Avoid the Summertime Blues

Avoiding the Summertime Blues By Karen Benford Smith Traveling by automobile, plane, train, and riverboat is a physical challenge but also affects the diet. The availability of healthy nutritionally based foods found in convenience stores, gas stations, and even in the terminal of the airport often can impede a usually good eating program. Another problem for the traveler is finding a healthy food source that was within a reasonable price range. The only way to counteract purchasing unhealthy snacks and convenience foods would be to bring your own bag of goodies. Choosing snacks that are low in calories and healthy is the first decision. After all you probably just spent six weeks previously at the gym trying to get in shape and look your best for your travels. It is possible to keep those pounds from making a regrowth on the body. Understanding healthy meals and prepackaging can aid in avoiding unnecessary pounds to shed upon return from your travels. Some convenient snack options include raw nuts, fresh or dried fruits, bagels, pretzels, low-sugar granola bars, low-fat energy bars, mini carrots, celery, and bottled water. Consider packing peanut butter cracks and pre popped popcorn. When creating your own snack packs use baggy sized snack preparation to eliminate overeating. Often eating takes place because the vacationer is stationary in a car or airplane and is bored. Also, bringing your own water will save money during your travels. Purchasing water in an airport, gas station, or even a hotel room can be double the cost of buying your water at the neighborhood grocery store and carrying amongst travel items. Before leaving on vacation, consider eating a healthy well-balanced meal. This strategy will control the urge to eat and snack on foods. The next step to keeping the caloric intake down on vacation is to choose healthy eating places along the road. Avoid fast food restaurants as well as sauces on dishes and salads which pack on the pounds. If the fast food restaurant is the only choice look for convenience dining that offers salads and fresh foods. Again, leaving the sauces and additional dressings off the fresh food prevent the good eating habits in check. Airports post the restaurants that are available in the terminals, which give the traveler a heads up when searching for a restaurant that meets their dietary plans. Preplanning where to eat in the terminal is integral to continuing a healthy eating program. Some airport terminals only offer food from kiosks while other airport restaurants are offering top named chef's to create a variety of wholesome foods to entice the conscious diner. New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport hosts many upscale restaurants including a sushi bar titled Deep Blue, an amazing steakhouse 5ivesteak, an Italian eatery Aero Nuova, and Le Vie, a French brasserie. A google search turned up these favorite restaurants in JFK International Airport on Terminal Five. Imagine the time and energy saved when locating the perfect dining stop in the terminal, for budget and diet. Another tip borrowed from Web MD suggests that drinking caffeinated beverages stimulate the bladder and the intestines. This triggers frequent restroom stops but more importantly activates a snack attack. Drink liquids that contain low or no sugar. The flight attendant guide to flying suggests two, eight ounces of water the morning before a flight. During the flight at least one eight ounce bottle of water per hour including flight time(s) and this will keep the body properly hydrated. Adults need between six and eight glasses of water per day. Hydration prevents improves skin texture, improves jet lag, decreases wrinkles around the eyes and lips, and increases urine output. (Dietician, 2012) Drink water. Throw a few tennis balls into the suitcase or purse for muscles that become tight and need attention. Placing a tennis ball underneath the glutes, especially where the Piriformis is located, may reduce tension in the lower back region as well as the hamstrings. Sitting for long periods of time will cause muscles to tighten up. If the traveler is driving, then take a stretch and bathroom break as often as needed. (Piriformis syndrome, 2014) Hydrating will ensure that muscles do not cramp or may aid in relief of muscular pain. Relief may occur by placing the ball in the Piriformis (middle section of the gluteal muscles) and using the body weight to decompress the already tight muscle for approximately 8 to 10 seconds. Complete this activity for at least three sessions at 8 to ten second intervals. The beauty of this type of statement is that a tennis ball is easily stored in almost any compartment of a purse, travel bag, or suitcase. Placing the tennis ball between the shoulder blade and the spinal column may also help to release pain the neck and shoulder area. Be careful to place a tennis ball in muscular areas and not on any bone or bony area. The last two items on the list of summertime fun are sunscreen and bug repellent. African Shea butter is the natural choice for sunscreen protection. Shea butter is rich in vitamin E and F, and is essential for dry and cracked summer skin. The butter will also resolve sunburned skin and pain attributed to sunburns. Additionally, Natural African Shea butter promotes muscular relaxation and intensity. A natural way to provide protection from mosquitoes and other annoying insects is an essential oil called Purification. The ingredients in purification essential oil include citronella, rosemary, myrtle, lavender, and maleluecan. Placing a few drops of the Purification essential oil on each wrist and below each knee should ensure that bugs stay away. C Traveling this year may be the most successful vacation ever if the trip follows a few of the guidelines that are noted in the article. Watching the caloric portion, hydrating, and eating responsible can help avoid weight gain. Secondly, let the body stretch and move around. Do not remain stationary for long periods of time or the muscles will begin to tighten up and cause muscular pain. Always include sunblock in the suitcase and on the body for protection against sun poisoning and sunburns. Take along some mosquito or insect repellent to prevent bites that may become irritated. Lastly, take photos for lasting memories.