Fit Travel Tricks for Families

Planning your summer vacation? Please enjoy these travel tips from guest blogger, Kendra.

I’ve always enjoyed traveling, and I especially love taking my kids on vacation now that I’m a mom. Although I work hard to keep my family healthy at home, I find that it can be more difficult to stick to healthy routines when traveling. Here are a few tricks I’ve learned that help me keep everyone healthy when we travel:

1. Drink Plenty of Water

Everyone needs to drink plenty of water. Proper hydration is especially important when traveling. Drinking enough water will help everyone avoid common travel discomforts such as cramping. When traveling during the summer, it will also help to prevent common heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion. My family always brings refillable water bottles along on vacation. If a day’s activities will include time in the hot sun, I often chill the full bottles in the freezer before we head out.

2. Play in the Water

On vacation, you probably won’t get to participate in your usual exercise regime. This doesn’t mean you can’t get a good workout every day. My family likes water sports, and these are a great way to get active on vacation. Almost any form of boating helps to build muscle and burn calories. You can canoe, go rafting, rent paddleboats or enjoy a romantic afternoon in a rowboat.

3. Eat with Care

There is the potential to gain a lot of weight on vacation. You may want to set a goal before your trip to not gain weight or maybe set a limit of no more than 3-5 pounds. If there are special foods to try, eat and enjoy. Be careful of the portion size, foods with sauces, and anything creamy. Sharing is a great way to sample different foods, especially desserts. If you drink alcohol, the calories can add up quickly. Don’t feel obligated to finish every bite on the plate. Always listen to your hunger cues.

You will encounter all-you-can-eat buffets on vacation. These popular restaurants are often open all hours, and they are well known for their decadent selections. Stick to a moderate approach. I like to start with some fresh fruit or a crisp salad. On my dinner plate, I try to load up halfway with delicious vegetable dishes before adding other food. It’s okay to indulge a little as long as you don’t overindulge.

When you return home, hop on the scale. If you gained weight, get back to your usual eating and physical activity routine and lose the weight as quickly as possible.

4. Use Fitness Amenities

Many hotels provide an array of fitness amenities for guests to enjoy. I always book hotels with well-equipped fitness centers and did so for our upcoming trip to Orlando. With so many hotels in the area, finding resources that can provide the right information can be a huge asset. Some hotels also have yoga or other fitness classes available. Others provide in-room fitness options. My family has enjoyed staying at hotels that offer bike rentals to guests for exploring the sites nearby.

When you make a point of staying healthy on vacation with your family, everyone will enjoy himself or herself more. I know we always do. I hope these tips for a healthy trip will help you the next time you take a vacation.