I can’t help it: I over-indulge foodwise when I travel. I try to eat healthy, but all my good intentions fly out the window when I’m presented with temptation. Crusty rye rolls, jacket potatoes, and other food stuffs dripping with cheese are just a few of my weaknesses. While I usually fail at limiting what I eat, there is another way I minimize the damage: exercising while on my trip.
My exercise of choice? I run.
To be honest, I don’t love running. But it’s my preferred method of exercise when I travel for 3 reasons:
1. You don’t have to weigh your luggage down with a bunch of equipment- all I bring is a good pair of cross-trainers and t-shirt and shorts/leggings for my runs.
2. You can do it almost anywhere that has an open space. I love that I’m not reliant on my hotel/hostel having gym facilities, especially since I prefer to run outside.
3. You get a better sense of your destination’s surroundings and discover new areas on your runs. My runs through the town of Antigua, Guatemala last summer took me through streets not typically on the tourist trail. I stumbled upon a number of cute little shops not written up in my travel guide!
I tend to run in the mornings when I travel because I’m an early riser and love starting the day with some exercise. I also run in the mornings because I know that my days are going to be jam-packed with sightseeing and exploration. Why not in the evening then? Besides being exhausted after the day’s events, I don’t think it prudent to run in the dark in an unfamiliar place. Safety first, folks!
Do you make it a point to exercise when you’re on a trip? What type of exercise do you do?
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Once I get over my painful shyness, I want to start running along the Mediterranean sea here in Reggio Calabria. I must must take advantage of my current location! Thank you for posting this. It was most timely.
Hi Oneika, I got a lovely suprise when my Frommer’s Londen Guide arrived in the post yesterday. Thank you.
Lu-Gerda recently posted..PE : Cathedral of Saint Mary the Virgin
I’m just packing for a trip tomorrow and put my running shoes in my bag first. A jumping rope is good too when it’s raining.
I also run when I travel even though it’s not my favorite activity. Like you said, there’s no special equipment needed and it does allow you to see parts of town you might otherwise miss. And best of all, getting up and out early allows you to take pictures of some of the prime tourist destinations without a whole bunch of tourists around!
Jessica recently posted..Bootcamp
I don’t exercise on my travels, because my trips are too short to waste time exercising! Plus, I’m usually pretty active whether it’s walking around or scuba diving.
Andi recently posted..Hong Kong: Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Part 2)
I’m a runner too, and all the reasons you gave for running while traveling are excellent. I usually don’t though, for two reasons: 1. it’s hard to find room for another pair of shoes in my bag, and 2. I can’t imagine running somewhere really hot, like Thailand. I’m from Seattle! I’m used to cooler running temperatures.
The Rowdy Chowgirl recently posted..Viva San Fermin!
I’m a sucky runner. At home I love to do Zumba, so maybe my form of exercise on the road will be dancing all night long lol!
Running is my number one option as well, but yoga’s also great and requires only shorts/capris, a top and a 2lb travel mat. You can do it in your hotel room (or, if you’re adventurous: find a class in the town you’re in…most yoga teachers I’ve come across are extremely open and friendly even if English isn’t a language they’re comfortable with) and really get your heart-rate going with some fast sequencing.
I’ve never actually done yoga (gasp!) but I always here great things about it! All the better that it’s easy to do while travelling!! I’ve always gotten the impression that classes are expensive, though, is that true?
Hey Oneika,
just found your blog through Gillian’s recommendation (from battleofthebites.com) … love your blog!
If you’ve never done yoga, it is a bit harder to do by yourself (since you’re not that familiar with poses and won’t be able to adjust or change poses) but once you’ve got a bit of experience (through some yoga classes, they help tremendously at the start!), you can create your own yoga flow or download 20min yoga classes for free!!! (I like the ones from yoga download.com)
If you get the chance to visit a yoga studio, give it a try!
(most yoga studios offer a first time-pass for a week or the first yoga class for free or a reduced price)
And if you ever come by Germany, shoot me an email!
As I was clicking through your blog, I read that you have a German boyfriend!
Wohooo!
I do!! Er ist sehr schoen.
Thanks for the yoga website recommendation! And so glad that you’ve come on over from Gillian’s blog, she rocks… Where do you live in Germany? I go to Berlin very often!
despite the best intentions, i never excersize while travelling. i like to think that all the walking makes up for it, though.
i can’t run in the morning — NOT a morning person, nor is my body!
jen recently posted..Tastecard Restaurant review – Borough Bar
Luckily (unluckily?) I have problems sleeping, so I’m always up early and raring to go!
