Exercising When You're Away From Home

When you're traveling for business or pleasure, don't let being away from home become an excuse to take a vacation from fitness. While you may not be able to do the same routine you're used to doing at home, there are still plenty of options for staying active when you're on the road. Try the following strategies:

* Bring a pedometer and a pair of walking shoes with you. Aim for 10,000 steps a day. If you're sightseeing, this will probably be easy!
* Pack a resistance band. It will allow you to do strength training in your hotel room.
* Ask if the hotel you're staying in has a fitness center. Nowadays, many hotels do.
* Swim laps in the hotel pool.
* Bring along a fitness video, or ask if the hotel has any available to use.
* Take advantage of layovers and waits in airports by walking through the terminal.
* Plan activities during your trip to add movement to your day. If you're in a rural area, plan hikes or kayak trips; if you're in a city, take a bike tour or just wander and explore the local streets and shops.

If you're having trouble getting motivated to exercise on your trip, try thinking of it as an opportunity to break out of your usual routine. Think about how great you'll feel once your workout is done. Tell yourself you'll just start with five minutes of exercise and then see how you feel. Chances are, once you start moving, you won't want to stop!

Remember, there's always something you can do to stay active no matter where you are. With some creative planning, you can make sure travel doesn't get in the way of your fitness goals.