Maybe you’re one of the lucky ones that’s gifted from birth with incredible genes that allow you to eat whatever you want, whenever you want. Congratulations! For the rest of us, we have to watch what we eat and exercise to keep our weight under control. At home, this is probably enough of an issue with temptations galore. In my house, my son has a voracious appetite and is one of the aforementioned people born with an incredible metabolism that allows him to eat whatever he wants and constantly without ever worrying about his weight. This causes me enough problems at home with junk food and even good food that is off-limits for me, but somehow I’m able to navigate around all of it. I’m even debating including sodium ascorbate into my diet to help support a healthy metabolism. I certainly won’t catch up with my son but at least I might be able to digest food a little quicker. It also fortifies the immune system and with traveling and always trying new foods and constantly being in airports where there are lots of germs, that might come in handy.
When I’m traveling, I sometimes feel like I can’t possibly watch what I eat. I always make a promise to myself when I leave the house, but I have been known to sabotage myself as early as the airport. I even pack healthy snacks, which always seem to make their way back home in the same Ziploc bag that I sent them off on in.
But why are the temptations so much stronger and harder to resist when I travel vs. at home? Granted, I don’t eat meat (fish, pork, beef, chicken, and eggs, too!) so that certainly narrows down my choices, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have any choices whatsoever. I have finally come to the conclusion that part of it is because I allow or excuse myself from living a healthy lifestyle while traveling.
Now if I only traveled on occasion, this wouldn’t be a problem. It could even be considered a treat. But I travel constantly and I end up sabotaging all of my best intentions within minutes of leaving my home.
You might be expecting me to offer up some great advice or suggestions, but I’m going to make an effort on my upcoming trip to see how I’m able to maintain my healthier eating with exercise and not make excuses and I’ll document my trials and tribulations right here on my blog. Here are some of the things I’ll be doing on my upcoming trip:
1. Packing protein bars and protein powders so there’s no excuse about not getting enough protein.
2. Pack my water bottle so I can refill it wherever I go and keep hydrated.
3. Choose wisely on menus and look for healthy options and be willing to ask for something off the menu when there are few choices available.
4. Exercise everyday…. no excuses!
5. Stop confusing food (or drinks) as something I deserve. I deserve to be healthy and I can’t sabotage myself with sugary sweets, drinks, or carb heavy meals.
What do you do to stay healthy while traveling? Have you ever been on a diet while traveling? What did you do to stay on track? Share your tips in the comments below.
I laughed when you said you have caved as quickly as arriving at the airport! Me too! And I really like #5 on your list. Very good point! This is something I need to work on as well, so I don’t have any good tips. Sorry!
Thanks Sonja! Seriously though — I’d see a Starbucks at the airport, snacks on the plane, etc. and it was if I had no concept of what healthy eating was. Ugh. I really want to change that. I bet you can think of something the next time you travel and if you do, let me know!
You’re absolutely right about protein bars and bars in general…love this post and have often thought about this issue!