As a musician, there’s nothing quite like hitting the road and sharing your music with new faces and places. Recent surveys also reveal that the live music industry is booming, with the top 100 tours alone raking in almost $6 billion in global gross revenue. Over half of all surveyed consumers also shared that they anticipated going to a live music performance in the next year.
That being said, whether you’re on tour or taking up a residency, being a traveling musician often means it’s hard to pin down a routine. This usually means that while your music is a top priority, your health takes the backseat, with balanced meals, regular exercise, and enough sleep being overlooked. While you may think this is helping you make the most of your gigs today, this approach can easily snowball into unhealthy weight gain. If you become overweight or obese, this puts you at risk of several complications, many of which can impair your ability to continue traveling for music. To prevent this, here are some simple but effective tips on how to manage your weight as a traveling musician.
#1 – Join a virtual clinic
Staying on top of your nutrition amid a chaotic schedule may seem like an unnecessary hassle for a busy artist. Often, it’s much easier just to order in or dine out, even if this means turning to overly processed foods. But eating a balanced diet doesn’t have to be hard if you have professional help to guide you. For example, you can join an online weight loss clinic. Held 100% online, these clinics are led by weight management-certified doctors who can tailor an easy-to-follow program for you. This will account not just for your weight and fitness goals but also your current lifestyle. For a traveling musician, this can mean a customized meal plan that considers your daily energy output and your limited culinary options. Since such a clinic is accessible via an app, all you need is an internet connection on any device to attend your 1:1 doctor check-ins or request program adjustments from your dedicated care team.
Try online workout classes
Whether it’s because your schedule is too tight or your temporary abode is too far-flung, it’s easy to put off working out. This can cause a more sedentary lifestyle that triggers weight gain. However, as a musician who regularly puts pressure on your body, exercise is not just for looks but also for safety. According to personal fitness trainers, musicians are at risk of developing injuries due to the nature of their performances. This includes repetitive motion sprains, muscular exhaustion, and the like. As such, you need to build up your strength and stamina so that you’re not depleting and abusing your body after hours of expelling energy. This also keeps your metabolism higher, so you’re less likely to store fat. Since going to a regular gym may be too hard, try online workout classes instead. These are usually available either for free on streaming platforms or on-demand through private channels. Either way, you can access various types of workouts to suit your needs from anywhere you are.
Make time for sleep
Being out and about is definitely exciting, so it’s natural to feel like you don’t want to slow down. That said, if you continue to push yourself without rest, your stress levels will increase. Evidence suggests that chronically high-stress levels can disrupt the metabolism and cause weight gain. Stress can also leave you mentally and physically burnt out. So that your musical travels remain positive, don’t hesitate to carve out time for sleep. Naps, even if you call them power naps, can only take you so far, especially if you’re performing on stage. For optimal physical and mental health, try to get between eight to nine hours of sleep nightly. Earlier bedtimes are ideal, but if your sets won’t permit it, then try to make up for it the next day by sleeping in. Giving yourself time to sleep will help prevent insomnia or crankiness that can impact your weight, experience, and performance.