If you frequently travel for business or otherwise need to stay in temporary housing, it can be hard to maintain your normal healthy habits. Often, one of the first to fall is fitness. It’s difficult enough to balance work, the hurdles of moving, and any homesickness you might have without having to consider exercise and healthy eating, too.
It doesn’t have to be that way. There are ways to stay fit even when your typical schedule has changed. However, there are two main challenges to your fitness regimen when you travel on business:
- You lose access to your favorite gym or instructor.
- Your meals can be disrupted.
Neither of these challenges is insurmountable, but they take flexibility to overcome. Here’s how.
You lose access to your favorite gym or instructor.
We’re all creatures of habit and comfort. We like what we know and enjoy a routine we understand. All that can change when you move into new housing. You might be in a different city, have new responsibilities at work, and need to work longer or unusual hours. Yet none of these changes need to get in the way of healthy “you” time.
At Travelers Haven, we look for quality temporary housing that promotes renters’ wellbeing. Many will include access to fitness centers and other amenities, but not all do. So what are some other options? Shift to body weight exercises. Livestrong breaks down the best body weight exercises you can do while traveling.
You can also go for a run outdoors. You may feel a little outside your comfort zone in a new neighborhood, but if there are paths or streets conducive to running, it’s also a good way to explore your new area.
Meals can be disrupted
All temporary housing should come with a fully equipped kitchen. However, if you’re working longer or unusual hours, eating at the same time can be a challenge.
One way around this is to create one-pot meals and cook enough for a week or more in advance. Divide the meals into even portions and freeze some for later. Then all you need to do is defrost one when you’re ready or take one to work with you. You can still eat healthy without wasting hours every night cooking. Martha Stewart has a list of healthy one-pot recipes, as does Eat This Not That.
Yes, cooking one-pot meals will take time, but if you cook a couple in one go, you could create five or ten meals at a once. The more you cook, the more variety you have. If the freezer in your rental has enough space, the only limitation is your taste.
Staying fit while away from home requires flexibility and adaptation. But if you can make some quick adjustments, the rest is easy!