5 Ways To Exercise More On The Road When You (Think You) Don’t Have Time

Move More

If you spend a lot of time in a car or on a plane, chances are you are not moving enough. Getting more activity into your life doesn’t have to be a huge performance, you can literally take small steps towards moving more. Even when you are traveling, you will have ample opportunity to put this into practice easily and frequently. Think about it. Do you try to get the closest possible parking spot to where you are going? Do you always take the elevator? Do you take advantage of the hotel pool? Do you dance around your room to your favorite tunes? (The latter is my favorite because there really is no one watching). Whatever you choose to do, if ou are amping up your current activity level, that’s wonderful.

Set Reasonable Goals

Working out every day is a great goal, but it might not be realistic for you right now. Furthermore, if you try to commit to six workouts a week when you’re currently doing one, chances are that you won’t stick to the plan. Better to add one more workout to your weekly schedule until you become comfortable with your new routine (usually about three weeks), then add another. Keep doing this until you are exercising five or six times a week, or even every day.

The length of your workouts should be what fits into your schedule. Twenty or 30 minutes a day are better than no minutes a day.

Take Advantage of Down Time at Airports

When you have a delay or a long layover, you can sit and work, or you can work out. Even if your inner over-achiever wants to use the time to clear out your inbox, channel that energy and a portion of your time to moving. Walk the terminal, take stairs, or check out one of the increasingly popular in-terminal gyms or yoga rooms. The physical and mental benefits of squeezing in a workout include stress-reduction, which is always a bonus in these harried days of travel.

Schedule Your Workout Time Like You Would Any Appointment

Exercise needs to be a habit, not a whim. If you’re a reluctant exerciser or you’ve talked yourself into thinking you don’t have time to exercise, block your workout time in your calendar and honor it. While traveling, you can schedule time to hit the hotel gym, swim some laps, find a nearby exercise class, or go for a walk, especially if you are at a property by the beach. I follow my regular routine when traveling, which is a daily 30-minute Pilates, barre or cardio session from the Beach Body App, supplemented with a Pilates Reformer class or a beach walk if my location permits. Most hotels have workout facilities these days, so you will always have access to some form of exercise. Once you have scheduled your exercise appointments, the key is to hold yourself to them and make them a priority.

Chunk It Down

Perhaps your day is filled with business meetings or you have a jam-packed sightseeing itinerary with the family, and you have no idea how you are going to work out. If you only have 10 minutes to exercise, that’s okay. Give yourself permission for a shorter workout— 10 minutes are better than no minutes. Head to YouTube or an exercise app to find options for 10 minute ab or stretching routines. Or set a timer for 10 minutes and alternate planks, jumping jacks, and crunches. Maybe later you’ll be able to squeeze in one or two more 10-minute workouts. Before you know it, you’ll have completed 30 minutes of exercise without even noticing.

If All Else Fails…

The above five steps are simple and doable, and shouldn’t leave you feeling overwhelmed. In any event, please feel free to reach out to me via social media or email if you are feeling stuck with your exercise routine. I’ll be delighted to point you in the right direction.

My book “Mile High and Healthy: The Frequent Traveler’s Roadmap to Eating, Energy, Exercise and a Balalnced Life” has two chapters devoted to exercising while traveling. MHH, as I call it, is available on Amazon or by contacting me directly.