1990s LOW-CALORE FRUIT COOLERS AND SMOOTHIES (Photo by J. Graham/ClassicStock/Getty Images)
Americans are traveling like never before. This summer has seen a historic increase in airline ticket purchases as adventurers make up for lost time and experiences due to the pandemic. In July, airplane ticket sales were 35% higher than in July 2019, according to industry data. This seismic shift away from people buying goods to buying services has given rise to a new term: revenge travel.
And while it must be good for the soul, it is not exactly good for the body. Weight gain is an unfortunate side effect of soaking up the sun on a beautiful beach—especially when there’s a piña colada in hand. In fact, even before they arrive at their Instagram-worthy destination, most vacationers have already let themselves go. A study shows that the average air passenger consumes around 3,700 calories while on a long haul flight.
For some this is just part of the fun… You are on vacation, after all. But as long-distance travel becomes more commonplace, many are making their lives—and livelihoods—out on the road. And maintaining a healthy routine here is a challenge. Steele Smiley knows exactly what it’s like. When I first caught up with the fast casual impresario and healthy life teacher again at the beginning of 2021, he was busy crossing the country, building his Crisp & green restaurant chain. Currently the CEO oversees 200 stores in 20 states (they have opened a store every 6 days in 2022).
Now he runs a Mexican inspired fast casual called Paco & Lemon. It will debut in Minneapolis this fall. Ahead of that, the impresario sat down with Forbes to talk about how he stays healthy while on the road. Hint: You will have to put down that Piña Colada and forget about the airplane food (a glass or two of wine during dinner is fine, and you should always pack your own food for the flight). It’s not necessarily glamorous but it gets the job done. Read more tips below.
Dry & Green CEO and healthy living expert Steele Smiley
How often do you travel for work?
Steele Smiley: “My parent company, Steele Brands, has over 250 stores either built or under development in 25 states, with more stores being added every week. So I travel extensively for work – looking at potential sites and meeting with franchisees. I am also personally open as much as possible. My personal time is my business time and vice versa.
What are some key tips for travelers who want to stay healthy and fit while traveling?
SS: “Make every day the same – just adjust the clock for the time zone change. That means always making time for exercise. I treat travel days the same as home days and stick to the schedule regardless of location.
How do you carve out time for this while on the road?
SS: “Waking up is the key. I run every morning no matter the location and temperature; cold winter in Minnesota or hot summer in Florida. But the most important thing is not to get out of your home routine just because you are away.
And does this apply to your diet too?
SS: “Absolutely. It should come as no surprise that I eat what my restaurant sells: healthy nutritious food. But I also keep what is largely identical while on the road and that includes the timing of my meals, as well: breakfast, mid-morning, lunch, mid-afternoon and dinner. Stick to your routine as much as possible. “
This is obviously not a small task for most travelers. What are some ways to help maintain consistency?
SS: “I monitor my activity through technology – from my Whoop band, to my Therabody sleeve to monitor my blood sugar Levels – all play a very critical role in my performance to maintain my schedule.”
So people shouldn’t travel less to stay fit?
SS: “Definitely not. Mandatory travel in a consumer multi-unit business. I need to be where my franchise is and be with my customers. My key is to make every day the same. It might sound boring to some, but it’s the right recipe for my body and my business.
What keywords provide the secret sauce to your success?
SS: “Intensity. I put the same intensity in training, nutrition and recovery that I did when I built my company. Without that intensity I wouldn’t have the stamina to grow my business at such an aggressive pace.
Keep it healthy—and taste—while on the go.
All symptoms of motion sickness usually disappear within 4 hours of stopping movement. As for the future, people usually do not outgrow motion sickness. Sometimes, it becomes less severe in adults.
How do you stay healthy while traveling?
How to Stay Healthy When Traveling On the same subject : Learning how to eat can affect your health.
- Avoid aisle seats on planes. You may want to be more selective when it comes to booking your seat on the plane. …
- Flyer nervous? …
- Get a lot of sleep. …
- Don’t forget the first aid kit. …
- Hydrate throughout your vacation. …
- Watch what you eat and drink. …
- Stay active. …
- Protect your skin.
What happens if you throw up on a plane?
Other than motion sickness, flying itself usually does not cause any health problems while onboard. “If you’re healthy, flying won’t make you sick,” says Paul Alves, MD, Medaire’s medical director. This may interest you : A healthy lifestyle can reduce the genetic risk of prostate cancer. “But if you’re sick, it’s not a good place to get better.”
Can you fly if you vomit? Airplanes are small, confined spaces and diseases can travel quickly from person to person. The CDC strongly recommends that you do not fly if you have a fever, especially if you also experience: diarrhea, coughing, or vomiting. Is my chest pain normal?
How common is it to throw up on a plane?
Half of 1 percent said they vomited on the plane, and 8.4 percent reported feeling nauseous. Common sense suggests that the number was higher in the past.
Do airplanes have vomit bags?
While many major airlines are slowly phasing out the free meals, movies and legroom that used to make airplanes so enjoyable, there’s one last luxury for every passenger: a barf bag. This may interest you : These are the best states for a healthy lifestyle.
Is it normal to gain weight traveling?
It is normal for weight to fluctuate. Refinery29 also reports that eating more carbohydrates than usual, eating saltier foods, and traveling to hotter climates — all things that can happen on vacation — can cause the body to automatically retain extra water.
Do I gain weight when I travel? All the weight was mostly water. The reason for the five pound âgainâ is water retention. Not only do certain rich foods leave you with water retention, but you also have the physical weight of excess food traveling in your system for at least 48 hours or more. Kind of gross, but there it is!
How much weight gain is normal on vacation?
The study looked at 122 American adults, aged 18 to 65, who went on vacation from one to three weeks between March and August. Sixty-one percent gained weight while on vacation, with an average gain of 0.7 pounds, and that weight tended to stay on after they returned home.
How much weight do you gain traveling?
The researchers found that 61 percent of the participants gained weight during the vacation, with an average gain of 0.7 pounds, and that the weight lost throughout the entire study was an average of 0.9 pounds. There was a large variation, however, with some participants losing weight and some gaining as much as 7 pounds.
Is it OK to fly with a stuffy nose?
WARNING: You should avoid flying if your nose is stuffy from a cold or allergies. In the worst cases, this can cause permanent loss of your hearing, prolonged dizziness, or severe pain.
Will the airline let you fly with a cold? The CDC also recommends that you not travel by air if you experience: chest pain. severe ear, sinus, or nose infections. severe chronic respiratory disease.
Does flying make congestion worse?
Failure of sinus or ear pressure to balance with cabin pressure can also increase your susceptibility to infections and blockage of the Eustachian tube (the tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose).
How can I fly with blocked sinuses?
The two most common ways to manage sinus pain while flying are chewing gum or sipping water during takeoff and landing. You can also try taking medications such as decongestants or using the Valsalva maneuver.
