RV Health: Sticking to New Year’s Resolutions on the Road
01-13-2016
Author: in The Road Less Traveled
By Carrie Todd
It's another year and a new beginning, which is traditionally a time for reflection and rebooting. For many, New Year’s resolutions are made to improve their lives, and the most popular ones seem to center around personal health. Although television ads market diet clubs and gym memberships in an attempt to profit from these goals, few individuals see them come to fruition. Change is hard; if it were easy, it wouldn't require an entire "resolution". This is even more so with an RV lifestyle where you aren't always in one location.
Fast food and long journeys on one’s behind—traveling can be a diet and exercise nightmare. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to improve your likelihood of success and, for the most part, they are fun and simple.
Make a Plan
Set a specific target. For example, “I want to weigh (specific amount) pounds,” “I want to wear (a certain) size,” “I want be able to run (distance) within (time),” or “I want to reduce my blood pressure to (healthy range).” The key is to be as precise with the wording as possible.
Then, create realistic steps and benchmarks. Perhaps you will eat healthier or smaller servings and exercise more. Choose a plan and be specific with your steps. Weigh or measure yourself each day or once a week at the same time—be consistent—and document your results. Create weekly or monthly benchmarks; whichever makes sense for your plan. Write it down, so you can mark your progress.
Set incentives for the accomplishment of each. For example, a realistic amount of weight to lose within a month might be eight pounds. So, if you accomplish that in the first month, treat yourself to something you enjoy, such as a movie or a new outfit.
Get Active
Exercising while on the road can be tricky. You don’t necessarily know the lay of the land; so getting lost during a walk or run is a real possibility. Fortunately, you have several options.
If you stay at an RV Resort, you may not only have walking or biking trails, but an on-site fitness center also at your disposal. Even rudimentary ones typically feature a stationary bike or treadmill and some free weights or a Universal weight machine. Another option is to join a fitness center like 24-hour Fitness or the Y.M.C.A. By getting a membership, you can work out at any of their franchise locations throughout the country while you travel.
Not all areas have gyms. By implementing a few key moves, however, you can exercise in the comfort of your RV within a very small space. You may not even need to leave your bedroom. A few dumbbells in a range of weights fit easily under the foot of the bed. A yoga mat or resistance bands can be tucked into a corner of the closet. It is amazing what a good workout you can get with some jumping jacks, pushups, and jogging/marching in place. With a bit of creativity, you can develop an entire fitness routine that fits within a two-foot area.
Make Meals
Poor eating usually accompanies traveling. It is so easy to pick something up at a convenience store or fast food joint, but these are often loaded with calorie-dense sugar, fat, and sodium, which cause weight gain and water retention. Try to plan ahead and make easy to grab meals and snacks for the trip. Know if you'll be eating out and where so you can peruse online menus and choose a dish based on the nutritional information.
Once at your destination, maintaining fitness can be easier, as long as you don’t continue poor eating habits. Plan meals and buy ingredients for up to a week ahead. Prep veggies for a quick snack or choose a day to make several dishes and freeze them for meals throughout the week.
Check out Diet for a Tiny House for Meal Suggestions.
Know Yourself
Don’t develop a fitness plan that you aren’t going to follow; the closer it is to your “normal” life, the more likely you are to succeed. If you can't get up early, don’t plan a morning workout; schedule it for when you have more energy. If you don't like to cook, research premade entrees, healthy foods with only a few ingredients, or nutritious restaurant options.
Identify your triggers and brainstorm workarounds for each. Purge your pantry of any food that doesn’t follow your meal plan and buy only foods that help you meet your goal. Discuss your resolution with your traveling companions to ensure they won’t accidentally sabotage your efforts.
In Conclusion
Working toward your New Year’s resolution is a learning process and a journey of self-actualization. By making a specific plan with achievable benchmarks and logical steps that you are excited about, you are nearly guaranteed success. Remember that working on a goal isn’t a punishment. You aren’t deprived; you made an informed decision about the life you want to live. Be diligent in your efforts, but forgive small lapses and avoid giving up. This is an adventure, just like every other aspect of your life. Enjoy!
