Hotel Healthy

on June 2, 2010
in All Posts

I have a sneaking suspicion we’re staying in one of those hotels with a fancy lobby…

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… And beautiful views…

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But underneath all the glam, it’s more motel than hotel.   I had high hopes for The Blake Hotel, but so far it’s been a little bit of a disappointment.  At least the bed was comfy!

 

Case in point:  Lame gym.  They didn’t even have a treadmill!

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To make the most of my hotel workout, I did an interval session on the elliptical.  Maximum workout in minimal time!

 

Here’s what I did:

 

  • Warm up at Level 1 for 2 minutes
  • Interval 1:  Level 6 at 60 RPM for 2 minutes
  • Interval 2: Level 8 at 60 RPM for 2 minutes
  • Interval 3: Level 4 at 70 RPM for 2 minutes
  • Repeat for 25 minutes

 

I  love interval workouts because it really helps me to stay mentally occupied.  I really hate working out indoors to begin with, so having a purpose makes it easier!

 

I wanted to lift some weights after my cardio sesh, but there were only 30 pounders?!  Strange.

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Instead, I laid down a towel and did:

 

  • 100 bicycle crunches (side note: if you keep your knee directly over your hip during the crunch and don’t allow it to come closer to your chest, this move is much more effective)
  • 30 girlie pushups

 

Hotel breakfast was sub-par, too.  🙁

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I had mushy fruit, Raisin Bran with milk, and a blueberry muffin.  Bah.  A breakfast like this will never hold me over until lunch!  The Husband (with his new vegan ways) was in a terrible position at the breakfast bar and ended up eating a dry bagel.  🙁

 

Ah well… at least I tried to be hotel healthy!  :)  I find that maintaining at least a semi-normal workout schedule on a longer vacation is so important to my mental well-being.  It helps keep me sane!

 

And…. we’re off!  Hopefully we’ll find a nice place to live in!  And we’re having dinner with Kath and Matt!

{ 73 comments }

 

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg June 2, 2010, 8:24 am

    Awww, I hate it when a hotel looks nice, but underneath it all it’s kind of a dump! Boo!

    Have fun with Kath and Matt!!!

  • Amy B (Second City Randomness) June 2, 2010, 8:24 am

    I feel that I’m often more disappointed by hotel breakfasts than satisfied… day-old bagels usually don’t cut it for me, either.

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman June 2, 2010, 8:26 am

    I have yet to stay in a hotel with a decent gym. Not only are they super tiny, but most of the time the machines are so old they’re barely functional. Even nice hotels have craptastic gyms.

    I also hate that fruit at a breakfast buffet almost always means cantaloupe and honeydew. I know they’re cheap, but come on. The only two fruits I hate.

  • Jessica @ How Sweet June 2, 2010, 8:26 am

    I also am usually disappointed by hotel breakfasts – lots of bread products and yucky, old fruit.

  • Morgan @ Life After Bagels June 2, 2010, 8:28 am

    The hotel I was staying at in Japan last week charged approx $25 a day for their gym. I have never heard of this, needless to say I didn’t not foot that bill and I made due with an outdoor workout at the park across the street.

  • Lisa June 2, 2010, 8:29 am

    We find that when we’re on the road, the breakfast options are often sub-par, and I eat foods that I normally wouldn’t buy, like flavored and sweetened yogurt, or hard boiled eggs that taste like they’re out of a package. Sometimes I pack supplemental foods and snacks (nuts or nut butter), or I’ll make sure to eat more balanced foods later in the day. Traveling is certainly never the same as home, but that’s part of the adventure.

  • Rachel (Suburban Yogini) June 2, 2010, 8:30 am

    I have awful trouble at hotel breakfast bars. On the whole though if you tell them you’re vegan when you book they get some soy milk for you at least. In fact these days I find that if I ask most hotels do have soy milk if you ask so at least you can have some cereal.

    although I do pack a small carton of long life soy milk for occassions such as this!!!

  • Carolyn @ lovinlosing June 2, 2010, 8:31 am

    I’ve only stayed on one hotel with a nice gym: The Doubletree in San Diego (don’t know which one).

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday June 2, 2010, 8:34 am

    Never count on a hotel for a good breakfast, or a good gym (if the gym is free to use).
    I pack my own breakfasts when I can and go for runs in the morning (it’s a great way to see the city too!)

