I traveled to Amsterdam and walked 20,000 steps a day without an autoimmune flare-up. Here are my 5 tips:
Make sure you eat enough. A croissant and a coffee is not enough for breakfast. Walking all day takes a lot of energy and you need to fuel your body. Make sure you eat enough food to keep you energized.
Drink lots of water! I always bring a water with electrolytes with me and I refill at coffee shops or in bathroom sinks along the way. Here’s a link to my favorite electrolytes, they are lightweight and fit easily into a purse.
Don’t overdo it with sugar and alcohol. When we are on vacation we often want to over-indulge in the “fun” things. But sugar and alcohol both spike inflammation, which makes your body more prone to flare-up. So pick one or two special moments and skip the rest- it’s worth it.
Wear comfortable shoes. Fashion is just not worth it here. I wear comfy walking shoes that don’t hurt my feet.
Wear a cross body purse or fanny pack. Carrying shoulder purses through all that walking can make your body lopsided and cause injury and pain. Crossbody bags distribute the weight much better.
And a bonus tip- Before your trip, train your body!
At home, I strength train 2-4 times per week (Autoimmune Strong style) and walk every day. Closer to the trip, I started increasing my steps at home to get my body prepared. Going from 0-60 is hard, so preparing your body beforehand is essential.
I can help with that! Check out the Autoimmune Strong Exercise Program, it will get your body strong without causing flare or exhaustion.
So, follow these tips and travel well!