Calorie intake when on business trip

Xxlune

Hiya fellow dieters,

I am kind of at a loss when looking at my coming week.
I will have not only a birthday party, where I will be expected to share in the festivities (and party foods) but also I will have a business trip where I will be expected to eat out with colleagues and customers.

How do you guys manage when there are people who expect to see you eating / participating in these social gatherings, and you don't want to come across as 'that person who is dieting'?

I am already the only (young) female in a team of older men, and I feel if I would restrict myself too much during these type of dinners I will be seen as rude / pretentious (I am not overweight. I am dieting to feel better about myself).
A dinner once in a while is usually ok, but when I am not home, I find it hard to find a balance here.

Advice please?

vivmom2014

Don't overthink it. You don't have to make major adjustments. Have a piece of birthday cake. Order items off the menu that make sense - avoid the heavy cream or deep fried options.

Increase activity - does the hotel have a workout room? Maybe take a couple walks around the city you're visiting.

If you go over calories for the week, oh well.

Worry less about what other people think.

StealthHealth

vivmom2014 wrote: »

Don't overthink it. You don't have to make major adjustments. Have a piece of birthday cake. Order items off the menu that make sense - avoid the heavy cream or deep fried options.

Increase activity - does the hotel have a workout room? Maybe take a couple walks around the city you're visiting.

If you go over calories for the week, oh well.

Worry less about what other people think.

^^ very good advice.

I would add that on business trips declining the biscuits, pastries, and snacks that come with every coffee break will make a decent saving and your colleagues will not bat an eyelid.

Xxlune

Thank you both! That already makes me feel a lot better about next week.
Sound advice too, I think I'll have a look at the hotel's work out room!

Mersie1

Do what works best for you!!!! Likely they are not as focused on what you are doing as you think. They are likely more focused on their own choices. Getting comfortable with living by your rules will set you up well for the rest of your life. You will always have some people in your life who may make you question your choices. Take comfort in that you're taking care of yourself. Always feel
Free to come to MFP to vent if you need to! Have a great trip! Add me
If you want!

nordlead2005

On business travel I eat at maintenance. Mostly because the food is paid for and I do not get per diam, just straight reimbursement, so I can't pocket any cash.

Also, if you are eating with others you don't have to eat everything and you don't have to make a point of it by openly rejecting things for weight reasons. A quick no thank you or just not ordering large items will do fine. Just the other day a non-dieting woman came over to an event I was hosting and ate 1.5 slices of pizza while all of the guys ate 3 pieces. No one cared, because she didn't say I can't eat more than 1.5 pieces cause I'm dieting.

LeanButNotMean44

Great advice given already, but I would also add that if possible look up the restaurant menu and try to plan ahead what you will eat. The nutrition information may not be in MFP, but this is one of those times where you just have to ballpark it.

Xxlune

nordlead2005 wrote: »

Also, if you are eating with others you don't have to eat everything and you don't have to make a point of it by openly rejecting things for weight reasons. A quick no thank you or just not ordering large items will do fine.

I think I needed to hear that.. Thanks

concordancia

nordlead2005 wrote: »

On business travel I eat at maintenance. Mostly because the food is paid for and I do not get per diam, just straight reimbursement, so I can't pocket any cash.

Also, if you are eating with others you don't have to eat everything and you don't have to make a point of it by openly rejecting things for weight reasons. A quick no thank you or just not ordering large items will do fine. Just the other day a non-dieting woman came over to an event I was hosting and ate 1.5 slices of pizza while all of the guys ate 3 pieces. No one cared, because she didn't say I can't eat more than 1.5 pieces cause I'm dieting.

This last bit is important. If you have the willpower, take the slice of cake you are offered, have a bite or two, then set it down and wander off to talk to the crazy uncle. If there are kids, join in their games to burn extra calories.

The same at business. If you order a salad and someone comments, you can really get back at them by saying you need the fiber to stay regular while traveling.

jemhh

You need to eat what you want to eat and don't eat what you don't want to eat, ignoring the fact that you are a young female. I do get it (the sole young female employee) and have been there in the past. The fact is that the vast majority of people do not care what you do/don't eat. I used to get way more comments on the fact that I ordered iced tea instead of alcohol than I ever did by eating grilled chicken and veggies (or its equivalent.) If you are out with customers, the focus is going to be on schmoozing with them and not really on what you're putting in your mouth. And if you're just with colleagues during off time (e.g., in the evening when you're officially off the clock) it will be more casual and, again, most people will not care. If you do get an odd duck who comments on something just say "I eat what I like to eat and don't eat what I don't like to eat." When I had people ask me "why aren't you getting a drink?" in the past I said something like "For the same reason I'm not playing hockey or checkers right now. I just don't feel like it." When you say it and mean it, the questioner is likely to say "okay" and move on.

willworkoutforwine

I traveled for work last month for two straight weeks and it was hard to stay on track. I told myself I would feel ok about it as long as I didn't gain. I ended up eating more than usual but tried to make smart choices, and I made time to hit the hotel gym as much as possible. I ended up maintaining for those two weeks. I suppose my point is to up your exercise, if possible, to offset eating more. And do your best to choose healthier foods.