“I love to travel. In fact, for me, there are few downsides to hitting the road. But if I had to name one, it’s that traveling can throw me out of my normal fitness routine.

That’s a big deal for me because exercise plays a key role in helping me manage my high blood pressure.

Over the years, I’ve developed some tricks that help me make sure I’m prioritizing exercise while I’m traveling. Could I write about them for you? I could send you an article with fitness tips for people who travel often for you to post on your website.”

So I said, “Sure.  Thanks, Henry!”  And here is his very wise article.  Enjoy!

Photo by Pixabay

Fitness On the Go: Tips for Travelers

by Henry Moore

When you’re at home, it’s easy to stick to your regular fitness routine. However, when vacation time arrives, this can throw a wrench into your routine. Exercising makes you feel good, gives you energy, and the stress-relief is amazing, so stopping altogether isn’t an option for you. You aren’t alone. According to a study by Expedia, 53 percent of people in the U.S. think exercising while traveling is important, and only 10 percent forgo any form of physical activity while away from home. By modifying your workout and making use of what’s available, you can still get your sweat on no matter where you are.

Be Picky With the Location

If you are hitting the road, air, or sea for a vacation getaway, you have the luxury of choosing your destination. In doing so, you can find hotels, cruise ships, etc. with fitness amenities such as a gym, fitness classes, pool, and a spa for recovery. Consider using a travel agent for help finding a getaway that offers relaxation, but also meets your fitness-oriented lifestyle with fitness activities and adventures. Keep in mind that you can still stay in that cozy cottage and find opportunities for exercise around you. Exercise is a universal activity, so no matter where your travel takes you, there are local options to explore. You might even consider planning your vacation around physical activity by centering it on hiking, biking, kayaking, sailing, or walking tours. When you book your vacation, don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations. Just like you’d be able to suggest fitness-related activities in and around your home, the locals at your destination can too!

Get Creative

You might not be able to stick to your regular routine 100 percent, but when you are on vacation, your days look drastically different. You trade early morning commutes for a sunrise view by the fire and evening jogs around the neighborhood for a run on the beach. Adapt your workout to your surroundings by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and walking whenever and wherever possible. Plexus suggests making it a fun game by downloading a pedometer app on your smartphone to track your steps as you explore the area, leaving you to focus on having fun. If you’d prefer a workout similar to what you are doing back home but don’t have access to equipment, check out these equipment-free exercises you can do from the comfort of your room. No matter how you choose to get your workout in, don’t forget to stay hydrated. Vacation itineraries are often jam-packed, but dehydration will definitely derail the fun. Be sure to always have water and healthy snacks handy to refuel.

Don’t Forget to Relax

Before you lock the door and your vacation begins, remind yourself that it’s okay if you don’t get the same level of activity that you are used to. Vacations are a time to relax and unwind so you can return to the daily grind with renewed energy and drive. Use this time to pamper yourself, and let this focus on self-care continue long after you return home. While exercising and being healthy is one of the ultimate forms of self-care, it’s not the only care regimen you should be doing. Being healthy involves your mental health too. Resist the urge to over-schedule your itinerary. Speaking of itineraries, understand that plans change, so use what could be a negative and turn it into a positive by working on your flexibility and keeping an open mind. Maybe when you return home you’ll be open to incorporating some mental healing into your routine via yoga, meditation, and new hobbies.

Going on vacation doesn’t mean your fitness has to take the backseat. Keep it at the forefront by choosing a destination with plenty of fitness activities, or find fun ways to sneak it in such as using a fitness app to track your steps as you take in the sights. Remember to relax and take care of yourself too, making for a vacation that boosts both your physical and mental health.

In addition to a new “Solatube” – skylight – the bathroom now miraculously features a spacious tile countertop, lovely custom vanity cabinet, bigger shower with tile to the ceiling, a glamorous heavy glass door, and a tile floor.  And best of all, a charming tile accent strip that looks like beach pebbles!

There is also now a second wardrobe closet.  I’m hoping to morph the cottage into longer stays, and the storage was  inadequate before.  Now, between the added closet, 2 new cabinet pieces in the living area, and a “Captain’s Bed” with 12 spacious drawers beneath – guests can comfortably stay longer than a month!

Something else new:  solar panels on the roof.  Hopefully, come sunnier weather, they will produce lots of clean energy to shrink my carbon footprint even more.

