrigeration and can hold you over until you arrive at your destination. Or even pack your favorite protein powder drink mix (MY FAVORITE PROTEIN POWDER) and a shaker cup, all you’d have to do is add water to the shaker cup, and voila! And remember if you’re flying out of the country you must eat your fruit before you go through customs at your destination abroad. WATER is a must! Dehydration can make you crave all sorts of silly snacks and staying hydrated can keep you feeling full longer and keep you from getting headaches.
Second, once you arrive at your destination you will need to go into ‘live to eat’ mode. Whether you’re traveling for work or leisure,
you will be eating out often. Main entrees and salads will be your go to items on the menus at the restaurants you visit. Pick light salads or steamed veggies and a lean protein. Ask for them to hold off on the butter. Choose light dressings and sauces that aren’t creamy. And always remember to use portion control! Protein should be the size of your palm minus your fingers, veggies should be two cupped handfuls, and ‘starchy carbs’ should be the size of one of your clenched fists.
To sum it up, remember all the hard work you put into exercise & diet and bring that mentality with you on your trip! Remember why you’re traveling, it’s not for the food, it’s to experience what the destination has to offer! Stay active and do some hiking, volleyball, run on the beach, use your hotel gym! I know you can do it, you will feel much better (mentally & physically) when you return if you stick to a healthy diet and exercise plan while traveling!!
Health & Happiness, Nat
Warrior Girl Fitness 