Like us, you probably have a love/hate relationship with business travel. It can be exciting to see new places, and meet new people, even learn something, but it too can quickly become an uninspiring drag from airport to hotel to conference center. Tired of the latest conference buffet of carbs, and networking cocktails, perk up your day with five tips:
WORK WALKING:
Be pedestrian! Why take an elevator when you can take the stairs, stroll down the Embarcadero to Moscone Center in San Francisco, or walk from your hotel in Pioneer Square to the Space Needle in Seattle. Even if you are short on time, you can take a short stroll. Take a page out of ‘The West Wing’ or ‘Scandal’ and hold your power meetings on the go?
BIKE SHARING:
There are a host of new startups like Pronto Cycle Share in Seattle or the Bay Area Bike Share pilot that allow you to rent a bicycle to get around more bike-friendly cities. You’ll burn more calories versus taking a cab and get to explore the city in new ways.
Don’t be afraid to try bike sharing to get around town
SWIMMING IN WORK:
If you are stuck in the hotel, you might as well take advantage of the excellent facilities that are often offered. Head to the gym for a quick workout in the early morning, or pack your swimming gear and head for an evening dip in the pool. Swimming laps slowly for one hour burns 510 calories if you weigh 154 lbs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You may be tired, but you will sleep a lot better if you tire out your body as well as your mind.
REBUFF THE BUFFET:
No need to cram yourself with buffet basics, mini-bar junk or lacking room service and take a trip to a local eatery or farmer’s market to sample fresh local food. Fuel yourself with food that allows you to function at your very best. Take your taste buds on a tour, solicit insider advice from local residents you meet in your workday. Use apps like Trover to see what’s nearby and get inspired to try something new. Local tips will help you to make the most of your short stay anywhere. Locals will be able to point you towards the best green spaces for outside recreation, and may even be able to share advice about good fitness clubs or classes nearby that you could pop into for a bit of an exercise fix.
DO BRUSH AND SIT:
If you can’t find time, there’s always a fun way to turn your morning and evening hotel routine into an opportunity to burn calories! Squats or wall sits while brushing your teeth are a great way to tone your core and legs with benefits to the entire body. Do squats twice a day for approx. 2.5 minutes while brushing your teeth, the equivalent of 150 squats. Squats alone will burn 137 calories over the course of just three days. Calorically, that’s nearly 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes (105) or 2 1-ounce slides of apple pie (134). Wall sits can also be a killer workout for your legs while brushing.
Wherever in the world you go for business, there are opportunities to be found for healthy living. No matter how long you have to spare, you will be able to keep fit, eat well, and feel good doing it. You will find yourself well on your way to creating the perfect business trip.
We’re creating one heck of a portable exercise device to help many business travelers stay on a healthy road while traveling.
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