Tips for Staying Fit While RVing

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or live in your rig full-time, it can be tough to maintain a healthy lifestyle while on the road. Sticking to a regular exercise program is always a challenge while traveling, and eating healthy can be tricky too. But with a little determination and dedication, it is possible to stay fit while living in an RV. Here are some tips to help you do just that.

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Stay Active

One of the easiest ways to maintain your fitness while traveling in an RV is to dedicate some time each day to your favorite outdoor activities. That can mean going for a leisurely stroll around the campground or something more vigorous like a long run or bike ride. Hiking, swimming, and kayaking are excellent forms of exercise that not only burn plenty of calories but also improve the state of your mental health.

While on a camping trip, it is easy to become complacent. After all, you’re away from home and looking to relax. But the benefits that come from staying active can make the entire experience much better, allowing you to feel healthier and happier. Besides, you’ll still have plenty of downtime to connect with friends and family while soaking up the benefits of the RV lifestyle.

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Look for Exercise-Friendly Campsites

When selecting a campsite, look for one that helps facilitate opportunities for exercise. In some cases, that may mean finding one this is close to trails or a lake, making it easy to hike, bike, trail run, or go for a paddle. Alternatively, some private campgrounds have onsite gyms or a swimming pool with designated hours for swimming laps. Whenever possible, take advantage of those opportunities to maintain your workout plan.

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Join a Gym with Nationwide Membership

If you prefer to workout at a gym, consider joining one with a nationwide membership program. National chains such as 24 Hour Fitness and Planet Fitness usually allow members to drop into any location, which is convenient when traveling. Those locations may not always be close to your campsite, but it is an option worth exploring when setting out on a trip.

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Bring Weights and a Yoga Mat

If you’re looking for an easy way to get some exercise while traveling, add a set of dumbbells and a yoga mat to your RV. The dumbbells can help you maintain muscle mass and allow strength training while away from home. Create a daily regimen that includes curls, presses, and deadlifts to work the arm muscles, shoulders, and chest. You can even use the weights to increase resistance when doing a leg workout, like squats and lunges.

Before starting your weight training exercises, roll out the yoga mat and engage in a stretching routine. This will help warm up your muscles and keep you feeling loose and limber. If you have an internet connection, there are thousands of yoga workouts available on YouTube, with options for beginner and expert yogis alike. This is an excellent way to stay fit and healthy without needing a lot of expensive and bulky equipment.

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Take Frequent Breaks While Driving

Travel days in an RV often mean spending hours on the road driving from one campsite to the next. Under those circumstances, it can be hard to find time to exercise when you’re spending most of your day behind the wheel. It is important to break up that routine by making a stop every two hours or so. This will allow you to get out of the vehicle, walk around a bit, and get your blood circulating. It can also be an excellent time to roll out your yoga mat and do a quick stretching routine.

When stopping for a break, resist the urge to grab a snack at a rest stop or gas station. Often we eat out of boredom while driving and not because we are actually hungry. If you are ready for something to eat, try to find something healthy. Better yet, keep your RV stocked with snacks that are good for you, like fruits, vegetables, or an energy bar.

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Plan Your Meals

Traveling often means eating out at restaurants and grabbing fast food meals while on the go. But one of the benefits of RV travel is that you have a mobile kitchen that provides more control over when, what, and how much you eat. This makes it much easier to prepare healthy meals on the road and stick to a diet similar to the one you eat at home.

Before setting out on your trip, prepare a meal plan for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for each day of the journey. Then stock your RV’s refrigerator and pantry accordingly, including healthy between-meal snacks. Make sure your menu has some variety to it, as that will help keep the temptation of eating at a restaurant to a minimum.

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Get Some Sleep

One of the most overlooked keys to leading a healthy lifestyle is the importance of getting plenty of sleep. At home, that means creating a quiet and relaxing atmosphere in your bedroom that gives you plenty of rest. Your bed probably has high-quality sheets and pillows and a mattress specifically selected to help you fall asleep quickly and wake up feeling refreshed.

The sleeping area in your RV should have many of the same qualities. The mattress should be one you look forward to sleeping on, and the pillows, sheets, and blankets should be as comfortable as the ones you use at home. Getting plenty of rest will give you the energy you need to be active throughout the day and take advantage of the opportunities that come with life on the road.

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Don’t Forget to Take Rest Days

Another essential part of staying healthy and active is knowing when to take a break. Even professional athletes and dedicated fitness buffs take a rest day at least once or twice a week. By building some downtime into your schedule, you’re giving your body a chance to rest and recover. This helps you avoid injury and feel refreshed when you return to your workout routine.

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It’s Okay to Cheat a Little

Just as rest days play an important role in keeping your exercise routine on track, so do “cheat days” when it comes to a healthy diet. A cheat day allows you to indulge in foods and drinks that you love but might not usually be something you would eat regularly. This serves to satisfy any intense cravings that might come up and gives you the chance to enjoy a more decadent meal or dessert from time to time without feeling guilty.

When it comes to cheat days, it is crucial to not allow them too frequently and to get back on track as soon as possible. This should help you to keep a more disciplined meal plan, knowing you’ll get an occasional break to enjoy some foods that aren’t a regular part of your diet.

These are just a few tips for helping you stay healthy and happy while traveling in your RV. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle on the road, you’ll return home feeling more refreshed and invigorated. Remember, most RV trips are meant to be relaxing, so don’t be afraid to mix in plenty of rest while at the campground.

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