  • Wei-Wei June 2, 2010, 8:39 am

    Man, that gym is seriously so tiny! And not even a treadmill? Jeesh. At least you got yourself a decent workout, and that’s what matters! On vacation I usually try to do a lot of walking and I count that as my workout. 🙂

    Have a great day! 😀

    Wei-Wei

  • Lauren (Clean Eats in the Dirty South) June 2, 2010, 8:39 am

    That looks really disappointing. What century are those gym machines from, anyway?!

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite June 2, 2010, 8:48 am

    Bummer about the hotel. At least you have a fun dinner to look forward too 🙂

  • Cassie @ A Very Busy Mind June 2, 2010, 8:50 am

    What kind of workout facility has no treadmill and ONE set of weights?! Ha. Pretty sad.

    Didn’t know that about bicycle crunches…great, I already thought they were hard!

  • Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) June 2, 2010, 8:50 am

    Welcome to Charlotte! You are in my old neighborhood! My hubbs and I actually still own a house in Chantilly, but we are renting it out now because we moved up to Lake Norman. I got so excited when I saw your blog (found through Kath’s) and saw you in my old neighborhood. Forget breakfast at Blake and eat at Zada Janes in Plaza Midwood (right across the street from Dish). It’s A-MA-ZING! Welcome to the Queen City! 🙂

    • caitlin June 2, 2010, 5:12 pm

      Do you already have someone living in it? 🙂

      • Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) June 2, 2010, 6:37 pm

        Yes, otherwise I’d give you a great deal 🙂 They have a contract through October. But I think there are a good number for rent. It’s a great neighborhood though!

  • Amy @ForDGRedial June 2, 2010, 8:53 am

    Must admit my fail safe vegan breakfast is something like a soya misto and a banana. Just wondered whether you are considering going slightly more vegan? I felt so much better after giving up milk (I have an intolerance)…trying to stay of meat/fish/eggs too but sometimes it is hard to be totally vegan when eating out.

    x

    • Amy @ForDGRedial June 2, 2010, 8:53 am

      stay off not of! Grrr typing quickly whilst also eating my lunch at my desk lol

    • caitlin June 2, 2010, 5:12 pm

      naw not really… its too limiting for me although i do try to keep dairy to a minimum.

  • Lauren June 2, 2010, 8:53 am

    That hotel is a dump underneath. They have tried to revamp it over the past year or so and always advertize it as a boutique hotel, but it sucks!

  • Robyn @ Frugal 'n' Fit! June 2, 2010, 8:55 am

    I always get so excited about hotel breakfasts (FREE!) but am usually disappointed. You’d think they’d have some more protein options? Sheesh. Get thee to a Starbucks, stat!

  • Faith @ LovelyAsCharged June 2, 2010, 8:58 am

    Dang, not even a treadmill! That’s crazy!
    Good luck in the house hunting. Central Florida’s going to miss you!

  • Astrid June 2, 2010, 8:59 am

    I just stayed at a hotel that had a very nice gym and breakfast!! The gym had cardio machins with individual tv’s, exercise balls, lots of weights, even kettle balls. The breakfast included eggs cooked to order lots of whole fresh fruit like apples, bananas, and oranges, bagels, yogurt, lots of great stuff for a hotel. It was an Embassy Suites. They are never that pricey, but always a great deal because they include breakfast. I am the same way with exercising while on vacation. It’s the way I like to start my day. I find that I am much more sane and cooperative and upbeat for the rest of the day!

  • Anon June 2, 2010, 9:01 am

    Modified pushups, not girly! :laughs:

  • Lindsay @ The Ketchup Diaries June 2, 2010, 9:03 am

    There is NOTHING worse than bad hotel gyms. HATE 👿 I love that you are looking for a walking community. I think that’s so cool.

  • Lindsay @ Summit Sandwiches June 2, 2010, 9:05 am

    Ugh. I hate it when the continental breakfast selection is disappointing (and it often is…). Maybe you can head to a nearby grocery store to stock up on some selections for a make-your-own breakfast affair? Maybe you could grab some whole wheat bread, PB, and bananas? At the very least, that combo of healthy carbs + fat would should hold you over way longer than some mushy fruit and a muffin.

  • Sheri June 2, 2010, 9:07 am

    I just hate it when hotel gyms suck! That is really weird that there is only 30 pound weights?? Good Luck with the house hunting today! 🙂

  • Ilana June 2, 2010, 9:11 am

    So lame! But I love how you make the best of it. Inspiring 🙂

  • kalli@fitandfortysomething June 2, 2010, 9:13 am

    don’t you hate when a hotel makes yourthtink it is gonna be great it is not? good luck today-so many exciting things for you!

