For those of you who know me in my regular life, you know that I’m always doing something active. Whether it’s derby at least twice per week, lifting 2-3 days a week, or some other yoga or Zumba type class… one of my favorite pastimes is moving.
When I was thinking about this trip, one of my big questions was how I would stay in shape, especially since I have big plans for my 2016 roller derby season.
Since I’m backpacking, a few things were crossed off the list of possibilities immediately. Things like:
- Dropping into Crossfits (Too Expensive)
- Temporary Gym Memberships (Too Expensive)
- Bringing My Derby Gear (Entire Extra Bag & Nowhere to Skate)
- Carrying Weights/Workout Gear (No Space!)
So, essentially, the first hurdle is what the heck you’re going to do to work out. Luckily, with both my derby and Crossfit background, I have access to a lot of resources for “off-skates training” and “Travel WODs” [WOD = Workout of the Day in Crossfit-Speak]. Before I left, I downloaded a library of workouts to have at my disposal that ONLY included bodyweight movements OR the one piece of equipment I brought with me – my jumprope.
I brought my jumprope for two main reasons. The first is that it’s easily the smallest piece of equipment I have, and the second is that I HATE cardio…. But the jumprope would force cardio on me. Le sigh.
If you’re curious about some of the workout resources I used, check these out:
Handsome’s 41 Day Apocalyptic Badasss Derby Workout
Soooooooo now that I have workouts, it should be easy, right?
OH, SO WRONG
The first couple of weeks on my trip I didn’t work out at ALL except for the occasional planking session before bed. If I’m being totally honest, I was kind of shy about working out in my shared dorm, which is totally silly but it’s the truth. However, once I got settled in my overland tour with Acacia, I started working out every other day… and eventually two of my tour friends worked out WITH me, which was awesome (props to Jane and Kris for being my workout buddies!). Having friends to encourage me to work out was a *huge* plus, so I was really thankful to the two of them.
Once Acacia ended, working out became INSANELY easy because I was staying with Kristen and she and I did Crossfit workouts in her home gym and she kicked my BUTT. I seriously missed working out with that girl. <3
Leaving Congo, I was really psyched about working out, but I was on my own for *real* for the first time in quite a while, so I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. My Sister Michelle came to my rescue – we created an accountability gdoc that we share, and we input our workouts on a calendar so we can see what the other is doing. The purpose is just to have a “gym buddy” even though we’re far apart. It actually is *really* working for me, and I’ve been plugging away at the 41 day derby workout while also peppering in some of my own things, like yoga with an instructor who is staying at the same Airbnb as me, beach hikes, ocean swims, and jumping rope. I actually had an awesome hotel manager/owner in Stone Town who let me work out in the hallway so I could jump rope inside, since the street was uneven. I taped a round of that workout because it was so epic, so I figured I’d share it here…
What I’ve found most difficult of all is really just finding your motivation, especially in hot places. I have NO desire to do 100 squats and 5 minutes of planks at 10pm in Zanzibar when I come home from a day in the heat… but I do it. I’ve got serious goals and plans and if I want to achieve them, I have to work. Frankly, if I feel like skipping my workout, I actually talk to myself (yes, out loud, I know I’m a freak!), and remind myself what my goals are and what I believe I need to do to achieve them, and 9/10 times it’s enough of a kick in the butt (or Teeth, if I’ve been talking to Keeks!) to get me working.
The primary couple of weeks on my trek I didn’t work out at ALL aside from the infrequent planking session before bed. In case I’m by and large absolutely legit, I was somewhat modest about working out in my mutual dormitory, which is absolutely senseless yet it’s reality. Be that as it may, once I got settled in my overland visit with Acacia, I began working out each other day… and in the end two of my visit companions worked out WITH me, which was wonderful (props to Jane and Kris for being my workout pals!). Having companions to urge me to work out was a *huge* in addition, so I was truly appreciative to both of them.
Indeed your best friend when you want to travel and be fit is a jumping rope. Thanks for sharing this idea to everyone. It is really a great help.
Traveling is such a great passion which offer all to have a tremendous time.
“Great” The principal couple of weeks on my trek I didn’t work out at ALL aside from the infrequent planking session before bed. In case I’m by and large absolutely fair, I was somewhat timid about working out in my common residence, which is absolutely senseless yet it’s reality. Notwithstanding, once I got settled in my overland visit with Acacia, I began working out each other day… and inevitably two of my visit companions worked out WITH me, which was marvelous (props to Jane and Kris for being my workout mates!). Having companions to urge me to work out was a *huge* in addition, so I was truly grateful to both of them.