How to Stay Healthy, Eat Well, and Get Exercise When You’re on the Road   

Despite technology, today’s business climate still requires face-to-face interactions through sometimes frequent travel, which can make it challenging to stay abreast of our “healthy living” goals; for example, sales professionals are often asked to wine and dine customers at steakhouses, or forced to catch a quick fast food bite before an important meeting. Other times, business travelers visit new cities, but spend their trip in a conference room surrounded by cookies, chips and other indulgences.

So traveling frequently for work is likely already a strain on your physical and mental health. This is why changing the status quo of business travel and making smart choices is crucial if you want to take care of your well-being. Luckily, there are a number of easy ways to eat healthier and stay active while you travel.

Portion Control
It is tempting to order syrup-filled drinks, a fried appetizer, a juicy steak and decadent chocolate cake when you are dining on someone else’s dime. Business travelers often find themselves ordering more than they typically do when everyone else is doing the same. This usually ends with stuffing ourselves or wasting food, since “doggy bags” are faux pas.

Your On the Road Resolution: Instead of ordering many drinks and a three-course meal, consider having one drink and skipping dessert. It may also be wise to order a salad instead of an appetizer or soup. Lastly, steaks come in many shapes and sizes, so try to order a lean 6 oz. filet mignon instead of the 14 oz. rib-eye.

Fresh, Creative Choices
When choosing restaurants for dinner or catering for an all-day meeting, organizers typically choose unhealthy options: breakfast is frequently stocked with sugary pastries instead of fruits and yogurt. Then lunch might be a cheesy Italian meal with sugary soft drinks, instead of a salad bar or grilled meat. To top it off, dinner may be scheduled at a steakhouse — instead of a sushi bar. Finally, no business meeting ends without desserts and drinks.

Your On the Road Resolution: How can organizers make healthier choices for attendees when planning meetings? For starters, they can choose low-fat and sugar-free items for breakfast and drinks. Desserts and snack breaks can be replaced with fruits and vegetables. Lastly, organizers can find restaurants that have more healthy options than the typical steakhouse!

Hotel Fitness Features  
It is important to pick the right hotel when traveling for work. While proximity to meetings and cost are important factors, there are other important amenities at many hotels that will help maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Your On the Road Resolution: When choosing lodging, be sure to pick one that has a fitness center, and make sure to note its hours of operation; after all, business meetings often end late or start early in the morning. So ensuring that your hotel’s fitness center is open outside of the schedule for your business meetings is helpful.

Also, many hotels also provide fruits and other healthy snacks at their front desk, instead of the usual minibar items, so be sure to inquire about that amenity. 

Keep Your Workout Schedule, Even When Traveling
Don’t forgo your typical workout routine because of your business trip.

Your On the Road Resolutions:

• When prepping for your trip, remember to pack sneakers and fitness clothes.
• If you work out first thing in the morning, set aside some time to do so at your hotel.
• If you need a good workout at the end of the day, be sure to get one in before you hit the pillow.
• Encouraging co-workers to join you is a good way to motivate each other and keep the team healthy.
• Lastly, if the area around the hotel is runner friendly and safe, you can always go out for a run in the morning.

For busy business travelers, remember to always make healthy meal choices, choose your hotels wisely, and continue your workout routine. These tips will help you maintain your healthy lifestyle while you are on the road.