  • MelissaNibbles June 2, 2010, 9:21 am

    Sorry about the stinky hotel options. I always bring oatmeal and pb just in case the breakfast is subpar.
    I hope you’re able to make up for it at lunch 🙂

  • Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly June 2, 2010, 9:28 am

    Bummer about the hotel!!!

  • Jen June 2, 2010, 9:31 am

    I hope you didn’t have to pay to use that pathetic gym. Thumbs down for the gross breakfast, too!

  • Stacy (StacyGrowsHealthy) June 2, 2010, 9:31 am

    Working out while on vacation makes all the difference in the world to me as well. It looks like you made good choices with what the hotel offered.

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) June 2, 2010, 9:35 am

    The elliptical is one of my favorite peices of gym equipment…I’m always sweating bullets by the end! 😀

  • Lauren June 2, 2010, 9:38 am

    If you’re interested in Southpark area, I’m selling an awesome condo! May also be willing to rent it. http://www.allentate.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?pageid=11&pagealias=ListingDetail&ListingID=1794439&Region=&ListingPosition=12&From=QuickSearch

    You can also get a guest pass to the Childress Klein or Dowd YMCAs which are right by your hotel and have everything you could ask for!

    • caitlin June 2, 2010, 5:17 pm

      heheh i would love to take you up on that but i don’t want to live on the 3rd floor… 🙁

  • Brittney June 2, 2010, 9:39 am

    Haha! That’s the same hotel my hubby and I stayed at on our first house hunting trip to CLT a couple years ago! I feel ya- the lobby is deceiving, looks all modern and cool, but the rooms were not that impressive. It’s in a good location to walk around uptown though.

  • Becca June 2, 2010, 9:53 am

    No treadmill? Not even one?! That’s unreal. Good luck house hunting!

  • Erin June 2, 2010, 10:00 am

    I always like having muffins when staying at a hotel. I never eat them at home unless I’m baking.

  • McKella June 2, 2010, 10:06 am

    Yuck, I hope that hotel was cheap! That’s a great tip for the bicycle crunches. I’ll have to try that!

  • Mindy @ just a one girl revolution. June 2, 2010, 10:06 am

    Good luck with everything on your trip! Major bummer the hotel is kind of lame!! Do your best!!!

  • Nichole June 2, 2010, 10:13 am

    Looks like you’re having a blast. There is something about hotel gyms, they are always in the basement forcing you to ride all the way up post-workout looking like a hot mess.

    Hope you have a great trip:)

  • jenny in new york June 2, 2010, 10:15 am

    That gym equipment is literally from 1990 haha. That’s so frustrating when you pay for a hotel and it’s not really as advertised. Darn!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) June 2, 2010, 10:22 am

    oh, i hate it when that happens…i mean, if a hotel is going to invest in looking good they should back it up with proper amenities! it sounds like you’re making the best of it though 🙂

  • Nicole, RD June 2, 2010, 10:28 am

    Only 30# weights!? And no treadmill!? Boo! Happy house hunting!

  • Heather (runningwithsass.com) June 2, 2010, 10:29 am

    I cracked up when I saw the weight rck with ONE set of weights, lol! sorry the gym was so crappy! is there a suggestion box somewhere?

  • Marci June 2, 2010, 10:37 am

    I call canteloupe and honeydew on breakfast bars “filler fruit.” It is boring. I am neurotic about cereal and always travel with Fiber One and mix it with something found at a hotel, like Raisin Bran or Special K.

    I feel like we’re watching the blog version of House Hunters! Just say Choice A, now onto B and C. Which will they choose?

  • Mary June 2, 2010, 10:40 am

    epic fail to the hotel gym 🙁 Its so hard to stay healthy like that when you’re vacationing. I agree with you though, a good workout while I’m away from my normal routine definitely keeps me sane 🙂

  • Claire June 2, 2010, 10:41 am

    That happened to me in Philly a few weeks ago, what a bummer when a hotel is nice with poor gym facilities…

    The dinner with kath and matt should be so fun!

  • Kati June 2, 2010, 10:44 am

    That hotel gym looks like the one at my old apartment. Although we did a treadmill, the room was the size of a shoe box and they only had one 30lb weight and one 40lb weight (very odd). Looks like you made it work though…good luck house hunting!

