Living the Lifestyle (LTL) - Wednesday, 10/11/17

minimyzeme

Everyone says it, but just how do you do it? How do you take the guidelines of the WW program lifestyle you can live every day...from now on? That is what we are here to explore. Each weekday, a new topic is and turn them into a Newbie? Join in! Veteran? Join in! Your thoughts may be just what someone else needs to hear.

Monday -- imastar2 (Derrick)
Tuesday --Jerdtrmndone (Jerry)
Wednesday -- minimyzeme (Kim)
Thursday -- DavidKuhnsSr (Dave)
Wildcard (up for grabs each Friday)

Today’s topic: Working your plan into your travels

Travel is inevitable, whether it’s for work or pleasure. Share your hints for life on the road. Some points you might touch on include any preparation for your plan you do, activities you make a point to include, how you handle eating options, etc. Please include one thing you know you need to change and how you're going to do so.

minimyzeme

Most of my travel is by car and most often I pack a cooler with plan-friendly stuff. This not only feeds me on the road but I usually have supplies for wherever I land too. If not, I check in advance to see where a decent grocery store is and make sure to include it as one of my first stops. I like to try to local ‘diners and dives’, but I’ll usually prep two of my meals / day. Gooood stuff can present a challenge so I think carefully about whether or not I’ll stick with the plan or indulge. Most stuff I buy as a full meal or indulgence gets split in half, if practical. While it still rubs me the wrong way, I might even throw food out if I’ve had enough of it to do the trick and to keep eating is just going to “waist food”. I’m always looking for ways to trim points whether it’s eating less, getting rid of lousy bread or roll, skipping the sauce, etc. I’ve started making it a point to walk a few miles most every day wherever I am. If I'm visiting family or friends and can drag any of them with me, all the better.

One thing I need to change when traveling is reaching for the snacks (often cashews) when I’m really not hungry. I have this problem sometimes when only traveling short distances (into town, etc.) but certainly on more sizable trips by car. I keep a good stash of them in the car—probably 1/2 - 3/4 of a cup. There is a method to the madness: a reasonable serving can provide a good snack that prevents me from making bad choices later on. Obviously though, too much of a good thing can be trouble. Since I know about how many are in a 1/2 oz, when I’m on my game I just count them as I eat. On a bad day, when I’m quasi-mindless eating, I’ll sometimes have to throw the (covered) container out of reach. Sometimes I just can’t stop eating them without taking drastic measures but they work too. This is an ongoing thing with me. I’m much better than I used to be but still have a ways to go.

88olds

Spent a lot of time on the road August/September. Because I don't eat burgers and fries, I can do fast food stops. McDs has been my go to, especially with the all day Egg McMuffin. Yogurt there works for me too. Salads are still OK.

But I have lately discovered the Chik Fil A grilled chicken wrap and Wendy's Mediterranean salad.

I've learned to navigate the free breakfast that many hotels offer now by stooping to instant oatmeal, usually followed by a couple hard boiled eggs.

Where I really fell down this summer was exercise. Got to do better going forward. Back on the road next week.

DavidKuhnsSr

We don't travel very often - there is so much to do close to home. When we do, I tend to just go with the flow. That said, my DW and I are far more likely to split a meal when we are on the road. Near home, we box leftovers and eat them later. On the road, we just order less.

Rachel0778

The car itself is not my problem, I just pack my meal like I do my lunch at work every day. My problem is the destination. I have a hell of a time staying on track at my SO's family's house. Even when I pack snacks and grocery shop for my own healthy options I tend to fall off the wagon since there are so many delicious things sitting out all day long. I try to keep busy, exercise, and go to the gym but honestly I haven't had a successful year yet and this will be my 5th year doing the holidays with them. I re-commit every year to trying to do better and this year is no different. It wouldn't be a big deal, but we tend to stay there for a full week at a time so there's a fair amount of damage that can be done in that short amount of time. I'll keep you all posted on how this year goes, maybe the extra accountability will help?

