Now that Singapore residents can travel (almost) freely again, we are all tempted to book trips around Asia or further.
If the primary objective remains to have fun and make the most of the trip, people currently on a weight loss or muscle gain journey can find it quite challenging to maintain their lifestyle while travelling.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind to stay on track during your trip – and come back even stronger.

1. Stay on the lookout for a way to train – and be ready to embrace the unexpected

Depending on where you go, it is not always easy to find exactly the type of gym or facilities you are used to. The bad news is, it is very likely that you will have to go with the flow and go to a traditional gym if you are into Crossfit, or rent a less-than-adequate bike if you are a cyclist.
The good news is that it is an excellent way to discover new disciplines, try out new equipment, and maybe find a new hobby on the way.
If your sport isn’t available where you are spending your time off, you will probably find other ways to exercise – pick up Muay Thai or diving, go hiking in the mountains, or visit the open-air gyms that are available in most warm countries. It is not about sticking 100% to your usual program – it is about enjoying your time away and still burning some calories or working out these muscles.

2. Stay active on a daily basis

For many of us, being on holiday pretty much means doing nothing. There’s nothing bad about it, but you might want to consider implementing at least 1 hour of physical activity (walking, hiking, cycling) every day. You have plenty of time on your hands, and dedicating 4% of your day to your health is a great thing to take care of your own body.
Staying active is all about small choices – take the stairs instead of the elevators, walk instead of hailing a cab (even if it is very cheap), rent a bike rather than a motorbike… It all adds up.

3. Keep your nutrition in mind – but don’t forget to enjoy local delicacies

Again, it’s not about making new changes to your diet or counting macros rigorously – that’s what daily life is for. But if you are trying to lose weight, try to avoid substantial excess calories when possible, by going for smaller portions and avoiding bread or sweets when you already feel full. Avoid as well to drink your calories – like in fancy coffee drinks, milkshakes, cocktails… Focus on what you really want to eat and drink, and avoid what’s unnecessary.
And of course, if you are trying to gain muscle or maintain your muscle mass, ensure you are getting enough protein, by having at least one source of protein (animal or plant-based) on your plate at each meal.

It is fairly easy to learn how to spot the healthier options in restaurants:

– Make sure your choice contains one source of protein – Meat, fish, eggs, tofu, tempeh, quinoa, mix of cereal & legumes, etc
– Go for steamed or boiled, instead of deep-fried. Stir-fried is better than deep-fried, but still more oily than the 2 first options.
– Avoid heavy sauces (tomato-based sauces are the lightest) when possible, or ask for the sauce on the side, so you can control the portions.

Finally, keep in mind that you can ask for less sugar, no MSG, or extra meat or tofu in most restaurants.

Enjoy your trip away and stay healthy!