I visited New England for a short work trip and was reminded of how regional cultures often define our nutritional choices. New Englanders enjoy all sorts of fresh crustaceans and seafood accompaniments that I'm not exposed to at home.
Similarly, our options for exercise are defined by what's happening where we are. Traveling can alter those options.
As I thought about how to handle my choices in New England -- where I might eat massive, butter-soaked seafood platters for lunch and dinner every day -- I considered my plan of attack on both fronts, nutrition and activity. And it occurred to me that this happens to travelers all over the world every day. What we choose will depend on if we believe it is possible to enjoy the cultural panache of a region while maintaining our commitment to living a healthy life.
I want to sample that local culture. Whether I'm eating clam chowder in Boston or hiking in Boulder, Colo., I enjoy partaking in the qualities that make a place special. Most of the time, I can do it in ways that align with my values and personality. This isn't always true, but mostly it is.
For example, the Portland, Ore., area is well known for incredible pinot noir vineyards and a thriving craft beer scene. It also features fresh, delicious seafood. Even if I was a nondrinker who didn't eat fish (I'm neither of these), I could find ways to enjoy these aspects of Portland in my own way. Instead of frowning at the beer menu in a restaurant, maybe I'd tour a brewery to get a sense of the brewmaster's process -- while increasing my daily step count.
And I could walk through a popular marina and watch the fishermen unloading their fresh daily catch. That would be educational, and fun, and good for my body.
The point is, we can soak up the cultural flavor of an area while honoring our nutritional and lifestyle values. It takes a little planning and some effort to act on the plan, but such self-respect makes traveling more enjoyable and more fulfilling.
Exercising in certain regions can be tricky. What if the temperature is 98 degrees and humid where you're headed? Oh wait -- that's where you're coming from. Let's make it worse: What if there are dust storms where you're headed? Plan to be active indoors.
Does the hotel have a fitness center? Is there an indoor gym nearby? Do a little research so you know what equipment will be available.
You could do this week's exercise, the Med Ball Wall Crawl -- by the book -- anywhere you have access to a weighty ball and a wall. And a bit of clean floor beside the wall, of course. The weight of the medicine ball helps, but you don't necessarily need it. You could use some other kind of ball, a volleyball or a basketball. Or you could wave your hands up and down along the wall.
Rolling the ball up the wall is a bit of a distraction that keeps you holding the tension in your core muscles longer than you would when doing a regular situp.
So really, you only need the wall ... and a bit of will, because if you don't concentrate on that contraction, this effort will feel like it's getting you nowhere.
1. Select a medicine ball and get into a situp position with your feet against a wall.
2. Hold the medicine ball against your chest and perform a normal situp, focusing on your form and the tension in your torso.
3. Stop when you reach your full situp position and place the ball against the wall.
4. Using both hands, "crawl" the ball upward until both arms are fully extended overhead.
5. Crawl the ball back down to chest level, then allow your torso to lower back to the starting position.
6. Perform two sets of 15.
Hopefully the Med Ball Wall Crawl will help you maximize your travel workouts while taking in any region. It has for me, although I do put almost as much effort into taking in the occasional seafood platter and craft beer. Bon voyage!
Matt Parrott has a doctorate in education (sport studies) and a master's in kinesiology and is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine.
vballtop@aol.com
ActiveStyle on 07/23/2018