Traveling Blueprints

Those of you who read my blog regularly know that I was really freaked out around the holidays because I had to travel and I couldn't imagine how I'd maintain the same level of training and uphold the integrity of my nutritional plan while away from home.


There are many things that go into being able to stay consistent while on the road.  I picked up tricks from some of you, did some research and also learned from experience during my trip.  I won't bore you with all of the details but I'll give you a few highlights.  Maybe there will be something that can help you the next time you have to be out and about!

• TRIP ITINERARY:  study it!  You can plan your meals much more easily if you know when you'll be in the air and when you'll be on the ground.  
• AIRLINE REQUIREMENTS:  go to your airline's website to find out what they'll allow (liquids & so forth) you to carry on the plane.  Also see www.tsa.gov for additional tips.
• WORKOUT FACILITIES:  know where you're going to workout and what equipment they have.  The resort we stayed at advertised that they had a workout facility.  If I had just taken that at face value, I would have arrived and discovered that they had some cardio machines and a swiss ball!  Call workout facilities ahead of time and ask about their policy on guests, I had to call 4 gyms before I found one that would allow me to come in without a member escort!  Find out whether they have lockers available (will you need a lock?) and what their hours are.  Also, get directions before you ever leave home and there will be a lot less chaos to contend with.
• NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:  plan every meal you are going to consume before you ever leave home.  Know where it will come from and how you will eat it (cold or hot, plastic fork or spoon, on a plane, in a car, standing on your head?)  You must be prepared for anything.
• LISTS:  make your grocery list before you leave for your trip and know what store you will shop at and how to get there.  The more organized you are before you leave home, the easier the whole process will be. 
• LOVED ONES:  let those you are visiting know in advance that you will be continuing your meal plan / training while on the road.  If they have time to mentally prepare for this it won't come as such a shock to them when you don't eat the meal they prepared or have to leave early to go workout.

Your personal minute by minute blueprint is the key to your success!

Once I got my brain wrapped around the idea of continuing my routine in a different location, it wasn't really such a big deal.  I was prepared and therefore, I succeeded!

I hope these ideas can help you be more prepared the next time you have to travel!

Happy Wednesday, dear reader!