Inspirations

Staying Healthy on the Road

by Emily J. Weitz

I spent last weekend on a road trip. My family and I piled into one cozy car and hauled up to Rochester, New York for a wedding. Rochester, for the record, is not around the corner. It is a twelve-hour car ride round-trip. And considering the fact that the best appetizer circulating at the wedding was a fried grilled cheese sandwich, I had some making up to do in the health department. This, however, is easier said than done when the days flanking the wedding were spent almost entirely in the car. Even relatively health-conscious people will often find that their food and exercise habits go out the window when on the road.

There are various reasons for this. The healthy options are severely limited when cruising through unknown towns and stopping briefly at rest stops. This fast food nation thrives on weekend warriors like us. Nonetheless, with the wellness wake-up call that seems to be sounding faintly in the subconscious of many Americans, the road is becoming a friendlier place for our arteries.

When hitting the road, you could remain completely sedentary for hours on end. A one-way trip to Rochester is the equivalent of sitting in a theatre for three movies, getting up only to use the restroom. This is not the habit of a healthy, active individual! Inactivity is detrimental to your whole system. To avoid the drawbacks of inactivity, it is important to take every opportunity to get out of the car and stretch. Sitting in the same position for hours at a time lessens the demand on the circulatory system and causes bloodflow to slow down. When bloodflow slows down, the blood may pool and less blood gets to the muscles. This may make you feel more tired, even though you have barely expended any energy. Also, the pooling of blood in the legs can make them feel numb or tingly and eventually may lead to varicose veins. Even just a few simple movements will get your blood flowing. Do a few yoga postures or bring a Frisbee and toss it around for a few minutes to break up the trip. A quick game of catch or even twenty jumping jacks will get the blood pumping in your veins again.

The other major health concern about long car trips is that they foster poor eating habits. The golden arches have become a familiar site on highways worldwide. It seems so easy - you don't even have to get out of the car! But even if it saves you a couple of minutes to shovel fast food cheeseburgers into your mouth while on the road, your body will thank you if you seek out a healthier alternative.

There are always diners, where the menus are filled with so many options that they are often difficult to lift. Salads, sandwiches and soups are all healthy ways to fortify you on the road. If you really don't want to linger over an unlimited cup of watery coffee, some health-conscious fast food options have begun to pop up. Pita Pit is a fast food pita shop, where you can fill a pita with falafel or meat and then select as many vegetables as you want. Also, Subway offers healthy sandwiches on freshly baked bread, made to order with lots of veggies.

If there are no healthy outlets at the rest stop you happen upon, then scour the menu for healthy alternatives. Just because you are at McDonalds doesn't mean you have to select the Bacon Double Cheeseburger with super-sized fries and a milkshake. Every fast food restaurant now offers salads, grilled chicken and sometimes veggie burgers.

The best way to arm yourself against unpredictable options and unhealthy choices is to pack your own food. This is also the most economical and quickest method to curbing your appetite. Don't forget to pack plenty of water. It may mean you make a few more pit stops, but that will be good for keeping your blood flowing. Make turkey or tuna sandwiches, bring yogurts and apples and snack on carrots or granola bars. There is no need to stop every time you're hungry and these healthy foods will give you energy so that you're not exhausted by the time you reach your destination.

By maintaining a healthy lifestyle on the road, you won't come back wondering how to get back in the routine. Instead, you'll feel rested, rejuvenated and healthy.