Have you ever said, “I travel too much to stay healthy” or “I’m too busy to go to the gym”?
I know I have and felt that way before. It hurts to hear it sometimes, but we all have the same number of hours and minutes in the day. It’s how we prioritize them that makes all the difference.
Until recently, I was in sales for many years and had a HUGE territory to cover. Imagine traveling to 50 different customers and conferences in 13 states and 4 Canadian provinces at least twice a year. I was busy, to say the least. Plus, I have a 4.5 year old, so my time is definitely at a premium.
When I set my goals on competition in bodybuilding, however, I was still traveling and working, while simultaneously raising a 2 year old. Still, I didn’t make the excuse of ” I didn’t have time,” I re-prioritized my life so that I had time to do everything I needed to be ready for those competitions! And I rocked it, placing top in my class every time.
What I want to share with you is how you can fit healthy habits into your already busy life. Remember, you climb a mountain one step at a time, so take these first steps to jumpstart small habits. Once they’re ingrained you can tackle bigger goals!
Over my years of travel and fitness, what I like to call #travelingbeastmode on Instagram, are 3 keys to putting my health first even when I have a million other things going on.
1. PLAN AHEAD
You probably know the saying, “If you don’t plan, you are planning to fail,” right? Map out exactly when you will workout and what you will do. Don’t count on yourself to make up a workout in the morning when you’re half asleep. Be sure to also set the intensity of the workout. This will help you maintain a consistent, effective workout. If you need help with workout planning, you can visit my site for pre-made/personalized at home or gym workouts. – www.pdxstrengthsociety.com
2. STRATEGIZE
Be strategic in your eating. Inevitably, if you have lunch or dinner meetings, you may not have control over where you go and the food options there. You also may feel that you have to indulge in alcohol or dessert (I will talk another time about changing your mindset here) especially at dinner meetings. Plus, if you’re traveling, you never know what food will be available at the airport. What I recommend is playing around with meal strategies such as, having just a protein shake in the morning after your workout, or skipping any snacks in between meals. This way you are leaving a reserve of calories for a later meal you know will likely be higher. If you have a rest day, you could even fast for the morning until lunch. The point here is to save your calories for those times when you know you will have more.
Another key to staying on track is to travel with snacks. I always travel with things like protein bars (I like #one bars), protein packets (my favorite is chocolate from #Arbonne – I make it into a pudding by adding less water), stevia sweetener, nuts, beef jerky, and Stevia-sweetened chocolate from Lily’s.
3. WORKOUT EARLY
I have found this to be non-negotiable when I travel. Travel and meetings just take the energy right out of me, so if I don’t make it happen in the morning, 95% of the time, it won’t happen at all. We all know schedules change, new items come up; it’s inevitable. I am not necessarily a morning person and I don’t feel like my workouts are fantastic when I do them in the morning, but showing up every morning is better than nothing.
Another tactic, if you can’t get a workout in the morning, is to increase your caloric expenditure by taking a 10 minute walk every once in a while, at least 3 times in the day. If you’re at a conference, just stroll around the building or walk outside if it’s nice. Nothing will implode if you’re not there for 10-15 minutes.
Remember, it’s all up to you. If you need any help with organizing your workouts and nutrition routine, I am happy to help. You can contact me on Instagram @earhartholistichealth or through my website www.pdxstrengthsociety.com.
We only have one body and one life. Let’s honor it.
