Navigating Holiday Travel and Keeping up with Your Nutrition and Exercise

It’s that time of year…where we get on the roads and visit family and way over indulge on all the holiday treats.  Use these 5 tips to help you stay sane and on your game.

First, figure out these questions before traveling and you will know how much you need to bring with you.

·         Will you have access to a fridge or freezer?

·         Are you able to cook there?

·         Will you have access to workout equipment?

·         Will trying to get in a workout or stay on your diet have an impact on who you are staying with?

Bring your food and supplements!
The simplest and easiest way to stay on course while traveling is to be able to cook your own meals.  The next best thing – bring food with you. Staples that travel well: fish packs (tuna/salmon), hard boiled eggs, nuts, protein powders, protein bars and whole fruit. Traveling on an airplane and want to bring actual meals with you? Pre-cook them and freeze them ahead of time so by the time you reach your destination they will thaw out. No cooler pack needed.

Protein and veggies first, carbs last!
You are bound to have to eat a meal or three out. Tell yourself that this is ok. Most restaurants have healthy choices that you can choose from. Load your plate up first with grilled, baked or broiled proteins and veggies. Limit your grains – rice, pasta, bread, cereal, and instead opt to get your carbohydrates from those veggies and starchy plants (squash, sweet potatoes).

This same thing goes for eating at a relative’s house.  Choose the carbs you want (Aunt Annie’s home-made Cinnamon Rolls) wisely and skip the others

Pack your fitness!
Bring your tennis shoes, workout clothes, water bottle and jamming tunes (don’t forget your headphones). While it might not be the same workout you would get at your home gym, you will feel so much better while traveling if you move and sweat a little.

Sip on Lemon Water
We’ve all been there – backed up and full of it. Your routine isn’t the same and it does weird things to your bowels. Our favorite way to kick off the day on travel is with warm water, 1/2 a fresh squeezed lemon and cayenne pepper (yep, both of these can go in your carry on bag). Curious as to why this drink works so well, check out our magic elixir here.

Treat but not too often
While we don’t like you to "reward" yourself with food, this one is an exception. The holidays are all about fun with friends and families and food is almost always part of the equation. 

Follow the above tips and enjoy a few special treats and you will stay on you’re A-Game all holiday season long!