Traveling Right

I'm back in town after a quick trip to LA and then a week on the beach with family. I'm proud to say that I was able to keep it together the entire time (almost the whole time... I did enjoy a few low-cal cocktails!) I'll be filming my fitness DVD's in just a few weeks, so I can't slip up and cheat or get lazy on the road. How do I do it? Here's the whole process... from beginning to end:

Day before trip:

• Pack protein bars (Think Thin Bars are my favorite), raw nuts (packed in single serving baggies), protein shake mix (Click protein/energy mix), vitamins, supplements.
• -Pack different tea bags (caffeinated green tea for am flights and tea with chamomile or other soothing herbs for pm flights). My sister Nikki turned me on to Yogi teas... they even have a special message for every tea bag you open!
• -Pack my UltraFlex so there's no excuse not to workout (it travels sooo well!!)
• -Prepare a couple buffalo burgers and a batch of protein muffins for the road (I freeze half of the protein muffins and stick them in my luggage so they'll keep on longer flights)
• -Call hotel and see if I have a fridge in my room. If so, I'll make some extra meals to bring with me (eggs, chicken breast, veggies...)

Day of Travel:

-Wake up early to try to get cardio and burn off some energy since I'll be sitting all day. I like to get in a good yoga class before if I have time!

-Eat my buffalo burger with some celery or my protein muffins for meals (these meals will keep outside a cooler while flying... about 6 hrs for the burgers and all day for the muffins). I have a single serving baggie of nuts ready to go in my carry on if I need a snack.

-While waiting for my flight, I'll do laps around the terminal. No, not running... but keeping a good pace while people watching and catching up on all the gossip at the newsstands. I tell myself that I'll sit on the plane ; )

-Drink water at any chance I get! I'll grab a water the minute I get past security. When the flight attendants ask, I usually get hot water with lemon for my own tea bags.

-Stretch before getting onto plane

-Sit in aisle seat so I can make sure to get up and walk around a couple of times through the flight (if it's a longer flight)

During Travel:

-Water, water and more water...

-Try to stop at grocery store to pick up a few grapefruits for breakfast. I like grapefruit because of the vitamins and it also serves as a light diuretic. They don't need refrigeration! I get a little bloated when I travel, so this helps!

-Set my alarm to get workout in before meetings, photo shoot or beach time 

After Travel:

-Sometimes I'm lucky and my husband will have the fridge stocked with good food when I get back! If not, I'll make sure to stock up before I go so there's no excuse not to get a home cooked meal in. 

-I like to eat the cleanest possible mealsthe day after I get home. No dairy, no salt and not a lot of carbs. I drink as much water as possible and stick to basic veggies. It helps me ro recover... inside and out.

-If I'm exhausted after travel, I make sure to get in a long walk instead of hard cardio the day after. This way, I'm still active but not overdoing it (which can lead to a weak immune system)

**Once again, preparation is key! It's so tough to get back with a program if you fall off over a trip. Enjoy your vacation, but try to stick with your good habits.

Comments

[Michele Roth]

These are terrific ideas, simple to implement. I will definitely try them on my next trip. Also, the low-cal cocktail drinks you posted were so appealing, even though I don't drink alcohol! I may
have to try one!

[Nikki Piburn]

Thanks for the shout out sis!!!

Nice work on this, I will definitely use your tips!

[Josh Hillis]

Really awesome article!

SO MANY clients always ask me what they should do about food when they travel!

[Andrew Lowry]

Good advice.

I do intermittent fasting (Eat Stop Eat) on my travel days usually ending my 24 hour fast with supper at my new destination. That way I am not eating a lot of airport or airplane food. I also take a empty water bottle with me and fill it at a water fountain once I am through security. I stay at hotels that offer fresh fruit and simply cooked eggs for the breakfast buffet. All these help to stay lean while traveling.

[Sandy Friedin]

Walking around while waiting for one's flight at the airport is a must. You will have plenty of time to sit after takeoff. Very real advice: Thanks Taryn Shaye!
SLFriedin

[tacfit warrior review]

I had to travel to a different state via plane for a cousin's wedding =) however, my diet took a major hit yesterday during travel (due to airport food, even though it was realtively healthy) and even more so today during the wedding. I'd estimate I ate about 3,000 calories, with 500 at least coming from cake and lasagna late at night...I tried doing some cardio in my hotel room, but it disturbed my family. Ii really hate carb loading and then not being able to burn it off ASAP. How do I prevent weight gain when I can't exercise?

[Justin Bieber Supra Shoes]

YES.you're one of my favourite people too! Definitely one of the sweetest. This is a beautiful list you have here, lady! I can't wait to try that ice-cream!