2018 NPAA Magazine 2018 NPAA Magazine - This is Our Sport | Page 51

Pre-trip planning:
1. Where are you flying? Check airport security websites
for food items and liquids that are allowed airside.
2. Pack your own food: canned tuna, oatmeal, rice
cakes, unsalted almonds and protein powder. Make
sure to bring a shaker cup or if space and security
allows, bring your magic bullet! Look for healthy
snacks at the airport once you have cleared security.
We like to pick up some hard-boiled eggs, fruit and
veggies before boarding. Some airlines also offer
a pre-purchase menu so go ahead and order that
salad in advance!
3. Bring a large, empty water bottle to fill up in the
terminal once you pass security. Having a full bottle
of water to drink on the plane will minimize your
dehydration from flying at altitude. The carts that bring
around refreshments do not offer nearly the amount
of fluid you should be drinking to stay hydrated.
4. Research the hotel gym and plan your workouts
accordingly. Pack your gym clothes, runners and
any portable equipment just in case your hotel
doesn’t have a gym or you want to take it outdoors.
We like to pack exercise bands, a folding yoga mat
and a jump rope.
5. Plan your activities such as swimming/snorkeling,
yoga, going for a hike, or explore the destination by
foot or rent a bike, there’s lots of ways to be active
without going to the hotel gym, after all it is your
vacation so working out shouldn’t feel like a chore.
In transit:
6. If you are on a long flight, make sure you get up
and walk around and stretch, keep that blood flowing!
Planes may not be the easiest places to hit your daily
step count, but it’s important to try. Immobile legs pose
a health threat, even to fit travelers. Try and book the
aisle seat in advance so that you can easily get up
and move around. If you’re driving, plan some stop
breaks so that you can stretch and top up that water.
In destination:
7. Fitting the time in for a workout is a necessity,
especially during competition prep. If you have a busy
schedule, fitness may be the first thing that you push
out of your schedule. Prevent this from happening by
making fitness time sacred and consider getting your
workouts done first thing in the morning.
8. Sleep! Lack of sleep leads to bad food choices
and energy drained workouts. Although a time
zone change may wreak havoc, there are ways to
combat this: hot showers, cooler room temperature,
chamomile tea and a sleep guided meditation. Don’t
forget melatonin or essential oils such as lavender to
help you unwind and get some Z’s. That said if you are
tired then listen to your body and get some more rest.
9. What about alcohol? Alcohol isn’t so much a fat
storer as it is a fat burning suppressor; which can be
detrimental when you’re training for a show, but it’s
your choice, your vacation. Consider drinking some
sparking water with lime instead or add in some
muddled mint and you’ve got yourself a virgin mojito!
10. Dining out while on vacation can also be stressful
and challenging. If the place you’re staying at has a
buffet, start with walking around the entire buffet first
to see what your options are. From there you can
make healthy decisions and load up on veggies, fruit
and protein rather than sweets.
Bonus tip!
11. Bring a visual reminder of why you are competing.
Photos of your inspiration, magazine articles,
inspirational quotes. We like to pick up fitness
magazines to read on the flight or by the pool to stay
motivated!
I hope you found these travel tips to be helpful.
Remember all it takes is some planning and
commitment – there is no reason for you to let all your
hard work fall to the wayside. You can still enjoy your
vacation while staying on track and smashing your
fitness goals!
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