You’ve been ultra consistent with your workouts, your diet has been on point, and you’re really starting to see and feel some results. Suddenly life hits you with a curve ball: a work-related trip to a conference or your family plans a trip to an amazing location where working out is not a priority for the native population. The thought of falling off your workout regimen has you less than thrilled. All that hard work needs to be maintained! All you’re thinking is a week off could make it near impossible to come back with the same intensity or body fat % that you left with….We’ve all been in this position before. Life happens. At this point though, you have two options: fall off the program and make excuses for why you didn’t train, or adapt to the situation and find a way. Because you’re a Medical Age Management patient, we know you’ll choose the latter because you’re dedicated, goal oriented, and won’t settle for mediocrity. As it is our mission to help you reach those goals, take a look at our top 5 ways to stay on track while on the road:
1. Research The Area You Are Visiting
There is no such thing as being over prepared. Whether you are traveling for two days or two weeks, doing a little research about the area you’re visiting can result in both better decisions and a better use of your time. First off, if you won’t have access to a kitchen, make a list of restaurants that serve nutritious food prepared in a healthy manner. Nothing beats your home cooked meal preps, but having a couple pre-determined options will beat the McDonald’s you see on every other street corner. Secondly, look up a few local gyms. Even in the craziest remote parts of the world there’s usually a gym of some sort. Most of the time, the big chain gyms have a free trial you can jump on for a few days. Who knows, maybe you’ll even meet a new lifting buddy you can train with if you come back. The bottom line is that if you fail to prepare, you have prepared to fail.
2. Pack Your Supplements
A lot of times when on the road, time is at a minimum and efficiency takes an even higher
priority. The truth is, you might not have time to get back to your hotel to get your pre or post-workout supplements. The easiest way around this? Pack your protein and/or supplements and capsules into individual plastic bags that are easily transportable. Do this for two reasons: 1) you won’t have to bring your entire 5lb. jug of protein or bottle of capsules – which means more room in your bag for workout clothing, and 2) it’s a great way to hold yourself accountable. Plus with today’s weight limits on luggage you need to be a minimalist. Plan out how many days you’ll be gone and how many workouts you plan on hitting. By the end of your trip, every bag should be empty!
3. Stay at a Hotel with a Gym
If there are no gyms in the area you’re vacationing or traveling to, book a hotel that has a fitness room. Even if it isn’t much of a gym, get creative! The handrails of two treadmills spread 2-3 feet apart make a great place for dips and a simple incline bench can be used for both chest press or bicep curls (depending on your split). If there’s a will to get a pump, there’s a way!
4. Stay On Your Regular Sleep Cycle
When you get to a new area, sometimes the hardest thing to do is fall asleep. However, staying up too late and sleeping past your normal alarm can throw your entire day off. The goal should be to maintain your normal workout schedule as closely as possible, and that starts with proper sleep. If you typically wake up and crush a workout, stay the course! This circles back to thinking ahead and doing some research – have a plan for your day, and execute accordingly.
5. Bring Transportable Equipment With You
In a worst case scenario, there are no gyms around, the hotel has no fitness room, and you’re about to lose it if you don’t get a solid pump. The answer: bring a resistance band with you! Dr. Farnesi carries with him multiple resistance cords of different strengths that have convenient handles attached called “sport cords.” The possibilities with this stretchy piece of rubber that will fit in any bag are endless. From standing bicep curls, bent over rear delt flys, front and side lateral raises, even rows if you can find a solid anchor point, a resistance band might just be your last ditch saving grace. Although it might not be the same as throwing up actual dumbbells, the pump you can get might satiate you just enough to get through the day. Trust us, we know the feeling.
Excuses don’t get results. Remember, if you mess around, your results will mess around – and that’s the bottom line. There is no magic bullet to achieving your goals. The only thing that stands between you and your dreams is hard work. So, while it is important to be present on your business trip or family vacation, keep your goals in mind. Don’t forget why you started your journey. As Dr. Farnesi likes to say, “Remember the ‘why’.”