How to stay healthy while traveling without ruining your vacation

How to stay healthy while traveling without ruining your vacation

Last month I stepped out of my comfort zone and booked a solo trip to Italy. A month after running the Boston Marathon, I refused to let my lofty athletic goals stop me from fully enjoying and enjoying my travels abroad. Because when Italy calls, you answer the phone. Cue all the pizzas. Freshly made pasta. Prosciutto. Mozzarella. Chianti. Gelato galore.

That's why the day after I got home and stepped on a scale, I was stunned (big word for big feelings required). I managed to get through 10 days of solo travel with a net weight gain of two pounds. Two. I was speechless. Two pounds? I gain and lose two kilos every day! Moral of the story: Yes, I gave in, but I managed to keep everything under control by making smart decisions throughout the vacation.

Want to know how to stay healthy on vacation without turning it into a total buzzkill? Here are six tricks that worked for me and that I think will work for you too.

1. Get out and walk.

Yes, I went abroad with running in my mind. Still, I swear that accumulating miles is hands down the best way to cover the most distance in a foreign place. Because your pace is faster than a leisurely sightseeing tour, you'll have the opportunity to see more of the must-see sights on your bucket list. Almost every morning I would wake up, lace up, and get out for my run. Some mornings it was 3 miles. For others, it was... much more. On my longest training run in Florence, I saw 12 miles of the city (twice) in one trip. I prioritized incorporating this run into my daily routine, just as I prioritized consuming equal parts chocolate and jelly-filled croissants.

2. Bring a mini band.

Small resistance bands are easiest to pack in your suitcase or carry-on luggage. After recently seeing a physical therapist who suggested I incorporate a variety of hip-strengthening movements into my regular routine, bringing them along was a no-brainer. It didn't matter that I didn't have access to a gym during my trip. I came back from my normal run and did a bit of hip training, then moved on to other full body exercises like B. one-armed bicep curls while kneeling or squatting. Choose four exercises that you like and add 14 repetitions of each to your morning routine right after brushing your teeth. Four sentences later, your body will thank you for taking the few extra minutes in the morning to give it some love. (Related: The LIT Method Mini Band Butt Workout That Will Make Your Glutes Flare)

3. Be smart about portion control.

Italy is a food mecca. There is a must-eat sandwich with fresh parmesan on every corner and a gelato stand every few meters. I didn't say no to anything, but I was also sensible about trying absolutely everything. For example, one of the most popular sandwich shops in Florence, All’Antico Vinaio, serves toddler-sized sandwiches for just five euros. Did I get the sandwich? Of course. But halfway through, I listened to my body, stopped eating, and saved the rest for the next day (luckily for me, I lived in an apartment with a full kitchen).

4. Pack smart.

I brought a large rolling suitcase, but I also packed my favorite MZ Wallace bag to use for an overnight trip on a two-night stint to Venice. As I walked through town trying to find my hotel, I consciously swapped the side of my body on which I carried the bag for some kind of makeshift farm stretcher. It sounds silly, sure, but two hours of carrying this bag around and my abs were burning. Thank you, fashionable fitness.

5. Put on those sneakers.

I only wore heels on one day of my trip, during an Airbnb experience I booked to take some photos with a local photographer (highly recommended). Other than that, I made sure that all of my outfits included a pair of sneakers. I packed two different pairs—one for all the running and one for the more fashionable side—so I had to eliminate the “my feet hurt” excuse from my repertoire. I left the house in the morning with everything I needed for the day and got home just in time to change before the aperitivo after walking the whole city. With the right footwear, I never felt like I had to hit the pause button and also found it easy to jump a taxi from a taxi rank. (See also: Training for a half marathon was one of the most memorable parts of my honeymoon)

6. Strategize your meals.

Before I went to Italy, I made a complete list of all the must-try restaurants and eateries. By soliciting suggestions from friends, family, and locals (my Access Italy tour guide grew up in Venice and knew the best of the best places for everything from cicchetti to tiramisu), I didn't settle for the not-so-good stuff. This meant that every bite was special and totally worth it. Trust me, there is absolutely no guilt when you try the deconstructed tiramisu at Il Palagio in the Florence Four Seasons. And you know what? I'm better (and more ready to race) for trying it all, taking the journey, and keeping an eye on my health while I'm on the go.