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Staying Active and Eating Healthy Away from Home

Does your job require you to travel? Do you enjoy visiting family and friends who may live out of town? Perhaps you travel for leisure? And with all of the exciting travel discounts from airlines, cruises, hotels, etc. (not to mention the warmer weather), who wouldn’t be tempted to travel? Traveling can be a lot of fun but it can also wreak havoc on a dieter’s best intentions. But never fear – CaloriesCount.com is here. By using the following tips, you’ll not only have a pleasant vacation (or business trip), but a healthy one as well.

Let your body be your gym

Your body can be your most valuable piece of exercise equipment. When you workout using your body, you are working against gravity. You can do a variety of resistance exercises such as push-ups, squats, lunges, and sit-ups to keep active and your muscles toned. (All of these activities can be done in the privacy of a hotel or other room.)

Is there a chair around? At home or away from home, a chair is one of the best tools in strengthening your arms. Use the seat of a steady chair to do bench dips. It's actually quite simple. Sit on the edge of a chair with your hands on the edge of the chair (fingers facing forward) and arms shoulder-width apart. (Note: the farther out you place your legs, the more difficult the exercise becomes.) Lower your body towards the floor by bending your arms at the elbows keeping your back straight. Lift yourself back up by straightening your arms. Be sure to keep those abdominals tight! This exercise does wonders for your triceps!

Find the stairs and use them
You've heard it before; take the stairs instead of the elevator. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Take the stairs instead of the elevator (third time's a charm). It may not seem like much but burning calories no matter how you do it adds up. Plus, stair climbing helps you tone your leg and abdominal muscles.

Get to know the city by foot
Brisk walking or jogging doesn't take any type of equipment. Take notice of the walkways and sidewalks when you arrive at your destination and plan for an early morning walk to get to know your surroundings while also getting your heart pumping. If you are unfamiliar with the area, check with your friends or the hotel concierge to make sure the area is safe. Some office buildings and hotels have jogging trails, so take advantage of these.

Check out what’s available
If you're staying at a hotel, check out the pool and consider taking a swim. Some hotels also have fitness rooms available with exercise equipment. Or, if you're visiting a friend and they belong to a gym ask if the gym offers a "buddy" pass for you to use over the next few days.

Plan and pack
Eating away from home can be a challenge but with a little will power and preplanning you can overcome this obstacle like any other. When making a road trip, make sure you eat breakfast before getting starting. Consider packing a sack full of goodies for the trip the night before. You might want to use a small cooler with an ice pack to take along low-fat yogurt, low-fat cheese, cut fruit or sandwiches. Also try taking along pretzels, granola bars, apples, bananas, raisins or any of your other favorite healthy snack items. If you have these items in the car, you are less likely to stop for high fat snacks at the gas station.

Restaurants don't have to be the enemy
When visiting restaurants, look for healthier menu options. Foods that are stir-fried, boiled, baked or broiled generally provide fewer calories than foods that are deep-fried. Beware of cream or butter based sauces. Instead, opt for lighter sauces such as tomato-based sauces. Remember to choose a flavorful blend of salad greens and order your salad dressing on the side. You can also ask for a low-fat version of your favorite salad dressing. Other options include ordering an appetizer for your meal or splitting your entrée with a companion. As always, be aware of portion sizes; consider putting half of your entrée in a "take home" box as soon as your dish arrives.

You can control calories and stick to your healthier lifestyle options while away from home. It just takes a little extra planning. And remember, wherever you go Caloriescount.com is just a click away!