If you've just started your health journey but are worried about dealing with temptations while traveling, then this read is for you! I recently returned from my European holiday and I'd like to share some key tips to help you maintain a balance between staying healthy and enjoying your trip.

If you haven't started your fitness journey, beginning it during a holiday could be ideal since you have a break from your regular routine and extra free time. If you're trying to form a habit, schedule it for your morning routine to prevent putting it off.

Stay Active 

In most cases, when you're traveling, you tend to walk more and increase your daily steps. Therefore, I wouldn't worry too much about missing out on the gym during your trips. Personally, as a runner, I like to maintain my running routine while traveling since it's a fantastic way to explore a new country. I also find it much more enjoyable when I run with friends. However, don't feel pressured to run; even doing 1-2 kilometers is better than nothing!

Treat yourself 

Remember to take care of yourself while traveling. It's important to treat yourself and not restrict yourself too much, as it can have the opposite effect. I found it helpful to treat myself to indulgent treats occasionally, but I also made sure not to overindulge.

Hydrate Properly 

One important thing I often forget while traveling is to drink enough water. The last thing you want is to go on a hike in a foreign country and feel faint due to dehydration. For me, the main reason I didn’t drink enough water was that I often forgot my water bottle. This led me to buy plastic bottles constantly, which became frustrating over time. I decided it was better to wait until I was at a restaurant or back at my accommodation to drink water, but I quickly realised that I still wasn’t drinking enough.

To combat this, I eventually bought a stainless steel water bottle that I could refill before heading out, which also helped minimize my plastic waste. My advice is to always bring a reusable water bottle with you because I promise you’ll use it. You might think you won’t, but trust me, you will!

Watch your alcohol intake: 

I noticed that my alcohol consumption increased while I was traveling. It's easy to overindulge when you're not weighed down by many responsibilities. I found myself drinking more because I was going out for dinner every night and having a sneaky drink here and there. One thing to be mindful of is the amount of alcohol you consume. It's fine to enjoy drinks occasionally, but it's important to be mindful of it, as I've noticed myself doing it more often. 

Additionally, drinking overseas can be somewhat dangerous since you may not be familiar with your surroundings and transportation options. You might not realize that certain forms of transport stop operating at specific times, so it's a good idea to know how you will get home before going out.

At the end of the day, it's okay to slip up on your healthy habits when you're overseas. Try not to dwell on it if it happens and just enjoy your time there