Jerdtrmndone

When we travel we pack a cooler with foods for lunch and veggie snack bags. Normally will try to find a diner for a meal and have the best healthy options possible. Eating at a fast food place could be a bit challenging if I must.

So my changes would be more control at a fast food place.

gadgetgirlIL

Nearly all my travel is for my hiking, biking, and/or running adventures so activity isn't an issue ;-)

If overnight travel is required, then I will make sure to find a hotel with a microwave and refrigerator in the room. I pack a cooler with pre-made items that I can just reheat and eat.

It is rare that I ever eat out during one of these trips as it is usually too much of a hassle to find meals that accommodate all my food intolerances.

When DH & I travel for our annual trek each May, we stay at a resort where we have a full kitchen. We have been going there for nearly 20 years. The restaurant has a breakfast that has items that work for me, including the addition of gluten-free toast a few years ago! We also go out one night to a local supper club where I can get a nice steak and baked potato.

Changes? None that I can think of. I do make sure that treats are out of hands reach during any long drives as that has been an issue in the past.

podkey

Oh good topic. Travel to 3rd world countries in search of dinosaurs?? Not to worry I will lose weight. Travel to the midwest I need to watch my Ps and Qs for sure. I am going to SoCal for our annual museum "dino dinner" to celebrate the museum with a world class caterer. Good News is the portions are smallish and just right. Will just have a scoop of scrambled eggs and maybe fruit for breakfast (or hard boiled egg if no scrambled ones). Will do fine and enjoy some great food too. Every trip is different and has its own promises and maybe challenges. I do like trips that include a rented bike or walking. We will walk in our upcoming trip.
And like Dave we will split meals at times too.

Out_of_Bubblegum

Travel is my Achilles heel, to be honest. I am entranced by visiting new places and experiencing new things, including local food... and because I only travel a few times/year on average, I tend to over-indulge.

I do not want to lose the fun of experiencing new foods when traveling, so ... as with all things, I need to learn how to moderate. One change I want to make - I need to exchange quantity for quality.... to make it a personal goal to seek out the more calorie friendly options of the local fare, rather than just the favorites (which are often calorie bombs).

podkey

Good point. I will always choose special regional dishes to sample when traveling and make up for it at breakfast and lunch for example. If it isn't unique or special I wouldn't over do it that often.

jasper60103

I've always enjoyed road trips with the family especially when the kids were younger. This was before WW and a healthier lifestyle. Now its plan, plan, plan to avoid some unhealthy temptations at every gas stop.
I usually bring along a lunch, snacks and sugar-less chewing gum to keep the mouth busy.
I still have to plan for a "what if" stop at a fast food joint and make the best choices though.
Its all part of the game.

imastar2

Travel by air is different than by car but if we travel by air we usually rent a car. When we travel by car DW and I will pack a cooler with some point friendly options like sandwiches already made and usually some fresh fruits and so forth. We also do our best to stay at hotels that feature free breakfast and even though they don't have the best choices there is usually some oatmeal, fresh fruit or yogurt and wheat toast or something along that order. One of the disadvantages to traveling by car is it takes much longer to get to your destination and I get hungry sometimes driving long distances. So stopping to eat sometimes does not have the best choices if we can't find a local diner. We also like to hit the grocery store if possible.

If traveling by air which is much less frequent for us so we try to pick a Hotel with at least a Refrigerator and a Microwave. This sometimes can be difficult if it's for a convention where the Hotel is the host Hotel. We also like to take a trip to the nearest grocery store as soon as we can get settled in so we can have a few things in the room that are WW friendly to us and in a small quantity so we can ditch it before we leave if we don't eat it all.

One thing I need to change is stay away from the buffets while traveling even though they have many more choices I overindulge and this is not an option for me. So I am planning on staying away from them as much as possible.