How to Make Travel & Fitness Work

I am not going to claim to be the expert on travel and fitness. Actually, I'd give my husband that title. No matter where he goes, he somehow manages to maneuver his way into a gym or he goes crazy doing push-ups, sit ups, flutter kicks, and pull-ups on whatever bar he can find. He claims it is because of his "job" requirements, while I declare he is fat-a-phobic. He has lots of experience in keeping fit from traveling from multiple deployments, travel, short-term relocations, and other fun military crap.

Meanwhile, I have a love/hate relationship with travel fitness. For example, on our honeymoon, when he insisted on hitting a gym in our hotel (in Italy) I refused because I wanted "time off." I did acquiesce to several sightseeing runs, because I like to make my fitness part of my travel fun.

This week, if you've noticed, I have been M.I.A. We are traveling. While my husband attends his commander's conference, Jack and I have been scouting out houses to live in for our impending move. How has this worked as far as living the fit life? Not so well. The issue: my husband has had 11 hour days, leaving little to no time for me to "hit a gym" or "pound the pavement." To compensate, I have made sure to get Jack and myself to a playground almost daily, where we play "chase" and climb, swing, and basically move. It's fun for both of us and Jack thinks his mama is as cool as any two year old. It is hard to try to do push-ups, stretch or anything like that in our room with Jack, because he thinks it's hilarious to try and sabotage whatever I am trying to do. 100% boy.

I have, in the past, used tension cables/tubes and jump ropes while traveling (with other great advice by my dear friend Rob deFreese!). I traveled for about a month in Argentina a few years back and with his advice, my determination, along with a new found friend in fitness (Lisa) I was able to keep in relatively good shape (despite an insane travel schedule and too little sleep). We also hit playgrounds, ran, and did our share of push-ups, sit ups, and squats. I found a place that had pay as you go spin classes. It was a great way to exercise, practice my Spanish, and compare cross-cultural fitness notes. Any opportunity we had to be active, we took it. Dance class? Absolutely. Mountain biking? Check. It added a new element to our travels and definitely balanced out all the Malbec we drank.

My suggestions when traveling:

1. Be reasonable - don't expect that travel fitness will be the same as at home.
2. Have a plan something that is feasible to stick with (to avoid disappointment and negative self-talk).
3. Compensate by making sure you at least eat as healthy as possible (unless you just can't help yourself).
4. Drink lots of water (easy to forget to do this when away from home). Buy a water bottle as soon as possible and re-fill constantly.
5. Learn some "in the chair" moves - butt squeezes, muscle contractions, etc.
6. Use running or walking as a way to sight see or blow off steam.
7. See if there is a Y or other gym that has day passes.
8. Jump rope. Even if for 5 minutes at the beginning and end of each day - easy to pack, easy to use.
9. Climb stairs.
10. Find a playground and be a kid. I did pull-ups and the monkey bars today with Jack. He thought I was nuts.

We also like to hit the gym prior to our trip, even if it's an off day (we went in on Sunday, knowing Monday was going to be a full day of travel). It makes you feel better about sitting on a plane for a few hours.

When all else fails, just make sure to get back on the wagon once you get home. Jump right into your routine. Sometimes, a break is well-deserved.

Happy Travels!

Anna Marie