It's another year and a new beginning, which is traditionally a time for reflection and rebooting. For many, New Year’s resolutions are made to improve their lives, and the most popular ones seem to center around personal health. Although television ads market diet clubs and gym memberships in an attempt to profit from these goals, few individuals see them come to fruition. Change is hard; if it were easy, it wouldn't require an entire "resolution". This is even more so with an RV lifestyle where you aren't always in one location.
Fast food and long journeys on one’s behind—traveling can be a diet and exercise nightmare. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to improve your likelihood of success and, for the most part, they are fun and simple.
Make a Plan
Set a specific target. For example, “I want to weigh (specific amount) pounds,” “I want to wear (a certain) size,” “I want be able to run (distance) within (time),” or “I want to reduce my blood pressure to (healthy range).” The key is to be as precise with the wording as possible.
Then, create realistic steps and benchmarks. Perhaps you will eat healthier or smaller servings and exercise more. Choose a plan and be specific with your steps. Weigh or measure yourself each day or once a week at the same time—be consistent—and document your results. Create weekly or monthly benchmarks; whichever makes sense for your plan. Write it down, so you can mark your progress.
Set incentives for the accomplishment of each. For example, a realistic amount of weight to lose within a month might be eight pounds. So, if you accomplish that in the first month, treat yourself to something you enjoy, such as a movie or a new outfit.
Get Active
Exercising while on the road can be tricky. You don’t necessarily know the lay of the land; so getting lost during a walk or run is a real possibility. Fortunately, you have several options.
If you stay at an RV Resort, you may not only have walking or biking trails, but an on-site fitness center also at your disposal. Even rudimentary ones typically feature a stationary bike or treadmill and some free weights or a Universal weight machine. Another option is to join a fitness center like 24-hour Fitness or the Y.M.C.A. By getting a membership, you can work out at any of their franchise locations throughout the country while you travel.
Not all areas have gyms. By implementing a few key moves, however, you can exercise in the comfort of your RV within a very small space. You may not even need to leave your bedroom. A few dumbbells in a range of weights fit easily under the foot of the bed. A yoga mat or resistance bands can be tucked into a corner of the closet. It is amazing what a good workout you can get with some jumping jacks, pushups, and jogging/marching in place. With a bit of creativity, you can develop an entire fitness routine that fits within a two-foot area.
Make Meals
Poor eating usually accompanies traveling. It is so easy to pick something up at a convenience store or fast food joint, but these are often loaded with calorie-dense sugar, fat, and sodium, which cause weight gain and water retention. Try to plan ahead and make easy to grab meals and snacks for the trip. Know if you'll be eating out and where so you can peruse online menus and choose a dish based on the nutritional information.
Once at your destination, maintaining fitness can be easier, as long as you don’t continue poor eating habits. Plan meals and buy ingredients for up to a week ahead. Prep veggies for a quick snack or choose a day to make several dishes and freeze them for meals throughout the week.
Check out Diet for a Tiny House for Meal Suggestions.
Know Yourself
Don’t develop a fitness plan that you aren’t going to follow; the closer it is to your “normal” life, the more likely you are to succeed. If you can't get up early, don’t plan a morning workout; schedule it for when you have more energy. If you don't like to cook, research premade entrees, healthy foods with only a few ingredients, or nutritious restaurant options.
Identify your triggers and brainstorm workarounds for each. Purge your pantry of any food that doesn’t follow your meal plan and buy only foods that help you meet your goal. Discuss your resolution with your traveling companions to ensure they won’t accidentally sabotage your efforts.
In Conclusion
Working toward your New Year’s resolution is a learning process and a journey of self-actualization. By making a specific plan with achievable benchmarks and logical steps that you are excited about, you are nearly guaranteed success. Remember that working on a goal isn’t a punishment. You aren’t deprived; you made an informed decision about the life you want to live. Be diligent in your efforts, but forgive small lapses and avoid giving up. This is an adventure, just like every other aspect of your life. Enjoy!
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Author: Carrie Todd
