On the road

Even the most disciplined exercisers face fitness hurdles when traveling: from varied schedules to unhealthy foods to the lack of fitness equipment. Nonetheless, experts say that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is absolutely possible while traveling.

Here are ways you can stay healthy on the road. 

Packing for workouts

Download or bring favorite workout podcasts or DVDs. Designate ideal workout times and create reminders on your mobile device.

You can pack right (but light) for fitness. Accept the challenge of weight resistance while skipping the need for heavy dumbbells with feather-light equipment such as jump ropes, resistance bands and ankle weights. These items can be used for full-body workouts.

If you’d like to chill out but still exercise, yoga is a quiet and relaxing way to unwind, stay flexible and gain strength. If you don’t have room for a yoga mat in your suitcase, use a towel.

Or you can use no equipment and use your body weight to work out. For example, start with a short warm-up of jogging in place, high knees or jumping jacks. Depending on your fitness level, complete 10 to 50 reps of pushups, alternating lunges, dips, squats and sit-ups or crunches. Repeat the circuit two or three times, trying variations of each exercise.

Choose and stock your food

Having your own food as opposed to eating out can help you cut down on excess calories (as well as your sodium intake). Stock up healthy snacks and non-perishables at the grocery store or pick up supermarket shortcuts for nutritious meals in your room.

If you’re going to be away for a longer period of time, consider staying at an extended stay-style hotel with a full kitchen such as Extended Stay America or Candlewood Suites or Marriott’s longer-stay hotels. Extended Stay America is among accommodations that offer filtered water, too.

Get fresh air

Try booking a hotel near a park or recreational area. A brisk walk or run is great way get pumped for the day’s activities or help unwind from a busy day. Download your favorite running app to keep track of your route, distance and progress.

Reinitiating a lapsed fitness routine is a lot harder than maintaining one all along. The next time you leave town, bring your healthy lifestyle along with you.

—StatePoint