Are you the type of traveler who comes home feeling like they fell way off the health and fitness wagon, and struggles to get back into a routine of normal diet and exercise? I was – and I am here to share with you my best tips and tricks to staying HEALTHY on vacation (or just during travel, period). Now I know not all of these are as easy as they sound, but they are my personal recommendations after many (long) flights, time changes, and extreme travel conditions. Do you have your own wellness advice? Drop it in the comments! Also, I welcome you to check out my gift giving guide for the traveler in your life – tis’ the season for spending money on others!
Plan Trip Around an Exercise-Related Event
This is a key component to travel planning for my husband and I. We almost ALWAYS plan a big hike, race, or fitness ‘challenge’ as the centerpiece of our travel plans. By centerpiece, I actually mean we usually plan for that event to take place during the first 1-3 days of the trip, that way, we feel a sense of accomplishment and immediately burn off all the gross jet-lag heaviness weighing us down. Examples?
- Japan – Mt. Fuji, within 72 hours of landing in Tokyo. Proceeding to spend the next week eating and drinking our way across Japan (with LOTS of walking tours each day)
- Azores – Mt. Pico, within 72 hours of landing on the island chain. In fact, we arrived on Pico Island, slept 16 hours straight, then got up and hiked the volcano. During the rest of the week we did several smaller hikes, went scuba diving, and did lots of walking around the town centers. For more on the climb see my Climbing Mt. Pico, Pico Island post!
- Kauai – The Kauai Marathon / Half Marathon – within 48 hours of landing on Kauai my husband ran the Kauai Marathon and I ran the Kauai Half Marathon. Not a big runner? Run a 5k, or find another “race / event” to partake in! The rest of our trip consisted of laying on a dolphin boat in the sun, and soaking up lots of beach relaxation time.
- Morocco – Mt. Toubkal – within 96 hours of arriving in Morocco. For more information on this experience see my Visiting Morocco in Under 10 Days post! We summited this mountain first thing, then spent the rest of the week traversing the country, riding camels, and shopping in the local markets!
Okay, I think you get the point – it is easier than you think to plan some sort of “outdoorsy” activity at the start of your trip to get the body moving, get the heart rate up, and shake off the fatigue and laziness that often comes with travel!
Wear a Fitness Tracker Watch
This may or may not be something you already do – but I have worn a Fitbit (or a variation of a Fitbit) for many years now, and take it with me and wear it full-time during my travel. I find it is incredibly helpful to see generally how much I moved each day, as well as track my sleep cycle when crossing multiple time zones. If you are planning your trip around a bigger event like I mentioned above, it will be even MORE useful!
Here are a few of my favorite fitness tracker watches that I have lived by in the past — just in time for Christmas, holiday travel, and 2020 fitness goals!
- Fitbit Ionic – I took this baby with me to Madagascar on my most recent long-term trip. It was a ton of fun to see that I was hiking anywhere between 7 and 13 miles each day, and it also helped me track both my resting heart rate, and my sleep routine (given I was sleeping out of a tent)! I highly recommend this one. My one regret is having slipped and fell on a big rock while bathing, and thereby crushing the screen. It has yet to be repaired (RIP Fitbit Ionic). BUT that sucker still worked for the next 3 weeks, on my app, screen or no screen! It is actually ON SALE on Amazon right now for $185!
- Fitbit Charge – This was my first Fitbit, and a personal favorite. It really does have many of the same features as the Ionic (minus the GPS function and the touch screen). The newest version (Charge 3) is also ON SALE on Amazon right now for $99!
- Fitbit Versa 2 – I literally just bought this for a lucky special family member for Christmas, and since I don’t know what family members ready my blog I am not going to disclose. This is a GREAT middle option between the Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Ionic. You have a bigger touch screen, but still lack GPS capabilities. The Versa and Ionic fall under “smartwatches” while the Charge falls under a “fitness tracker” category! Like the other two, this watch is ON SALE on Amazon for $129 right now!
Drink ALL the Water!
Of course, drink water! Honestly, I don’t care if that comes in the form of tap water, sparkling water, or of a tea variety – get those oz in each day! You’re body naturally dehydrates while traveling on an aircraft, and we are so busy during our vacations drinking margaritas and mojitos that we forget our super critical H2O! Here are a couple of favorite water bottles to make this even easier for you!
- Hydroflask – the trusty, ever-reliable, hydroflask water bottle. I recommend the 32oz, but if you are looking to spend a little less, the 20oz is a great size as well!
- S’well – Ok, I have lost count of how many times I have stopped and picked up a S’well bottle and not even realized it at Target, or Starbucks, or … well just about anywhere. They are super cute – but I’ve linked the 25oz as well as the super cute 16oz travel mug for your convenience!
Bottom line – water bottle or no water bottle, drink water! On the plane, when you get to your hotel room, at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and on the road!
Stay in an Airbnb!
I have long been an advocate for staying in an Airbnb!! The luxury a kitchen provides you during travel – even during short trips, is something you shouldn’t skip out on. I am not saying you should go on vacation, and then cook all of your own food – I fully understand that a big part of travel is eating out, and sampling all of the local restaurants.
The problem with that, is after a week, or 2 weeks, or 3, your body is going to be screaming for a simple home-cooked meal. If you just cook 1 meal a day from your Airbnb, your body will thank you! Plus – if you find a good Airbnb (and there are lots out there, just do your research) you are likely to check in and find several local foods or ingredients already in the kitchen ready for use!
Online Fitness and Yoga Classes
There are countless free and cheap resources available for you to follow along with a yoga class, HIIT class, booty workout, etc. from anywhere in the world at any given time! Ah, technology! One of my most recent finds, which I LOVED during my trip to Madagascar, was Audible’s FREE Yoga classes. I just popped in my headphones, pressed play, and did yoga at my campsite, at my hotel, and at the airport (yes, at the airport) during my travel!
If you want to give the GIFT of an Audible membership to someone you love this year – I have the Audible Gift Membership linked for you!
Share Your Wellness Advice Below!
I am a huge fan of community sharing – if you have any personal recommendations from your travels, drop them below!
A Blonde Escapes 
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