Road Warrior Best Practices

[MattR]

I work as a Regional Sales Manager and live in a hotel about 3-4 days a week.  While I do my best to stay in shape, I often find it difficult to find a good gym on the road.  Additionally, I try to eat well (soups and salads) but I am concerned about soodium levels and such.  Does anyone have any advice on how to best stay in top shape while travelilng?  I'm looking for the best exercises, the best foods (or places to eat), and any advice from others who live on the raod. 

[Kapalua]

Here's what I do. I hope this helps:

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/04/how-to-travel-lot-and-still-eat-mostly.html

[JodyMcDe]

Just a few thoughts:
- ask for a hotel room on a high floor and then take the stairs
- drink water, water, water, and then some water
- walk to local restaurants. If you eat or drink too much, walk a little extra further on your way back to the hotel and make sure you take the steps to your room.
- park far from the from door
- do luggage "curls"
- breakfast is always oatmeal, yogurt and fruit (even though the eggs and bacon are screaming my name)
- lunch is healthy salad
- make it a game to get extra steps/floors during the day. (Walk the long hallway to the hotel steps, park far from entrances, stop at rest stops for a quick 5 minute walk, make lunch reservations at a restaurant near a mall so that you can walk the mall before/after your meeting, take the stairs. Walk the length of your hotel room 10 times after waking up and before going to bed, etc..)

[Cosmogirl0115]

Someone already mentioned to drink lots of water, and that would be my number one suggestion as well.

Regarding places to work out, this can be tough. When I traveled with my job, I could choose my own hotel, so I used Marriott hotels. Most have a gym on site. If I couldn't get into a Marriott, I'd call the hotel  ahead of time to ask about the nearest gym. Hotels may have some discounts or free passes to the gyms closest to their location. If there isn't a gym close, or it's been a long day and you don't want to go to the gym, pack some resistance bands and do exercises in your room. Many hotels will have a work out channel with videos that take you through exercises. The hotel may also have some free weights or a balance ball that you can borrow and use in your room. Another option is to ask the front desk for a "jogging or walking" route around their hotel. Many hotels have these handy for guests that are into running or walking. Unless you are in the suburbs, you may have some excellent routes to walk or jog in your immediate hotel area.

You can also download some workout apps to your cell phone, tablet or computer. I've used a few in the past. I know use Gaiam TV for yoga and pilates videos.

Last, try not to eat dinner too late. I wouldn't eat after 8pm, or just have a light snack like fruit or some cheese and crackers. I'd also avoid alcohol and sodas as they can give you a bloated feeling, plus leave you dehydrated.

Good luck!

[ammulder]

I'd say, look for a park around the hotel, ask the front desk for walking/running routes, look for Web sites with walking tours of the city you're in, call a nearby running store and ask about morning/evening group runs or favorites routes/trails, look for Web sites with running routes (e.g. http://www.usatf.org/routes/ ), etc.