That's Fit

Do you have any great vacations planned for this summer? Along with a friend's family, my son and I are renting a cabin in what I deem as the prettiest part of our state. Also, if I can scrape together the funds, I might be bringing my son (who I adopted a year ago) back to his home state to visit his foster family. Whatever your summer plans are, don't let good nutrition go on "vacation" too. Some tips:

• When eating at a restaurant, don't order an appetizer and skip the bread basket.
  
• Select healthier fare from the menu -- for example, baked, broiled, or grilled foods are a better choice than deep-fried.
• Visit the local grocery store -- if you have a fridge in your hotel room your options are greater, but even if you don't you can still stock up on some foods that you can eat "in." Fresh fruits and veggies, sugar-free instant oatmeal (use the coffee pot to heat water). You can also use your hotel room's ice bucket to keep some foods chilled.
• Go on a picnic. Pack healthy foods and visit a park, beach, or nature reserve at your vacation destination. After lunch, go for a hike!
• Avoid the pastries and other high-carb options at the continental breakfast.
  

Having just returned from a quick, transcontinental jaunt to Seattle, I feel more rested than I probably should. Frankly, I should be exhausted, given the fact that I didn't get home until three o'clock in the morning, but I'm feeling pretty good. If I had to point to a reason why, it would be that I didn't let my diet or workout fall to the wayside while I was traveling. Yes, a snack was eaten here and there, and I didn't work out as many times as I would have had I been home, but I didn't phone in these efforts at fitness, either.

Well, that's all well and good. Hooray for me, I guess. But what's my point? Staying on track when you travel -- and I'm not referring to the train you may have rode in on; rather, I'm talking about your diet and exercise program.

Many hotels offer fitness facilities, but the downside is that they may not remain open late enough for you to gain entry. And, when staying with friends or relatives, there may not be a gym nearby for you to squeeze in a workout. Does this mean that you're stuck? Not exactly. There are several workouts you can perform with little or no fitness equipment right in the room you are staying in, just as there are healthy meal options hidden in between fat and calorie-laden room service menu items. All you need is a little ingenuity and the willpower to keep yourself honest.