Road Trips and Exercising

By HelloLife

You've been on a steady exercise routine for the past three months and you're starting to get results. Other people are noticing too, and it feels good. Summer hits and you're confident about going to the beach. But you have a two week vacation scheduled, two weeks in a van traveling from state to state, seeing the sights. In the exercise world, two weeks is a long time. That type of break could cause you to gain a few pounds. Plus you're not sure if you'll be able to restart your momentum once you've lost it. How can you keep yourself in shape while vacationing?

Pack Smart

Just because you're vacationing doesn't mean you have to completely give up your workout routine. You can easily work out without access to all your home equipment or local gym. Try doing pushups, squats, lunges, or chair dips. You can also pack small equipment such as a jump rope, arm bands, or five, ten, or even twenty pound weights.

Make Road Time Count

Time spent traveling can just as easily be time spent toning! Here are four easy ways to make your road time count:

SHOULDERS - While lightly holding your steering wheel, relaxing your arms, lower and pull back your shoulders moving your shoulder blades together as far as you can. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat five times.
STOMACH- Breath out and pull your stomach into your back as far as you can. Hold for six and release. Repeat this ten times.
BUTT- Squeeze your gluteal muscles together for 10 seconds and release. Do the ten times.
THIGHS - Squeeze your thighs together as hard as you can. Hold 10 seconds and release. Increase the difficulty and toning effects by squeezing with a ball or sweater in between your legs. Do this ten times.

Don't Give Your Diet a Vacation

Vacation is about rewarding yourself, taking a break from all your concerns, worries, and responsibilities for a short period of time so that you can simply enjoylife without restraints. However, you can go too far. If you don't want to undo all your hard work, it's extremely important not to let your diet slack too far. While the occasional junk-food meal is okay on vacation, your diet should primarily remain regulated. Moments between destinations make it hard to control your appetite. On the road, there are many opportunities for junk food and if you haven't prepared, it may be your only option. It's best to plan ahead and pack meal choices for the drive. Protein bars are an excellent option for snack food, they're easy to carry and can hold you over for long periods of time. Just be sure that you purchase protein bars that are actually good for you, and not full of sugar and preservatives. You can also pack a cooler with sandwiches, lean chicken, whole grain crackers, tuna salad, and even eggs. When you arrive at your destination, it'll be much easier for you to maintain your diet. Shop for groceries like you normally would. And when you eat out, be careful about how much you splurge. Don't be afraid to treat yourself, but don't go overboard.

Seek Local Resources

There are often local resources you can utilize if you know where to look. If you want to keep up on your workout routine, grab a phone book from the hotel lobby and look up local gyms. Oftentimes, gyms will offer daily or weekly memberships at reasonable rates. That way, you can wake up early before the day's activities and work out. You can also cater your vacation activities to support your fitness.Remember that working out doesn't have to be bench presses and crunches. Try hiking, swimming or peddle boating. Look for other local activities that involve movement. It's a simple, yet effective way to stay fit.

Set Your Goals

You won't be able to maintain your exercise regimen at 100 percent of the strength you did at home. It's a simple fact. The chaotic scheduling and inconsistency of routine involved in vacationing makes it impossible. As far as travel exercise is concerned, if you do more than fifty percent of what you would normally do at home you're well off. Remember, even if you do very little exercise, you're still keeping your mind and body trained to exercise daily.

Sources: http://www.trulyhuge.com/news/tips63mo.htm

http://www.60in3.com/2007/08/16/health-on-the-run-how-to-stay-healthy-while-traveling/

http://simplyfitnessgear.com/blog/4-easy-car-exercises