Healthy RV Living: Easy Ways to Stay in Shape on the Road

When you introduce an RV into your life’s experiences, it is very enriching.  Even though it is a positive adventure for most, it can be a disruption to your current lifestyle.  If you do a little planning in advance, you can continue to live a healthy RV lifestyle and work towards your health and fitness goals!

I have been RVing full-time, and it isn’t as difficult as some may think.  The key point to remember is that a healthy lifestyle encompasses multiple layers.  What are those layers, and how do you integrate those into RVing?

Staying Fit Activities

What does your current workout space look like?  What are you doing in your brick-and-mortar home to stay fit and healthy? Almost every healthy activity can be adapted to RVing.  You will need to take a look at every aspect of your fitness plan and know how you will do that in your RV.

Outdoor Fitness

Do you have an outdoor workout?  Outdoor activities naturally translate well into RVing.  You will have access to parks, nature trails, and lots of space.  You may not require lots of workout gadgets that require space to use or store.  You are used to modifying your workout routine around the weather, too.  Be sure to check the local RV weather so you are prepared. Otherwise, you may be able to easily take your routine on the road.

Indoor Fitness

What if you have indoor options like yoga, weight lifting, or treadmills?  Does your routine require equipment?  You will need to consider whether you have space for the equipment you need.  Sometimes RVers switch to resistance training while RVing, but some even carry full weight sets.  Maybe you only need space to store a mat for Pilates.  What makes sense to you based on the space and weight you can carry in your RV type?

Fitness Changes

Inspiration can come from your environment.  Maybe you take your yoga mat outdoors.  Instead of running a treadmill, you take to the hiking trails.  The benefits to your workout routines in an RV become much more flexible when you extend your workout area beyond your RV and your local neighborhood.  Here are some other options you can try on the road:

• Online fitness instructors
• YouTube workout videos
• National gym memberships (bonus:  access to showers & saunas)
• Sign up for local dance classes, 5K runs, and marathons
• Book RV campgrounds with workout rooms and/or swimming pools
• Convert an RV patio or garage to a workout room

TIP:  What if you don’t currently have a fitness routine?If you aren’t practicing a healthy lifestyle at home, do not expect it to magically appear when you start RVing.  The bonus of starting a new routine in an RV is that you can build it from the ground up to be suited to your RV travel style. 

Healthy RV Eating

Eating healthy is a major part of any fitness program.  Sometimes it can be difficult if you find yourself dining out a large portion of the time.  And you are in new locations, so you want to try out new restaurant experiences.  Maybe you don’t think your RV is conducive to preparing the healthy meals you want.  Here are some things you can focus on with and in your RV for healthy eating.

Food Resources

Food items accessible while you travel will change on the road.  If you follow a special diet or have specific dietary needs, you may be concerned that you will not be able to find what you want or need on the road.  Here are some things you can do to help you stay on your healthy eating plan even when you are RVing.

• Plan meals and stock items you think may be hard to find.
• Order specialty items from Amazon or Walmart for delivery.
• Look for substitutes you can find locally.
• Select an RV campground near a large town or city with greater grocery selections.
• Cook up special meals in advance and package them for travel (bonus – one less meal to cook while you are RVing).

Food Storage Space

Kitchen space may be limited in an RV.  Counter space may be tiny or non-existent.  You also can’t carry all your specialty baking and cooking utensils or pots and pans.  You may also not have a large stove or a microwave.  You do need to think through menu plans and know what you need to bring to prepare meals in your RV.  Try these tips for making a gourmet meal without all the fuss in a small space or worrying about where to get the right ingredients.

• Chop or mix food items ahead of time that you will need for specific meals.  For example, pre-measure and mix all the spices you might need to make chili.  Or peel/chop vegetables and bag in advance.  Make a casserole ready to serve.
• Take advantage of farmers’ markets.  You can get all your produce fresh.  And you can add new local ingredients to your dishes.
• Use powdered items for basics like potatoes, milk, and bouillon.  They not only take up less space, but they will also last longer.
• Make sure everything you choose to bring into the RV kitchen has multiple uses.  If you can replace five items with one, you will save space.

Bonus:  When you prepare meals in advance, there is less clean-up – more time to play.  You will also find it is easier not to eat out as often when something is already prepared at your RV after a long day of exploring.

Medical Needs

Part of our health routine is ensuring we have access to preventative and ongoing required care.  This may come in the form of therapy, vitamins, or even the right medications.  You can plan for regular health care needs, but you also need to be prepared for emergencies. 

Medications

How will you get your medications?  If you have a prescription, you can fill it for the period you will be RVing, so you have it available.  If you will be gone longer than the permissible refill period, you can make arrangements with your doctor to call in prescriptions to a local pharmacy where you will be staying.

Personal Care

Do you need regular therapy or exams?  Ask your doctor for a referral if you have a prescribed therapy or will need an exam before your return home, or will still be RVing.  Make sure all records are forwarded to your regular physician.  

For unexpected care, plan.  Find out where the local hospitals and emergency care units are, carry medical documents in your RV or tow vehicle, and know how to get to them.  You might also sign up for mobile doctor appointments or utilize medical apps.  Accidents can happen when you are physically active.  Be ready.

Health Insurance

Don’t forget about health insurance.  If you plan on doing extreme health activities while RVing, you need to ensure your health insurance will cover the adventures.  Add extra coverage if needed.  You will also want to make sure it covers you if you will be outside your home state.

TIP: Have a conversation with your health care providers.  Let them know where you are going and the activities you plan on participating in.  They can give you referrals, make recommendations, and connect you with health care teams where you are RVing.

Remember, while RVing, that it is a new adventure, but at the same time, it is also an extension of your everyday lifestyle.  Routines and habits are important to keep in place.  Doing so also helps us stay mentally healthy.  Stay fit and healthy while RVing by keeping these important habits going on the road.

When you introduce an RV into your life’s experiences, it is very enriching.  Even though it is a positive adventure for most, it can be a disruption to your current lifestyle.  If you do a little planning in advance, you can continue to stay fit and healthy while RVing. 

I have been RVing full-time, and it isn’t as difficult as some may think.  The key point to remember is that a healthy lifestyle encompasses multiple layers.  What are those layers, and how do you integrate those into RVing?

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