Stay Active Away from Home

Consider this scenario. You have worked hard to get in your workouts and get into a good exercise routine. You have a schedule, and workouts have become habits. Everything is going well. Then, things change when you need to travel. 

Whether for vacation or for work, going away from home means changing your routine for a while. Part of changing your routine means changing your physical activity routine. You may need to change what you do, when you exercise, and where you do it. This can be tough, but it can also be thrilling. Staying active away from home can be an opportunity to meet people, see new sights, and gain new confidence that your new lifestyle is here to stay, no matter where you are.

Why Work Out on the Road?

Just like when you are at home, knowing your reasons for being active on the road can motivate you to make it happen. All the same ones likely still apply: it improves health, helps with weight control, and increases energy and focus. Here are a few more that are specifically relevant to being away from home.

• Maintaining metabolism and awareness of your body as you are likely to encounter new foods and eating patterns.
• Improving sleep, which can help overcome jet lag and increase daytime energy so you can fully enjoy your vacation or perform at your work function.
• Maintaining fitness so you are less likely to get injured or discouraged when you return home and go back to your usual workout routine.

Getting the Full Experience

Have you ever traveled to a place and returned home feeling as though you never really got a feel for the true nature of that destination? Working out can be a quick way to get an experience that is less like the far-removed, typical tourist experience, and more like an on-the-ground glimpse of how the locals live.

Simply walking can let you see things differently than when you are in a car or on a bus. You are moving more slowly and are up close. You might also be walking at a different time of day, such as in the early morning or late evening, than you might be out when doing tourist-oriented tours. When you walk for exercise as you are on the road, you may discover new restaurants, shops selling hand-made crafts, outdoor markets, and museums that are off the beaten path but worth seeing.

Exercising can also give you the chance to meet new people and try new things. The hotel concierge may be able to tell you about local walking groups or opportunities such as renting bikes or going kayaking. Just ask!

Exercise Opportunities All Around

Since your schedule and surroundings may be foreign to you, you may need to keep your eyes open to see the chances to get in some activity. Rest assured, though, these chances are there. For example:

• Using the ship or hotel fitness center or a local gym.
• Walking outdoors on deck or in a well-lit, safe area, preferably with one or more other people.
• Taking the stairs instead of the elevator in hotels and museums.
• Using the metro and getting off a stop early.
• Wandering around street festivals and other outdoors attractions.
• Renting bikes, pedal boats, or anything else that is available to transport you actively.
• Doing calisthenics or workout videos (available online) in your hotel room.

Staying Accountable

Traveling can make life even more hectic and unpredictable than usual. For that reason, it is more important than ever to keep yourself accountable. Lark DPP can help you remember to get active anywhere. Just keep your phone on you and keep logging those workouts. That way, you can know exactly what you have been doing to stay active and how well you are sticking to your goals. You may even get a fun tip or two about new ways to get active.

The benefits of Lark DPP go beyond your home if you take your coach with you when you travel. Lark's coaching feedback and tracking to help you stay healthy and watch your weight can be with you anywhere you go.