I definitely love to travel. Trains, planes or automobiles--I am in--I have an heightened sense of wanderlust. I like the idea of going somewhere totally new, I love a new city to explore with new people everywhere, I love that feeling that something I have never experienced before is just about to happen.
So instead of travelling with some sort of self-denying and Spartan diet regime I make a point of incorporating amazing local cuisine wherever I happen to be. Instead of worrying that I am missing my classes at home I find new classes to attend. I look for ways to move that aren't traditional exercise. I think about tourist activities as a chance to use the health and fitness I have gained so far--and even increase stamina. I go do it. Walking tours, body surfing, places to go dancing, and even mall and museum walking. It all counts.
Also, like most of us I don't have a spa-lady budget. My chances of blow-out spa weeks are pretty few and far between--but that's okay. I can make my own spa wherever I go.
Here are some of the practical things I do to make each travel opportunity I have a health and fitness one too:
1. Plan where you stay based on amenities. Almost every hotel--even motels--have fitness centers. And even if it's a two star fitness center with three machines, it will do. Full service hotels three stars and above can have very spa-like fitness facilities; check out where you are going on the Internet ahead of time so you know how to plan. You will need workout clothes, shoes and socks, possibly your yoga mat, a swimsuit, goggles and sunscreen. (I also cannot live without SwimEar--a rubbing alcohol concoction that gets water out of your ears almost instantly--helps prevent annoyance and swimmer's ear for about two bucks.)
2. BYOS--Bring Your Own Spa. There are definitely low-cost and fun ways to get your yoga on--or even get a massage without spending the hundreds of dollars a spa-day entails. If you belong to a local membership massage club like Massage Envy they are located across the nation in almost every strip mall in every major city. You can book a massage using an already-paid for membership massage almost anywhere.
The YMCA has really updated their fitness class schedules across the nation. I definitely got into the beautiful Brooks Family YMCA when I was in Florida over the summer. If you are visiting family it's very possible to get a guest pass or even a trial membership. If you are on your own, you can purchase a one week inclusive class membership for around 50 dollars. Even if you get to yoga three times for that 50 bucks you have saved money compared to walking into a traditional yoga studio or going to a spa class.
3. Don't forget the mental spa aspect. If you are doing as I do--traveling in a situation where you spend a lot of your time going solo--you have a lot of control over your experience, but at the same time you have to be willing to boldly go out and do it. Don't get stuck regretting a missed opportunity to see or do something because you are going alone. Revel in that alone time. How often do people get to explore cities at their own whim and in their own time? Moments of solitude can be amazingly healing times of self reflection and well, just peace. And when you have had enough peace you can always text your daughter away at college on your droid while you sip a latte in the sunlit cafe of your choice.
And finally give yourself a 25% margin of error. Have that dessert--you walked all day, have a cocktail, you hit the stationary bike. Or simply just declare some days "free days." I have realized that if I do the healthy thing for my body and my mind 75% of the time I am still going to make amazing strides.
And happy trails to you--until we meet again. I have a Jack Daniels and Ginger Ale and I am high over Seattle (literally and figuratively). I will check in again from this trip and post a picture or two.
Here's to our health--and our happiness!
Love--
Beauty
