A Business Travellers Toughest Objective,
Staying Fit When Travelling
Business travel is one of the fastest, easiest ways to gain weight without even realizing it’s happening.
After all, it’s not like you’re being lazy, right? You’re travelling at a lighting pace, taking meetings, hopping planes, and yet when you come up for air a few weeks or months later, your trousers don’t fit and you’re consuming 10+ Biscoff cookies on a single flight.
Hey, it’s not entirely your fault. When the majority of your food options consist of hotel breakfast buffets and company-sponsored dinners out, you’re bound to gain a few pounds. Besides, the “fresh”, “healthy” food available in most airports are about as fresh and healthy as a pair of old socks.
Here are 5 easy ways to stay fit while travelling, prevent weight gain, and maintain the energy it takes to be a busy business traveller.
1. Get Enough Sleep
Did you know that sleep deprivation can make you fat? As the mother of a baby who doesn’t sleep, let me tell you that it’s true. So very, very true.
When you don’t get enough sleep, your body releases hormones that encourage weight gain. Make sure to schedule recovery time after long-haul flights. If you’re exhausted, you’re likely to eat more food that your sleep-deprived body just won’t be able to process.
2. Skip The Rental Car
Whenever possible, opt for public transportation and walking in your chosen destination. You’ll save money on rental cars and gas, save the environment, save your waistline, and enjoy a much richer travel experience.
3. Choose The Right Hotels
Book hotels that have an on-site fitness centre whenever you can. If that’s not possible, search for accommodation that has a gym within walking distance, or nearby parks and green spaces for biking and running.
4. Eat Local
Be merciless in your commitment to avoid chain restaurants at all costs. When travelling internationally, avoid Western-style restaurants that offer rich, fattening foods. Your waistline (and your wallet) will thank you.
5. Hold A Menu Competition
Okay, so business dinners may necessitate the occasional restaurant sojourn, but that doesn’t mean you have to go nuts. Every time you eat out, hold a little menu competition in your mind.
Ask yourself, “What is the healthiest dish on this menu?”, then order that.
You’ll still end up with something fattening on your plate (like a “salad” that comes with gluten and calorie-packed dressing), but it’ll be better than throwing caution to the wind and diving headfirst into a deep dish pizza.
Once you’ve recovered from jet lag, paraded around town in your walking shoes, made friends at the hotel fitness center, dined at the local dive, and traded the French fries for fresh veggies, don’t forget to drink water.
Because the only that’ll make you fatter faster than a steady diet of white flour and sugar is nonstop caffeine and alcohol at 30,000 feet.
Rebecca Anne Nguyen is a freelance writer and the Founder of TheHappyPassport.com, an inspiration site for solo female travellers.
