Hey there, girl!
Well, we have had quite the series of events!
Remember how I told you we were house hunting in New Orleans? Well, we did find a great place, but just two days later, my husband learned he was being sent to San Diego for several months of flight training! So we delayed settling in, packed up again, and hopped on a plane to the West Coast!
In between, we did a 16-hour round-trip drive to my in-laws’ house for some needed supplies. Road warriors!
After several months of not being entirely sure what city I am waking up in, I am very grateful to be in one spot for a while – even if it’s not the spot we thought it would be!
At this point, our travel total for the last 5 months is well beyond a calculable number of miles, tanks of gas, and airports.
If I hadn’t been able to maintain my healthy habits over this last season-and-a-half, I probably would have lost my mind – not to mention my wellness balance! As it is, I feel as fit and joyful as ever, and I definitely attribute most of this to having learned how to travel healthily!
So it occurred to me that with fall roadtrips to see the leaves or grab pumpkins (or to start enjoying the warmer spring temps, for my Aussie readers!) and holiday travel around the corner, a few tips on how to stay healthy and sane while on the road or in the air might be helpful – not to mention some hints on what to pack for weekend or longer trips to stay healthy in your getaway location!
So we’re jumping into a quick 3-part series looking at how to do just this, starting with how to stay healthy on the road!
ROADTRIPPIN’, (Gee but it’s grand):
Must-have tools:
1. Filtering water bottle: These are super handy little water bottles with a filter in the lid, allowing you to fill up with any potable water and safely drink it. My favorite brand has been Bobble (I carted it all over Europe!) but I’m currently using a portable Brita bottle.
2. Clean energy bars: What do I mean by this? Basically, energy bars that aren’t candy bars in disguise! As a rule, the fewer and more recognizable and pronounceable the ingredients, the better. The total calories and carbs/fat/protein balance don’t matter nearly as much as the purity of the ingredients.
Some of my faves:
3. Non-perishable proteins and carbs: when you need more than a pick-me-up and the fast food offerings at the rest stops aren’t up to par, carrying heartier snacks like beef or turkey jerky, and combining it with non-perishable fruits like apples, oranges, or pears is a great solution.
Choosing non-perishables ensures that if plans change and you stumble on the cutest little healthy mountain bakery, you don’t have to waste any of the food you brought.
4. Gum: Because sometimes, quite frankly, we’re just bored, not hungry, and having something to chew is all we need!
Tricks and tips:
1. Know how to work a gas station:
Most gas stations sell tea and coffee, or at least hot water. Bring your own favorite tea bags in a little pouch (or a gorgeous re-purposed box!) so you never get stuck!
If you’re making a drink, know what to choose and what to avoid, and how to create what you’re craving!
Here’s how I do it:
– Tea: Gotta get my black tea! I get a huge cup because I know my husband David will swipe some 😉 I go on a creamer hunt – original, unflavored only, loves! The flavors add SO much sugar (or sometimes fake sweeteners – don’t be fooled by ‘sugar free’) and creepy chemicals.
– Coffee: Same thing! No sugar, and no flavored creamer. Believe me, when you are stuck in the car and you’re not getting headaches and icky feelings from that stuff an hour or two later, you will be so glad you kept it pure!
– Iced coffee: Unless your gas station has a Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts, odds are slim you’ll be able to get an ‘official’ iced coffee – but you can put together a makeshift version if you know how! Fill a big hot coffee travel cup with ice over by the sodas, then head back to the coffee machine and fill it with regular or decaf and cream if you like; add more ice as needed to get the temp just right!
2. Drink, drink and drink more water.
Yes, you will have to stop to use the restroom – an excuse I have heard several times for not drinking water. Do it anyway! Plan enough time into your drive for a few quick stops – it is so important to stay hydrated, and getting out to stretch your legs will keep your body fresh!
3. Always get out when you have a chance to stop.
Just a few seconds of moving will get your blood circulating again and keep you energized, limber, and give your metabolism a little boost.
4. Similarly, plan your movement in before the drive (or after, if necessary).
I find I am usually pretty tired after drives, (even if I wasn’t doing the driving!), so I try to get in a fast walk or some high intensity calisthenic moves so my muscles have something to do while I sit for hours! Roadtrips actually make for great ‘forced’ recovery time!
If you are leaving early or short on time, a few quick power moves – doing as many jump squats as you can handle followed by a long plank is always a great quick hit! – will get your body headed in the right direction for the day and only takes 2 minutes.
5. Don’t waste your time.
One of the things I love most about roadtrips is that they actually restrict what I am able to do. No chores, no cleaning, no errands. I am stuck in one place!
This makes it the perfect time for luxuries we put off – like pounding through podcasts, audiobooks, or Bible chapters I’ve wanted to listen to, working through my planners and journals if I’m not driving, or simply giving myself time to reflect and sort through the thoughts and big dreams that may have accumulated.
Then of course, there are the joy ride trips, where the very definition of time well spent is windows down, radio up, and singing like no one can hear! 😉 Probably my favorite!
Are you hitting the road any time soon? Where are you headed? And how are you going to spend the drive time? Let me know in the comments below!
And watch for parts 2 and 3 of this series, about healthy air travel and packing for wellness on longer trips!
Love and Freedom to you babe!
