Tips for staying fit this month
So, after a few months of working hard in your new home in the UK you want to spend some of your hard earned cash and see some new places. You don’t want to miss out on all the fun but don’t want to get out of shape while travelling. This month’s article is dedicated to keeping fit and healthy while you travel across the UK and Europe.
Travelling can produce great experiences and memories, but it often wreaks havoc on your fitness regime. Even some of the most die-hard exercisers find it difficult to stick with a workout program when away from home. Sure, you may have good intentions,and you might even pack some exercise gear, but it’s likely never going to make it out of the suitcase until it’s unpacked when you get back home.
After seeing so many different cities, sampling the local cuisine and after a few drinks, the last thing you want to think about is watching your waistline and keeping healthy. Who could reject some great Belgian beer, a cake or two in Amsterdam, a Cornish pasty or even Scottish Haggis?
Well, I’m not going to tell you to skip all the great things about travelling and exploring different cuisines and cultures. Travelling doesn’t mean you have to completely abandon your healthy habits. There are many benefits of staying fit when you travel. Exercise and proper hydration can help against jet lag, being fit and flexible will prevent injury or illness while you are away from home and you’ll get more out of your time exploring new places if you have the energy to go all day and night.
Top 10 tips for keeping fit while backpacking:
- Be realistic - You probably won't be able to keep to your normal weekly workouts or stick to your best eating habits, and that's okay.
- Don’t deprive yourself of local delicacies - You can enjoy some special meals and snacks without going overboard, just be aware of what you’re eating and try to eat more healthy options.
- Be creative - Find unique, fun ways to exercise instead of doing the same routine you do when you are at home. Try biking, hiking, water skiing, beach volleyball, etc. Effective workouts aren’t limited to walking, jogging, weights and fitness machines.
- Drink lots of water - Most people don’t drink enough water, and when you travel you need to be consuming just as much water if not more. Take a bottle of clean, filtered water with you everywhere. Dehydration can leave you more vulnerable to infections, disease and can ruin that great hike you planned. Caffeinated beverages and alcohol are natural diuretics (they dehydrate you), so if you’re lounging on the beach with a beer, make sure you also get lots of water and wear sun block.
- Prepare snacks - If your journey includes a lot of time in a car, train or aeroplane, be sure to pack some healthy snacks so you have a choice in what to eat. Taking snacks on a day out will save you money and keep you full all day.
- Get comfortable - Don’t forget to pack comfortable clothes for travelling and possibly some exercise clothing if you plan to be committed to your fitness regime.
- Play in the pool - If lounging poolside or on a beach is part of your vacation plans, jump in the water every 30 minutes for 5-10 minutes of pool walking (try it in waist-deep or higher water for a really challenging workout) or swimming.
- Travel on foot - Rather than taking expensive city tours or hiring a car, try to walk wherever you can and use public transport otherwise.
- Don’t drink too much - In all likelihood, you are going to travel to places you are unfamiliar with. Being drunk in a place where you don’t speak the language is dangerous. Travel with friends, don’t drink too much and be aware of your surroundings. Fight the potential hangovers by staying properly hydrated, eating a bit of food and getting a good night’s sleep. Don’t forget that there are hundreds of empty calories in alcohol that will do your waistline no favours so try to take it easy but have loads of fun.
- Get some sleep - A good night’s sleep is important to maintaining your health. Even a little nap here and there will help you along your travels.
If you plan to recreate your fitness routine while you travel, there are plenty of exercises that you can do anywhere, without any equipment. Exercises such as press ups, standing squats, and crunches, can be done anywhere, anytime. Also, remember that heavy backpack you’ve been lugging around will provide a great weight and resistance to increase the difficulty of your exercises. You could also consider taking a rubber resistance band or inflatable exercise ball, both of which will pack up quite small in you bags and can increase the variety of the work outs you can have.
Most backpackers are in the UK and Europe to see and do everything they can. There’s plenty of time for getting out there or taking it easy, but there’s nothing worse than getting sick, getting hurt or spending a day nursing a really bad hangover when you want to be out seeing new and fantastic things. So it’s up to you to strike a balance between having an incredible time and being a bit responsible.
Good luck and have a safe and fantastic time travelling!
