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Why Travel is Good for the Body and Soul
Posted on Jun 10th 2011 11:00AM by That's Fit EditorsFiled Under: Motivation
By Christine Estima for Blisstree.com
Six years ago, I finally decided to do what every 20-something, middle class, post-graduate decides to do: backpack across Europe to see the world and "find myself." With only my trusty rucksack and a "Lonely Planet" guidebook, I headed first to Hungary (of all places), and worked my way westbound through some of Europe's most interesting and vibrant cities like Budapest, Vienna, Paris, Venice, Nice, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Lisbon. Two months later, I returned home just in time for my sister's wedding and found that my bridesmaid dress no longer fit me. In fact, it had to be taken in by two dress sizes. What the hizzle? I had been eating rich, European dishes (Croque Monsieur anyone?) and hadn't exercised once. How did I do it?
Carrying your life on your back: When you use a backpack, as opposed to those wheelie suitcases, you are automatically giving yourself a full body workout without even realizing it. The average backpack can hold about 15 kilograms (33 pounds). Multiply that by eight weeks of constant travel, and you've got a recipe for weight loss. You're essentially carrying all your worldly possessions on your back, and when you couple that with the sweltering summer heat, you're shedding layers just by walking to your hotel room, or trying to find the train station. If worn correctly, all the weight from your backpack should rest on your hips -- not your shoulders -- so the pressure is distributed to your hips, legs and glutes. Targeting trouble zones under the Tuscan sun. I like!
You're only eating at meal times: When you're at home, it's easy to snack when you're bored, or overindulge at mealtime. When you're backpacking, you're too busy to be bored. In fact, I found myself forgetting to actually factor meals into my daily activities. Who has time to eat a full plate when there's mountains to climb, festivals to attend, museums to gawk at and European boys to fall in love with? Backpacking forces your diet to be tightly regimented and portioned, meaning three squares a day is sufficient. In addition, if you're backpacking, chances are you're on a strict budget and going out to restaurants every night can prove costly. More often than not, I'd hit up the local grocery store for a ready-made sandwich, rather than going out for a full meal.
You're walking everywhere: Nobody drives in Europe (unless they own those zippy Citroën Deux Cheveaux Vapeur cars); everybody walks. Or they ride bikes. And as they say, "When in Rome ... " European cities were designed way before there were moving vehicles, so everything is in walking distance. And if it's not, it's worth the hike. Walking is always a great way to get your bearings in a new city and also a leisurely way to explore it. I like renting a bike in each city I go to, as I find it to be a more exhilarating form of exploration. And let's not forget those mad-dashes at the train stations to catch your departing connection ... with a 15 kilo backpack strapped to your back.
Activity-packed days: Backpacking means never wasting a day behind a computer or on a couch. You are packing each precious day with as many fun filled local activities that you can. I was in Whistler, B.C. last year for only four days, but I managed to go whitewater rafting, zip-lining, bungee jumping, downhill mountain biking, urban cycling and still sit and enjoy my morning lattes without missing a beat. Europe is renowned for its adrenaline-heavy festivals, like La Tomatina (the world's largest tomato fight), the Zurich street parade, and, lest we forget, the infamous Running Of The Bulls.
Increase in heart-rate: That first time you stand before the awe-inspiring, ornate and breath-taking Taj Mahal, your heart rate is sure to soar. Or that first glimpse the glistening Adriatic waters from the stone walls of Dubrovnik. Finally finding Shakespeare's grave in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Tentatively inserting your hand in The Mouth of Truth in Rome. Your pulse will go through the roof. And you'll love every calorie-burning second of it.
Since that first European extravaganza of mine, I have made it an annual mission to dust off the passport, strap on the backpack and travel for a few months at a time. I've managed to haul myself to every single European country, to the Middle East, Asia, South America and I actually ended up moving to Europe for a few years. And how has my waistline fared? Each time I've traveled, I've come back a helluva lot smaller. I'm 30 pounds lighter than I was six years ago -- and the lessons I learned abroad taught me how to maintain a healthier lifestyle.
