You may have noticed I’ve been pretty silent these past few weeks. The simple answer is that my life went off track. Normally my routine is simple: work, gym, eat, sleep and repeat. However, over the last few weeks, my general homeostasis has been derailed by business trips.
Like many of you, I hold a corporate job which sometimes involves business travel. I am not complaining, since travel is one of my favourite pastimes and I am fortunate to hold a job that lets me see and engage with other cultures. However, it does disrupt my day-to-day routine. I am generally quite disciplined with regard to my food intake and my workouts, but when I leave home and venture into the unknown, much of this is thrown out of kilter.
So how do you try to embrace some sense of routine when travelling on business? First, you need to accept the fleeting change in your routine and look for ways to find some semblance of normalcy. Be vigilant about what you are eating and the frequency of your meals, especially if you know you will be working out less.
Given that I have been globetrotting on business for a while, here are some of my tricks:
Make healthy menu choices: You are going to be eating out a lot more, so try to make healthy choices. Ensure each meal consists of a protein source and some vegetables, and you won’t go wrong.
Check out the hotel gyms: I think hotel gyms generally get a bad rap. True, they don’t necessarily have all the equipment, but what they do have is often in good condition. In some gyms you might find some interesting equipment. Once, in a hotel in Amsterdam, I found an all-in-one leg extension and leg curl machine. Pretty cool kit!
Find some form of exercise that works for you: If hotel gyms aren’t your thing, find another form of exercise that you can squeeze into your day. Running or cycling are great ways to experience the sights and sounds of a new city.
Re-calibrate your schedule: You might need to reschedule your workouts to make them work for you. I am an evening gym goer, but when I’m away I hit the gym in the morning due to work and social commitments.
Bring healthy snacks: When away on business, days can be long and there may not be a supermarket or health food shop nearby. I always stock up on snacks so that I am not left at the mercy of sugary treats. Carb Killas were a lifesaver on my latest trip to Amsterdam, as without them I would have been living on crisps and Stroop Waffles.
Check out the local supermarket: Not only is it to fun to see what lines the shelves of supermarkets around the world, you will also find healthy options to fill your mini bar. Load up on fruits, veg or yoghurt, for example.
Use the time to de-load: This rule isn’t for everyone, but if you have been weight training hard and over a lengthy period, you could use your business trip as a time to de-load. This will help your body repair and prime itself to work harder when you do get back to the gym. De-loading generally works on the principle of giving your body a week off so it comes back stronger and primed to lift heavier weights.
So, next time you have to go away, try putting a few of these into play and see how you get on. Learn to embrace the time away and find ways to make things work for you.