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So often we begin our journeys toward health with lofty goals and high ambitions. Because life on the road can be so unpredictable, it’s easy to have these health-focused intentions yet struggle to find the balance of relaxing while still caring for our bodies. We consulted full-time Airstreamer (and organizer/coach) Ramona Creel to gain her wisdom and insight on the best tips and tricks to staying healthy while traveling!

What are the best ways to stay healthy while on the road?

To me, to be truly healthy is more of a holistic idea. It includes eating well, exercising regularly, getting the right quality and quantity of sleep and reducing stress, all of which can be a challenge when you’re on the road. The trick to controlling these variables while you’re in transit is planning ahead. (Yes I know — that’s the hard part!)

Stock up on healthy ingredients and snackables before you head out. This is crucial in ensuring that you don’t end up eating gas-station junk food for every meal. Equip your rig with a good water filter so you aren’t left sipping soda all day to avoid the strange tasting water coming out of your faucet.

Make sure you’ve got earplugs and an eye mask with you so you don’t miss out on quality sleep because of noisy neighbors and bright street lights. Think about what kind of exercise you’ll enjoy most and pack accordingly so when you can’t find that Zumba or kickboxing class you love, you can pull out your own DVDs. Figure out what health means to you and create a portable environment that encourages those behaviors.

How do you make time to exercise?

The easiest way to make time for exercise is to not worry about making time for exercise. (Ha!) Create the mentality that physical activity is simply part of your regular daily routine, rather than treating it as a separate event. Instead of taking the escalator or elevator, walk up and down the stairs. Your feet are the most reliable mode of transportation out there, so pedal a bike or go à pied whenever you can. If you must fire up the car, make it a habit to park in the space farthest from the door — your body will thank you later!

Trade sedentary pastimes like watching TV or going to the movies for sweatier diversions, like dancing, hiking or taking your dog for a walk. If you have children or pets in your life, join the action as they play instead of watching from a bench. Your children will thank you later as well! You stay fitter in the long run when exercise is your natural mode of functioning, and not a special activity that needs a particular slot on your calendar.

Where are the best places to exercise?

Anywhere and everywhere, you can get just as good of a workout on a city street as you can in an indoor mall, or, my personal favorite, on a trail in the middle of the woods. My favorite thing to do when we land in a new town is to look up local hiking and biking trails. You can also check out exercise-oriented meetups online. These vary from casual neighborhood kickball games to fitness gatherings that welcomes visitor. For those who are more inclined toward group classes like tai chi, yoga or rock-climbing, search for gyms that offer short-term memberships. In short, figure out what you like to do, then find where the natives are doing it!

How do you make sure to eat healthy while on the road?

I personally go out of my way to eat local, seasonal and as organic as possible while traveling. I choose to make cooking at home a travel activity rather than a chore. I hit the farmers markets and roadside stands, look for ingredients I can’t get in other parts of the country, find a few creative regional recipes and make them my own. I’ll be putting out a series of cookbooks later this year about my favorites from Key West to Nova Scotia. Stay tuned!

What are your best tips for staying healthy while on the road?

I think a large reason people become unhealthy while they travel is because they equate all those good habits with daily drudgery, and associate fun with indulgence. They are quick to throw everything out the window in the name of relaxation, then overeat, under exercise and feel terrible when they get home.

Instead, you can choose to make a healthy lifestyle just as fun if you make it part of your travel experience. Walking tours and outdoor recreational activities are great ways to familiarize yourself with a new area while burning calories. Visiting farmers markets or taking local cooking classes can help you make the most of healthy eating options in your area. And finding cultural activities like art walks, concerts and lectures that feed your soul will reduce your stress more than vegging out in front of the TV. If you treat staying healthy like a vacation activity, then you’re more likely to actually do it.

Makes us want to cook a pot of kale and do some exercise! If you need Ramona’s help creating a plan for healthy eating and fitness, contact her!

While life on the road can be an adjustment, staying fit and eating healthy foods isn’t impossible. Take the time, do a little research and plan some fun exercise into your schedule. Enjoy nature, hike a mountain, go on a bike ride or do whatever keeps you moving, healthy and energized. This is sure to help you live an even more riveting life!