Intermittent Fasting and Travel
- March 4, 2023
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Intermittent Fasting and Travel: A Recap On My Trip to London
Much like the holidays, intermittent fasting, sleep, and exercise can also be challenging when away from home.
I’m often asked about tips and tricks on sticking to a health and wellness routine when traveling for work or vacation. Since I recently returned from London with my cousin, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to recap my trip and share what I did before, during, and after to set myself up for success.
The do's and don'ts of keeping your health routine while traveling
DO research food places beforehand
Besides finding the best local spots of your destination, researching restaurants before your trip also allows you to browse the menu to ensure they offer items that meet your dietary needs. I always look for restaurants with a couple of different protein-rich options.
In addition, having a list of places ahead of time saves you from scrambling to find something, giving you more time to enjoy your trip and less time worrying about your next meal.
DO stay active
Staying active while on vacation is critical for a few different reasons – it makes it easier to adjust to your workout routine once you’re back home, keeps your energy up, helps you sleep better, and can help digestion, regulating blood sugar, and boosting your metabolism, especially if you overindulge on your trip.
Moving your body when traveling doesn’t need to be complicated. During my trip to London, I walked an average of 6-8 miles daily. If you’re going somewhere that doesn’t involve a lot of traveling by foot, there are other ways to make sure you get some activity in, like playing beach volleyball or taking a morning walk along the seashore.
DO take your supplements
Think of supplements like your prescription medications; you wouldn’t leave them at home. So whatever you take daily is still important while traveling.
For my London trip, I made sure to bring along creatine, and all of my sleep support (MD Logic melatonin, GABA, l-theanine, compounded progesterone, myo-inositol)
DO stay hydrated
You know how critical it is to stay hydrated on a day-to-day basis, but while vacationing, you should be extra mindful of your water intake from the moment you walk out your front door.
Traveling by airplane can actually cause you to become dehydrated faster due to the lower humidity in the air. Therefore I added LMNT electrolytes to my water. In addition, to keep my skin hydrated at the higher altitude, I applied Beautycounter’s Countermatch Intense Moisture Serum and Clean Swipe Hyaluronic Lip Balm.
DON'T eat on the plane
My flight to London was overnight, but they offered dinner and breakfast. I ate a protein-dense meal before, so I had no problem skipping both and sticking to my fasting schedule. Listen to your body though, and if you feel like you need something, eat. Definitely always focus on protein to keep you full and satiated.
DON'T lie down once you get to your destination
I know this is tough, especially when traveling for hours and arriving somewhere way ahead of your normal time zone. As I mentioned above, my flight was overnight, but I got 3 and a half hours of sleep. It was tempting to lay down for a quick nap!
Always aim to stay on local time! Get a shower, change your clothes, get out in the sunshine, and rally. This will not only help you adjust to the time difference but improve your sleep while away.
Recap of my trip
Day 1 in London
Since I arrived in the early morning, it gave my cousin and me a full first day. I broke my fast with a delicious meal at Farmer J and we went sightseeing on foot. Then we headed to see the Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre. We ended the day with an amazing dinner at Fallow.
Needless to say, I had a good night’s sleep and slept 10 hours straight!
Day 2 in London
On day two, we hit the ground running with more touring the city and shopping followed by high tea and more sightseeing. After a lot of walking, we freshened up and headed to dinner in Soho at the iconic Bob Bob Ricard. I had steak tar-tar!
An action-packed day led to another great night of sleep!
Day 3 in London
We focused on more high-end shopping on our final full day in London. For lunch, I had dim sum at another popular Soho restaurant, Yauatcha. And for our dinner, we had Indian food.
Final Thoughts
Traveling doesn’t have to disrupt your everyday health routines. By utilizing these tips, you will find it easy to stick to them, no matter where you are.
Just remember to give yourself grace and the ability to truly enjoy yourself.
My passion is to help women make sustainable changes in their lives to significantly impact their overall health and wellness. Click here to find out more. Be sure to follow me on Instagram for more travel-related content!
This blog shares the views and opinions of Cynthia Thurlow. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice nor intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition or disease. Please consult your healthcare practitioner concerning any medical problem or concern, diet changes, and adding or discontinuing a medication or supplement.
