Road Trip Like a Pro with These Fit-Tips!

Although the pandemic has shifted most of our summer plans this year, there has been a recent rise in road trip travel and vacation rental homes. Many families are turning to outdoor adventures such as hiking, camping, rafting, etc. for quick getaways and a change of scenery. In any type of travel, it can be hard to stick to your training schedule or nutrition plan, but with a little bit of advanced planning you can not only stay on track, but save a little money along the way as well!

1. 1. Meal plan…even on vacation! 
First, start by making a list of your must-try restaurants and add them to your itinerary! From there, take a look at what open meals remain and plan to pack your own food for those, plus bring your own snacks! This will not only save you money on grabbing snacks from a gas station or running through a fast food restaurant for every other meal, but it will also be healthier. The easiest meal to pack ahead and bring with you is breakfast, because many of these items can be easily prepared.

      Next, plan your grocery and packing lists. If you will be staying in a rental home, it is helpful find out what type of kitchen appliances are available for use. If you will be staying in a hotel, request a room with a fridge and/or microwave. Whether you’re traveling by plane or by car, most foods can be carried on to a plane or easily packed in a cooler on a road trip.Here are a few ideas on what to pack:

      • Individual microwaveable oatmeal cups – such as Quaker, Bob’s Redmill, or Purely Elizabeth (all found in the granola/hot cereal aisle of your grocery store). These are ideal because all you need to do is add water and microwave!
      • Meal replacement bars/protein bars/protein shakes – You can buy travel sized protein powder “sample” packets and can mix them with water or even add them to your oatmeal! Meal replacement bars are a great option for breakfast, and protein bars are the perfect afternoon snack and can fit easily in a purse or backpack.
      • Almonds or Trail Mix – These can be found in the nut aisle and often come pre-packaged and perfect for on the go snacks.
      • Apples or Bananas – neither have to be refrigerated and can easily be packed on the go for a snack or added to any breakfast!
      • Microwaveable popcorn – Buy the box and take out a few bags. They are very compact and can be heated up in a microwave as a quick snack.
      • Individual almond butter/peanut butter packets – these are perfect to add to your oatmeal or fruit to make it a more filling breakfast/snack. Can also be added to crackers or pretzels!
      • Don’t forget these supplies – plastic utensils, paper plates and cups, shaker cups for mixing protein, and reusable water bottles.
   2. Plan your workouts – everything from location to timing and be sure to pack your workout gear/clothing.
“Failing to plan is planning to fail”. This saying rings true for everything, especially exercising on your trip. If you are staying in a hotel, find out if there is a gym and what type of equipment is available. If you are staying in a rental home, take a look at the area and locate any pedestrian trails or parks that may be nearby. Once you have identified these, look over your itinerary and identify pockets of time where you may be able to exercise. Estimate how long you may have and plan your workouts accordingly. You can even bring your own at home exercise equipment to be used in your hotel room or rental home, such as resistance loops/bands, yoga mat, sliding discs, TRX door hanging strap, and more.

      Another option is to plan fun and different workouts into your trip as part of your sight-seeing, almost like a “running tour” of the town. For example, if you will be staying in a downtown area, you can run through their downtown and check off seeing many sights along the way (such as running through Central Park in New York City or running along the lakefront in Chicago). You will see more than you could by walking on foot this way! Another great option for visiting a downtown area is renting a bike. You will see even more of the city and get a workout in along the way! If you will be in a more rural area, you can find local state or national parks to run, hike, or even kayak while taking in the nature! Other ideas for “fun fitness” are finding local classes such as surfing lessons or yoga on the beach that give you a new experience and allow you to be active at the same time!

The bottom line is if you want to stay on track when traveling, you must plan ahead in order to be successful. If you’re training for a race and can’t afford to take time off from your training plan, these tips will allow you to have fun and get your miles in! If you are heading to the beach and want to take some time off, go for it! The best part of planning ahead is you can stick to your plan (as much or as little as you would like) while also enjoying yourself and having a ton of fun along the way!