10 Ways to Stay in Shape While Traveling

When you’re out and about flitting from tourist attraction to subway station to lunch, it’s hard to keep up with your diet and exercise regimen. Even though you’re out walking all day, and it may seem like you’re getting a lot of exercise, you’re probably also eating a lot of high-calorie and fatty foods that pretty much negate all the good you're doing with the walking, hiking and stair-climbing. Those extra pieces of cake and pie for dessert aren’t helping either. 

Contrary to popular belief, calories do count on vacation, as much as you wish they didn’t. So, if you want to stay on track and earn those meals, you might want to add additional exercise to your vacation itinerary.

Get outside

I love to be outdoors when I travel. It’s the best way to see your destination, so why not get out a little more and burn extra calories?

Go running – You’re going to bring along a pair of walking shoes anyway, so why not make them running shoes that are also good for walking. If you run at home, then keep your routine set and get up early to run around the block or the hotel grounds.

Jump rope – This is an easily packable item and gets you great exercise anywhere you have some extra room. Not just little kids love to jump rope. It’s fun and helps you tone and keep in shape. Make sure you buy a nicely weighted one that will stand up to the rigors of the road

Make your lodging your gym

You walked all day yesterday, but you got up early in order to watch the news or eat breakfast in your room. As much as you know you should put on your workout clothes and hit the gym, the thought of looking presentable just doesn’t sound appealing. You aren’t alone. While you’re waiting for your bagel to toast or you’re listening to the weather report, you can take advantage of the floor space in your room to get in a quick workout.

Chair crunches – If you have a chair, you have a low-impact gym. Work your abs by sitting on the edge and pull your legs up or pump your legs as if you are riding a bicycle. 

Do lunges – You’ll feel a lot less awkward doing them in the privacy of your room than out in public, too.

Calf raises – Do these anywhere, like while you are brushing your teeth, making oatmeal or waiting in line to get into the Louvre (for bonus exercise points).

Resist – Pack a resistance band (or set) in your carry-on and do more strenuous workouts in the time you have available. There are also fancy loop bands you can use to strengthen your legs/thighs.

Boxing – You don’t have to bring along full gear and a punching bag, but a pair of weighted gloves is a fabulous way to tone your arms and legs. Bookmark a few good training videos on YouTube.

Use what’s available at your accommodation

Your hotel or rental property might have some useful ways to help you work out. If the weather cooperates enough to be outside, then you’re in luck.

Go for a swim – Almost all hotels have a pool. Pack your swimsuit and you can get in some laps. If a fancy indoor pool is available, then you can swim if the weather is uncooperative. 

Use the stairs – Walk or run up the stairs to your room and you’ll start to feel the burn. Generally, the stairwell is pretty private, so you also won’t be disturbing others if you are up early or late doing this.

Hit the gym - Lots of hotels and rental/timeshare properties have gyms. It may not be large, but you can get a quick workout in on the equipment they do have. You might also have access to tennis courts, bicycles, or basketball courts.

Keeping up with an exercise routine when you travel will keep you motivated to continue doing it at home, even if it takes you a few days to get back into your healthy eating habits. You’ll feel better about yourself and might even add to your regular workouts. Download a pedometer app or use your FitBit to keep up with your progress. 

How do you stay in shape when traveling?

Drinking Coffee Around the World

If you've been a reader for a while, you know how much I love a coffee drink. When I had more time on my hands, I did a coffee series where I tried a bunch of local Portland coffee shops every month. I don't get to as many now, but I do post my visits on Insta when I try a new one, or visit my faves. You'll also see me post about coffee shops while on vacations, because every morning - and afternoon and evening - should start with a good coffee in my book.

photo credit

I'm a big fan of Turkish coffee and now I'm real intrigued by Egg Coffee and Cafe de Olla. I've had wonderful coffees in Edinburgh, London, and Paris and I'm sure I'll have amazing coffee on future trips as well.

Where have you had the best coffee (or other beverage) on your travels? And tell me about it so I can go there!

Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month Through Travel

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Now, in my 40s, I'm getting more into immersing myself in my Japanese Heritage, but I've also been learning more about other Asian cultures and have found a handful of favorite AAPI-owned businesses near my home that I frequent often. When we travel, I am always looking for women-, BIPOC-, and AAPI-owned restaurants and stores. 

On our very short visit to San Francisco, I knew I had to visit Japantown. We didn't get to a lot there, but there are only three Japantowns left in the United States and all of them are located in California. This one is just a few blocks and much of it is taken up by an indoor "mall" that is packed with bookstores, Japanese restaurants, cafes, gift shops, and some lovely artwork. There's a bridge that goes over the street that connects both parts of the building. It was very rainy, so I didn't get too many outside pictures.

The whole of Japantown is surrounded by street signs that have cute Japanese pop culture art, which is adorable and immediately lets you know where you are. 

The square is also very modern while also being traditional. I would love to go back when it's sunny and just hang out and absorb the peaceful feeling...and people watch, because who doesn't love that?

We met up with a friend to explore the area and also get tea across the street. I'm always down for a good afternoon tea. I also love how this umbrella backdrop really captured the feeling of the day.

The center is split between the east and west mall. The east mall covers two blocks and the west hall is one block on its own, much of which is taken up by a huge Daiso store (a Japanese import store with everything you could want, all at very low prices).

 

I really wanted to just restaurant-hop here, so a return trip is definitely necessary to do some research on that front.

Look at this amazing building inside the building! The art in this mall is phenomenal and it's funny to just see people sitting nearby drinking bubble tea and reading manga.

There isn't much to the Peace Plaza, but it's 100% there for the Peace Pagoda, which was given to the people of San Francisco by the people of Osaka, Japan (San Fracisco's sister city) in 1968 to signify the goodwill between the two. 

I'll be visiting two other Japantowns this year. The first, Little Tokyo, in Los Angeles, and the second in Vancouver, BC. I'll also be visiting Chinatown in both of those places as well, and the largest Asian night market outside of Asia in Richmond, BC.

If you want to immerse yourself in Asian history, you can visit museums, America's Chinatowns, and some of the best restaurants across the country. Follow me on Instagram to see my travels as they happen, with photos that I don't post on the blog (because I don't have enough room). In the meantime, I'll be delving into all the delicious foods and gifts of Japan at Uwajimaya (an Asian grocery store in the Pacific Northwest) around the corner from our house.

Tell me about your favorite AAPI-owned businesses or Asian areas of cities from your travels or your hometown...