Full Time Travel Ruined My Health (How I’m Taking Control In 2025)
Åndalsnes, Norway
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Living full-time on the road—whether RVing across the U.S. or hopping between international destinations—is an adventure lover's dream. But it’s no secret that this lifestyle comes with unique challenges when it comes to staying healthy. As a nurse practitioner and a full-time traveler for the past seven years, I’ve learned how easy it is to let health goals slip. And boy, have mine slipped!
In 2025, I’m taking control of my health! This isn’t about crash diets or quick fixes—it’s about consistency and sustainable changes that I can maintain far into the future. I hope my plan inspires you to prioritize your health, too. Let’s make 2025 the year we focus on wellness.
(Disclaimer: This is my personal journey, not medical advice.)
full time travel ruined my health
When I left my high-stress job to hit the road seven years ago, I naively thought maintaining a healthy lifestyle would be easier. With all the freedom, fresh air, and time, how hard could it be? Well, let me tell you—it’s been much harder than I imagined.
Full-time travel throws a few curveballs that can derail even the best intentions. Things like:
Lack of routine
Long travel days
Airports and gas station snacks
Limited access to gyms
Tempting local cuisines and indulgent treats
I’ve also seen how poor health forces people to abandon their nomadic lifestyles and return to a more stationary life. If I stay on this road (see what I did there?), that could be me. I’d lose the ability to do the adventurous, fun activities that inspired me to become a nomad. Since I’m not ready to plant roots, it’s time to take control of my health before it’s too late.
Eidfjord, Norway
my starting point
Dexa Scan Machine
Before creating my plan, I needed to know exactly where I stood. So, I scheduled a visit with my primary care provider for labs and a blood pressure check. Then, I scheduled a DEXA scan to measure my body composition.
Why not just use a scale? Because it’s misleading. A scale can’t tell the difference between muscle, fat, or water weight. You might gain weight from increased muscle (a good thing) or lose weight due to muscle loss (not good).
A DEXA scan provides a clear picture of your body composition—how much muscle, fat, and bone you have. I had my Dexa at BodySpec for about $50. It was totally worth it.
I was really shocked after my first Dexa. It was so much worse than I expected it to be! This is my wake-up call!
My Results
Weight: 143 lbs
Body Fat: 42.5% (60.9 lbs)
Lean Tissue (muscle): 57.5% (78 lbs)
Visceral Fat: 0.72 lbs
So, really, why does it all matter?
My lean tissue is 57.5%, which is very low. It should be at least 70%. From 50-70, women lose up to 30% of their muscle. Low muscle can lead to:
Poor balance
Falls
Insulin Resistance
Hormone dysfunction
Increased risk of chronic diseases (ie diabetes & cancer)
Increase fatigue
Decrease strength
Loss of independence
This means that my muscle loss is just beginning. If I want to travel for the next 10-20 years and stay independent, I need to preserve my muscles and focus on building more.
My weight is 143 lbs. The scale is not the most important measurement for health, but it is worth noting that I have gained 20 pounds since we became nomads.
My body fat is 42.5%, which is very high. It should be below 35%. For a woman, body fat of 35% or higher increases the risk of illness and disease, including heart disease & diabetes.
My visceral fat is 0.72 lbs. Finally, some good news! Visceral fat sits around the organs and has more associated risk factors. The goal is to be as close to zero as possible. Thankfully, my belly fat is subcutaneous (under the skin), which is associated with fewer health risks.
Positano, Italy
My 2025 Health goals
My primary goal for 2025 will be to build muscle for all the above reasons. Here’s my plan:
Increase Protein Intake: According to research, it is possible to gain lean muscle just by increasing protein intake. My daily goal is 100 grams per day, with a goal of 30 grams per meal and protein shakes.
Strength Training: I am scheduling resistance training 3 times per week. I will be using portable dumbbells and resistance bands most of the time. But if there is a decent gym in our campground or hotel, I will also incorporate those into my workouts.
High Intensity Interval Training: HIIT training once a week for bone health, balance, and more. I will run sprints or do a YouTube video.
Stretching: Regular yoga and stretching videos for flexibility. They make such a huge difference in how I feel.
Running: I would like to run 3 miles continuously without dying. Based on our location, I’ll run 2-3 times a week. I am nursing an injury that has me sidelined, but hopefully, I can work through that and get back in my runners.
