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exercise, fitness & travel, fitness tips, health, travel, wellness
There are so many opportunities for travellers to stay fit and have fun when going cross-continental. For the month of November I invite you to check out my four part series on fitness tips for the health conscious traveller. As a personal trainer with over 20 years of experience, I want to inform travellers of their options with expert and informative tips on health, fitness and nutrition while on the go in unfamiliar territory. As important as it is to break away from routine, (isn’t that what a holiday is all about?) it’s nice to provide travellers with information to maintain their healthy lifestyle while on vacation.
To start off this series, I want to focus on pre-departure tips before walking on that plane for short or long haul flights.
Proper Footwear & Clothing – Do your body a favour and invest in a good pair of comfortable shoes. When travelling, you could be walking for long periods of time on surfaces you might not be used to. I see so many people wear flip flops, sandals or heels and travellers can sustain foot and ankle injuries from improper footwear. This is not the time to make a fashion statement. Opt for comfortable clothing especially on longer flights. Jeans, t-shirts, or loose fitting clothing can make all the difference in being comfortable when sitting in a small space for a long period of time. Business travellers can still be comfortable while having the option of changing on the plane after take-off and before landing.
Flight Booking – Try and book a daytime arrival. Expose yourself to as much natural light as possible as light acts as a natural cue and keeps your internal clock on a schedule. As soon as you arrive, do something active in the daylight (go for a walk or book a sightseeing tour) as your recover from jet lag more quickly. Resist the urge to
go for a nap.
H2O – Being on a plane can drier than being in the desert. Fill up your water bottle for your drive to the airport to combat dehydration and then fill it again before you board the plane. Dehydration can lead to fatigue so you will need to drink more water than usual. Even mild dehydration is one of the most common causes of daytime fatigue. Limit your consumption of alcohol, coffee and sodas as these beverages can leave you parched and are also diuretics which can lead to dehydration. Wait until your arrival to enjoy these beverages.
Food – Consume high-protein, low-fat foods to boost alertness. Limit your intake of carbohydrates as they can induce sleep if taken in large amounts if your goal is to stay awake for the flight. However, don’t eliminate them altogether as they are a fuel source and are required as fuel for your body. As much as airlines are trying to provide travellers with more healthy choices, my suggestion is to prepare healthy snacks to bring with you on the plane to help you avoid temptation and to save you some money. With mother nature
affecting flight delays with unforeseen weather conditions, it’s best to over-pack with extra snacks if you are stranded due to travel delays.
Luggage – Invest wisely in your luggage. A suitcase with wheels is wise, especially those with ‘Spinner Wheels’. Four wheels…zero effort, four multidirectional spinner wheels that allow 360 degree upright rolling in multiple directions so there is no weight on your arm. A great carry-on option is the Back Pack. Yes, it’s coming back and with rollers! This is a great option to take on the plane with you (make sure you know the required airline measurements before purchasing) as the weight of the bag is evenly distributed on the body and you can also wheel it around the airport when it’s not on your back.
Flight Delays – Workout while you wait. Make the best of a weather and/or flight delays. Remember why you wore those running shoes and comfortable clothing before departing for the airport? Stash your luggage or carry-on suitcase in a storage locker and take a power walk around the terminal. Avoid the escalator and take the stairs instead. Most large airports have either hotels located inside the terminal or close by so check out to see if there is a gym that you can use for the delay. For those yoga lovers, you can go to a quiet area of the terminal and do your yoga routine in peace. Did you know that you don’t need any equipment to get a great workout? Stay tuned for my third blog in my series for work-out options in destination.
Next week – Part 2 of 4 – While in Transit & What To Do on Arrival.
Keep fit and happy travels…..a healthy lifestyle means a more memorable journey!
