5 Essential Fitness Tips to Stay Healthy while RVing

Extended RV trips can be adventures on wheels, with an unending path. Taking an extra-long road trip, while exciting, can take a hard toll on your body. Sticking to a diet and exercise routine can be difficult or seem unimportant during these trips. Long hours of driving and sitting in the RV can present new challenges but staying healthy during extended RV trips can be a reachable goal. Here are some steps and suggestions to ensure your comfort and health during your time on the open road. 

Extended Driving Days

Being behind the wheel and seated for long periods of time can be extremely tiring. There are several ways to break up the monotony and make the trip more enjoyable for yourself and your passengers. 

• Take breaks-schedule stops for every few hours. Whether at a truck stop, a roadside attraction or a travel center, be sure to get out and stretch your legs, grab a drink and walk your pet. Try to reach a goal of at least 15 minutes per break. Planning your stops out prior to leaving will ensure you don’t have to search for places when you want to take a break. Another benefit of planning beforehand ensures you stop at safe and friendly locations.
• Plan for unexpected delays. Unforeseen events such as road work, pop-up rain storms, or curvy roads can all work against your planned miles for the day. Additionally, issues with your RV could arise, such as mechanical issues, a flat tire or being stuck behind a slow driver in a no-passing section of highway. 
• There are some sensible travel rules that are good suggestions for breaking up long driving days: there is the 3-3-3 rule, and the 2-2-2 rule. To follow the guidelines of the 3-3-3 rule, you should drive no more than 300 miles each day, stay at your chosen camp for three days and plan to arrive to the campsite no later than 3pm. Of course, the 2-2-2 rule is the same; drive 200 miles a day, stay for two days and be at the campground by 2pm. 
• There are some road warriors that enjoy the destination but not the drive, and they have been known to clock up to 500 miles each day. You know your body and your limits so drive as long as you are comfortable each day. When you get tired, either arrive at the planned destination or find a truck stop parking lot and allow yourself to rest and enjoy some down time away from the wheel. 
  

Ways to Exercise While on the Road

This might seem tricky, because most people don’t carry the same day-to-day routines while on vacation. So, starting each morning with some yoga, a healthy breakfast and a leisurely stroll might seem difficult, but your morning routine can remain the same on the open road. 

Hardware Optional 

Bring those dumbbells and yoga mat with you and either set up shop inside the RV or take the workout outside if you aren’t shy. Pull up your favorite workout video on your tablet and maintain your daily routine. Consider adding ear buds to keep your video volume to yourself but other than that, it should be just like at home. 

 Perhaps you have a gym membership at a national chain, and they have a location near your destination, allowing you to keep working on staying healthy during an extended RV trip. Even without a monthly membership, some gyms sell a daily pass so that is another option. Consider the iPhone app, Gymsurfing, or the Gym Log app through Google Play to locate nearby gyms. 

And there is plenty of time for a work-out each day, which won’t interfere with your vacation day much at all. Maybe while the kids are napping, or after they go to bed for the night, working in a workout shouldn’t be impossible. 

Walking with a Purpose

City, state and national parks all provide areas for walking and recreation. If possible, stopping at one of these parks each driving day will allow you to stretch your legs while taking in the local scenery. Most locations are dog-friendly, so if there isn’t a sign prohibiting you, bring Fido along for a walk. Just remember to keep him on a leash. 

So many RV parks offer some variety of walking trails, around a pond, a paved sidewalk through a wooded area or a nearby hiking trail. These are just a few ways to stay active while away from home. 

Food options

Choosing healthy food while traveling can be the most important factor in the process of staying healthy during extended RV trips. There are many temptations, and grabbing a bite to eat at the nearby fast-food locations is a lot more convenient than cooking at the campsite. 

Fortunately, there can be great options for storing food and travel-friendly appliances that will allow an easier process of cooking healthy menus. An electric, portable grill like this one can be used inside and doesn’t take up much counter space. Use an electric cooler & warmer that reaches temperatures as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and as high as 149 degrees Fahrenheit. This product can be used easily to fridge to keep fresh cuts of meat cold throughout the trip. 

While you want to stay with fresh cuts of meat, and items to store in the RV’s fridge or the above-mentioned electric cooler, selecting recipes with few ingredients is key. Keeping meal ideas that don’t need a lot of prep work or those without a lot of steps is ideal. You are on vacation, after all, and don’t want to spend a lot of time cooking. 

So, pack that hamburger meat, bacon and eggs and prepare restaurant-quality food in the comfort of your RV. Save money and calories, and most importantly, keep your daily calories in check. 

Snacks Please

Everyone loves to have snack foods during road trips. While Doritos and Cheetos are yummy snacks, they aren’t exactly the healthiest option available. Just like the food, perhaps choose an alternative by supplying yourself and passengers with the healthy and flavorful Congo Plantain Chips. With a variety of flavors such as garlic or salted, you can do the junk food in a more mindful and healthy way. 

Sunflower seeds and trail mix options are a healthy alternative to potato chips and candy bars. While these items won’t be as popular with the younger passengers, for those looking to stay healthy during outings, they are good options. Plus, they need no refrigeration, are easy to carry on hikes and serves up plenty of protein, fiber and healthy fats. 

Don’t Forget the Water

Staying hydrated is a key part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. While you might not feel as thirsty on the driving days where activity is low, it is still a good idea to drink the normal amount of water you are accustomed to each day. 

The Body’s Computer

While probably the most important part of you to keep healthy, the brain is likely the most overlooked portion as well. The brain, or as I call it, the body’s computer, needs to stay stimulated, alert and stress-free. 

Incorporate your favorite songs playlist during the drive times, or listen to that audio book you bought and haven’t made time for yet. These are just a few ways to keep your brain alert and stimulated while driving for long periods of time. 

And just like a computer, the brain needs down time to decompress and ‘sleep’ a bit. 

Sleep Like a Baby

While it’s important to always get a good night’s sleep, it isn’t always possible, especially in a different environment from your bedroom. So, bring that fan and sleeping mask to aid in your comfort and if need be, benefit from the aid of a sleeping pill at night. Getting a solid night’s sleep will help ensure awaking to a new day fit and fresh. Plus, if you are the driver, it is imperative to be fully awake and aware of the road and its surroundings. 

Calming the mind prior to falling asleep will help ensure a deeper level of rest. Tips for relaxing the mind could be doing some yoga  stretch poses, meditation, listening to nature sounds or other relaxing sleep sounds. 

Wellness on Wheels: Your Adventure Awaits

Maintaining your health on the road ensures you fully enjoy every RV adventure. Whether you’re preparing for your next trip or considering listing your RV, remember that health and wellness are part of the journey. Looking for an RV that fits your lifestyle? View our inventory or get a valuation today to make your next adventure your healthiest one yet!