Stay Active while having fun
For me, staying active isn’t always about a rigid workout routine—it’s also about enjoying the incredible places I’m lucky to visit. I will gladly ditch a run for one of these fun activities!
Hiking
Pickleball
Kayaking
Eat Smarter (and still enjoy the journey)
Healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing enjoyment—it’s all about being mindful and intentional. I’ll still sample delicious authentic foods as we explore different regions and communities. But I’ll resist the temptation to eat ALL the things.
Eliminate Processed Foods: I will focus on whole foods like lean meats, fruits, veggies, and whole grains instead of processed, boxed, or fast foods.
Eat More at Home: Cooking in the RV or a short-term rental kitchen saves money and allows me to control ingredients and portions. It is the only way to stick to my plan and make real changes.
Food Prep for Travel Days: Long travel days always lead to unhealthy choices if I’m unprepared. I plan to prepare something the day before, even if it’s just leftovers. Airports are also hard for me to navigate. So, I need bring healthy snacks for those long flights.
Reduce/Eliminate Alcohol: Although I have just started elevating my bartending skills, I am cutting back on booze to manage calories, sugar intake, and impulsive snacking. I’ll save it for special occasions.
Water: Increase my water intake to 75 ounces per day. The goal is half my body weight in ounces.
Creatine: That’s right! I am adding creatine to my diet. It is not just for gym rats anymore! It can help increase strength and muscle in women; it’s good for brain health and possibly even mood.
Lembert Dome Hike, Yosemite National Park
Gut Health
With all the research on the importance of gut health, I'm going to focus on taking care of my gut microbiome. Eating certain foods can help the good bacteria thrive and kick out the bad bacteria. The more diverse your diet is, the healthier your gut microbiome will be. My goal is to eat 30 different gut-friendly foods each week.
Having a variety of foods doesn't necessarily mean eating large portions. For instance, just a tablespoon of kefir or a few bites of sauerkraut each day can provide you with the benefits of fermented foods.
If you are looking for more information on improving your gut health Zoe (website or Youtube) is a great resource. Examples of food for gut health:
Fermented foods
Veggies
Fruit
Nuts
Spices
Olive Oil
Olives
Beans
Lentils
Vinegars
Newfoundland, Canada
Tracking
When I am reaching for a goal I always do better when I track my progress. Seeing it in black and white keeps me focused and on track.
Food: Chronometer is my current favorite food tracking tool. It is free and allows you to scan barcodes to easily track your food.
Gut Health: I also have a spreadsheet that will let me know how I am doing with my food variety.
Dexa Scan: Hopefully, I can repeat the Dexa scan every 3-4 months to see my progression.
Vero Beach, Florida
A Positive, Additive Approach
Instead of focusing on what I’m giving up, I’m embracing what I’m adding in:
More fun movement with Phil and friends.
More nutrient-rich foods that energize me.
More strength to say yes to any adventure.
When you fill your life with positive habits, the less-healthy ones will be squeezed out and fade away.
Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska
Favorite healthy mentors
While traveling to Normandy and Norway this year, Chris from Iron Irene Fitness motivated me to exercise. Without her challenge, I would have ditched exercise the whole time we were in Europe! Thank you, Chris! If you are looking for guidance, I highly recommend Chris.
Some of my favorite YouTube Channels for exercise & motivation:
Bodie, California
Join me on this journey
Health isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. Whether you’re a fellow nomad or just looking for inspiration to prioritize wellness, I hope my 2025 goals encourage you to take small, meaningful steps to better health. Start with a health assessment, write down your goals, and commit to changes that fit your life.
For me, it’s all about increasing my healthspan—the years I live a healthy, active, disease-free life. What’s your ultimate health goal? Let’s make this year about becoming the healthiest, happiest versions of ourselves.
We’ve got this!
Meet Stacy! Stacy and her husband, Phil, are a wanderlust couple who have been roaming the great USA for an epic 7 years! They ditched the daily grind to embark on thrilling adventures and inspire fellow dreamers to chase their travel dreams. Curious about how they do it? Check out their awesome youtube channel, Today is Someday, where they're spilling all the secrets to living a life on the move. Get ready to pack your bags and join them on this incredible journey.
