A little exercise tip is; When at your hotel, try to take the stairs as much as possible instead of the elevator.

Some tips: while I have not done well in general while traveling, my last two trips haven't been bad. Some of the things I list below have helped.

1. Try to get a hotel that has a fitness room and make yourself go, if you are not planning other exercise activities for the day.

2. Go to a travel site like Tripadvisor.com and look up the top restaurants in the area, then look those restaurant's menus online to see if there are foods available that you can eat guilt-free. Planning ahead is key. If a local recommends a restaurant, look online at the menu first. One splurge is ok, but don't do it every day,

3. Write down some reasonably healthy food options that might be available to you in the new location. That way, you will have a Plan B if you can't find a healthy local option. Last time I went on a trip, I wrote down a list and took it with me: Subway locations, McDonald's (for a grilled chicken salad, not a burger :) ) and the salad bar at the local Whole Foods.

4. I'm sure you will want to eat out, but consider staying in an extended stay hotel like Residence Inn or Homewood Suites and cook occasionally. On my last business trip, I was in a Homewood Suites and instead of eating out, i went to the grocery store and bought salmon, veggies, fruit, and low cal snacks. It was great. Even if you don't plan to cook dinner, consider at least getting a room that has a fridge in it so you can have some fruit and veggies available to you for breakfast, lunch or snacks.

5. If you are a binge eater, stay away from the hotel breakfast buffets at all costs. Most of the foods on those free breakfast buffets are loaded with unhealthy types of carbs: cinnamon rolls, breads, sweet rolls, high-sugar cereals, pancakes/waffles, etc. Some will have fruit or yogurt, and maybe oatmeal, but if you do tend to binge, there is such a huge temptation to say "I'm gonna eat like a normal person" and you will cave. And then your day is going to start out bad. Resist the temptation and buy fruit or cook some eggs in your room if at all possible.

Originally Posted by KittyKatFan:
Some tips: while I have not done well in general while traveling, my last two trips haven't been bad. Some of the things I list below have helped.

1. Try to get a hotel that has a fitness room and make yourself go, if you are not planning other exercise activities for the day.

2. Go to a travel site like Tripadvisor.com and look up the top restaurants in the area, then look those restaurant's menus online to see if there are foods available that you can eat guilt-free. Planning ahead is key. If a local recommends a restaurant, look online at the menu first. One splurge is ok, but don't do it every day,

3. Write down some reasonably healthy food options that might be available to you in the new location. That way, you will have a Plan B if you can't find a healthy local option. Last time I went on a trip, I wrote down a list and took it with me: Subway locations, McDonald's (for a grilled chicken salad, not a burger :) ) and the salad bar at the local Whole Foods.

4. I'm sure you will want to eat out, but consider staying in an extended stay hotel like Residence Inn or Homewood Suites and cook occasionally. On my last business trip, I was in a Homewood Suites and instead of eating out, i went to the grocery store and bought salmon, veggies, fruit, and low cal snacks. It was great. Even if you don't plan to cook dinner, consider at least getting a room that has a fridge in it so you can have some fruit and veggies available to you for breakfast, lunch or snacks.

5. If you are a binge eater, stay away from the hotel breakfast buffets at all costs. Most of the foods on those free breakfast buffets are loaded with unhealthy types of carbs: cinnamon rolls, breads, sweet rolls, high-sugar cereals, pancakes/waffles, etc. Some will have fruit or yogurt, and maybe oatmeal, but if you do tend to binge, there is such a huge temptation to say "I'm gonna eat like a normal person" and you will cave. And then your day is going to start out bad. Resist the temptation and buy fruit or cook some eggs in your room if at all possible.

Nailed it! But in all fairness, have fun ;)

Traveling Suggestions
 

So, this Saturday, I'll be going on a trip for a week for school, and I was wondering if you had any tips to keep exercising and dieting while not in the comfort of your home. I don't think I can bring weights because of the weight limit of carry-ons and checked baggage. I THINK I can access a gym, but no guarantees. My hotel is a good 15-30 min walk away from the site I need to be, so I can get some walking in. I was thinking of bringing a Jillian DVD along with me, but I don't know what floor I'll be on, and I hope I won't be disturbing anyone beneath me with jumping jacks or anything.

But yeah, I want to stick to my diet and exercise regimen, but there's only so much you can do without having the stuff you have access to at home.

Thanks

Maybe try some yoga??

Good luck - yes, yoga, pilates, floor exercises (pushups, crunches, donkey kicks, all sorts of exercises you can do - you don't have to be jumping) - anything that is weight-bearing is good... take a resistance band and work your muscles!

Be safe when walking - smart choice to think and plan!

I stay away from free breakfast buffets in hotels because I can't resist the carbs. I bring packets of protein shake or protein bars along and have breakfast in my room.

Check out some of the restaurants you might go to ahead of time to choose some healthy options, it's harder to have the pulled pork sandwich and fries if you've already got a grilled salmon spinach salad in mind.

There are travel weights which you fill up with water to use.

You can also use Youtube to find workout videos. Some of my favorites that I've seen there that burn a lot while not requiring jumping are Claudia Schiffer workout videos.

If the hotel is relatively decent they will have yogurt as part of the breakfast buffet, and oatmeal, and maybe even eggs and fruit, those are the things I would stick to.

When I go on vacation, I eat half of my meals when I go out to a restaurant. In terms of exercise, I bring a workout DVD that doesn't require weights. I'll pop in into my laptop. Or if nothing else works, just walk. It's relaxing, you can enjoy the sights and you feel better! :)