We went to Edmonton last weekend for a U12 Boys soccer tournament, and let me tell you something, weekends like this are all work and very little play for parents.
Packing up two kids, a baby, and a dog is a lot. Especially when your baby keeps taking things back out of the suitcase you just packed, and your two big kids think they’re going off the grid and need to pack everything but their bed frame — every toy, book, and pen they can get their hands on.
I’ve heard people say that it’s these crazy times you’ll look back on and miss. And while I may one day romanticize these shitshows… right now it’s too fresh, I’m too tired, and I just love being home.
Often, the hotel group rate is for a shoebox-sized room with two queen beds, a TV, a mini fridge, a microwave, and a desk.
Who uses these writing desks?
How many people legitimately check into the Holiday Inn, sit down at the desk, and start writing a letter or memo?
So many parts of your day-to-day routine go off track. Sleep is typically shitty — especially for the baby.
At one point, Derk and I were sitting outside the room in the hallway while the baby fought a nap inside. Meanwhile, the maintenance guy was fixing a toilet two doors down and singing at the top of his lungs. Two gym bros were arguing (one standing in the hallway, one in the doorway of their room) about dumbbells in the gym. Why these two dipshits couldn’t go into their room, shut the door, and have this louder-than-necessary, dumb-as-shit conversation is a complete mystery.
But while weekends like this are chaotic, I do not abandon my entire routine and habits.
This is one challenge that comes up often when I’m working with someone on their nutrition and lifestyle habits. People travel a lot — for work, for kids’ activities, or just because they love to travel — and when they do, their commitment to their habits slides… then becomes non-existent. That leads to a “starting over” mentality when they get home.
Here’s the thing, though:
If you add up all the days you aren’t home — in your natural habitat where routines are easier — and calculate what percentage of the year that is, you start to see the problem.
Now consider how that percentage contributes to the one step forward, two steps back cycle with your health and lifestyle goals.
This is huge.
With a little planning, you can maintain many great habits while on vacation and mitigate the backslide that comes with too many dine-out meals, less movement, and poor sleep.
The vacation version of your routines doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective.
There are small ways to keep things on track and support the goals you’ve built at home — even when you’re on the road.
Here are some of the things I do to take my lifestyle wherever I travel:
- I pack a cooler and a dry snack bag (see my list below).
- I bring protein shakes or protein powder so I can start the day with a solid dose of protein when a quality breakfast isn’t available.
- I focus on steps and, if time and capacity allow, I hit the hotel gym for a quick workout.
- I bring a sound machine and all my sleep routine goodies (PM magnesium drink, melatonin).
- We buy a flat of water bottles to drink throughout the weekend.
- We hit up a grocery store at our destination and fill the mini fridge with a small fruit and veggie tray, some meat and cheese, and a couple ready-to-drink protein shakes.
- We brought some frozen meal prep for a midday option.
- I continue to track my food in Cronometer as best as I can.
My Go-To Cooler / Dry Food Packing List:
- Veggies like celery, carrots, cucumbers, peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, or snap peas (or grab a veggie tray if you’re short on time)
- Hummus
- Meat + cheese tray with crackers
- Apples
- Diced melon
- Fresh berries
- Beef jerky
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Leftover chicken
- Alani Nu protein shakes
- Protein powder (one that mixes well with water)
- Water
- Sparkling water
- Babybel or cheese strings
- Granola bars
- RX bars
- Instant oatmeal packets
- Tortilla chips
- LMNT packets
- Creatine powder
Small habits. Strong foundations. Big impact. 🌿
MSMAMACHIC 