Travel and change of place impart new vigour to the mind. – Seneca
I couldn’t agree more with this quote from a Roman Stoic philosopher.
Even for me, who’s at my best with a daily gym routine and home-cooked, nourishing food (can you say “structure?!”), leaving the familiar to head out and travel never fails to excite.
With COVID restrictions easing and the summer travel season ramping up, I think an “on the road” breast cancer lifestyle practices guide is in order!
My post-treatment survivorship coaching and education helps you feel confident in the decisions you make about food, physical activity and healthy lifestyle habits.
These habits serve you DAILY and don’t take vacation, even if YOU do!
Especially when you’re away from your regular routine, your body needs quality nutrition, nourishment and hydration, purposeful activity and rest.
The same practices that support potential reduced risk of recurrence also give you energy, stamina and focus to enjoy all your trip has to offer.
When you’re on the road it can be challenging to keep those habits consistent, but with creativity, flexibility and some planning, you can pull it off.
Here’s a list of things you can do now to prepare for all those fabulous trips you’ve planned!
- Locate restaurants in the cities you’re visiting that offer choices to support your dietary preferences, whatever they may be; vegan, vegetarian, diabetic diet, Celiac, dairy-free, etc.
- Even if you don’t patronize those establishments, you’ll get a sense of the ease (or not) with which you can satisfy your dietary preferences in that locale.
- Familiarize yourself with menu language that supports your dietary preferences, and if you’re unsure, ask for clarification before ordering.
- For example if you avoid dairy, words like “creamy” and “creamed” are a tip-off to ask questions. Something described as “garlic-cream” could be actual dairy cream, or a dairy-free garlic puree.
- When the establishments you’re staying at request your dietary preferences, share them!
- If they don’t ask, contact them and provide the information. Your input informs food purchases the chef makes and insures that they can accommodate you.
- Pack snacks for the plane/train/automobile.
- Flights get delayed, en route catering services run out of your food choice, and deserted stretches of road with nothing but junk food-filled gas stations are common. Pack more food than you think you’ll need – better to have too much than stranded and starving,
- Pack your running/walking shoes, weight lifting gloves, sport sunglasses, at least one set of workout wear, and anything else you need to support purposeful movement.
- Don’t short-change your workout because you didn’t pack the proper gear.
- If you can, reserve rooms at properties with onsite fitness facilities.
- These days it’s less common for a hotel to have NOTHING in the way of designated workout space, but it’s possible! Better to prepare in advance for in-room workouts.
- Locate running/walking routes near or on the property of your stay.
- Convenient, safe access to hotel recommended routes is so helpful! Also inquire about renting bicycles or other fitness equipment.
- Investigate in-room fitness/yoga/meditation t.v. channels and download your favorite fitness apps.
- When you’re short on time or it’s raining/snowing/dark outside, in-room workouts are the answer. No excuses, ok?
Are you planning a fun trip? Leave a comment with your travel destination and at least one example of how you take your fitness and nutrition on the road!
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Thanks for reading my blog post!
I help post-treatment survivors of hormone-positive breast cancer end food fear, confusion and overwhelm, eat without stress and guilt, and rebuild their health so they can do the things they enjoy with the people they love.
I’m a registered dietitian, personal trainer, nutrition therapist and coach, speaker, and survivor of hormone-positive breast cancer.
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