When life is busy and you have to work, take care of other humans, and just deal with everyday stress, maintaining a healthy diet and good body can be super tough. Now imagine being on the road, in and out of hotels, foreign cuisine and having jet lag. I have managed to stay under 123 lbs, size 4, and feel physically good while traveling the world. Here’s what I learned after all those trips around the Earth.
First of all, be easy on yourself. There is nothing harder than trying to lose weight while being stressed or feeling shitty about yourself. Your body just won’t respond well if your mind is not in a positive place. It just won’t. So start by thinking, “just by me wanting to be healthier, I am already starting to improve myself”.
DRINK HOT WATER AND LEMON FIRST THING IN THE MORNING.
Every morning, religiously, when I wake up I have a cup of hot water with half a lemon and raw ginger. I also add one piece of sea salt. This helps to start the digestive system and make your body function better with less cravings throughout the day. The sea salt is for the body to absorb the water to keep the hydration. The ginger is an antioxidant and helps with inflammation and weight loss. No joke, even in hotels, Starbucks, or where ever have water, I get my lemon water. You will probably have to live without the ginger and sea salt unless you’re in Thailand, but the lemon is the most important part. Which brings me to my next point. Improvise.
STAY ACTIVE. YOU DON’T NEED A GYM TO EXERCISE.
You must learn to be flexible while traveling and in life. You make do with what’s available and make it work.
I love to workout but when there’s not a gym I always have a pair of sneakers in my luggage and will gladly go for a run outside. I have had some of the beautiful jogs everywhere on this planet from the Copenhagen river to a Japanese shrine park in Tokyo. If it’s not freezing, go for a run or find a hiking trail. Also a great way to experience the city from a local’s eye. Somehow magically it feels that you are a part of that nation, as if you have really made a footprint on that land.
It’s 2019, you have no excuse not to workout. If it’s cold or raining, I will use my trusty iPhone, go to YouTube, and put on a yoga video or a 20 min abs and butt workout. You can literally do this anytime from anywhere in your home or hotel room (except China where they ban YouTube).
These are some of my favorite online free workout channels: Boho Beautiful, Yoga with Tim, Pamela Rf.
EAT HEALTHY AS A LIFESTYLE, NOT A DIET.
Now you probably don’t want to hear this, but I am a Vegetarian. I have not eaten meat (intentionally) since 2007. Since I stopped eating meat I naturally lost 5 lbs without trying. I DO eat fish and eggs so technically I am a pescatarian but I really hate that word. You just sound like a Douche.
Another thing you won’t like-I DON’T FUCK WITH DAIRY. Dairy is the worst. I’m not saying everyone should be a vegetarian, but everyone should stop eating dairy. It’s really the worst. It’s hard to digest, causes bloating and will never come off of your thighs no matter how much you work out. Since I quit dairy, I lost another 5 lbs naturally.
Alternatives for common dairy wants. COFFEE WITH MILK: Use So Delicious Coconut Creamer with American coffee. Also, Almond Milk, and the newest guy in the cool group-Oat Milk. Warm the non dairy milks at home and try them with espresso, now you have a gourmet at-home latte. (Dairy-free!)
CHEESE: Everyone says “I can’t live without cheese.” Guess what-You totally fucking can. If I’m dying for cheese, I will eat sheep cheese or goat cheese. Not from a cow and way better for you and easier on the stomach than cow cheese. Use Feta, Pecorino, Caprino, Stracchino- all types of goat and sheep cheese.
YOGURT: Totally unnecessary. If you need a probiotic buy it in a pill form or drink Kombucha. These are the links to the best ones. Interesting fact: Kombucha is made from fermented mushrooms which once cultured cause a slight trace of alcohol. Totally cures a hangover. Also why Lindsay Lohan claims her ankle bracelet went off when she was on house arrest. –Party convo facts you always wanted to know. You’re welcome.
“GET DOWN WITH THE BROWN”
You can eat carbs just eat the good ones. My fabulous black male trainer at Crunch gym used to tell us this. Nothing white. I honestly eat more carbs than a fat kid, but all brown ones. Brown bread, brown pasta, quinoa, brown rice. Also brown sugar. Do not eat white processed foods. They will make you fat.
LAST TIP: Cut down on the alcohol. Another sad but true fact. If you want to stay skinny you have to drink less. You can drink, but just less-whatever that means for you. It makes a difference I swear. If I don’t drink any alcohol for just one week, I lose 5 lbs. And when you drink, keep it clean. Stick with wine or champagne. Beer will definitely put a belly on you and cocktails tend to have so much sugar unless you drink only liquor on the rocks. Then cheers to you, buddy.
Remember, life can be short. You never know what is going to happen from day-to-day. Appreciate your body and treat it good, it’s your vessel that carries you around while you’re here. Look and feel the best you possibly can. But have fun. “Everything in moderation”.
xo,
Love, Lyla
