Tag Archives: travel

Yoga for Traveling

If going on a vacation or traveling for work has one major drawback, it’s getting out of the healthy fitness habits we have worked so hard to maintain while at home. Nothing beats taking a trip to the beach or visiting a new city, but by the third day our bodies begin to feel like they have been left behind, neglected, and ultimately not part of the fun.

Being in a different environment, sitting or standing more than usual, wearing brand new work shoes or cheap vacation flip flops can all increase muscular stress on our bodies, especially if we’ve ditched the exercise routine. It is no wonder we often feel as if we need a vacation after a vacation; our bodies are stiff, tired and worn out from skipping our workouts.

Whether you practice yoga regularly or have yet to try it, these pose suggestions will help you at least save your lower back, hips and attitude from going south while you are away from the comforts of a healthy routine at home.

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Empty Calories Comic: The Road Trip Blues

See more Empty Calories right here in the blog each week, or receive one each month when you subscribe to our free newsletter. (more…)

How to Handle the Moments That Make You Fat

When you are trying to lose weight it can be easy fall off the diet wagon and slip back into patterns of unhealthy eating and lack of exercise. Recently, CNN identified “The Moments That Make us Fat” which included your friends suggesting a buffet restaurant for dinner or finding tempting dessert options at a cocktail party.

According to James Hill, executive director of the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center at the University of Colorado, it can be dangerous to rely on your willpower to carry you through difficult diet situations.

“Willpower is not inexhaustible,” Hill told CNN.com. “You only have a certain amount of it, and it’s gone.”

Instead of relying on willpower, Hill recommends planning ahead. Identify the situations that tempt you to veer away from your healthy habits and plan strategies to keep yourself on track.

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The Ultimate Workout on the Go

J.J. Kunkle is an A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer and owner of The Fit Life, LLC in Bellbrook, Ohio. She never leaves home without her running shoes and shorts.

“I couldn’t workout out last week; I was on a business trip. The hotel didn’t have a gym!” I’ve heard it a thousand times from my clients and friends—an excuse to get off track and break the exercise habit.

Travel is the worst time to skip your workouts, because most likely you are eating out for every meal, consuming way more calories than normal. So I make sure my clients are armed with an easy, quick travel workout that can be done anywhere!

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Hotels Now Offering More Healthy Options

Hotel LogoIndulging in high calorie foods is all too easy when you’re traveling. Fatigue, stress, and even jet lag can all make dialing up room service for a burger and a slice of pie all the more tempting. That’s why many hotels across the U.S. are getting into the health food trend and offering up leaner options.

Courtyard by Marriott has begun including calories on their menu boards and also have pamphlets describing the ingredients and nutrition of the offerings. By the end of April, Hilton will have low-fat and low-calorie options in all its hotels. Sofitel has created a De-Light menu that’s available at several locations and features a three-course meal with fewer than 500 calories.

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Health Buzz: The Best Yoga Vacations, the Bug Diet and Bariatric Surgery Counseling

The Best Yoga Vacations

Stretch your R&R dollars further with a yoga retreat. Many resorts offer a yoga-centric getaway, and we’ve rounded up a few choice locations, like Mexico, Costa Rica and Maine.

Counseling is an Essential Part of Bariatric Surgery

Our resident mental health expert, Brooke Randolph, discusses the necessity of therapy prior to undergoing a bariatric or weight loss surgery procedure.

Infographic: Starbucks Trenta Not the Worst Beverage Offender

At 31-ounces of iced coffee or tea, the Starbucks Trenta size is hardly anything to lose sleep over. However, at 64 ounces, almost the size of a 2-liter, the 7-Eleven Double Big Gulp is a calorie catastrophe. (more…)

Healthiest Family-Friendly Vacation Spots

by Descygna Webb

As Spring Break and summer vacation approach, both parents and kids wonder what their next vacation adventure will bring. Planning a family vacation can be a lot of work. This is especially true when you’re trying to find a place that both the kids and adults will enjoy without breaking the bank.

Something that might be helpful when looking for a good spot for the family to spend their vacation is looking for a place that allows you to get in plenty of activity. Finding healthy vacation spots that are family-friendly can be an undertaking but it’s perfectly doable. The places listed below are great for families wanting to enjoy a variety of activities while on vacation.  Being away from home allows you time to explore things you don’t regularly get to do and create great memories.

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Best Active Vacation Spots for a Healthy Getaway

by Descygna Webb

Going on vacation for many people means relaxing and leaving behind the routine of everyday life. For those that want to stay in shape and be active during their vacation, there are some destinations that might be better than others. Spring Break is quickly approaching and the high traffic summer months follow quickly after that. Finding the perfect vacation spot can be difficult to do on your own. We’ve compiled a list of the best vacation spots for those that want to stay active during their time away from home. These places offer a chance to have fun and play while doing activities you may not have access to in your home town. Whether you’re staying stateside or vacationing abroad, these destinations have a lot to offer.

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Fitness Vacations on a Budget

While it may be difficult for some of us to imagine, warmer days are ahead of us. That means vacation season will be upon us before you know it. While most vacations are centered around sipping cocktails on the beach and lazing around, you can also take a fitness vacation.

Don’t look at this as work, but as a way to get away from the stresses of life and treat yourself to a scenic vacation that just happens to also be good for your health.

Now, oftentimes fitness vacations can be pretty pricey. Guided tours, pampering afterward at a spa… this can all add up very quickly. If you’re on a tight budget, there’s no reason you can’t find a trip that fits your frugal needs. Here are a few fitness vacation options that can get you there:

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Surviving Spring Break on a Diet

Breakfast at a diner, lunch at the airport, snack at the gas station, dinner at (gasp!) McDonald’s. You finally reach your hotel, drift into a jet-lag induced coma and sleep in well past your normal workout time. It seems so inevitable: Spring Break is around the corner and we all know the health challenges that come with traveling. I’m not judging, I’ve been there! Anything goes when you’re on vacation, but the trick is to stay in control. You don’t want to find yourself coming home with the “Spring break is over, man, I blew my diet, now I’m home exhausted and bloated” blues.

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The Best Weight-Loss Vacations

Fit Tours

Fit Tours, Costa Rica

There are many choices when it comes to picking a weight-loss vacation. From boot camps to spa retreats, you can have an amazingly diverse range of experiences that will all lead to a leaner you. Although spending a week or two at a weight-loss destination may not get you to your final goal-weight, a weight-loss vacation can help you break old habits and find a new mindset.

Our guide to the best weight-loss vacations will give you an idea of the many kinds of healthy, fitness-oriented options available to you. These trips tend to be quite up-scale, providing high-end nutrition, accommodations and exercise facilities. We chose to focus primarily on destinations in the US, but there are a few featured spots outside of the country.

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