The travelling competitor…

Summer is upon us, and for many competitors it is a time for rest, recovery, and reflection. Some are likely using this time to sculpt new goals (literally), and trying to settle into a state of balanced nutrition and training for the summer months. Along with a new summer routine comes a break from school for the kids, vacation days that need to be used, and longer days of sunshine. For most, a holiday is a time of anticipation, excitement, and jubilation, but for some competitors (depending where you are in your training schedule/cycle), it can be a stressful and an apprehensive time!

So you’re off on a camping weekend excursion, a wedding in the Okanagan, or a shopping trip to the States. These are all very do-able, even if you are weeks out from a show! First and foremost, your nutrition needs to stay in check… and the only way to do this is with access to some form of a kitchen. I’ve done this with as little as a hot plate, microwave and sink, but it helps if the place you are staying has a stove and a fridge. Consider using websites such as www.vrbo.com (Vacation Rentals by Owner) instead of booking hotels. This websites will give you access to condo’s/ apartments/ houses …all over the world. The thought of hitting up another all-inclusive, cookie-cutter resort in Mexico, will only leave you standing in a massive dining hall, staring at sodium-loaded, mass-produced food, that’s been sitting under the heat lamps for a couple of hours. Your own accommodation will allow you to shop for fresh food at local markets, thoroughly wash and prepare your own fruit and veggies, and will allow you to wander the streets and try local delicacies! Now THAT’S a vacation! Finding a gym anywhere in North America is relatively simple using a simple Google search, and if that fails, searching for a public park for a quick, body weight, functional workout will do just fine!

Here are some notes to consider when travelling for an extended period of time or travelling internationally. A big trip to somewhere exotic may de-rail your training and nutrition plans further than you anticipated if you are a few weeks away from a competition. But like anything, you should always make the best of it, and careful planning may be your best action for staying on track. Consider doing some homework prior to your departure, especially if hitting up a gym is important. Depending where you are travelling, men and women may be required to go to different locations. For women, check with local customs in terms of appropriate work-out gear, as that brand new lulu sports bra top worn on its own may be inappropriate, no matter how many abs you have carefully sculpted. Be prepared to pick through your food order in restaurants, as language barriers and order-customization practices of North America are often not recognized in other countries. Do the best you can, and check with local customs on how your actions may be perceived; your host may be extremely insulted if you don’t finish the entire plate (this is common in many Asian cultures). Awareness and self-education is everything. You are in their country, so be respectful. Trying to explain you are fitness competitor/body builder may not be comprehendible to them.

On a final note, competitors often spend several months of the year making decisions that are self-focused; the lifestyle can be very exclusive, especially if your lifestyle is not shared by other family members. For instance you are used to grocery shopping a certain way, food prep is a precise art, not a chore, and your husband or partner gets used to your new boyfriend “gym” (or “gymnasia for the wives). My priorities during my holidays are to rest and recharge. It’s a time to shift my focus to my family and friends, and to enjoy the sweet tastes of summer, train outdoors, sign up for a local race, and play leisure sports. There is a time for focus, discipline, and sacrifice and it will always be available to you. Pick your battles, and FIND YOUR BALANCE.

Happy Travels and Have a great summer everyone!

NPAA All-Canadian/IFPA PRO

Steph Marques