If we all did the things we are capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves. – Thomas Edison
Keeping your blood pumping, heart thumping, lungs working even while travelling on the other side of the world is essential to maintaining a happy and healthy body, mind and soul. Need some motivation? Here’s a few of my tips….
Early morning YOGA by the Cairns lagoon
EXPLORE BY FOOT: When you arrive in a new city, the best way to find your bearings is to ditch the bags and explore the neighbourhood by foot. As some of you know, i love to walk! Its always a time for me to see the back alleys, find little quirky cafes and to see the people and architecture of the streets. Its also a time for a stress free mind it gets your circulation pumping and leaves you feeling refreshed and light.
Running the trails of the Devils Punchbowl, UK
HAVE A PLAN: Planning is essential to success in all areas in life. When packing your bags, make sure your chuck in your gym outfits and iPod; even if your just going running along an island beach. I always love to wear my athletic outfits all day with my runners on, this always encourages me to explore by foot or even hit a gym or beach in the afternoon!
BE REALISTIC: Your on holiday! If your getting up for early morning tours, you can always set aside some work-out time on a ‘day off’! If your not planning on proper workouts just remember to take the stairs!
BECOME A LOCAL: I’ve done this 3 times now; Cyprus, Thailand and Japan. But i’ve come to realise its not only when your staying in a country for a few months you can become a local. Find a local gym (or crossfit center) and join in on a class. This is a great way to meet some locals who might also give you an insight into their city. All over the world there are gyms offering short term memberships – this is also a good way to commit to your early morning rise to keep your goals in mind and to get your money’s worth!
TAKE THE STAIRS: When ever you get the chance you should ALWAYS take the stairs, or walk the extra kilometer instead of jumping in a taxi.
BOOK SMART: Choose a hotel with a gym! I always try and stay in hotels with a fitness center or hostels near a park or beach!
Mt. Kinabalu, Sabah
HIT THE OUTDOORS: I’ve found there are always adventurous activities if you look outside the circle. Just outside many cities, i usually find good hiking tracks, surfing beaches, dive sites or even paddle boarding on a local lake! Hit up Google before you head to your next destination, you never know there might be a ‘fun run’ on to participate in!
HIRE A BIKE: Such an easy way to explore more distance, breathe some fresh air and get your system pumping!
Wakeboarding in Phuket
LAY IT OUT: I rely heavily on this principle, even at home. Laying out your exercise gear and having an idea of what exercise your going to do in the morning will help you bounce out of bed!
NO B & B’S: I often fall into this trap of staying somewhere that provides breakfast; usually buffet! Never a good sign for my hips, it often means i organise my morning according to their opening times, not getting active!
GO ON A ‘FIT’ HOLIDAY: Yoga retests, boot camps, cycling tour, you name it i’m sure it would be available somewhere around the world! The idea is to focus on health and wellness through physical exercise and fun challenges while meeting new friends and exploring a new city.
TAKE A SKIPPING ROPE: Light and compact, awesome to travel with its become my new favourite companion. Where ever you are, you can often pull it out and burn a killer workout in a local park or even in your room! (given ceiling height and spacial allowances)
“Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. Live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you!”
– Christian D. Larson
Kelissa Brockett 
Great ideas. We always do several of your suggestions; we walk everywhere whenever we’re in a new city, often hire bikes too. The other thing we always do is look for an observation tower or church steeple and we climb to the top and get an overview of the town/city. Yes that means we take the stairs. The Milan Duomo, the Eiffel Tower, the Sydney Tower… no lifts. Gets the heart pumping and its kind of become a family challenge wherever we go. The only downside is the sweaty puffed look when you arrive at the top! The other thing we never do is take the travelators you often find in huge airports. We hike it. Its so good after a long flight!
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