I’m also terrible at keeping fit. My worst trip was my honeymoon when I went up two dress sizes and never quite recovered. Which is to say I didn’t recover at all. I’ve started walking while on holiday and Stephen tracks our miles each day. It’s a lot of fun!
Emm in London recently posted..Exploring the Cumbrian Town of Hawkshead
LOL I had to laugh at your statement “which is to say that I didn’t recover at all”! I am trying really hard to keep my exercise consistent while away and whenever I can’t run I try to walk everywhere with Liebling
Wow, I’ve just spent ages reading through your blog and am rather jealous! I think it’s great that you continue to keep up your workout routine when you travel. When I go abroad I always end up losing weight for some reason and try to do a lot of walking – but always come back really unfit. Next time I’m going to pack the trainers and get out there for those morning runs. Nice work!
Kat recently posted..Around the world in five foods
Thanks for reading, Kat! I also tend to do a lot of walking while I explore, but all the junk I eat ends up counteracting that activity…
I just bought a pair of light weight running shoes because I need more flexibility on the road and I just gave up on exercise. Good for you for keeping at it.
Ayngelina recently posted..I’m on vacation
The first step is getting the shoes!
I’m headed out today to get some light weight trainers! I never want to pack my clunky trail shoes when I travel.
Jill recently posted..From the Hip Friday
I got a pair of fab running shoes 2 months ago, the only problem is that I don’t want to bring them when I travel- they are too nice! So I bring my old trainers, I don’t mind if they get battered/messed up.
I run too and will usually do it at the start of my day. For resistance training, I pack a resistance band. Takes up almost no space. I also like to use the Nike training app (NTC). Some of the routines don’t require any equipment.
Vanny recently posted..Getting From Nice Airport to Monaco
I haven’t used any apps or devices but I’m thinking of getting a Garmin watch. I really should add weights for resistance, thanks for reminding me!
I used to run when I traveled too, early in the morning because I’m an early riser like you. I love seeing my new surroundings when it’s just waking up. It feels really magical. Got out of shape in the last year and a half and hoping to start running again soon. Thanks for the inspiration!
Marsha recently posted..Noshing on Nostalgia at Pink’s Hot Dogs in Hollywood
No worries!! I would love to run a half marathon this year.. We’ll see!
I positively hate running, however whenever I travel I tend to run because if I have to choose being three extra pairs of shoes and sports equipment, I’ve already chosen! I find even the most luxurious of hotels have rather depressing gym facilities. Either that or I do classes if available.
Why don’t we do a yoga or pilates class when you get back to London.
PS – You look amazing Oneika! Those gym sessions = time well spent.
Not Just Another Milla recently posted..Prestige Seasonal Tea Library at Brown’s Hotel, London
Haha Milla, this is why I love you. Seriously. A woman after my own heart!! I say yes to the yoga and pilates classes- I’m good at cardio (i.e. running), but my core is terribly weak!! Thanks for the compliment, lady, you are looking pretty hot yourself!
Oh how I wish getting up early and going for a run sounded like a good idea for my life. I just tell myself that I walk more than usual while traveling and therefore deserve donuts everyday.
Susan recently posted..Drifting Down the Mekong on a Slow Boat in Laos
I still do the same from time to time
I’m like you and I don’t love running but I do love my food so I always try and get out for a run while I’m away. I love an early morning jog round a new city but I have gone out early and got completely lost before and not made it back to the hotel until lunch time. Oh well, I’m sure I discovered way more than a would have otherwise.
Getting lost when you travel is almost always a good thing, lol.
I should make running a must while traveling! All you need is your sneakers and gym clothes, =D But do you end up doing some upper body workouts as well?
C.
It’s very rare that I work my upper body- I really should though!
I agree with you on the running thing. It keeps you in shape and is invaluable as a method to better get to know a place. I think folks really miss out on that benefit by being holed up in a hotel gym.
Bradford recently posted..Integration
It s so much more interesting for me as well! I hate the DREADmill
I’m a skipper. Skipping rope takes absolutely no room up in my backpack, you can do it inside even when it’s raining and it’s apparently been proven that shorter bursts of super high intensity cardio is better for you than long midpace cardio. That and I can’t run for sh*t! I also walk almost everywhere so am with you on the exercise to discover new places bit…
Kiri Bowers recently posted..Ok, I miss London…Thinking about the London Olympics
Wow! How long do you skip for? This is probably even a better option than running! How do you keep your interest level up, though? Doesn’t it get repetitive?
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