Traveling for pleasure or business disrupts our daily routines including our fitness routines. Long flights, time changes and new environments can throw off our equilibrium and sense of place.  Then add the bread basket, local food specialties, wine and decadents desserts and months of fitness conditioning gains we’ve made at home, come undone.

Good News! There’s no need to return home unable to zip your jeans. Foresight and diligence can keep your exercise regimen on track if you take the time to plan ahead. Keeping up a regular fitness regimen will keep those extra pounds at bay that we tend to add on when away and eating every meal at restaurants.  Plus, having a workout routine will alleviate jet lag and travel fatigue during the day and help you sleep better at night in your hotel room without the need of a sleep aid.

Try these 8 Fit Tips on your next trip.

1)    Work out! Book a hotel with a good fitness center. Make sure you confirm fees, hours of operation and equipment available . This way you can verify what is available with the hotel and be able to plan your training ahead of time around your other activities.

2)    Master the Stairs! Stay on the top floor of the hotel and use the stairs not the elevator. Running up and down stairs is a great cardio workout!

3)    Find Adventure! Look into bike and hiking tours around the area and book a tour before you leave if you possible.

4)    Walk! Get a city map and walk the long routes to your destinations. Follow off-beat treks around town. Bring flats not heels and walk to lunch and dinner instead of taking taxis and public transportation. Just make sure that all neighborhoods you travel by foot in are safe for tourists,

5)    Gym Room! Pack a resistance band and use your hotel room as a fitness center.  Download an app for body weight workouts, too. No equipment necessary

6)    Be a Class Act! Investigate Pilates, Dance and Yoga studios and take a class.  It’s a fun way to meet the locals. They can help you find great restaurants the tour books never print.  You can even take a class in another language if you’re abroad. Most studios follow the same basic workout principles and using visual cues will be a unique but fun challenge.

7)    Pack it in! Make sure to pack your fitness clothes and shoes so there are no excuses not to work out!

8)    Keep your word!  Make the decision to commit to keeping up your fitness routine before you even pack your bags. Schedule it into your itinerary as if it’s an important business meeting. Just be prepared to be flexible about the schedule. This will ensure that any unplanned travel obstacles don’t hamper your workouts.

Following all or some of these guidelines for exercise when traveling will allow you to arrive home  energized and fit after your next vacation!  This will help you return to your regular routine without missing a beat.