The travelling season is here! Many of us are preparing to travel for the summer months and visiting family or even enjoying a staycation.

Many of us travel frequently or have various conferences to attend. If you are getting ready for any kind of trip, sometimes the last thing you may want to think about is how to prepare for a healthy or fit trip.

Putting together a healthy checklist before travelling can make it easier. This checklist can become part of your routine while travelling.

Before Flying

Drink plenty of water first thing in the morning. Plan for a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack just in case you have any travel delays. Think about your out-of-routine food and fitness plan.

Flying Tips

Drink plenty of water. Try and avoid soft drinks and alcohol as they are dehydrating.

Wash your hands frequently with hot water to avoid colds easily caught while travelling. Consider taking extra vitamin C or taking your vitamins regularly.

Dining Out

Check out the online menu of any restaurant you plan to visit ahead of time to plan what is the healthiest meal to order.

Don’t be afraid to inquire how your food is prepared. Ask questions like: “Are my vegetables sautéed in butter or steamed?”

Ask for baked or broiled chicken instead of fried.

Try a smaller portion of the desired meal or ask the waiter to wrap up half of the meal right away to take home.

There are also fabulous apps that can lead you to the restaurants that fit your dietary needs.

Snacks

Pack a snack bag for the plane or taxi ride ahead of time.

Here are some choices offered in the airport:

Hard-boiled eggs

Fruit

Nuts

Greek yoghurt (unsweetened) with fresh fruit

Raw vegetable slices

Hummus with veggies

Peanut butter and celery stalks

Edamame

Staying Active

Ask the hotel concierge for walking, hiking or running paths in the area. Plan your fitness regime and stick to it.

I like to book classes at my favourite gyms before I travel. It makes me stick to my programme.

Try and exercise in the morning. Your days can be extremely long or an important meeting or business dinner can pop up, and stop you from working out.

Pack comfortable workout clothes or buy some more to add to your workout fun.

Be sure to go online and see what the hotel’s fitness centre has to offer. If there is no facility on-site, search for a local gym.

Bring a jump rope, resistance/strength bands or a stretch band.

Take the stairs when you can.

Try and be open-minded and flexible. Make it easy by preparing ahead. Modify your routine if you need to. Your trip may not be 100 per cent healthy, but at least you have a plan in place. It’s your choice to follow it. Have a great trip and B-Active For Life!

Betty Doyling is a certified fitness trainer and figure competitor with more than a decade of experience. Check her out on Facebook: www.facebook.com/B.ActiveForLife