How to keep losing weight on long flights?

happyseal23
happyseal23 Posts: 12
edited January 23 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everyone,

I've just started working out for a week, and I'm at the very beginning of the 30DS and C25K. I've got a conference trip coming up and, being the typical grad student who's broke, I'll be taking 20-hour long flights. I was wondering if anybody had any tips about how to keep the weight loss plan going on long flights, since I've read a lot about how sitting for long hours is a major setback. I'm worried that my previous efforts will be lost after these flights :(

Thanks very much in advance to any one who replies! :)

Replies

  • MissJanet55
    MissJanet55 Posts: 457 Member
    I think what you eat will have a bigger impact than missing a couple of active days. If you have any stopovers, walk around the airport, and pack healthy food for your flight - I pack almonds, carrots, and fruit. You'll be fine, enjoy your trip!
  • vorgas
    vorgas Posts: 741 Member
    Sitting for 20 hours isn't healthy for anybody :) Just get up and move around the cabin. Go stand by the lavatory and do some squats and light stretching.

    You aren't going to lose previous efforts in a day or two. Your body doesn't work that way. In fact, a rest day may be beneficial.

    Scale back your diet a little. Plan ahead with healthy, filling snacks instead of relying on the airplane food. You'll be fine!
  • socioseguro
    socioseguro Posts: 1,679 Member
    I used to take long flights (13 hours or more) to Africa and Asia.

    First of all , make sure you can sleep your standard sleep period ( whatever it works for you today)

    Second, while you are awake and cruising altitude, you can stand up and walk a little. I would go to the galley area (near the bathrooms) and try to stretch.

    Third. I will bring my own food at least for the first meal, some portable fruit (apples, pears, etc) and in case of desperation protein bars. The latter will also come handy if you have a stop in the middle and you are stuck in the airport with only "junk" options.

    Safe travel
  • MrGonzo05
    MrGonzo05 Posts: 1,120 Member
    Carry healthy snacks, and be careful what you eat at the airport or on the plane. Avoid eating out of boredom or stress. Don't take candy from strangers.

    Bring something to keep your mind occupied.

    Walk briskly around the airport as much as possible. You aren't going to burn many calories at all on the plane, even if you stand up and walk when possible. It's just too cramped to move much.
  • sunnyside1213
    sunnyside1213 Posts: 1,205 Member
    Take healthy food with you. I always carry nuts, fruit, carrot sticks, string cheese with me on flights. Bring an empty water bottle and fill it after security. Good luck.
  • happyseal23
    happyseal23 Posts: 12
    Thank you all for these wonderful tips! I didn't even know that carrying fruit through customs was allowed, lol! I'll definitely pack some healthy snacks and get out of my seat whenever I can. And there's a good 5 hour stopover so I'll make best use of that to walk around. Thanks again, you people are great! :flowerforyou:
  • majasmi
    majasmi Posts: 133 Member
    as mentioned above pack some healthy snacks to stop the binging at coffee shops or small snack stall thingies at the airport. and when on the plane walk around and do squats or pushups or even do a light jog on the spot. no one will care (unless you plan to do some power jumps or sprint down the aisle or something :P but it should be alright.)
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
    At the risk of being overly cautious I would avoid doing anything out of the ordinary during a flight like squats or push-ups in the cabin. With the paranoia about terrorism you don't want to do stuff that will make you stick out or look weird lol just watch your intake and Sri k lots of water.
  • socioseguro
    socioseguro Posts: 1,679 Member
    Thank you all for these wonderful tips! I didn't even know that carrying fruit through customs was allowed, lol! I'll definitely pack some healthy snacks and get out of my seat whenever I can. And there's a good 5 hour stopover so I'll make best use of that to walk around. Thanks again, you people are great! :flowerforyou:


    Just a clarification.

    The suggestions for fruit and food are for the flight portion of your trip (while on the plane). Some countries (like the US) will not allow you to enter with foods from other country, in particular if it includes meats like pork. Sometimes even fruits are not allowed , it depends on the country customs regulations.
    If you take fruit with you for the hours at the plane and consume them, you will be OK.

    Safe travel
  • timeasterday
    timeasterday Posts: 1,368 Member
    Keep yourself hydrated. Your body will retain water on long flights in the dry cabin air and you also run the risk of DVT. I know water in the shops past security is expensive, but for me it's worth it. For a flight to Asia I always bring at least 4 liters of water. I usually don't have any carry-on space for empty bottles so the high price of bottled water is just another trip expense I budget for. Some airlines will gladly refill your empty bottle but I got sick after drinking non-bottled water from their onboard system once. Never again!

    .
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