Last summer a couple of artist/designer ladies who were staying here for a week-long trade show in downtown Seattle made a suggestion which I’ve finally completed. They said my bedroom decor was too feminine – that guys don’t like flowers! (the old duvet and wallpaper were very pretty flowers – I liked them.) And the flowers didn’t go with the living room which I’d recently redone with a nautical theme. 

Jody and Mary swept me up in their excitement about seashells and sailboats – and here is the result. Pretty cool, eh?  They came back recently and were delighted – said the bedroom feels much cozier now, with the darker wallpaper.

By the way, I spotted this eagle in my neighbor’s bare madrone tree the other day.  She sat there the longest time! There’s a whole family nesting in one of my tall fir trees.  Can you find her?  sometimes I wish I had a better camera with a longer lens.

This was one of my old duvets – along with pictures of flowers, even, and flowered wallpaper! So glad I made the changes. Thank you, Mary and Jody!

This summer has been spectacular, and I wanted to share a couple of glorious hikes I did.  The first was on the northwest flank of  The Mountain – Mt Rainier – to Spray Park.

It’s just a 2-hour drive to the trailhead at Mowich Lake – then about 4 miles of hiking along a pleasant forest trail.  Even in this dry year, moisture weeps in shady spots.

Then you suddenly break out into the park. “Parks” on the mountain are wide-open spaces just below treeline where glaciers have recently retreated.  There, the lupines, Indian paint brush, and several other wildflowers whose names I don’t know, greet you with their short-lived frivolity.

On another day, I went a bit farther, up north to Cascade Pass off Highway 20.  These mountains are even more rugged – sharp peaks, steep slopes, glacial cirques everywhere.

A friend and I drove up to Marblemount on the Skagit River and stayed in a rustic cabin the night before, expecting a tough hike up to the pass.  I’m sitting on the pass there,  with Sahale Arm in the background.

But that part was actually pretty easy.  If we’d gone up to Sahale Arm, that would have been really strenuous.  As it was, we did the steep switchbacks at the beginning, but then at 3:00 we figured we should turn around so as not to get caught by the now-shorter August days.

Thanks for sharing these two wonderful mountain experiences with me.

This is part of the view from the cottage’s private deck.  Most of the water view is in the other direction. The house you see is where I live, about 40 feet away (the cottage is BEHIND the camera).  The hot tub is nestled on the deck.

I’ve considered solar heating panels on my roof, but the trees shade the roof, so there’s not enough steady sunlight to make that practical.  Instead, last year I changed the heating/cooling system in the cottage to a ductless heat pump system (with AC) and replaced the old hot tub with a new, more efficient one.  My energy use is down 40%!!!  And the eagle family who owns the nest high in that middle tree are still happy.

Maybe it’s because I was gone most of April. But I have NEVER seen such an outrageous spring as this year in the Northwest!

Few Western travelers have visited Bhutan or Myanmar (formerly Burma).  I usually choose the road less traveled.  In April, 2015, I was fortunate to visit both.  My friend Karla took good care of the cottage guests while I was gone.

It was hard to winnow down my snapshots to this number.   If you want to see the full-size, full-frame version, double click on a picture.   I hope you enjoy them!

Both countries are devoutly Buddhist – they believe in reincarnation and human kindness.  Bhutan has a proud and colorful history, full of legendary heroes flying in from Tibet on the backs of female tigers who later become their consorts.  The government is a progressive, benevolent monarchy, respected by the people.  They also respect religion, their unique history, their family, and the community.  This first batch of photos is from Bhutan.

Myanmar has a sad history of invasion and occupation – most recently by their own military – but I’m impressed by the resilience and fortitude of the people there.

Just right for a friendly couple, the new Birch Bay tub has the same spectacular view and the same privacy as the old one.

Cottage guests are the only people who use it.

Folks enjoy watching eagles cruise through the treetops and hummingbirds zip around within reach.

I keep the hot tub ready any time of year.

With autumn coming soon, I’m really looking forward to lower electric bills and a smaller energy footprint!

I just wanted to share the note my last guests left on the dining table.  It really made my day.

Annie, thank you so much for providing this little slice of heaven! We thoroughly appreciated the lovely extras – from the flowers, to the fruit basket, to the well-stocked fridge and pantry.  And don’t even get me started on that BED – amazing!! The hot tub was so relaxing, and the view outstanding.

You are a gracious hostess, thank you! Soundview will be our “Seattle Place” from here on.

Andrea and Chris, Vancouver, BC

The sofa is so comfortable to sit on, and it will actually sleep two people instead of one, like the old one did.

Today was a beautiful chilly clear day.  You could see Mt. Rainier from the cottage.