HOW TO STAY IN SHAPE WHILE TRAVELING

This is a question we get asked by many travellers we meet on the road and was one of the very few anxieties we had ahead of travelling. We have always been passionate about fitness, and alongside a relatively healthy diet would attend the gym 4-5 times a week, so naturally, we were slightly concerned what effects our new lifestyle would have on our bodies.

We aren’t going to pretend to be experts OR the healthiest people in the world, as we definitely aren’t either of those things; however, we do like to live a healthy & balanced lifestyle. Of course, it is nice to look good, however, eating well and exercising also helps us to feel both mentally & physically stronger. This has been imperative in the transition to living completely outside of our comfort zone.

Now there will be times when it’s hard to make healthy decisions. And you can’t expect to look like a swimwear model 100% of the time but hopefully, these few pointers will help you to enjoy a healthier lifestyle (and save you money), all the while, fully embracing your travels:

Food Choices – We have all heard the quote ‘Abs are made in the kitchen’ and sadly yes, it is true! Diet is always the most important factor when it comes to your health so to stay in shape, you should be sensible with your food choices. We aren’t overly strict however we do try to avoid too many fried, sugary or carby foods, which we find really helps.
Fruit & Veg – For healthy skin & body, we always try to meet our 5 a day of fruit & veg. It can be hard to find nutritional meals when eating a lot of street food, so we snack on fruit throughout the day instead of having lunch. Smoothies and fruit shakes are also a great way to get in those nutrients and minerals – but remember to ask for NO SUGAR!
Water – It’s another obvious one I know, but when you travel you may need to drink more than you do usually. Your body loses fluids quicker in the heat so make sure to drink at least 2-3 litres a day to keep yourself hydrated.
Alcohol – Sorry to be the party pooper, but alcohol is your abs worst enemy. We drank a lot at the start of our travels because it seemed the ‘done’ thing to do, but we soon realised it wasn’t for us! Don’t feel pressured to drink every night just because other people are. Your body, mind & wallet will thank you later!
Cheat Days – We all need them! Treat yourself once a week to something you wouldn’t usually have such as beers & a pizza! You deserve it and it will help you keep on track for the rest of the week.
Exercise – This is when most people bring out the ‘book of excuses’ – It’s too hot, there’s no gym, I forgot my PE kit etc. Unfortunately, there isn’t ever going to be a perfect time, but here are some ideas to help motivate you
– Run in the mornings or at sunset. It’s cooler at these times and also less busy.
– Find out any local hikes that are in the area. Usually, they take you to someplace epic… like an amazing viewpoint!
– If you’re in a city, consider walking everywhere instead of taking taxis or public transport. You’d be surprised how many calories this burns & you also end up discovering things that you might never have found otherwise.
– Beaches, parks & rooftops are perfect for interval training, yoga, bodyweight exercises & core work.
– If you’re by the sea or a pool, then try swimming for an hour. It’s harder than it sounds!
Sleeping Pattern – When travelling for a long period of time, it’s good to keep some element of routine to your day to day life. Having a consistent sleeping pattern will help keep you looking and feeling refreshed.
Stress – ‘Stress??’ I hear you say, ‘what do WE have to stress about?’ OK so maybe not so much mentally, but physically the body can get stressed from being constantly on the move or engaged in activities, so remember to take some time to relax.
Give Yourself a Break – And last but not least, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. These are going to be some of the best days of your life so enjoy them as much as you can. Eat the delicious local food, enjoy beers with your new friends & have ice cream to cool you down on a hot day. All of these things are perfectly ok… just remember, it’s all about balance!

Well, that concludes our tips for staying in shape while travelling, however, if you have any further questions we would be happy to help. Please leave them in the comment section below.

Happy travels and namaste,

Charlotte & Natalie x

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