Maid Simple: Travel Well

Having just returned from a 10 day stint in Pennsylvania feeling radiant and well (and receiving unexpected compliments to highlight that fact), I thought a good return to Maid Simple would be sharing my simple tips for staying well while traveling.

First and foremost are food choices. I know when we're in the airport how tempting it is to grab a bagel or muffin, but those things are so loaded with starchy carbs that turn immediately into sugar, causing your hunger to return faster and stronger than if you had a cup of plain instant oatmeal. Traveling well starts with making the best choices in the airport and on the plane. Always opt for water when that nasty beverage cart comes down the aisle. Anything else on that cart contains a ton of sugar and will dehydrate you further and cause you to be unreasonably hungry. Drink as much water as you can while flying and especially while on layovers in the airport. Buy one or two big bottles of water and get them into your system before you board. This will inevitably cause you to have to use the airplane bathroom, but trust me, that is a far superior choice to feeling parched and pasty when you deplane at your destination.

Also, take full advantage of the air blower above your seat. Turn that thing on full blast and aim it down at your lap. That is a continuous supply of fresh air and will help you to not breathe in all of the coughing, sneezing germy air that's circulating in the cabin.

Watch your in-air snacking. Opt for raw nuts that you have brought with you. Steer clear of salty snacks which will cause you to bloat faster than a scared puffer fish.

Once you have de-planed at your vacation destination have a great time, but don't go hog wild. This definitely isn't a time for you to forsake your health. Who wants to be sick on vacation? Exercise as soon as possible after arriving. This will keep you from feeling too much jet lag, and will help to keep your body clock set to the right schedule. (It will also help keep you "regular," if you know what I mean. And that's ESSENTIAL to traveling well.)

If you're going to eat food you wouldn't normally eat, bookend it with healthy meals closer to your normal fare. Also, don't eat a boat load of pizza or fried calamari. Just a little will still taste as good as a lot and will help keep you from bloating and feeling like there's a brick in your stomach.

Keep up with your exercise regiment as much as you can, and get as close to 8 hours of sleep a night as you can.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I can't stress enough how important this is for everyday life as well as traveling. Drink as much water as you can and opt for water over other drinks whenever possible.

Look fabulous, feel energetic, and then return home to your regular gym and clean eating schedule without feeling like a whale.

Trust me, I've done it both ways and traveling well is far superior to just saying "screw it" and eating whatever you want, whenever you want. I've never arrived home and thought "I wish I would have eaten more ice cream while I was on vacation." But I have thought "I wish I hadn't eaten all those rich meals and desserts."

Have a great summer and travel well!

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