Just don't put a Croque Monsieur in front of me right, I will murder that thang.
More from Blisstree.com:
Women On The Road: In Defense Of Traveling Alone
Good at Life: Practical Travel Pillow
5 Ways to Be Eco-Friendly While Traveling
Getty
Carrying your life on your back: When you use a backpack, as opposed to those wheelie suitcases, you are automatically giving yourself a full body workout without even realizing it. The average backpack can hold about 15 kilograms (33 pounds). Multiply that by eight weeks of constant travel, and you've got a recipe for weight loss. You're essentially carrying all your worldly possessions on your back, and when you couple that with the sweltering summer heat, you're shedding layers just by walking to your hotel room, or trying to find the train station. If worn correctly, all the weight from your backpack should rest on your hips -- not your shoulders -- so the pressure is distributed to your hips, legs and glutes. Targeting trouble zones under the Tuscan sun. I like!
You're only eating at meal times: When you're at home, it's easy to snack when you're bored, or overindulge at mealtime. When you're backpacking, you're too busy to be bored. In fact, I found myself forgetting to actually factor meals into my daily activities. Who has time to eat a full plate when there's mountains to climb, festivals to attend, museums to gawk at and European boys to fall in love with? Backpacking forces your diet to be tightly regimented and portioned, meaning three squares a day is sufficient. In addition, if you're backpacking, chances are you're on a strict budget and going out to restaurants every night can prove costly. More often than not, I'd hit up the local grocery store for a ready-made sandwich, rather than going out for a full meal.
You're walking everywhere: Nobody drives in Europe (unless they own those zippy Citroën Deux Cheveaux Vapeur cars); everybody walks. Or they ride bikes. And as they say, "When in Rome ... " European cities were designed way before there were moving vehicles, so everything is in walking distance. And if it's not, it's worth the hike. Walking is always a great way to get your bearings in a new city and also a leisurely way to explore it. I like renting a bike in each city I go to, as I find it to be a more exhilarating form of exploration. And let's not forget those mad-dashes at the train stations to catch your departing connection ... with a 15 kilo backpack strapped to your back.
Activity-packed days: Backpacking means never wasting a day behind a computer or on a couch. You are packing each precious day with as many fun filled local activities that you can. I was in Whistler, B.C. last year for only four days, but I managed to go whitewater rafting, zip-lining, bungee jumping, downhill mountain biking, urban cycling and still sit and enjoy my morning lattes without missing a beat. Europe is renowned for its adrenaline-heavy festivals, like La Tomatina (the world's largest tomato fight), the Zurich street parade, and, lest we forget, the infamous Running Of The Bulls.
Increase in heart-rate: That first time you stand before the awe-inspiring, ornate and breath-taking Taj Mahal, your heart rate is sure to soar. Or that first glimpse the glistening Adriatic waters from the stone walls of Dubrovnik. Finally finding Shakespeare's grave in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Tentatively inserting your hand in The Mouth of Truth in Rome. Your pulse will go through the roof. And you'll love every calorie-burning second of it.
Since that first European extravaganza of mine, I have made it an annual mission to dust off the passport, strap on the backpack and travel for a few months at a time. I've managed to haul myself to every single European country, to the Middle East, Asia, South America and I actually ended up moving to Europe for a few years. And how has my waistline fared? Each time I've traveled, I've come back a helluva lot smaller. I'm 30 pounds lighter than I was six years ago -- and the lessons I learned abroad taught me how to maintain a healthier lifestyle.
Just don't put a Croque Monsieur in front of me right, I will murder that thang.
More from Blisstree.com:
Women On The Road: In Defense Of Traveling Alone
Good at Life: Practical Travel Pillow
5 Ways to Be Eco-Friendly While Traveling
