Travelling & Logging

globegirl08

Hi all,

So I am back on MFP after some months away and determined to stay on track this time. As a brief introduction, I successfully lost weight last summer with less than half a stone (or 7lbs) left to reach my goal . I did this by following a specific low carb diet and before I get the comments back on this, this is what worked for me, my medical issues and lifestyle.

It all started to go wrong when I started my new job which involves spending approx 15 nights per month in hotels around the world......I completely got carried away and ate my way around the world......literally ! My gain wasn't due to my initial restrictive diet because in fact I introduced carbs back in a phased way and maintained for a month........I just went crazy on everything with no concept of healthy quantities.

My new challenge this time around isn't to just lose the weight but to maintain this and develop consistent habits whilst travelling. I have been back on MFP for the past 8 days and have successfully lost 3lbs to date and feeling totally great about it. This is not just a cliche New Years resolution but a personal goal I need to have in order to enjoy the best of both (travelling whilst feeling great).

So why this post? Well I wanted to reach out to the wider MFP community for any travel tips when flying internationally and staying in hotels etc. Any ideas / tips would be most welcomed, I do prefer low carb but am open to any healthy ideas as ultimately being healthy and fit is my aim.

Oh I must add that I am UK based and routinely away for 2 weeks straight so packing is limited. I can also end up in some quite remote destinations . For those who may be interested, I will attempt to blog my experiences and share my month to month journeys around the globe.

XoXo

jgray831

Hi, I travel to various destinations for work as well which involve a lot of work dinners and socialising. What works for me is choosing fish when eating out and a healthy vegetable side dish. By doing this every night I probably eat less carbs than I do at home. I watch my alcohol intake and have gin and slimline tonic rather than wine, which I would prefer. For breakfast I load up on protein and have boiled eggs and fruit, with perhaps one slice of wholemeal toast if available. Or I'll have an omlette. On some trips I haven't gained anything, but didn't feel like I deprived myself as I ate out well.

blondepsychobrat

Ha, I have a similar problem. I travel for work too, although more like only a week per month. Have the hardest time eating out in Italy and the easiest time eating out in Asia. If there really is nothing low-carb or no-carb on the menu, then I just don't eat the portion of rice/pasta/potatoes on my plate.
The advantage of eating out is that there isn't anything in the fridge beckoning, and I only get what I order. Salad and steak/fish works well too.

globegirl08

Hi, I travel to various destinations for work as well which involve a lot of work dinners and socialising. What works for me is choosing fish when eating out and a healthy vegetable side dish. By doing this every night I probably eat less carbs than I do at home. I watch my alcohol intake and have gin and slimline tonic rather than wine, which I would prefer. For breakfast I load up on protein and have boiled eggs and fruit, with perhaps one slice of wholemeal toast if available. Or I'll have an omlette. On some trips I haven't gained anything, but didn't feel like I deprived myself as I ate out well.

Excellent ideas...thank you! I also have a new idea for my forthcoming blog.........'Hotel Breakfasts (The Best of the Bunch!)'

In terms of eggs, I will probably have to start ordering more boiled , poached or omelettes as you suggested rather than just settling for items from the buffet selection.

@blondephyscob - I agree on Italy but that's only because I am a devil when it comes to good pizza and ice cream . Asia is indeed great in terms of choice and flavoursome dishes.

SezxyStef

I used to travel all the time too...

When I did I would find a store and buy some snacks...healthy ones. Barring that I would grab stuff from the buffet breakfast.

When I went to resturants I would order what I wanted that stayed within my plan.

Salads, chicken, seafood and if it came with stuff I didn't want like sauce I would eat very little of it.

I exercised everyday while away.

Breakfast was always a buffet style one and I would just choose smart options such as ham and eggs (scrambled) and grab yogurt and fruit from it for a snack later.

Lunch was typically again what was in plan tuna salad in a wrap, fruit, yogurt, water.

I had no issue keeping weight off even losing while I travelled because it was easier for me being away from home not to grab stuff and I could concentrate on myself instead of my husband and son...

ell_v131

A tip on the breakfast: unless you're staying in a mom&pop type of establishment t, stay away from the scrambled eggs at the buffet. They are rarely made from fresh eggs. Usually powder, thickened by flour, cream, lots of oil. Basically it has nothing to do with real eggs. Opt for hard boiled or sunny side up. Omelettes are not 100% safe either unless you watch the chef break the egg.

