Why is it that leaving home strains your fitness resolve to the breaking point?

Travel -- for business or pleasure -- can fit seamlessly with your fitness goals without bursting your suitcase.

"Remember to pack walking shoes, a swimsuit, exercise equipment and loose, comfortable clothing," suggests an article on SparkPeople.com. "It’s worth the time it takes to plan ahead for a healthy trip, but be realistic. You probably won’t lose weight."

The article suggests tactics for road warriors, airport layovers and hotel stays.

Easy Exercise

For instance, on a road trip, add in three 10-minute walks at state parks or even rest stops and you'll quickly meet a 30-minute exercise goal for the day and stretch your legs, too.

Stuck on an interminable layover? AirportGyms.com lists in-terminal workout spots. But you can get a pretty good workout just lugging your carryon through the miles of terminal hallways.

"Walk around the airport 'til boarding time. Walk rather than using moving sidewalks. Walk to the airport gate or parking lot instead of using a shuttle," Neal Spruce writes on Apex Fitness. "For a 175 pound person, every 10 minutes of normal walking or pacing while doing something equates to burning approximately 20 to 30 more calories than if you sat down doing the same activity."

Bill Tulin, who wrote the book "Travel Fitness" along with Rebecca Johnson, said planning is one of your best tools to stay in shape on the road. And he points out why you'd want to try.

"For every day you take off, it takes two to make up (in the gym). It doesn't take long for your body to fall out of shape," Tulin said. "Don't lose all the effort you put in at home by going out on the road and getting lazy or eating dessert every night."

Tulin, who travels the world for his job, said he always researches his next city's weather forecast and packs running clothes accordingly.

He said you don't have to get your full home workout in to make it worth your while.

"For people who are fit, the important thing to do is to try to maintain at least one-third of your normal workout at regular intensity. So if you do 8-minute miles for an hour, do an 8-minute mile for 20 minutes," Tulin said.

He's also an avid swimmer, so before he ever books a hotel, he calls ahead to find out whether it has a pool and whether it allows and accommodates lap swimming. Then he asks for a description of the gym facilities.

Your hotel doesn't have a gym? Find one close on HealthClubDirectory.com.

If There's No Gym

If there's no workout room, a resistance band and some small weights can turn your hotel room into a gym. There are all kinds of guides and online videos to help you with ideas. For instance, exercise physiologist Manny Castro demonstrates an abdominal exercise you can do in any hotel room.

Web Sites Serve Specialty Workouts

Once you're checked in, check out Active.com, which lists competitions and activities with reviews and training tips for cities across the country.

Many cities have places to rent bicycles. Bikely.com allows you to find rides and get advice from other bikers -- as well as leave your own wisdom.

A pair of handy sites help you find your own adventure. Trails.com promises 43,000 trail maps and descriptions for hiking, biking and backpacking. National Geographic's Topo.com promises maps for more than a million miles of trails.

GolfCoursedOnline.com helps golfers find tee times, maps, links and photos to popular destinations as well as public golf courses.

"There is no excuse for not finding places to exercise when every city has a great staircase, stadium or tall buildings where you can master the stairs without a machine," according to the American Council on Exercise. "If stairs aren't your thing, cities have lots of places good for walking, running or even hiking. Ask the hotel concierge."