Fitness Interruptus – 5 Rules To Stay On Track While Traveling

As you may remember from previous posts, I was born in Texas.  That makes me a Texan, kind readers, so even though I hang my hat in Colorado, I travel back to the Lone Star State at least once a year to pay my respects.

This will be my first time for 2013, and I couldn’t be more excited.  A dear friend who braved it out as my Maid of Honor a few years ago has gotten remarried to a wonderful guy, and I’m heading down to celebrate with a properly rad soire!

Dawn and I go waaay back.  We worked together in a family owned department store while I was still in college.  Even though she was my manager, we spent a lot of quality time outside of work nurturing The Live Music Capital of the World.  We prided ourselves in stalking supporting the local bands by taking up virtual weekend residence on 6th Street (the Austin equivalent of Bourbon St.).

dawnandI
We dig metal.
gigmasters.com
gigmasters.com

We held an affinity for one band in particular, called The Pictures.  During the early 90s they were playing THE cover tunes of the day at Toulouse (and other long-gone venues), so we made ourselves part of their audience every chance we got.  I was actually inspired by this post to look them up, and they’re still around.  This band got themselves pretty organized (as most of us have had to do by now I suppose) and are gigging all over the state.  Yay for these guys – love to see dream realization in action!

Nowadays Dawn’s there and I’m here in the Centennial state, but we have always remained close even though we sometimes don’t speak for months at a time.  Dawn is one of those awesome chicks who is accepting and defines the word cool.  No judgement, no drama, and I get to BOWL at her wedding reception.  What’s not to love?  I absolutely adore this woman, and I feel so privileged to have her in my life.

In some ways, this voyage will be similar to the annual girls’ trip I’ve written about in the past because I’ll be seeing some of my favorite pals.  However this time it will only be for one night, and I’ll be staying with my family for the brief duration.  I’m fortunate that they have pretty well accepted my idiosyncratic eating habits, so I won’t have to please too many others than myself.  However, many of you are new to my little corner of the blogosphere.  And since most journeys include companions, visitors and/or visitees, I wanted to offer up my 5 universal travel rules.  If you’ve heard this one before, you can stop reading now.

RULE #1  SKIP THE WORKOUTS

This has become a pretty standard rule for me that works.  While I’m home, I hit it hard on a pretty tight schedule and rarely take a break.  My vacations are my downtime, and a body needs it occasionally.  Plus, I’m there to see my friends and family.  I don’t live anywhere near them these days, so I need that time to catch up and plug-in by being present.  If a few of us decide to take a brief walk, or attempt whatever trampoline acrobatics my nieces might be enjoying, I’ll usually go along.  However, if I don’t feel like it then I don’t, simple as that.  I find that granting myself a reprieve from the usual routine gets me itching to hit the gym once the vacation is over.  Upon my return, I’m inspired to come back in a big and refreshed way.

pea on plateRULE #2  AVOID FOOD OBSESSION

This is not to say that I obsess when I’m home, but I certainly keep a close eye on my nutrition.  Everyone who eats in my house is aware of this, and is used to that fact.  However, I tend to relax when dining on a trip; it’s a bad idea to project too much rigidity.  For one thing, it can bring a negative vibe to the otherwise upbeat mojo of the group, and indulging in the local cuisine is part of the experience.  So if I’m going to be in such close proximity to wedding cake, incredible barbecue and Tex-Mex, then I’m dang well gonna partake!  I love CO, but the eats here just ain’t the same.

RULE #3  CHOOSE WISELY

championnewspaper.com
Chip Bar at Chuy’s – championnewspaper.com

Now, just because you’re not obsessing about your food choices doesn’t mean you have to throw the baby out with the bath water.  You may not be dictating every item on the grocery list and selecting every restaurant, but you can make wise choices within your given parameters.  Order well most of the time, but go ahead and take pleasure in a few cheat meals too.  The key to success with this strategy is portion control for all courses.  You can read more about this in Anatomy of a Cheat Meal.

RULE #4 SEND REINFORCEMENTS

There are a multitude of clean items you can pack in your suitcase, carry-on, purse or jacket pocket.  This is especially important because you’ll likely be the only person on the trip wanting to eat every 2-3 hours.

  • Justin’s natural peanut butter packets
  • Nuts
  • GoGo Squeez unsweetened applesauce pouches
  • Fruit
  • Tuna pouches
  • Reduced Fat Triscuits
  • Brown rice cakes
  • Wasa multigrain crisps (cracker aisle of most larger food stores)
  • Protein powder, premeasured or in travel packets – and don’t forget your shaker cup!
  • Dry oatmeal and a measuring scoop/cup
travelfoods
airport security-proof arsenal

RULE #5  RELAX!hammock

You’re on vacation to enjoy yourself, no?  So let your hair down and live it up for a little while.  Know that allowing yourself this time will enable you to return in a better form for yourself and those around you – recharged, reinvigorated, renewed.  Bon Voyage!

What are your favorite clean travel foods?  What are you eating challenges while on trips with friends and family ?

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