Complete and Creative

How to Stay in Shape While Traveling (1/3)

The other night while having dinner with a friend who used to study and travel with me in Japan, he asked me what I do to stay in shape.

I’m certainly no nutritionist, but I am in pretty good shape if I say so myself, and I don’t exactly mind what I see in the mirror when I step out of the shower (yes, unnecessary imagery, I know).

The following are some suggestions that may actually be easier to follow during your travels. Others, however, would take an extra bit of effort on your part while on the road.

Photo courtesy of FoxNews

Diet and Exercise

This is no secret. Everyone knows this. Or everyone has at least heard of this. How many of us actually knows what this means, though? And how many actually do something about it?

Diet does not only mean eating less, and it definitely doesn’t mean starving yourself or depriving yourself of the foods you love.

With health being a cool topic nowadays (by “health,” I really just mean looking good) and a million different diets out there, I suppose “diet” can best be described as a complete philosophical approach to food and drink. What should one eat and drink? How often? In what portions? When and where? With whom? How? Why?

It can get pretty complicated. I’m not good with complicated matters (which probably explains why I’ve never been too good with girls). So I look at dieting in a very simple way: Dieting is merely the opposite of gluttony, and gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins, remember? Hm, I probably just put dieting on a loftier pedestal than any popular dietitian has yet to do. Oh well.

So, what does dieting mean? Just eat enough. No more, no less. Sorry for those of you who live to eat, not eat to live. More specifics in a bit. It’s not that simple.

What about exercise? Does that mean endless hours at the gym? Running marathons every month? Being able to bench-press 350 pounds? No, it doesn’t have to be anything that specific. The most fundamental criterion is moving.

This last part is actually easier when you’re traveling. Unless, of course, you’re going everywhere by coach, limo, personal yacht, private jet, and giant elephant. But if you’re rolling in that much dough already, you can probably pay a professional to give you some tips instead of reading the blog of some kid who may or may not know what he’s talking about. Doesn’t mean you can’t stick around, though.

As for only eating enough, this is exponentially recommended for people on the road. It’s easier to travel on a lighter stomach. Plus, you never know when you just might want to try out something from a random foodstand on the street. Leave some room.

Further, it’s a little hard to be on the go when you need to go. It’s not always easy finding a public toilet in a foreign land. You can always get creative, though.

“I’m Getting Fat”

You hear this a lot, don’t you? Do you say this sometimes just to get attention when you know you’re obviously not fat? Well, if you do, shut the hell up. It’s not attractive. And that’s what you’re really complaining about anyway, right?

More importantly, it’s pretty messed up to say that in front of people who are fat.

“I Need to Start Working Out/Running/Exercising”

You noticed. Good. Now do it.

“I Just Don’t Have Time”

You’re right. Keep gorging on fast food and donuts while staring at the computer screen all-night long and you really don’t have much time. To live.

Carbs

These poor fellows have been unfairly demonized in the past several years. Leave them alone. Don’t hate. Carbohydrates are our immediate source of energy. The problem isn’t with carbs; it’s with us.

Most of us sit on our asses all day long either in the classroom or in the office or driving around in traffic. Many of us barely burn a portion of the carbs we consume. The key is, I think, to burn a little more than you consume.

For example, in my case, on a regular basis, I don’t consume much carbs. Luckily for me, I was never a big fan of breads or sandwiches or pasta, but I had a pretty hard time cutting back on rice and noodles.

When I know I’m going to run a marathon or go hiking the next day, I do eat a little more rice. Makes sense, right?

Unless you’re backpacking, cutting back on carbs also makes sense. When you’re in a foreign environment, going from place to place on a heavy stomach is not recommended.

Protein

Not that this stuff is overrated, but you do need other nutrients in your body. We’ve all heard it: low-carb, high-protein. It’s true, but don’t go overboard. Protein is best for building muscle, but it’s your last source of energy. If you’re resorting to protein for energy, your body’s in trouble. That’s what carbs are for.

to be continued…