As for food overall, don't be afraid to ask questions. I eat roomservice most of the nights I travel and grill the chefs on weights and ingredients used. I buy food for the whole day in the morning in M&S type of store Where I can easily control my calories and macros and then eat it throughout the day. I don't drink anymore But have a glass of wine on the table mostly.to avoid questions on why I don't drink when I'm with clients Lol. Work out every day. Stay away from problems in the minibar. Well, most of the time anyways: )

globegirl08

I can absolutely agree that I have probably fallen victim to the whole scrambled eggs and omelette thing.....you usually can be so deceived once they are presented. Luckily , I stay in some nice places of a good standard......language barrier seems to be my biggest challenge.

Room service and mini bar....oh gosh, I have had such horror stories including being charged just last month the equivalent of £5 / $8 for some sliced lemons! Needless to say , I squeezed the life out if those lemons to get my monies worth

Keep the tips coming, compiling my 'travel commitment list' as we speak

ell_v131

Just to clarify: just because the hotel is nice doesnt mean they will not serve you powdered eggs. chains and business Properties are mostly guilty.

globegirl08

Just to clarify: just because the hotel is nice doesnt mean they will not serve you powdered eggs. chains and business Properties are mostly guilty.

I referred to standard of hotels generally and availability of room service/reference. I do agree that bad eggs or 'non eggs' could be served anywhere.....chains are the worst, I prefer boutique style where possible.

S1inky

I think you tripped up because you had been so good for a long time and just wanted to go wild with this new experience with a trimmer waistline. Anyway, you have done that now. So you wont be doing it this time will you.

You may have gone this way because when you eat out at hotels and restaurants all the time - its not normal food, Im from the uk and we tend to eat more salad , fruit and veg at home compared to the eating and dining (fast food) out market will be serving to you.

It also sounds like you wont be paying for this so therefore less guilt involved. Just eat what you want/like that you know is low carbs or an allowed veg stop when not hungry. Keep up with some exercise/stretches.

I think another place where we all trip up is with the airline food which we dont even like much, I normally give away rolls and stuff I dont like. Hmm if you are travelling business class maybe you can be more selective.

Make sure you get your laundry done at the hotel. Dont be too shy to ask for the left overs as take out if you think you are going to be hungry again - save ordering a load of sandwiches or something that is too high on calories.

Cellby

I have this problem too,I am away 6 months at a time, means I'm only in the uk one month a year. Good question I look forward to seeing suggestions....

globegirl08

Haha quite funny.......I do pay for it all but still go wild Only flights and hotels including breakfast is covered at work. I travel economy and yes airline meals are the worst....bland and high fat/calories /nasty additives. I have recognised tiredness as my EAT FACTOR .....an inevitable physical result of travelling across time zones.

I also do live in the Uk, London to be precise where we have some of the best restaurants all on my doorstep. The downside is lots of midweek girlie lunches and dinners so temptation out there however, the upside is that we have so much choice here so we only 'choose' to indulge. I guess the recent headlines here in the UK on the dangers on hidden sugars and its contribution to rising obesity levels teaches us all to really be wary about anything not home cooked.

Any ideas for 'scooby snacks' I could take along with me ? So far I have :
- Goji Berries
- Protein power (low carb)

S1inky

If you just have to stay awake try -
drink cold water - and sip regularly before you nod off.
Pinching between your fingers is worth a try. -
move about if you can.
try not to drive

If tired and wired try: listening to stories or music on headphones or a hypnotising/meditating type track or your foreign languages for all those different countries...

Turkey, lettuce might help.
Hot showers and bubble baths.
Pod casts
Pimsleur tapes are quite good

globegirl08

So first day on the road.....DELAYED at a London airport due to fog! So there I am all packed and organised with my 17 kilos of personal luggage and 3 kilos of Scooby snacks yet I have no flight. To add insult to injury, I have been issued with a free meal voucher for use at the airport.........hmm, no friendly food options so I might just have a glass of red wine ....okay maybe not...determined this time