5 Tips for a Healthy and Active Abroad!
Maintaining health and fitness is one of my top priorities. Working out for me is about a lot more than having a nice bod. Personally, exercise is the only way for me to battle stress. Physical activity is deeply connected to my mental health. I feel the most emotionally stable after a good work out. I am guilty of bottling up anger and stress; however, after physical activity I feel clean--mind, body, and soul.
I have been prioritizing my health in several ways abroad. For the record, I'm not claiming to be Jenny Craig over here. I am just offering a few strategies that have worked for me.
1. Work Hard Play Hard
I am a girl who loves to eat. I truly believe it is necessary to have a "Treat Yo Self" meal once a week. Yes, working out is good for the mind, body and soul...but so is bomb food. At the beginning of the week I make a grocery run to Tesco. I pick up staple items-- fruit, rice, chicken, and Rice Krispies. I am quite possibly the least domestic person on this earth, so I keep it simple. Eating healthy meals in during the week allows me to feel comfortable with splurging on the weekends. Often the weekends are booked with travel. Travel and food are synonymous. The hard work during the week authorizes some play on the weekend.
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| Week VS. |
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| Weekend |
2. Guilt
Experiencing guilt after indulging in a carb-loaded meal or dessert is not a great feeling. We've all been there. However, I have realized if I practice tip #1, my level of guilt diminishes. I am studying abroad to become immersed in European culture. It is important to realize that food is a significant aspect of culture. Food is often symbolic of celebration, daily life, religion, and ritual. When you are traveling ignoring food is ignoring culture. Embrace it-- have a pizza in Italy with three scoops of gelato on the side.
3. Splitsies!
Sometimes we feel the need to finish a meal even when our stomachs are stuffed. Gotta finish it, I'm almost there! A simple solution is to split with a friend. There is nothing better than sharing a good meal with a good friend! I've found portion sizes are large in Europe. A bowl of pasta or pizza goes a long way. Perfect for splitsies! An satisfying amount of food for less money! Free from the guilt of wasting and spending. Win win!
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| Salad and Pizza- Perfect to Split! |
4. Too-da-loo Taxi
If you're not a gym person there are plenty of other ways to stay active abroad. A life-style trend in Europe is WALKING (unheard of in the U.S)! Twenty minutes to campus, thirty five minutes to City Centre and forty minutes to the bar. It is often tempting to pull out my phone and call a taxi (not going to lie I often do). However, if I don't have time to get to the gym, a great alternative is walking to make errands!
(https://www.healthline.com/health/calories-burned-walking#overview1)
Look how many calories you can burn! No treadmill or stair stepper required. Also, for exploring new places walking and biking can be the easiest way to see a city. This is an ideal way to stay active when traveling.
5. Alcohol
I guess it's time to bring up the topic of alcohol. As we all know, the drinking age in most European countries is 18. In many abroad programs classes don't start until a few weeks after arrival. This means a lot of going out. In my opinion consuming an excessive amount of alcohol is the easiest way to gain weight. Hence the dreadful "freshman 15" and "abroad 15" titles. One Guinness is 210 calories and a vodka drink is around 200 (depending on the mixer). After two or three, the calories definitely add up. I'm not saying don't drink. However, an awareness of the number of drinks and nights you go out per week could be beneficial.
When abroad, it can be easy to lose track of health. The craving for french crepes, Italian gelato and Irish beer can quickly become overwhelming. After applying these 5 tips to my daily life I have been able to prioritize my health. Through the practice of physical health I have created a positive mental state for myself.
When abroad, it can be easy to lose track of health. The craving for french crepes, Italian gelato and Irish beer can quickly become overwhelming. After applying these 5 tips to my daily life I have been able to prioritize my health. Through the practice of physical health I have created a positive mental state for myself.
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