When we travel we tend to rent a car and we also tend to stay in places that have some sort of kitchen facilities (BnB – check out www.airbnb.com,  www.couchsurfing.org, www.vrbo.com, etc.)

When I pack my bags I always make sure I have the following items:

1. Laptop and DVDs – I actually bought my first “home based” workout because I would be traveling and not be able to go to my favorite gym classes. Now I simply bring my classes WITH me and have no excuse to miss a workout! Need me to help you find your favorite travel workout? Just ask! Oh – and here is an example of what you can do if you have an extra long layover! 

2. Sharp knife – Do I have to tell you to NOT bring this in your carry-on bag? I have a favorite knife that when I travel long distances I always bring it. If you have a small cutting board you may want to throw that in as well. I can easily make a salad if I have veggies and a knife!

Amazing what a knife can do to help you eat healthy!

3. Cooler Bag - They fold down flat and are inexpensive from the grocery store. Great for roadtrips if you don’t want to invest in a big cooler. When you get to where you are going and if you have access to a freezer  freeze a water bottle as your ice block. If you REALLY want to get fancy check out six pack bags – these may not be as easy to travel with – I just got mine from the grocery store.

Simple cooler bag from the grocery store

4. Resistance Bands – I love the ones that Beachbody makes – you can find them here. I recommend the “medium” set for a decent variety

5. YogaPaws – These are a new toy for me! Yoga mats are heavy and take up space and you don’t REALLY need one to do yoga. I googled up “yoga gloves” and found these guys. Here is a 15% off coupon code!

6. Shakeology with a shaker cup and ball. Eating on the road is TOUGH, I get it! I always travel with Shakeology because it is SO easy. I at least know I am getting one super healthy meal, 9 servings of fruits and veggies, fiber, protein, superfoods, I sure don’t see that in my free continental breakfast options!

Shakeology - I know I am getting at least one super healthy meal!

When I get to my destination of the the FIRST places I find is a grocery store to stock up on some travel friendly foods. I’ll post some ideas of things to grab to keep you on track!

What is always in your suitcase to keep you healthy, fit and sane?

I sat there thinking – “Yeah, right, like I have time to add 5 MORE things into my day.” As we went through the course she brought up how she BEGAN to fit it into her life and I wanted to expand on that and hope this tip helps you to began to make healthy choices throughout every day of your life.

Susan basically said: You have these 5 things to do everyday. Some days you’ll get them all in, others you’ll be lucky to get one in. You do your best, you leave space for yourself.

She said so matter of fact. With so little pressure. It clicked for me. I don’t need to do EVERYTHING everyday right in the beginning. I can AIM for incorporating those five things into my life, and soon, just like anything they’ll become a routine. I decided to start small. Yoga doesn’t have to be 90 minutes everyday. I’m not quite ready to start with the self oiling as we are getting ready to pack up and travel. I LOVE sunrises so to see a sunrise everyday is a treat, I can incorporate a daily bike ride, 5-10 minutes of mediation and 10-15 min of yoga/stretching while out on my ride. I’m seeing how this can slowly fit into my life in about an hour instead of four!  Because lifting weights is important to me I decided to stick to 10-30 minutes of Ten Minute Trainer a day, I can do ten minutes – can you? Of course you can!

I encourage you to PICK 5. Aim to incorporate 5 healthy things into your life daily. Give yourself a “gold star day” for the days you accomplish all 5. When those five become routine pick 5 new ones.

Below I started to brainstorm, please add your 5 in the comment section below – I’d love to know what yours are!

Mediate
Yoga
Run, bike, swim, dance, play, hike
Commit to your exercise program
Only drink water, no sodas
Turn off the TV
Eat a serving of vegetables at every meal, yes even breakfast
Eat 3 meals a day and 1-2 small snacks
Don’t eat anything that has high fructose corn syrup in it
Walk for 10 minutes on your lunch break
Invite a friend to walk with you
Park as far away as you can at work
Pack your lunch
Skip the drive through
Dry brushing or oil massage
Plan your meals for the day
Eat at a table for every meal
Eat with your family
Don’t eat 3 hours before bedtime
Keep a daily food journal
Keep a journal
Try a new healthy recipe
Take your dog for a walk
Learn something new
Tell someone you love them and appreciate them
Eat foods that heal, real foods, not processed foods that make you sick
Read
Smile at a stranger
Don’t eat until you are full. Eat until you are not hungry.
Give gratitude to your body for what it allows you to do
Give thanks for the food you consume and the fuel it gives you
Take the stairs
Ask for a doggie bag
Skip the candy bowl at the dentist/doctors/mechanics office
Bring a bowl of fruit to work for the week
Wake up at ____everyday. In bed by ____
Get adequate sleep

My current 5 are
Wake up between 5:30 and 6 for the sunrise (7-8 hours of sleep)
30-40 min Bike ride (this will change in a few days due to a move)
Meditate 5-20 minutes a day
Yoga- minimum of 3 sun salutations to a full 90 minute session
1-3 Ten Minute Trainer DVD

Remember, not all days will be 5 star days. It’s not the end of the world.