Just curious how some of the guys at the regionals keep up with the weight training routine or diet. Ive heard of people carrying a cooler with food or even the "perfect push up" or "iron gym" for the hotels. Any help with tips or advice would be appreciated.

 

Depends on how serious about it you are. If you want to do serious weight training, in the body-building direction, you are going to need to bid overnights that have real gyms nearby. I know one guy who does this...I tend to plan my workouts based on where I'm going, but if I see this guy on my schedule I plan on serious weights for a few days.

If you just want to stay fit and toned, do most of your weights at home, and focus on cardio and calisthenics on the road. There are a variety of systems such PX90 that people use to good effect. Many hotels have dumbbells up to fifty pounds, which covers a lot, but not all, of my arm stuff.

I keep a spreadsheet of all our hotels, which includes detailed gym info so I can plan accordingly.

As fas as diets...you either have to pack it or keep a list of local stores/eateries which cater to what you want to eat, and bid accordingly.

 

As far as the weight training goes, like has been mentioned, some hotel gyms are OK. Some hotels may have a deal with a local gym, some don't.

I did P90X with good results, and still do some of the workouts when I can't get a good one in the hotel gym, etc. Not as good as a normal gym, but good enough. But when all your overnights are in the 10-11 hour range following 12+ hour duty days and a 3-4 am wake up, it's sometimes a full time job in itself to workout.

I KNOW it's not that healthy, but it's less un-healthy as far as diet goes, but most people seem to NOT realize that most fast food places ALSO have salads on the menu. There's nothing forcing you to get it with the low fat balsamic (etc) instead of the standard high calorie dressing that may come with it.

 

A few things I do:

• P90X
• Water is in. Soft drinks are out.
• No alcohol (lots of calories).
• Get plenty of sleep when you can.
• I get the fish instead of the steak or burger most nights. Sometimes I'll do chicken. I do a steak or burger about once per tour (8 days) now instead of almost every night.

Still, trying to squeeze in a 75-90 minute workout 6 nights a week during my (too often) 10 hours of rest can be difficult. Add to/from the FBO, dinner, breakfast, sleep, pressing the uniform, shower, shaving, maybe watch a little TV to unwind....yeah, it can be difficult to get that workout in. I try to do it first thing in the morning. Kick-starts the metabolism. Then I get showered and all prettied up and go down for a decent breakfast (if it's available).

-mini

 

I too am doing P90X,

I try to bring my snacks with me this stops me from hitting up the vending machine. Most hotels or restaurants will be able to whip something up if you tell them what you need (ask nicely!!) for a meal.

The soft drinks are out for me but i still drink some beer every few days on the road to be social with the other crew, but I made it known to them that for the next 90 days I am working at getting as healthy as I can.

Minitour... How far through are you? Anything in particular that you are training for?

 

A lot of guys do p90x. Typically I look at p90x as a program for guys who need/want to get in shape. It works and works well if you follow it.

If you are looking in serious weight lifting you should already know that p90x is not going to get you where you want to be. I have been furloughed for almost 3 years now and my life has changed. Serious weight training 4 times a week, depending if I am cutting or bulking I am adding 2 days of HIIT on off days.

Anyone who trains knows that it is really 85% diet. This is my challange. I am returning to the 121 world 10 lbs heavier but with 13% lower body fat.

DIET DIET DIET. Its all about what you eat so am going to try Intermittent Fasting when I go back. The warrior diet the one I am going to follow. Eating once (or so) a day might make things much eaiser while flying. If I start bulking again I am not too sure how I am going to roll that one. My last bulk was 3400 calories a day, 250g Protein, 275g carbs, and about 100g fat.

Also I have a feeling enough fluids will be an issue. I normally drink 1 gallon of water a day, but I pee every 30 minutes doing that. Talk about some mad flight attendants on a 5 hour leg.

 

Thanks for the reply BoredwLife. The diet is also one of my concerns. I stay on a pretty clean bulk year around, and only diet at all during the spring/summer. My concern is being able to eat enough on the road aswell getting 4 days of intense weight training in. I guess my off days will determine that.

 

I think the key will be protien powders. I never had a problem taking these through customs.

I used to bring a little cooler bag along with me on my trips but a normal male bulking could maybe fit in 2 days of food with 2 meals each day being powder seperate.

I always found it was hard to really keep the food cold enough. I am a little OCD about keeping things cold. There are is a chance that some of your overnights will not have a fridge in the room. Here is a trick buy one of those "hot water bottles" (google search and click images) make sure the hole is big enough to add ice. Basiclly refill it with ice when you get to your room then again before you leave. Works well for me even if there isn't a fridge.

 

Now lets be reasonable, no alcohol for pilot? really?
Seriously though, like you said,

• Water
• Healthy food choices
• Get at least 8 hours
• exercise of some form regularly

 

Ok, that was another one of my concerns, carrying protein/pre workout powders around. Has anyone else had any problems? Im also going to carry a few resistances bands around for the times i can't get to a gym on the road. Right now Im hoping for enough off days to lift so when im gone im just worried about eating.