Fishing and camping: weekend energy habits

The weekend away deserves a plan

Few things beat a Friday evening trip to the lake with the rods in the truck bed. The weekend goes by fast, though, and a little planning keeps you feeling good from the first cast to the Sunday pack-up.

You do not need a spreadsheet. You need a short checklist covering food, water, movement and rest. Think of it as your camp captain's list, and it fits on the back of a receipt. Write it down on Thursday night and check items off as you load the truck.

Build the plan around the activities you love most. If sunrise fishing is the main event, plan an early, easy breakfast and a thermos of something hot. If it is a family campout, plan games, walks and a big shared dinner.

Build a cooler that works for you

What goes into the cooler shapes the whole trip. Aim for foods that are easy to cook over a fire or a camp stove and that give you a real meal.

• Protein: pre-marinated chicken, sausages, eggs, jerky and, of course, whatever you catch
• Produce: peppers, onions, corn, apples and oranges
• Grains: whole-grain wraps, instant oatmeal and trail mix with nuts
• Snacks: nuts, cheese sticks and fruit

Pre-chop vegetables at home and bag them by meal. Our weekend BBQ and meal prep ideas are easy to adapt for the campsite. Keep drinks in a separate cooler so the food cooler stays closed longer and stays colder.

Freeze a few water bottles ahead of time. They keep the cooler cold on day one and turn into cold drinking water on day two.

Water first, then more water

Long days in the sun and wind call for extra water. Bring a large container for camp and a personal bottle for the boat or trail.

• Fill your bottle before each outing
• Sip steadily rather than waiting for a big drink
• Pack a hat, sunglasses and light layers
• Add lemon or cucumber to keep it interesting

Our hydration habits for active men post has more everyday ideas you can carry from the backyard to the campsite.

Keep moving between casts

Fishing and camping are naturally active if you let them be. Walk the shoreline, hike to a new spot and take a loop around the campground before dinner.

• A morning walk with coffee in hand
• A few bodyweight squats while you wait for a bite
• Stretching by the fire in the evening
• A short hike to a scenic overlook on Sunday

The CDC physical activity basics page has general ideas for staying active, and our backyard walking routine is a great warm-up for trail season.

Sleep like you mean it

Camp nights can run late, but a steady bedtime makes the next morning on the water far better. Set a loose lights-out time, dim the lantern an hour earlier and put away screens.

• Bring a comfortable pad and a pillow from home
• Pack earplugs and an eye mask
• Keep the tent cool and ventilated
• Wrap up the campfire stories at a reasonable hour

Good rest is part of the fun. When you wake up early to a quiet lake, you will be glad you turned in on time.

Visit the MedlinePlus healthy sleep page for general background, and see our evening wind-down routine for ideas you can bring along.

Where Soda Horse Peak fits in

Travel can throw off routines, so keep the simple ones going. If you use Soda Horse Peak honey gummies at home, tuck the bottle into your toiletry bag or breakfast box so it travels with you and stays part of your morning.

As stated by the brand, the product is positioned around everyday energy and vitality for men. The product information we reviewed lists seven nutrients, which you can browse on our ingredients page. Follow the serving directions printed on the label.

Planning ahead for your next trip? See today's price on the order page and choose the pack size that suits you.