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10.13.2014

MY LIFESTYLE JOURNAL: EFFICIENT & HEALTHY PACKING FOR TRAVEL

Hi all,
This week, I’m heading home to Wisconsin ((I currently live in Texas)) and as I was about to begin packing, I thought it may be fun to show you the steps I take to pack efficiently so that my travels are easy, enjoyable, and healthy!
In college, my job in the fitness industry required a lot of weekend travel and I learned the art of efficient packing ((it was about time as I used to be the girl packing up the morning of)) Here are the steps I take to make packing a breeze!
(1) Create a schedule of the daily events your trip has in store
You all know how much I love organization/post-its/to-do lists, so I’ve created a document you can use below; simply click in and right click save as to use for yourself!


(2) Check the local weather forecast for the days of your travel and add that to your list
The last time I went to California, I assumed the weather would be beautiful ((wishful Wisconsin girl thinking)) I was unpleasantly surprised when the weather was in the 50s all week and all I had was tank tops and sundresses. Check the weather so you don’t make the mistake I did lol

…I’m beginning to remember why I moved to TX 😉

(3) Create your outfits & accessorize 
My favorite way to do this is to use a rolling rack or a shower rod! Using your list with what you’ll be up to and what the weather should be like, create head to toe outfits on hangers and hang them in order of days/events. Don’t forget those accessories…add necklaces, bracelets, scarves, shoes, etc. to your hangers. 

This is one of the most useful steps because it allows you to see exactly what you’re bringing, so that certain items (jeans, jackets, jewelry) can be recycled for another outfit to save on space in your suitcase. I also highly suggest trying on these outfits before giving them the “okay”


(4) Pack your make up, hair products, styling tools and shoes in a separate suitcase 
I know the prices of checked bags are getting quite ridiculous, but if you are planning to check more than one bag, put all of the above items in one separate from your clothing and accessories. This helps keep you organized when you’re at your destination! Also, there’s no worries of your shampoo exploding all over your new party dress!

Anthony and I typically combine our clothing in one suitcase and put all the other stuff in another!

(5) Healthy additions are next
I ALWAYS pack healthy snacks. I’ve learned to expect the unexpected – delayed flights, traffic jams, etc., so it’s best to have a few things to nibble on! Easy to pack items: granola bars (my fav are Kind bars), dry cereal (my fav are gluten free Puffins), proteins bars (my fav are Quest bars), pre-sliced veggies, and nuts!

Also, don’t forget your vitamins! Traveling can really weaken your immune system, so it’s ideal to support it with proper vitamins. I like the week containers, so I don’t have to lug bottles with me!

When it comes to fitness, I pack two items: a jump rope and a resistance band! Here are two jump rope workouts I’ve shared in the past and all you’ll need is a little open space. I don’t worry to much about weight training when I travel, but I do like to begin my day with some cardio and resistance band work – it boosts my energy and helps me to make smarter food decisions throughout the day!

(6) Pack it up
I pack up my suitcase the night before, so that I have very little worries the day of travel. Using your ordered outfits, arrange the clothing in your suitcase so that the things you’ll wear first are on top!

Pack your carry on last. My carry on typically consists of electronics, any sentimental/nice jewelry, healthy snacks, reading material, and miscellaneous items.

(7) Wear your bulkiest items
  This is especially helpful if you’re traveling between two different climates! Wear your bulky items like jackets, sweaters, and boots to save space in your suitcase
I hope this helps you on your next trip! Overall, efficient packing leads to a more enjoyable trip because there’s less stress over forgetting items or having the right things and afterall…enjoying and relaxing is what it’s all about!

(8) Make healthy decisions while enjoying your travel
Don’t get me wrong, when I’m on vacation, I do allow myself more freedom – I enjoy dinners out, scrumptious desserts, and even some drinks. However, not every trip is a vacation; there are many individuals who travel heavily for work and strive to stay on track with their health and fitness goals. 

Here are my top 3 travel healthy tips: 
1- Workout first thing in the morning. Even a quick 15-20 minute workout of running in place in your hotel room will do the trick! Never underestimate the power of an endorphin rush for mental and physical benefits.


2- Focus on healthy eating choices! Maybe you can’t or don’t want to work out…making healthy eating a priority will ensure you stay on track. Click here to read more about my tips on how to order healthy meals at restaurants.


3- Relax! Have you heart of the stress hormone, cortisol? It’s the hormone linked to abdominal fat! Cortisol is released when the body is under stress, so if you’re on traveling and constantly worrying about work outs and healthy meals, you may be doing your body more harm than you think. One bad week wont break you, just as one good week wont accomplish all your goals. If you cannot make working out an healthy eating happen, relax, and jump back into it when you return home!

Just to show how average my life is…seconds after taking the above photos, my shower curtain & all of my clothing/jewelry fell onto my bathroom floor ((maybe go with a rolling rack lol)) I intended on taking lots more photos for this post, so next week I’ll show a bit more about how I actually stay active while away as well as some of my favorite fall outfits from this trip!

 Anyways, I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

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Comments

  1. Kelly Bryant

    Thank you for the great article! I like how your order your packing procedure. Best regards

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