Thursday, May 1, 2008

Staring another road trip in the face...

Since I started trying to lose weight about a year and a half ago, I've noticed there are times it's really hard to stick to my healthy eating plan.

Holidays are tough. Birthdays are difficult. Weekends...some of them I've managed far better than others. But handling these has gotten easier and easier as I've moved forward.

Business trips, however, continue challenging me.

I don't know what it is...being away from home? A complete disruption of my routine? Is it all the eating out?

Do I kind of associate a work trip with a vacation? (I admit--I am far less judicious about my eating while I'm on vacation. In the past year, I've been fortunate to go to places like Hawaii and Paris. I'm not going to deny myself real mai tais or authentic pain au chocolats in places like those!)

Whatever it is--I start my work trips with the best of intentions. Last week's trip started with dinner at Longhorn...not so bad, I ordered grilled chicken with steamed veggies and rice. Lunch at Chick-Fil-A wasn't so bad either--grilled chicken sandwiches. But by my last night on the road, the idea of another grilled chicken breast made me want to pull my hair out.

So what did I order at our last dinner out?

A cheeseburger.

(Before you bring out your diet tar and feathers, I'll say I gave all my french fries to a coworker, cut the giant burger in half and only ate half of it.)

Overall--this last trip was an improvement over some of my past ones, but as I sit here, knowing that on Tuesday I'll be on the road again, I'm nervous. I don't want to give up one of my workouts with Ms. A. I don't want to want to eat the unhealthy food they have on-site. I don't want to squeeze workouts into whatever free time--if any--I have.

The good news is that this is the last business trip I'll be dealing with until October. And I've switched to a hotel that has a little mini-kitchen so I can at least have some healthy snacks and my own breakfast on hand (instead of the waffles and biscuits they'll be serving downstairs!)

It's not going to be the diet disaster other trips have been, but, I really can't wait until I'm home again and back to my routine--this time for a nice extended period of time.

Seriously--I haven't spent two straight weeks at home in...err, almost two months!

10 comments:

Lora said...

Can you make sure you hi the hotel gym for half hour each day?

And don't beat yourself up over a half of cheeseburger! I'd have eaten the whole thing and kept the fries so you did good girl!

Alli said...

I used to travel alot with my last job and faced the same problems. There are only so many salads and grilled chicken breasts you can handle no matter who is cooking them. Hang in there, I know you can make the good choices and when you do you will strengthen that confidence in yourself to do that regularly. Best of luck!!

Grumpy Chair said...

I think you did pretty good food wise. I too would have eaten the whole cheeeburger and fries...and washed it down with a chocolate shake.

I don't know if you like fish, but if you do, you could switch to grilled salmon.

Heather said...

I think you did great, you dont give yourself enough credit. I have half a cheeseburger once a month and enjoy it. rather than feeling guilty, you should enjoy it too. but I know what you mean..we all assocaite certain events with food. weekends are always hard for me. I usually go out to eat and there is usually alcohol involved. Its hard to focus on your goals when you are in these situations. however I thikn you made some great choices. I know you will only continue to improve on making a business trip no different than another evening at home.

Anonymous said...

It's rough to go out and eat salad when there's so much more out there. Sometimes I think it's just the comfort of food when you're away from home.

I don't travel for business anymore, but now when I do travel (usually family vacations) I don't keep a bag of chips and a cooler of soda in the car anymore. It's a whole different thing with water and granola bars (low calorie granola bars, not those chocolate covered candy granola bars!)

There are times I'm bored with my menu at home, and really have to shake things up a little. I can't imagine what it's like to be on the road all the time!

Christa said...

There are days that if I have to eat another bite of chicken breast or salad, I feel like I'm going to kill someone or something--like a cow :) We're there with you. I just have to keep telling myself that this is a journey, not a race.

Anonymous said...

Half a cheeseburger isn't all that bad considering you made really good choices with all of your other meals. I do agree though, when you're out and about it's easy to slip back into those old habits or just not be as choosy as you should be. Sometimes popping into a grocery store and grabbing something fresh is a better choice than any restaurant in the hood. Maybe you can try that next time? I know chicken gets soooo old!

Unknown said...

You doing okay these days? I haven't seen you blog in a while!

dancer-in-me said...

I am de-lurking to ask where are you!! I enjoy reading your blog!

Princess Dieter aka Mir said...

Miss ya. CHECK IN!!!!

The Princess