When I’m traveling I have two main priorities – see all the things and eat all the things. Sadly, the latter is not generally compatible with my wish to fit comfortably into an airplane seat. So my solution is to try to incorporate activity into my travels, whether it’s walking off that giant mid-afternoon pastry or a run before brunch with all the trimmings. Here’s my top three ways that I stay active when I’m not at home.
Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk
These stairs in Lyon certainly got the blood pumping!
Anyone else now got Rihanna in their head? No? Anyway… seeing a place by walking around it is my number one way to stay active while travelling. Travelling by taxi just dents my funds-for-fun, while a city metro is good if the destination is quite spread out, but gives a dislocating effect where I find I can’t piece the city layout together in my head. So whether it’s a guided city tour of the hotspots, a self-guided specialty tour like Berlin’s street art, or simply following my nose around my neighbourhood, I choose to use my feet wherever possible. I frequently find that I nail 20,000 steps or more that way… and hey presto, gelato = justified! My penchant for views also frequently leads me up gut-busting hills, such as these stairs in Lyon, but at least that results in a double reward.
Run dem streets
Shots from my morning run in Havana
Yes, I’m very aware that not everyone is a runner so this one may not be for you. But if I’m able to and I’m confident that the area I’m in is safe, I like to go for an easy run – Havana’s Malecon sea wall is a prime example of a scenic and interesting spot that kept me focused on my surroundings more than how achey my legs were getting. If you’re not sure about the area you’re in, ask the hotel or Air BnB host for their best spots, or see if there’s a free organised running club such as the UK’s parkrun that you can join in with.
Work it
Colour run – a very different way to exercise!
These days there’s an app for everything, and that’s also true for fitness. I was recently able to trial Aaptiv, a personal trainer app with a huge amount of workouts that can be done in your hotel room, as well as gym and outdoors sessions. As long as you’ve got something to move in (even your pyjamas could do!) you can fit in a workout with this handy app. I really liked the range of options that it offered, and the motivating trainers who encouraged you to keep going… just one more pushup! If you’d like to give it a try, click here and hit the green button in the top right corner for a free one week’s trial! Other apps I like for quick workouts are Streaks Move and the 7 Minute Workout – all designed to get your workout done and have you out the door exploring as soon as possible!
How do you stay active while you travel?
Linking up for #WanderfulWednesday with Marcella, Lauren, Van and Isabel – check out their travel link-up and their fantastic blogs using the links!
