1) Treat Yourself To Stylish Vacation Athletic Wear.
First things first. If you want to stay healthy while traveling, then you have to make healthy choices accessible. On a recent trip to New York City, I decided last-minute to ditch my running shoes because they were just too bulky and heavy in my suitcase. This obviously meant I couldn't do much of anything active on my entire vacation, even on days were the weather was lovely and I was really in the mood to go on a run in Central Park. Needless to say, I regretted it and learned my lesson.
2) Embrace Fresh And Simple Ingredients.
I've found that no matter where I am in the world, one of the best ways to really explore a country's cuisine is to stay simple and let the staples shine. Head to Belize during lobster season, Panama City for corvina, India for Tandoori chicken, or any Pacific island for the juiciest exotic fruits on the planet. You'll find that smothering these famous stable ingredients in sweet sticky sauces or creamy dressings is not only unnecessary, but also detracts from your ability to really taste and appreciate that world-renowned sea bass or that mouthwatering mango.
3) Make A Short List Of Local Foods You Can't Miss.
As a general rule of thumb, keep your list to 3-5 different foods. Fewer if this is just a long weekend vacation, and probably longer if you'll be staying somewhere for a month . . . use your judgment here. Do your research in advance. You can start by perusing this list of the best foods to eat in every country.
4) Choose To Walk; Forego A Taxi Or Public Transportation.
You'll find that a lot of major tourist attractions around the world have non-walking options, such as a hop-on-hop-off tour bus that will take you around London or a funicular that will carry you up Castle Hill in Budapest. But often, these cities, or the attractions themselves, are really quite accessible by foot.
5) Know Your Weaknesses.
It's possible that your weakness is just food, in general . . . all of it. But more likely, there's something in particular that's really your culinary kryptonite. Are you a breakfast lover, or are you fine starting your day with just a protein shake? Do you have an insatiable sweet tooth, or does chocolate do nothing for you compared to a plate of salty French fries?
6) Combine Sightseeing With Your Workout.
Consider city walking tours, hikes to beautiful sunset viewpoints, nature walks, renting a bike for the day, etc. Or get really creative: a tango class in Argentina? Surf lessons in Mexico? Mushroom-picking in France? I've even seen cooking classes that take you to the local markets to walk around and pick out all the ingredients, which is nice because then you can reward yourself with food afterward.
7) Carry Snacks.
Okay, this might sound like incredibly lame advice. If you're a foodie like me, chances are you won't want to forego the opportunity to have a freshly prepared, authentic meal in place of a Cliff bar. I sure wouldn't. But snacks are helpful for avoiding the Croissant Scenario.
8) Share Food.
I recognize that not all people are food-sharers. But if you are into sharing, then split that Francesinha with your friend/spouse/other solo traveler sitting alone at the bar, and get another lighter dish to go with it. That way you'll get to taste all the things you're little heart desires, without also having to buy new pants when you get home. Win-win.
9) Find Workouts You Can Do.
There are tons of apps out there that allow you to bring the structure and energy of a workout class into your own home. With a detailed exercise plan, pre-set timer, and music to get you pumped up for your day, these apps will take the guess work out of your travel fitness routine.