"Lose weight, feel great." "Commit to be fit." Such sayings can inspire healthy goals, which are obtainable if you maintain
a regular fitness routine. That's easier said than done, especially when you are setting up a house in a new location every
13 weeks. This is coupled with working daily 12–hour shifts.
Many traveling professionals, however, have found that having their cake and eating it too is indeed possible when it comes
to a steady physical conditioning routine. Some even attest that staying fit on the road need not be a chore and may ultimately
enhance your mobile lifestyle experience.
Getting started
Alicia Kramer takes a break from hiking the Arizona desert.
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"The first step is often the hardest, so start small," suggests Darren Kwiek, a staffing recruiter with West Chester, Ohio–based
Advantage RN. "There are many little things people can do to improve their fitness level. If you are new to exercise or have
been out of the game for awhile, go slow."
And be realistic when assessing your fitness level. Many healthcare providers believe they walk miles on the job, but where
aerobic benefit is concerned, pace is as important as duration. According to the long–running Nurses' Health Study, brisk
walking alone has substantial health benefits, but brisk is defined as 3 to 3.9 mph, which is not the rate typical of a nurse
on the job.
"Start by using the stairs instead of the escalator, parking at the back of the lot, or going for a brisk walk after work,"
Kwiek says. "You'd be surprised how many calories you will burn over the course of a week. And more importantly, you will
feel good, which will likely motivate you to keep it up."
Setting goals
Leslie Ford rests after jogging
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Positioning yourself to accomplish small goals in a timely manner is a great form of motivation. So identify your own personal
priorities and use them to set benchmarks. For a beginner, that might be taking a brisk 20–minute walk three times a week.
That way, you start off with success, Kwiek says.
Katie Ashbaugh hangs around at the gym.
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Having clearly defined goals is essential to Katie Ashbaugh, DPT, who says that her goals keep her motivated. "I have always
been a physically fit person, even before I started traveling about nine months ago," Ashbaugh says. "At home I belong to
a strength and conditioning program, which has groups worldwide. So before I go to a new location, I check ahead to find the
local chapter. I also go online to http://www.active.com/ to see what runs, triathlons, and adventure races are going on. I am definitely more likely to stay on track when I am in
training for something."
Specific goals are especially important during the first few weeks at a new assignment, explains Ashbaugh, who accepts opportunities
through Boca Raton, Fla.–based Cross Country TravCorps.
Nicole Chieka runs the Myrtle Beach Marathon
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"Though I am usually busy settling in for the first week or so, I make sure to go running three times a week," she says. "And
to help make that happen, I go online and map out a few different routes. Those routes also let me go biking whenever time
allows, since I always bring my bike along.
Katie Ashbaugh bikes in any season
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"Running and biking are both great activities for travelers," adds Ashbaugh, "since you can do them anywhere in a pinch. Though
I've only been to two different locations so far as a healthcare traveler, they were completely opposite climatewise, and
the only thing I had to change was my clothing and gear."
Ashbaugh also makes a point of linking up with other athletes, which she feels benefits her training goals. "I often feel
an immediate connection with these people because we share common goals. I check into group hikes, running groups, and bike
trips, as well as the local chapter of my home gym," Ashbaugh says. "Through fitness I have made some of my closest friends
on the road."
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