Last month, I was able to cross something off my bucket list: a triathlon. Honestly, I am not an athletic person, so this is quite a feat. It was a sprint tri, which means a half mile swim, 12 mile bike ride, and 3.1 mile run. I had to start basically from scratch with training, which is not easy in three months anyway. Add repeated business trips, and regular training became incredibly difficult. But I did it, and you can too! If you travel for work and want to train for an athletic event, whether a triathlon, a marathon, a bike ride, or anything else, it is definitely possible. It just takes work and a little planning. Here are my tips.
Pick hotels that allow you to train. If you are training for a triathlon, it’s really important for a hotel to have a usable swimming...
Many of us work out on regular basis when we are at home. We attend yoga, spinning classes, zumba classes...and on and on. Those of us who travel for work often miss opportunities to take these classes while on the road. Hotels have fitness centers, but it is not the same – there are no classes, bad equipment and often, a very small, dark workout area, which makes it difficult to get a workout while on the road.The biggest drawbacks of working out while traveling are:
Tiny Fitness Centers --Virtually all hotel websites proudly list a gym as part of their amenities, but when you get to the gym, you realize that it is just one treadmill and one bike in a room the size of a closet. Because of the lack of space, light and social interaction, it’s not easy to stay motivated.
Creepy...
Jet lag, exhaustion and homesickness are just a few of the drawbacks of travel. However, for many of us, particularly those with sensitive skin, dry and irritated skin is the worst part of traveling. Long plane rides with circulated air can lead to dryness, redness and discomfort. We spoke with dermatologist Dr. Nicol for her perspective on how to keep skin clear and healthy while traveling. She provided the tips and product recommendations below. We hope they are helpful!
How do you feel about make up on long plane rides?
I recommend not wearing any make up especially during a long trip. Also, it’s important to put a very good moisturizer on your face. The skin dries up with A/C.
What materials should travelers avoid (cheap airline pillows/blankets,...
When I first heard about t spheres, I was naturally intrigued. An aromatherapy massage from two little balls? But, after testing them out, I am converted! For those of you who don’t know, t spheres are the brainchild of Stephanie Whittier, a licensed massage therapist who has made it her mission to make relaxation possible anywhere – even in the airport. I tested the Pep Up Mint and the Peace and Quiet and was quite impressed! I found that using the balls on sore hands, back, neck and feet is a great alternative to the spa, especially for business travelers with precious little time. The oils used are high quality and have medicinal properties. Plus, they smell great. If you were to use them at the airport or on the plane, no one would have complaints about the scent.
Perhaps...
It happens to the best of us! You travel all the time, and you thought of everything but... you forgot to pack tampons. No big deal, you can buy tampons pretty much anywhere, right? Well, almost...
Most airlines will be able to provide you with sanitary napkins on international flights, but don't expect them to offer you tampons. Unfortunately (or fortunately?), I don’t ask if tampons are available on every flight I take. But, on a Continental transatlantic flight I was informed that tampons were not available.
In some countries, tampons are not widely available. For instance, in India, you can find sanitary napkins almost anywhere; however, tampons are only available at brand name pharmacies like Boots. If you are in a small city, it may be even more complicated.
Also...
Pregnancy doesn’t affect your ability to travel for business, but opting for a few additional luxuries and taking a few extra precautions will allow you to travel in comfort. Consider booking a doctor’s appointment a few days before your trip; having a recent checkup will set your mind at ease about traveling. No matter where you are going or how you get there, you can travel comfortably and conduct business as usual during most stages of pregnancy.
Travel by Car:
Build in breaks: Make rest stops a priority. Ideally, you should stop every two hours and get out of the car and stretch your legs; you’ll feel better and you won’t be at risk for blood clots from sitting in the same position for a long time. If you are the driver, stop as often as needed...
Pregnancy doesn’t affect your ability to travel for business, but opting for a few additional luxuries and taking a few extra precautions will allow you to travel in comfort. Consider booking a doctor’s appointment a few days before your trip; having a recent checkup will set your mind at ease about traveling. No matter where you are going or how you get there, you can travel comfortably and conduct business as usual during most stages of pregnancy.
Travel by Air:
Follow the rules. If you are visibly pregnant, double check the airline’s rules and restrictions before your trip. Most airlines allow travel before the 28th week without restriction, but you’ll feel better knowing your airline’s exact rules. You may have trouble...
Experience has taught me that if I don't plan well, I'll end up eating high fat, high sodium restaurant food that makes me feel lethargic and unmotivated — a bad combination during a business trip.
The keys to feeling your best on the road are eating good sources of protein and fiber and staying hydrated throughout the day. Funny, these are also the key components to keeping your energy high during your workday or at a weekend soccer tournament.
Why protein? Protein helps fill you up and keep hunger pangs from coming back too quickly. It also keeps your energy high and your mind engaged. Some go-to sources of protein for your next flight are an ounce of nuts or a half cup of shelled edamame (soybeans). My favorite protein bars, thinkThin, have a whopping...
When traveling, starting out looking good is only part of the battle. Arriving at your destination without looking like you were sleeping on the airplane or train is a challenge for many. I have different strategies for longer flights vs. shorter flights, but there are definitely things you can do to minimize that “travel-worn” look when you get to your destination.
For all flights:
Wear comfortable, wrinkle resistant clothes. The easiest way to look good during and after travel: clothes that don’t wrinkle. Nothing says, “I just got off a plane,” like a crumpled shirt and a creased skirt. There are plenty of wrinkle-resistant, non-iron clothes out there. TravelSmith has a great collection, as does Brooks Brothers....
