Best Ways to Stay Fit While Traveling

It happens to almost everyone-you go on vacation, come back home and you're a couple pounds heavier. But it doesn't have to be that way, especially if traveling is a way of life for you. Here are some tips on how to stay fit while traveling and avoid those extra unwanted pounds.

This is a no-brainer. If your hotel comes with a gym-even if it's just a treadmill-use it. Some hotels have even started to go all-out with their fitness centers which will make you actually want to work out. The Plaza Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas has recently opened a Real Results Gym-an "athletic sports style training including group classes and personal training, as well as traditional workout equipment and other amenities. Or, try out the Aerial Yoga class at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas.

It's so easy to just log into your phone and request an Uber. While some countries have the ride-sharing service down, other countries are becoming known for not-so-good experiences. Most US cities are very walkable anyway, you'll just need to plan a little extra time to get from point A to point B. So ditch the ride share and get out in the fresh air. You'll be able to take in a lot more of the sites too rather than just see them blur past.

For those far-off places, opt for public transit. You'll still get in some extra steps walking to and from transit stops. Plus you'll get to experience the city like a true local. And for cities like San Francisco, Savannah and New Orleans, public transit-the iconic trolleys-should be on your to-do list anyways.

If you find yourself with extra time on your hands, explore the area around your hotel-parks, museums, etc. The National WWII Museum in New Orleans is a personal favorite and is ranked as the #2 museum in the US. Just be sure to plan enough time so you can see all the exhibits.

You'll get plenty of steps for your fitness tracker by visiting museums and neighboring parks, but one of the best reasons for walking around new towns is you get the true local experience. There's normally a lot more around you than just what's listed online-just like there's more to New Orleans than the French Quarter. Be sure to get out there and meander the streets-who knows, maybe you'll find a hole in the wall restaurant that becomes your new favorite.

If walking around aimlessly doesn't appeal to you, look for a walking tour in your area. These structured tours allow you to learn about the area and make sure you see all the key sites. Many cities even have group walking tours at little to no cost. If you choose to use the Eurail while in Europe, your Eurail pass now includes discounts for Sandemans New Europe walking tours. Or try out these Fun and Spooky Walking Tours stateside-just in time for Halloween.

Yoga can be done anywhere with little to no equipment. Therefore there's no excuse to not spend a few minutes practicing a couple of poses and asanas. Plus, many cities are starting to offer some form of 'yoga in the park'-often run off of donations. Be sure to check out Facebook events in the area before traveling.

If you're looking to have an entire vacation centered around yoga, check out the new yoga retreat at Soneva Kiri. The resort, on the Thai island Koh Kood, is set to open November 2018 and will provide two types of retreats-for yoga enthusiasts and yoga teacher training.

If you're more of a work-out-at-home type person, don't forego your workout just because you're traveling. Be sure to pack these essential items to help you stay fit while traveling. Plus with so many workout videos online, there is no excuse for not doing a short workout routine in your hotel room-just please, no jumping jacks at 6am-your downstairs neighbors might not appreciate it.

Gyms are dotted through almost every strip mall in the country, with many having nation-wide locations. If you're the type that needs to work out in a gym and has to travel a lot, be sure to join a gym that has locations across the country. You'll benefit by being able to work out in the comfort of your own gym. Many times commercial gyms will even have the same layout at each of their locations. Try attending a fitness class similar to the ones offered at your home gym.

If you're staying at an all-inclusive or onboard a cruise ship, chances are you're going to have a laundry list of excursions to choose from. U by Uniworld has just announced new excursions for 2019 for their entire fleet of river cruises. Or you can experience the gaucho lifestyle for a day if you're staying at one of the luxury Explora Hotels in Chile.

Even if you're not staying at a resort, you can opt for local excursions-you'll just need to do the pre-planning on your own. You can swim with sharks in Fiji or visit an underwater museum in Cancun-either way, you'll burn calories while making lifetime memories.

Social Media is a great resource for checking out events happening in an area. From yoga in the park to group dance workouts and local walking tours, you can find something for everyone-oftentimes at little to no cost. Plus with the way millennials are changing the travel industry, more and more information is being offered and disseminated through social media. So be sure to check what events are happening in the area before your travels.

Dancing is a great way to burn extra calories. If a nightclub isn't really your scene, try going to a silent disco, where you can choose your own music, or sign up for dance lessons. Try hula dancing in Hawaii, flamenco dancing in Spain or salsa dancing in many Latin American countries. Collette has recently launched a new line of exploration tours, with the Colombia trip emphasizing private salsa lessons. If you weigh between 125 and 155 pounds, you can expect to burn 360 to 450 calories respectively with just one hour of dancing. So get out there and shake your groove thang.

This may be the hardest rule to follow because vacation is all about having fun, right? While you can still occasionally splurge on vacation, don't make it an every meal habit. Instead, look for healthier food options. Some hotels, like the Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, have a special wellness menu for in-room dining and at their spa. Simple menu swaps can help you to save big on calories and your waistline will thank you.