How To Stay Fit When You're Away From Home

Jet, June 11, 2001

Does this sound familiar? You've been exercising regularly and so far it's paid off. You've lost some weight, you look and feel stronger and better.

But then you leave town a week or two on vacation or for a business trip and things fall apart. With the hectic schedules, strange surroundings and lack of workout gear, you have neither the time, the energy nor the resources to exercise. By the time you return home, you're completely out of the mood for fitness.

Vacations, business trips and any/thing else that disrupts our normal routine are primary reasons we fall off the fitness wagon--and stay off. But traveling doesn't have to derail your fitness regimen. You can stay in shape away from home by exercising some creativity and planning ahead.

* GEAR UP. Comfortable clothes and shoes are must-haves if you want to work out during your trip. Cotton T-shirts, spandex shorts and leggings and sweat suits make comfy workout clothing and double as casual wear or sleep wear. Bring a pair of well-cushioned shoes with plenty of arch support for workouts (and for sightseeing), and don't forget swimwear.

* PACK LIGHT. Check out fitness and sporting goods stores for lightweight dumbbells, elastic exercise bands and tubes, jump ropes or other lightweight equipment that packs easily and allows you to tone up wherever and whenever. Also don't forget your headphones to listen to music while you exercise, a good fitness video for an indoor fitness session and a lightweight exercise mat for pushups, crunches and stretches. (A folded blanket also works in a pinch for floor exercises.)

* BE CREATIVE. Forget the motorized pedways, escalators and elevators at airports and depots. Take the stairs or take a brisk walk or do some lunges around the terminals. When you have to stay seated, tone your inner thighs while sitting by slightly lifting your feet off the floor and slowly opening and closing your thighs. Stand up and walk down the aisles often to stretch cramped muscles, circulate the blood and fight fatigue. Visit the lavatory and do toe stands at the face bowl.

* KEEP IT SIMPLE. It may not be your kick-boxing class back home, but some fitness is better than none if you want to stay in shape. Since the goal is only to maintain your current fitness level, experts say find an easy, convenient activity, such as brisk walking or jogging.

* WORK OUT IN YOUR ROOM. If your hotel doesn't have an exercise facility or you don't want to pay to use the hotel gym, you can shape up in the comfort of your hotel room, especially if you remembered to pack your gear. Do stretches, crunches, push-ups, lunges, squats, chair dips, jumping jacks.

* EXPLORE NEW SURROUNDINGS. If you'll be near some exotic shore, go snorkeling, jet skiing or diving. Take a hike or bike ride if you find yourself in the countryside. Use your vacation time to try a new activity or sport.