  • Julia @ www.britbride.com June 2, 2010, 10:50 am

    This is why I hate travelling for work- hotels aren’t always better than home!

    Julia
    http://www.britbride.com

  • Helen June 2, 2010, 10:51 am

    Oh the gym looks like a box room. How disappointing. And I wonder what happened to the other weights?! I agree that it’s god to maintain a bit of normality by fitting in a workout. You did so well to adapt to your surroundings!

  • Ellen Collis June 2, 2010, 10:55 am

    Wow, that hotel gym is quite sad. Lately I’ve been doing lots of squat jumps and burpees when I need to sneak in a quick, effective workout. They really get your heart rate up and you can do them pretty much anywhere!

    http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/

  • Sarah for Real June 2, 2010, 11:05 am

    I think our American hotels need to take a BIG tip from European hotels for their breakfasts. I think the free breakfast at all the European hotels I’ve been to (even several dives!) were about 1000x better than the fanciest US hotel. Why do we suck at breakfast!?

    • caitlin June 2, 2010, 5:18 pm

      we suck at a lot of things food-related! 🙂

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople June 2, 2010, 11:06 am

    Bummer that the breakfast was so lame. I have stayed at a few hotels that are great in so many respects, only to crap up the breakfast and “state-of-the-art” hotel gym.

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) June 2, 2010, 11:11 am

    Aww, boo at them not having a treadmill! That really is a pretty shabby workout room. At least you made the best of it!

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs June 2, 2010, 11:11 am

    Hahah, I’m so glad you said girlie pushups – if you did 50 real ones, I seriously wouldn’t believe you were human 😛

  • Tina June 2, 2010, 11:18 am

    What a bummer. I hate when accommodations don’t turn out like expected. At least you are making the best of things though and still enjoying yourself.

    And from the last post – a Blizzard is a perfect sub for a Georgia peach. It looked GOOD!

  • Camille June 2, 2010, 11:20 am

    Bummer 🙁
    It looks gorgeous though!

  • Jessica @ Jessica Balances June 2, 2010, 11:20 am

    After the first two pictures, I thought you were staying in an awesome hotel! But then I saw the workout room and your breakfast… :/ at least you did what you could!

  • Diana @ frontyardfoodie June 2, 2010, 11:23 am

    Lame gym! That’s the best they could do? I think not.

    Looks like you’re making do well enough though. Sorry for your hubby’s bad breakfast.

  • Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter June 2, 2010, 11:53 am

    Wow, the hotel definitely is deceiving. Looks like they didn’t figure out everything when they made the hotel.

  • Kelly June 2, 2010, 12:05 pm

    Bummer you would think they would have much better amenities. Something is better than nothing though!

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit June 2, 2010, 12:15 pm

    Bummer about the hotel, but it sounds like you’ve got some fun to look forward to!

  • Lisa June 2, 2010, 12:16 pm

    What a bummer. They call that a gym??

  • Catherine June 2, 2010, 12:51 pm

    I totally hate when that happens, especially because I need to do some sort of exercise of vaca or I go crazy. The food is annoying too – that’s whY i travel with bars, fruit & applesauce on the go packets (they’re squeezable and have caps so you don’t have to eat the whole thing if you don’t want)

  • gina (fitnessista) June 2, 2010, 1:26 pm

    happy house hunting!
    xoxo

  • Tracey June 2, 2010, 1:44 pm

    Seriously, a hotel gym without a treadmill. I would think that would be a standard equipment.

    Good luck with the house hunting!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) June 2, 2010, 2:12 pm

    I hate those kind of hotels. I stayed at one for business and ended up having to go to Starbucks everyday for breakfast because they had no options I could eat even though I let them know ahead of time my food restrictions.

    I’m sorry but a dry bagel will not hold me over.

  • Natalie June 2, 2010, 4:28 pm

    Yes! I’ve stayed there before! The pool area is beautiful too, but the rooms and service are lame. I’m not sure but if I remember correctly you have access to a bigger gym across the street. You might want to look into that! 😀

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) June 2, 2010, 7:47 pm

    Sorry about the crappy breakfast … that sucks!

  • Emily June 3, 2010, 12:41 pm

    Seriously, a hotel gym without a treadmill. I would think that would be a standard equipment.

    Good luck with the house hunting!

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